Places To Stay in Qatar: Autumn 2022

Places to Stay in Qatar

Hospitality

Tourism in Qatar

Feature – More Hospitality Accommodation

Qatar’s hospitality sector is expected to add 12,250 more keys by the end of the year with the opening of many new hotels.

Places to Stay

Places to Stay in Qatar

Hotels in Qatar cover every taste and budget, from luxurious five-star properties to Arabian retreats and serviced apartments. Many of the world’s top brands are represented, as well as local boutique hotels with décor inspired by Qatar’s rich Islamic history.

While most are in the capital city Doha, why not venture further afield? There are stunning hotels just outside Doha at The Pearl Island, Katara Cultural Village and Souq Waqif, Al Wakra, Abu Samra, Simaisma and Banana Island there are sizeable beachfront properties providing all manner of watersports and fine dining choices.

On the following pages, you can find listings of the hotels in the country and the services they offer. All will have housekeeping, WiFi access, restaurants and cafes, and access to transportation. Many also have gyms, recreation areas, spas and beauty centres, and licenced bars to ensure you are fully relaxed and refreshed during your stay. All are family friendly, with something to keep everyone entertained!

Hotels regularly offer promotions, including staycations, happy hour deals, Afternoon teas, weekend brunches, and much more. Marhaba has exclusive listings, so make sure you visit our website and social media pages to keep up to date with new offerings.

Note: All travellers visiting for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM must register for a Hayya card at hayya.qatar2022.qa. This will act as the visa required to enter Qatar, allow entry to the stadium (with a valid match ticket), give access to public transport on match days and provide journey planning via the Hayya app. You do not need proof of accommodation in order to register for the card.

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Tourism in Qatar

Boosting tourism

A range of visa measures announced by Qatar Tourism (QT), formerly known as Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) and Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA), have been widely welcomed by tourism industry professionals, as well as the country’s hospitality and retail operators.

The introduction of the free, 96-hour transit visa and +Qatar (an initiative to promote Qatar as a stopover destination by QT and Qatar Airways) has resulted in bringing close to 200,000 visitors to Qatar.

In August 2017, Qatar introduced visa waivers for citizens of more than 95 countries. Since inception, at least 275,000 visitors have entered Qatar visa-free.

In September 2018, the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) ranked Qatar as the 8th most open in the world in terms of visa facilitation in its '10 Most Open Visa Countries in the World'.

In addition, Qatar was ranked number one in the Middle East and number eight globally in business environment by the World's Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2019.

In 2021, Qatar retained its position as the second safest country in the world by Numbeo, the world's largest database of user contributed data.

Qatar offers a wide range of authentic tourism experiences, in addition to hosting close to 80 sporting events annually, and will be the first Middle Eastern country to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM and the 2023 FINA World Swimming Championships.

Tourist arrivals

As with the rest of the world, Qatar's tourism industry was heavily impacted by the COVID–19 pandemic in 2020. However, the country is now opening its borders to visitors again.

On 5 January 2021, at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, and Egypt restored diplomatic relations with the country and reopened land, air and sea routes. Due to the lifting of the blockade and visitor entries opening to GCC citizens in January 2021, visitation by nationals from Saudi Arabia and the UAE increased significantly, by 193% and 208% respectively, between Q3 2020 and Q3 2021. Other smaller increases were seen from Indian (+18%) and Nepalese (+90%) nationals. Declines continued to be seen across the rest of Qatar’s top 15 visitor arrival nationalities.

Qatar has seen a rise of about seven times in the number of visitors flocking to the country during the first quarter of 2022 compared to previous years, according to QT. January and March 2022 alone saw 316,000 visitors to Qatar.

QT's latest tourism statistics, from May 2022, report international arrivals exceeded 166,000, marking it as the month with the highest number of visitors in 2022.

Hotel and hotel apartment performance Qatar’s hospitality sector is witnessing a strong rebound with hotels across segments seeing an increase in occupancy rates. Among the hotels, two- and one-star hotels recorded the highest occupancy rate in May 2022, surging to 93%.

Hotels and hotel apartments in Qatar witnessed a robust performance with the overall occupancy rate being at 58% in May. Hotels of all categories, ranging from five-star to two- and one- star, have seen a rise in occupancy rates and revenue per available room.

