A leading privately-held lifestyle hospitality company, sbe, will open its first hotel in the Middle East with the launch of Mondrian Doha, Qatar this spring. This soft opening will set the stage for Mondrian Doha’s grand opening celebration, which follows in late September 2017 and promises to be an outstanding showcase of the property.
The lavish 270-room hotel has been designed in collaboration with world-renowned Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders, along with South West Architecture – the architectural company of record for Mondrian Doha, responsible for the design of the building. The hotel will be Marcel Wanders’ first hotel for the region. Guests can choose from five distinctive room categories including penthouse suites, studio suites, one and two bedroom suites and a range of standard guestrooms – all of which share the universal design details of Swarovski crystal chandeliers and sumptuous bespoke furniture in hues to mirror the desert.
Sam Nazarian, founder & CEO, sbe commented: “We are delighted to open our first hotel in the middle east in Doha, Qatar which is one of the most dynamic cities in the region. We’re additionally set to open two more hotel properties in Dubai in 2017 and 2018 and a number of restaurants. I know that Mondrian Doha will be an incredible destination for international and local travelers alike. It will be also a fantastic destination for the locals to experience all our culinary venues.”
The hotel will incorporate bespoke Marcel Wanders design features with influences from the beauty of local patterns, ornate Arabic writing and historic souks. Standout, memorable elements include giant columns with golden eggs, a ‘tree of life’ comprised of flowers, falcon video art, giant shisha, patterned carpets, ornate stained glass and intricate mosaic tiling.
Marcel Wanders commented: “Stories connect us to our history, our culture and to each other. Stepping into Mondrian Doha begins the first chapter of a wonderful story that unfolds around every turn. Conceptually, we have married local culture with a modern design aesthetic. While many themes are collectively layered throughout the hotel, each individual space tells its own tale. Guests may therefore have many different experiences and weave for themselves a collection of stories to share.”
The essence of One Thousand and One Nights, a collection of Middle Eastern folk tales and stories, has also influenced the design of the space, which is detailed-orientated and complex, with a number of facets, levels and layers. Structurally, the building of Mondrian Doha is shaped like a falcon, with many references to the national bird of Qatar also found inside; from paintings and portraits to falcon headpieces and ornaments. The location of the hotel next to Lagoona Mall in the West Bay area also acts as a gateway to the new Lusail City development, one of the world’s most visionary single developments and a true representation of Modern Qatar.
Mondrian Doha is a culinary emporium; with eight restaurants and bars – some of which are entirely new to Qatar – offering un-paralleled experiences in Doha. Middle Eastern cuisine is at the heart of Mondrian Doha’s food and beverage offering along with internationally renowned chefs. This includes Wolfgang Puck, master chef and restaurateur, bringing his concept CUT by Wolfgang Puck to Qatar for the first time.
Additional hotel facilities will include an entertainment floor complete with nightclub, rooftop pool and skybar, an exclusive spa and a grand ballroom.
