Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels (SWBH), theexclusive collection of five-star luxury designer hotels offering traditional Arabic hospitality with exquisite contemporary high end design features, will mark its secondyear of successful growthat WTM. With eight boutique hotels, the first of their kind in the region, nestled in the vibrant Souq Waqif market and managed by Al Rayyan Hospitality Group, SWBHis planning to add morehotels in the near future.

Given its location at the heart of the Souq, SWBH has supported the community as the official partner for all the Souq Waqif Festivals held in the market several times a year, such as the Eid and Spring Festivals, that are hugely popular and attract residents and visitors alike in large numbers.

In the past two years, the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel collectionhasbuilt on its success to expand to eight properties, each located in the heart of Doha, where guests experience the cultural heritage of the marketon their doorstep while enjoying the luxurious surroundings and world class spa facilities on offer. Epitomising the height of elegance with their own distinct design characteristics the hotels are Arumaila, Al Bidda, Al Jasra, Al Jomrok, Al Mirqab, Musheireb, Al Najada and the unique Bismillah, Doha’s first and smallest hotel transformed to the highest design standard into an exclusive haven of two five star suitesfor guests, with an open balcony all round overlooking the busy market below.

These luxury SouqWaqif Boutique Hotels in Doha tucked away in the SouqWaqif’s market offer guests five star accommodation that fuses ancient Arabic heritage with contemporary chic and high-end facilities.

Guests can luxuriate in stunning designer hotels with 21st century amenities before taking a step into the past to experience the bustlingSouqWaqif market with its charming labyrinth of alleyways and welcoming market stalls.

Hotel guests can experience five-star Qatari hospitality on SWBH traditional Arabian dhow boat cruises. Taking in Doha’s spectacular skyline with music, guests dine on gourmetArabic and international dishes created by the on-board chef. The luxury dhow boat cruises offer a romantic dinner for two, family or corporate celebrations or special sunset cruises, all tailored to suit guests’ preferences.

Vasken Vartanian, Director of Sales at Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels, said: “Qatar is on the cusp of a hospitality boom and fast becoming a leading international destination, known for the flawless quality of its 5 star accommodation, its cultural landmarks and superb facilities and services. With predicted growth next year in Qatar, we are proud to be part of setting the pace for cultural tourism within the boutique hospitality industry that has already outperformed the broader hotel market in many areas of the world.”

Expos
Travelling all over the world, the group has participated in all the leading international tourism and hospitality expos to showcase its unique offerings from World Travel Market in London, Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, to the International Luxury Travel Market (ILTM) in Cannes, The Gulf Incentive Business Travel Market (GIBTM) in Abu Dhabi, International French Travel Market Top Resa (IFTM),SWBH will also participate in ITB in Berlin.

The Hotels
In keeping with tradition, the boutique hotels have taken their names from surrounding residential neighborhoods. In the heart of the souq, steeped in heritage and one of the best shopping, culinary and cultural experiences in the Gulf, guests are provided with adedicated airport limousine service.

Each hotel is a haven of privacy and relaxation and offers superb facilities and services to enhance guests’ stay. These include valet parking; a business centre and free wi-fi; state-of-the-art gyms and fitness centres; spa, beauty and relaxation treatments; a private outdoor swimming pool; a library and reading room; personal shopping services; a baby-sitting service; in-suite dining prepared by a private chef and tailor-made city tours. This is in addition to the range of cuisines and culinary delights across the hotel collection - from informal courtyard cafes to five-star seafood restaurants and rooftop grills - each with its own inimitable style and inviting ambience.

To take each in turn, Arumaila Boutique Hotel is the perfect 21st century retreat with its vibrant décor and sophisticated yet funky atmosphere. Rooms have private balconies overlooking the Souq and a mini-gym with Technogym cardio machines and weightsalong with Spa and treatment facilities provided by Anantara Spa and massage and beauty treatment roomsall add to the hotel’s appeal. Hotel offersAl Canteen’sinternational all day dining and Al Matbakh rooftop grill, overlooking the harbor and city skyline, withstone, charcoal and authentic tandoor grilled specialities.

Al Bidda Boutique Hotel offers a chic sanctuary with contemporary flairfrom leading international designers. All suites feature kitchenettes and deluxe amenities. A female salon and nail spa and an entertainment room includes billiards table, baby foot facility, cartoon screenings & board/card games also feature. There is a business centre with business services and two conference rooms and three restaurants, La Piazza, La Patissereie and Shades offer Italian, patisserie and contemporary cuisine.

Al Jasra Boutique Hotel is an elegant retreatwith rooms and designer suites decorated and furnished in bold colours with rich materials.Al Jasra providesa fully-equipped gym overlooking Souq Waqif and traditional Elements Spa with authentic Moroccan hammam, as well as in-room dining with private chef, personal shopper services and a business centre, offering business services. Its restaurants include The Drawing Room, a trendy and intimate lobby lounge for snacks and light meals; Al Sanboukseafood restaurant; and Argan, a true Moroccan hospitality experience with sumptuous seating, serving authentic Moroccan cuisine.

Al Jomrok Boutique Hotel is a stylish haven offering comfort, hospitality and casual dining facilities. An historic hotel ithas been fully restored to its original splendor with wooden floors and wall decorations inspired by Qatari heritage. Combining local charm and elegance, Al Jomrok guests can enjoy artwork by leading international designers as well as a memorable view over Souq Waqif. The alfresco Al Shurfa Arabic Loungeopened this year with a retractable roof feature to maintain the besttemperature and offers cold mezzes and tapas as well as spectacular grills to order.

Al Mirqab Boutique Hotel is the gateway into Souq Waqif market and one of the largest in the collection with designer suites, fully-equipped fitness centre, temperature-controlled outdoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi and business facilities.

An ideal venue for a corporate event or private gathering, it offers two conference rooms and Al Rayyan Theatre, an indoor 980-seat, state-of-the-art amphitheatre as well as an outdoor rooftop theatre with seating capacity of 300. It has a Lebanese Lounge, Al Terrace, serving Lebanese cuisine.

MusheirebBoutique Hotel is a true Qatari-styled boutique property, a majlis retreat in local tradition. The hotel rooms and designer suites reflect Khaleeji boutique elegance, as they combine the discretion of a private residence with five-star service. The roomsare decorated with fine woods and traditional Oriental-style furniture. Guests have access to spa and treatment facilities at Al Jasra’s Elements Spaand other services in the collection.

Al Najada Boutique Hotelwas built by combining three authentic Qatari homes to create a seamlessluxury hotel. All rooms and designer suites are decorated in stunning Arabic style, with distinctive features, including expansive balconies, private terraces and indoor patios. With a range of exclusive facilities and personalised services, Al Najada also offers a rooftop mini-gym, a treatment room, and a library and reading room Fusion restaurants, the Courtyard and the Dining Room,bring together Arabic, Japanese, South East Asian and European cuisine in a unique combination.