The three-star hotel occupancy rate jumped to 86% in May from 82% in the same period in 2021. Similarly, the occupancy rate of four-star hotels rose to 63%. In the case of five-star, the hotels’ occupancy rates stood at 59% in the review period.

The occupancy rates of deluxe hotel apartments and standard hotel apartments for May were 47% and 78% respectively.

Cruise industry

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that distrupted the 2020–21 and 2021–22 seasons, QT saw the recovery of the tourism sector, with a strong performance on the cruise tourism. The cruise tourism trips returned with the start of 2021–22 cruise season, which takes place between

December 2021 and April 2022 and during the first half of it, almost 58,000 passengers and crews were welcomed. At mid-season, 18 cruise ships had docked at Doha Port with 12 additional cruise calls by the end of the season. According to QT, the top nationalities to arrive at Doha Port are from Belgium, Brazil, France, India, Italy, Germany, Spain, and the UK. GCC visitors have also grown and are expected to further increase by next year via the QT partnership with Emerald Cruises. QT and Mwani Qatar, the organisations responsible for managing the country’s shipping terminals and seaports, expect to witness a growth in cruise visits in the coming period, particularly in the leadup to the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM

Over the past few years, QT has established a number of strong relationships with international cruise operators as well as with other specialists involved in the industry. This has proved to be of great importance as Qatar will be benefitting from cruise ships during the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM, as a means of providing additional accommodation for fans and visitors over the period. A minimum of 6,000 rooms on cruise ships will be contracted for the 2022 tournament.

Cruise passengers can also avail of the new transit visa. As part of the new operating procedure –which includes the use of enhanced technology and close collaboration between cruise operators and security officials – a passenger manifest containing the passport details of passengers and crew will be shared with immigration officials 48 hours prior to a ship’s arrival in Qatar. This will allow the authorities to process all relevant information and clear passengers for entry before the ship's berthing, enabling travellers to disembark within minutes and begin on-shore excursions.

QT’s projections show continued growth in the cruise tourism industry over the coming years. With the completion of the Doha Port redevelopment, and the associated capacity increase, which allows the port to receive two megaships at once, Qatar is expected to attract 500,000 cruise tourists by 2026.

Next Chapter

On World Tourism Day 2017, held annually on 27 September, Qatar launched the Next Chapter of its National Tourism Sector Strategy 2030, which charts the next five years of the tourism sector’s growth in Qatar.

According to QT, the next chapter aims to attract 5.6 mn visitors to Qatar annually by 2023. It also aims to achieve a 72% occupancy rate across all hotel establishments, through a combination of increasing demand and diversifying the country’s tourist accommodation offering.

Visitor arrivals in Doha are projected to grow by 104% by 2025, making it the fastest-growing tourist destination among major cities worldwide. The city is expected to see more than 4.51 mn visitors in 2025.

Tourism is expected to play a greater role in Qatar’s economy as the sector’s share of the country’s GDP will be nearly QAR133.5 bn in 2028, reports the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC). Travel and tourism investment in Qatar may exceed QAR14.5 bn, or 4.2% of total investments in the country, in 2028.

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Qatar Tourism (QT)

In November 2018, The Amir, HH Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani issued Decision No 74 of 2018 establishing Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC), cancelling QTA and the government committee to coordinate conferences and events.

In 2021, Qatar National Tourism Council (QNTC) was renamed Qatar Tourism (QT)

QT promotes Qatar as a destination around the world, through its destination branding, international representation and participation at trade shows, and by developing a rich calendar of festivals and events. QT is growing internationally with representative offices in London, Paris, Berlin, Milan, Singapore and more cities.

In 2014, Qatar launched the Qatar National Tourism Sector Strategy (QNTSS), which seeks to diversify the country’s tourism offering and increase the sector’s contribution to Qatar’s economy by 2030.

Chaired by Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, HE Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al Thani, QT works in partnership with public and private stakeholders to achieve this mission by planning, regulating and promoting a sustainable and diverse tourism industry while perpetuating Qatar’s culture.

For more information, visit visitqatar.qa or qatartourism.com

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More Hospitality Accommodation

By Ola Diab

Qatar’s hospitality sector is expected to add 12,250 more keys by the end of the year with the opening of many new hotels.

Qatar’s hospitality sector is expected to deliver more than 12,250 keys with the opening of many new hotels this year, according to the latest report released by ValuStrat, the Middle East's leading international consulting and advisory group.

The report noted that 12,250 keys are in the pipeline for the remainder of 2022. According to Qatar Tourism, hospitality stock was estimated at 29,386 units (21,689 hotel keys and 7,697 hotel apartments) at the end of 2021.

The hospitality sector has already registered healthy growth in the first quarter of 2022 as the country gears up to host the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM at the end of the year, from 21 November –18 December 2022.

According to ValuStrat, the total supply of serviced and hotel apartments is predicted to exceed 10,000 keys with the opening of Hampton by Hilton Doha Old Town in Old Salata (221 keys) and Central Inn Al Sadd (279 keys), adding 500 keys to the total supply. In addition, Rabban Suites West Bay and Swiss Belhotel Doha were rebranded as Voco Doha West Bay Suites and AMT Mena.

According to ValuStrat, in February 2022, hotel and hotel apartment stock exceeded 30,000 keys and the pipeline for 2022 was adjusted upwards to 13,300.

In terms of year-to-date (YTD) March 2022 hotel performance, total international arrivals included 315,831 visitors, expanding by a significant 691% as compared to the same period in 2021. Asia and GCC provided 60% of total international visitors. Average occupancy of hotel and hotel apartments (excluding keys being used for quarantine) was 58% as of YTD March 2022, down 5% year-onyear. Average Daily Rate (ADR) for hotels and hotel apartments stood at QAR459, up 14% over the year.

In addition, Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC) has announced 130,000 rooms are available to accommodate the projected 1.5 mn fans for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM. SC is responsible for the delivery of the required infrastructure and host country planning and operations for Qatar to host the historic FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM – the first FIFA World Cup to be held in the Arab world.

Residential occupancy According to ValuStrat, residential occupancy has been estimated to have reached 80%, propelled by short long-term leases by the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy for FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022TM and pick-up in demand from companies looking for staff accommodation.

Residential stock in Qatar was estimated at 308,000 units with the addition of 700 during the first quarter of 2022. Two residential projects in The Pearl Island including a tower, and seven apartment buildings in Lusail, were completed adding 600 apartments. Ezdan Real Estate announced the launch of 4,000 units across eight compounds in Al Wakra municipality this year. Barwa Real Estate announced the lease of the Madinatna project, comprising 6,780 apartments in Al Wukair to the Supreme Committee for six months during 2022, and Qetaifan Island North launched the sale of phase 3, consisting of 40 residential villa plots. Dar Al Arkan, a Saudi developer, has launched Les Vagues residences (70 apartments) in Qetaifan Island North to start development in the second quarter of 2022.

As of first quarter of 2022, ValuStrat Price Index (VPI) – Residential stood at 64.9 points and saw a marginal increase of 0.2% quarterly.

Best tourism experience

To ensure that visitors constantly get the best experience in the state, Qatar Tourism uses Sentiment Analysis Technology in the hospitality industry to access a large number of guest reviews, from more than 130 global platforms.

Qatar Tourism boosts investment opportunities in the country’s growing hospitality sector, providing offerings that suit all the needs of visitors during and after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

In addition to hotels and hotel apartments, there will be various accommodations in Qatar for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. This includes cruise liners, fan villages and more, providing around 1,600 rooms in total.

In addition, fans can stay in private homes as part of the Host a Fan intiative. The Holiday Homes initiative is similar to SC's Host a Fan initiative, which was launched in 2021, ahead of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™, enabling households across Qatar to volunteer to host visiting sports fans during upcoming sporting events. An expression of the Arab world’s famed hospitality, the firstof-a-kind programme links supporters travelling to Qatar for major tournaments with locals and residents. The Host a Fan initiative is part of the SC’s strategy to provide fans visiting Qatar with a variety of culturally rich accommodation options. In addition, the initiative is completely free of charge. Visiting fans will not be required to pay for their accommodation, nor will hosts be paid for hosting a fan. Hosts, however, will be able to choose where fans will stay, and how long their visit will be. Most importantly, hosts will act as cultural guides, showing their guests Qatar’s most significant cultural destinations, and introducing them to local customs and traditions.

Residents will also be able to host up to 10 family members and friends during the championship. m

Holiday Homes

By Ola Diab

Are you a home or villa owner with a spare property looking for extra income? Rent it now to travellers from all over the world on one of the various platforms that offer holiday rentals.

Q

atar Tourism has announced an expedited process to issue Holiday Homes licences for residential property owners in Qatar to enlist their units for short-term rentals through popular international websites such as Airbnb, booking.com, holidayhomes.com and Vrbo.

The entity is receiving a growing number of enquiries on the licensing process from citizens and investors through its website, and has therefore introduced a helpline and simplified process to issue licences within a week. However, Qatar Tourism officials warned that property owners who bypass the process and rent their homes to vacationers without a licence risk receiving a prison sentence of up to two years and/or a QAR200,000 fine.

According to Mohamed Al Ansari, Director of Tourism Licensing, the spirit of hospitality is a distinct feature of Qatari tradition. He said that this is a chance to showcase Qatar's true essence as they prepare to host visitors from every corner of the world for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™. Al Ansari

said,‘Qatar Tourism invites all residential property owners to share our spirit of hospitality while generating extra income from their unused units by simply getting a Holiday Homes licence. Steps and requirements needed for the licence are available on our website.’

Online application

Featured under the e-services section of the Qatar Tourism corporate website, the Holiday Homes page offers the options for homeowners to either fill in a simple form to request a call back from the Qatar Tourism agents, or follow the steps in the portal user guide to apply online.

Once the application is accepted, a team inspects the unit to finalise the process. The free-of-charge Holiday Homes licence is valid for five years and can be renewed to allow property owners to generate extra income by renting out their residential units for short-term use. It also gives them the opportunity to meet people from different cultures and celebrate Qatar’s tradition of hospitality.

Best tourism experience

To ensure that the visitors constantly get the best experience in the state, Qatar Tourism uses Sentiment Analysis Technology in the hospitality industry to access a large number of guests reviews from more than 130 global platforms.

Being part of the hospitality sector, Holiday Homes should achieve a minimum score of 75% in guest satisfaction throughout the validity of the licence. Qatar Tourism will continue to monitor this score, giving the chance for those underperforming to take corrective measures. Failure to do so will result in the cancellation of the licence.

Qatar Tourism boosts investment opportunities in the country’s growing hospitality sector, providing offerings that suit all the needs of visitors during and after the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™.

To see all updates on the Holiday Homes licence, visit the Qatar Tourism corporate website or call 4499 7888 to directly connect with the Qatar Tourism Licensing Department. Qatar Tourism also receives applications through its single window counter 44 in Al Jasra Tower, Lusail City.

Host a fan

The Holiday Homes initiative is similar to Supreme Committee for Delivery & Legacy’s (SC) Host a Fan initiative, which was launched in 2021, ahead of the FIFA Arab Cup 2021™, enabling households across Qatar to volunteer to host visiting sports fans during upcoming sporting events. An expression of the Arab world’s famed hospitality, the first-of-a-kind programme links supporters travelling to Qatar for major tournaments with locals and residents.

What are the benefits?

1. First and foremost, you’ll be able to generate income. Your empty house can be used as a money earner, and your licence is free of charge.

2. If you enjoy being a host, this is a great way to meet people from all over the world, experience their culture and introduce unparalleled Qatari hospitality.

3. Qatar Tourism can help you set up the regulations for your enlisted house.

4. Units can be used by other governmental entities to accommodate their special guests or events.

The Host a Fan initiative is part of the SC’s strategy to provide fans visiting Qatar with a variety of culturally rich accommodation options. According to Project Manager of the initiative at the SC, Khalid Al Jumaily, this unique approach will allow fans to experience Qatar’s culture through the eyes of a local.

In addition, the initiative is completely free of charge. Visiting fans will not be required to pay for their accommodation, nor will hosts be paid for hosting a fan.

Hosts, however, will be able to choose where fans will stay, and how long their visit will be. Most importantly, hosts will act as cultural guides, showing their guests Qatar’s most significant cultural destinations, and introducing them to local customs and traditions.

Those interested in learning more about the specific requirements of the initiative can visit hostafan.qa. However, registration closed on 12 October 2021.

For more upcoming events, see Events in Qatar and/or the Sports Events Calendar in the Events and Activities section.

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Places to Stay

FIVE-STAR HOTELS

Al Aziziyah Boutique Hotel

Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha

Najada Doha Hotel

AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection

Hilton

Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery Hotel Collection

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara

Banyan Tree Doha at La Cigale Mushaireb

Bentley Luxury Hotel & Suites

Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha

Central Inn Al Sadd

City Centre Rotana Doha

Concorde Hotel Doha

Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park

Crowne Plaza Doha West Bay

DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Downtown

C5

D4

C4

C4

D3

C4

✘ D4

✘ D4

✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ C4

✘ D4

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Doha – Al Sadd

D4

✘ D3 DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Doha – Old Town

Dusit Doha Hotel ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ C4

dusitD2 Salwa

Hotel & Suites

Palace Hotel

Seasons Hotel

Tulip

D4

WEBSITE

28 4445 5555 alaziziyahboutique.com

30 4445 0000 almessiladoha.com

4470 4444 tivolihotels.com/en/al-najada-tivoli

4489 9000 alrayyanhilton.qa

4009 9999 alwadihoteldoha.com

24 45 4040 5050 anantara.com/en/banana-island-doha

60 215 4410 3333 banyantree.com/qatar/doha

4410 2444 thebentleytower.com

138 4009 5555 centarahotelsresorts.com

4419 1000 centralinn.qa

24 94 4445 8888 rotana.com/citycentrerotanadoha

21 4407 3333 concordedoha.com

40 90 4408 7777 ihg.com/crowneplaza

32 40 4019 9999 crowneplaza.com/dohawestbay

4446 8888 N/A

4004 7400 dohaalsadd.doubletreebyhilton.com

4034 3333 DohaOldTown.DoubleTree.com

96 4004 4444 dusit.com/dusitdoha-hotel

11 4004 7777 dusit.com/dusitd2/salwaqatar 192 4447 8888 N/A

4007 1111 ezdanpalace.qa

57 4494 8888 fourseasons.com/doha

41 42 4419 8888 doha.goldentulip.com

39 91 4448 1234 grandhyattdoha.com

28 4423 3333 doha.hilton.com

115 4423 6666 salwabeachresort.qa

12 4141 1234 hyattregencyoryxdoha.com

38 82 4484 4444 doha.intercontinental.com

176 4015 8888 intercontinental.com/dohathecity

38 42 4429 5000 jw-marriott.com

4405 3333 kempinski.com/doha

32 4428 8888 lacigalehotel.com

41 91 4008 8888 mandarinoriental.com/doha

62 120 4419 5000 marriottmarquisdoha.com

73 4035 5555 kempinski.com/marsamalaz

4424 7777 millenniumhotels.com

to Stay

Golden

Alwadi

Crowne

IN STYLE

Stay

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Places to Stay

Plaza

Mövenpick Hotel

Airport

Hyatt

Doha West Bay

Retaj Salwa Resort

Saraya Corniche Hotel

Sealine Beach, A Murwab

Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton

Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel

Simaisma, A Murwab Resort

Souq Al Wakra Hotel Qatar by Tivoli

Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels

Bidda, Al Jasra, Al Jomrok, Al Mirqab, Al Najada, Arumaila, Bismillah, Musheireb, Najd

Hotel Doha

Avenue, A Murwab Hotel

Ritz-Carlton, Doha

St. Regis Doha

Torch

WEBSITE

6999

4045 5555 sbe.com/hotels/mondrian/doha

4496 6600 movenpick.com/west-bay-doha

4010 8100 oryxairporthotel.com

4009 1234 parkhyattdoha.com

4009 4000 pullman-doha-westbay.com

6000 retajsalwaresort.com

4497 3777 sarayacorniche.com

4021 4000 sealinebeachqatar.com

4425 6666 ritzcarlton.com/doha

4485 4444 marriott.com/dohsi

4479 9555 simaisma.com

4428 7888 tivolihotels.com/en/souq-al-wakra-tivoli

4433 6666 tivolihotels.com/en/souq-waqif-doha

4020 1666 steigenberger.com

3 4042 8222 avenuedoha.com

4484 8000 ritzcarlton.com/doha

4446 0000 stregisdoha.com

4446 5600 thetorchdoha.com.qa

26 4492 1555 westindoha.com

4426 1111 viphotel.qa

153 4453 5000 wdoha.com

4456 3333 warwickhotels.com/warwick-doha

4008 7000 wyndhamdwb.com

3333 wyndhamgrandregency.com

6500 zulal.com

Centara

Dusit Doha

Stay

Places to Stay

FOUR-STAR HOTELS

Al Liwan Suites

Al Mansour Suites

Best Western Plus Doha

Centro Capital Doha

Corp Executive Hotel – Doha Suites

Ezdan Hotel, West Bay

Four Points by Sheraton Doha

Gokulam Park Doha

Grand Regal Hotel

Gulf Pearls Hotel

Holiday Inn Doha – The Business Park

Holiday Villa Hotel & Residence City Centre

Horizon Manor Hotel

Jouri, A Murwab Hotel

Hotel

Mercure Grand Hotel Doha City Centre

Millenium Central Doha

Mövenpick Hotel Doha

New Blue Rose Hotel

Plaza Inn Doha

Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha

D4

D4

D4

✘ D3

D4

C4

D4

D4

D4

✘ D3

✘ D4

✘ D4

D4

✔ ✔ ✔ ✘ D4

✔ ✔ ✘ ✘ ✔ ✘ D4

D4

D4

D4

D3

D4

WEBSITE

Park

Mandarin Oriental, Doha

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha

Places to Stay

Muntazah

Hotel

Hotel

Dynasty

Ocean Hotel

Qatar Palace

Garden Hotel

Kingsgate Hotel

Castle Hotel

Park Hotel

Musherib Hotel

Inn

Inn

Rawda Hotel

Town Hotel

Tourist Hotel,

Boutique

Airport

Education

Marsa

Places to Stay

DELUXE APARTMENTS

Aleph Doha

Mansour

Najada

Safa

Suites

Doha

Suites

Pearl

Mirage City Walk

Magnum Hotel & Suites West Bay

Marriott Executive Apartments

Mirage

Mansour

Sadd

Villa

The Keys of Gold

Les Clefs d'Or is an international network of professional hotel concierges with common interests and goals. All Concierge Clefs d’Or can be recognised by the golden crossed keys they display on the label of their uniforms – these are a symbol of guaranteed, quality service.

The association is non-profitable, non-political and non-religious – it is not a trade union. Rather, it is based on friendship between members with an enduring aim to assist international travellers and tourists. Members have their own unique combination of expertise and sources of inside information that allows them to accommodate all guest requests, from the mundane to the extraordinary.

A Short History

The first such concierge association evolved in 1929 when Pierre Quentin, Concierge at Hôtel Ambassador in Paris, and 10 of his fellow Parisian concierges realised that they could operate more effectively as a team than individually. They felt that by joining forces they could make their services more useful and indispensable.

Accordingly on 27 November 1929 the founding General Assembly took place, which saw more than 100 members join. The two oldest associations are

the French and the Swedish ones; Qatar and Macau are the newest members joining in 2014. Qatar was officially accepted in Les Clefs d’Or as the 44th Independent Country at the Union Internationale des Concierges d’Hôtels. The association now counts 44 Member Sections representing 80 countries and 536 locations around the globe with 4,000 members.

Concierge members are primarily dedicated to the promotion and facilitation of travel and tourism. They carry out a delicate balance between seeking out advancements in the travel and tourism industry, while also respecting the history and traditions of the hotel concierge profession.

A vital element of the association is being able to rely on an extensive and global network of acquaintances, friends, and colleagues in order to ensure that guests’ demands are met. Duties are handled with persistence, tenaciousness, and professionalism. Les Clefs d’Or Concierges have worked hard to obtain their keys, and the many years of hard work and training is shown in their ability to remain calm under all circumstances and their dedication to providing discreet and quality services to hotel guests and travellers.

Les Clefs d'Or in Qatar and the Middle East In February 2014, Qatar was officially accepted as the 44th Independent Country Section to be a part of Union Internationale des Concierges d’Hotels (UICH). Les Clefs d’Or Qatar was formed in 2010 at the InterContinental Doha by Randy Santos who was the then Chief Concierge, and who is now Chief Concierge at Fairmont Doha. The group consists of 27 members from different nationalities and backgrounds, covering most hotels in Qatar.

Their objectives are to provide a world-class concierge service, which includes recommending the most authentic experiences in Qatar, and the best places to visit. Duties also include daily tasks such as dealing with mail and messages, and organising travel plans.

The Keys of Gold

The Keys of Gold

marhaba.qa

Santos and his colleagues have helped to expand Les Clef d'Or in the Middle East. They assisted the concierge of the Sheraton Kuwait in establishing a Kuwait Hotels Concierge Group, with the eventual aim of becoming Les Clefs d’Or Kuwait. In addition to Qatar, Kuwait and the UAE, the Middle East is also home to many other Les Clefs d’Or, including Lebanon, Jordan, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt.

Les Clefs d’Or Qatar Committee

Les Clef d'Or Qatar have different committees that serve not only their guests, but also the community by volunteering and donating whatever they can offer. Their Qatar Concierge Committee and Corporate Social Responsibility Committee have joined forces to host charity events such as the Donation Drive by Les Clefs d’Or Qatar. According to Les Clef d'Or Qatar, it does not only help those in need, but it can help promote a culture of giving and being a Les Clefs d’Or International Family, they firmly believe in that.

According to Randy, 'We also have scheduled to volunteer and set a date for Qatar Charity to help the community. We also help dog and cat shelters, and undertake beach cleaning activities as a Les Clefs d’Or. Enhancing the Concierge profession by providing an education day training, we do have different committees as follows: Executive, Qatar Concierge Society, Corporate Social Responsibility, Education, and Communications and Social Media.'

Monthly meetings are held, and they have launched the yearly International Concierge Workshop hosted by HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Fahad Al Thani, who is the primary supporter of the Les Clefs d’Or Qatar. Qatar Tourism, Katara Cultural Village, and the GMs of Qatar's hotels also support the society.

With increasing visitors to the country, especially due to the upcoming FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, there is an exponential demand upon the hospitality industry from tourists and business travellers. Les Clefs d’Or Qatar strives to meet this demand through maintaining a discreet and complete concierge service. For more information on Les Clef d'Or, visit lesclefsdor.org

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Qatar’s golden concierge Randy Santos has worked in the hospitality industry since the age of 19, with a 35-year service record within the Middle East.

Looking at his CV, he has an impressive list of accomplishments that includes his current role as the Chief Concierge at Fairmont Doha.

Many could argue that Santos plays a pivotal role within the profession on an international level. His illustrious career includes the founding of Concierge Societies in Dubai and Qatar, and he has also founded Les Clef d'Or Qatar and Les Clef d'Or UAE – both of which he has also resided over in his role as President. He is also a Les Clef d'Or mentor to the Kuwait Chapter.

A lifetime of dedication, hard work and advocacy has resulted in Santos' nomination for the position of 1st Vice President of UICH -- Les Clefs d’Or International. This is the fourth highest position within the global association and he has the distinction of being the first Middle East Les Clef d'Or member to be so nominated. Santos will be running as President of UICH in 2023 in Turkey.

Daniel Kamaku who participated in Les Clefs d’Or award in Cannes 2019.

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Qatar in 48 Hours

By Ola Diab

Qatar's compact size makes it the ideal destination for a flying visit.

Millions of transit passengers pass through Hamad International Airport (HIA) every year and Qatar receives a large number of business travellers. And now, nationals from at least 80 countries can take advantage of visa-free entry into Qatar, thanks to the new visa waiver upon arrival. Exploring Qatar's culture and attractions has never been easier. Invite your friends and family to discover an authentic Arabian treasure in the heart of the Gulf -- a land famous for its heritage, luxury and hospitality.

If you're prepared to get up early and go to bed late, you can see much of what Qatar has to offer in just 48 hours. We've put together some themed itineraries to help you plan your stay -- mix them up to create your ideal trip. If you're a resident, maybe we can inspire you to try something new.

DAY ONE

Start your day by taking a stroll down the 7 km Doha Corniche! It has the best view of the Doha skyline. A dhow cruise is highly recommended during your short stay so you can see Doha from the sea. There are many local tour companies that offer diverse sightseeing and day cruise trips, which include food, drinks and entertainment. Doha's Corniche is adjacent to the newly reopened and lush green Al Bidda Park. It's Qatar's biggest and first pet-friendly park, extending over an area of about 2 mn sq m, boasting expansive landscape and flora, and featuring outdoor basketball, football and tennis courts, outdoor exercise equipment, openair playgrounds, open theatre, barbecue stations, walking, jogging and cycling tracks, and other recreational and service facilities.

Then visit the nearby National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ), a vibrant and immersive space that invites

all visitors to explore Qatar's rich heritage and culture.

Dedicate this day to also visiting the country's top must-see sightseeing hotpots – Souq Waqif, Msheireb Downtown Doha, Katara Cultural Village, The Pearl Island and Lusail City.

Although Souq Waqif comes alive at night, it’s a beautiful place (and fortunately, less busy) during the day. It’s the perfect destination to experience the more historic and cultural side of Qatar with a variety of shops, restaurants and coffee shops as well as art galleries. From Souq Waqif, take the underground passage to Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD). The world’s first sustainable downtown regeneration project, MDD revives Doha’s old commercial district with a new architectural language. Comprising over 100 buildings with commercial and residential properties as well as retail and cultural offerings, MDD includes niche retail and a variety of al fresco dining options. In the heart of MDD, Msheireb Museums celebrate the history of Qatar through four heritage houses. The area includes entertainment venues, Qatar Academy Msheireb and three five-star hotels, Mandarin Oriental, Doha, Alwadi Hotel Doha - MGallery, and Park Hyatt Doha.

Next destination, visit Katara Cultural Village for more cultural and artistic indulgence. It’s a great place to dine for lunch or dinner while taking in its exquisite architecture. Take a drive around Qatar’s first and only artificial island spanning nearly 4 mn sq m, The Pearl Island. Get a taste of luxury

Souq Waqif

at this extravagant residential district, swamped with high-end shops and restaurants. Last but not least, cruise around Lusail City, Qatar's future city. Along with its iconic stadium that will feature in the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022™, and a population of around 200,000, Lusail City aims to be the smartest, most technologically advanced smart city in the region, if not the world. Each district offers an array of residential, commercial, hospitality and retail destinations. Here, you can have a look at the iconic 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium, stroll through Marina Promenade, discover the new and luxurious Place Vendôme, and more.

DAY TWO

Now that you’ve seen the ‘Top Places To See in Doha’, you have room to explore beyond the bustling city. Escape the heat at Mesaieed, an oasis of tranquility located amid the dunes of the Arabian Desert, embraced by the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf! Enjoy playing watersports and desert fun at Sealine Beach, A Murwab Resort then take a quad bike and sand bash in the dunes. If you still have time, Zekreet has something for everyone: fascinating geological features and ruins for the intrepid explorer, fabulous stretches of beach for a picnic or overnight camping, and favourable weather conditions for adrenalin junkies to engage in kite surfing and parasailing.

If you wish to stay in Doha and enjoy the waters within the city, spend the day at luxurious Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara, Doha’s paradise island with a botanical garden, 800 m of pristine private beach and spa menus.

If you’re looking to shop – Qatar’s favourite pastime – there's a plethora of options. Visit Doha Festival City, Mall of Qatar or Place Vendôme.

Leaving so soon?

Don’t rush to Hamad International Airport (HIA)!

Besides being spoiled for choice the awardwining airport is a destination for art lovers as it is home to some of the most unique art pieces

in the world. QM works with local, regional and international artists to commission and acquire artworks for key locations in and around HIA. The art comprises a mix of site-specific creations as well as pieces, which have been carefully selected for the airport. The first international installation, 'Lamp Bear' by Swiss artist Urs Fischer, was installed in a prominent location in the centre of the airport. Dutch artist Tom Claassen has produced a series of sculptures of the Oryx, an antelope native to the Arabian Peninsula, which appear as a herd in the arrivals hall of the airport. The airport currently also houses 'Arctic Nurseries of El Dorado' by British artist Marc Quinn, and 'Untitled' by Italian artist Rudolf Stingel. Find out more about HIA and its art installations in Discovering Qatar.

Marhaba Recommendations

Other sights to see: Museums: Msheireb Museums, Mathaf: Arab Museum of Modern Art, Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani (FBQ) Museum.

Mosques: State Grand Mosque also known as Imam Muhammad Ibn Abdul Wahhab Mosque; Qatar Faculty of Islamic Studies (QFIS) Mosque also known as the Education City Mosque; HIA Mosque; and at Katara, the Katara Masjid and Golden Masjid.

Others: Souq Al Wakra; Qatar National Library (QNL); Aspire Park; 5/6 Park; and Oxygen Park. There's always more to see!

Touring options: Hop-on and Hop-off around Doha’s main landmarks with the Doha Bus while enjoying sightseeing around the city, whether day or night.

Dining options: Try local dishes at Souq Waqif or Souq Al Wakra. For international cuisine, check out The Pearl Island, Katara Cultural Village or any of Qatar's five-star hotels.

Enjoy a fully-packed visit to Qatar! For more sightseeing tips, check out Sightseeing in the Discovering Qatar section. m

Sand duning at Mesaieed

'Lamp Bear' by Swiss artist Urs Fischer

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