POSTCARD

BORA BORA

Naturally distanced

With extended stays – defined as 10 days more – all the rage, Four Seasons has jumped on the trend with a getaway that’s full of French Polynesian promise. Its newly refreshed Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora, recently crowned ‘Best for an Epic Stay in the World’ by AFAR, has launched an Extended Stay programme, tempting guests with a medley of personalised benefits, based on length of stay.

“Our guests have expressed an interest in spending more time with us – for a remote office, classroom, or simply as a place to escape and refresh,” explains the property’s general manager, Diego Stember. “Our open and naturally distanced setting, spacious accommodations, attentive service and plethora of active and pampering experiences make our private island resort a great place to stay longer.”

The premise is simple – the more nights you stay, the more benefits you accrue. For example, guests who stay 30 nights or more receive every fifth night for free, plus complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner daily, round-trip private airport transfers, premium internet access, twiceweekly private fitness sessions, a personal concierge and chef and spa team consultations.

The recently enhanced Four Seasons Resort Bora Bora is located on a private motu (islet), accessible only by boat or helicopter and features overwater bungalow suites and beachfront villa estates. Gemma Greenwood

WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

Don’t miss your chance to experience a city known as the world’s historical epicentre

Jerusalem is not only one of the world’s most historically signi cant cities, important to three major religions, but home to a young and modern society. It’s de ned by both tradition and transformation – 5,000 years of rich history are preserved, yet the city is forging ahead with new developments. If you are visiting Jerusalem for business, tag on at least one day of leisure time to discover its multi-faceted charm. ere is something for everyone, starting with more than 40 museums that tell the story of the country and its capital, its science, art, history, archaeology and culture through interactive exhibitions, multimedia displays, audio-visual shows and more. row theatres, cinemas, heritage tours, a plethora of excellent restaurants, traditional stone buildings and new lush green spaces into the mix to get a real avour of this colourful destination.

1 Breakfast at Tmol Shilshom Café An old-school dairy bookstore café in the city centre, Tmol Shilshom is a popular kosher culinary and cultural institution, favoured for its warm ambiance, delicious food, plethora of books and very friendly service. e café is well known for tasty dishes such as shakshuka – salmon llet in g sauce – plus ‘ e Lover Salad’ and its cheesecake. It is located in a 150-year-old building and hosts readings by Israel’s best-known writers. Tmol Shilshom is named a er Nobel laureate S.Y. Agnon’s novel (translated as ose Were the Days). It is open Sunday to ursday, 8.30 am to 11.30 pm, Friday until before Shabbat and Saturday from a er Shabbat. tmol-shilshom.co.il

2 Get your history fix at The Israel Museum e Israel Museum, which was expanded and upgraded 10 years ago, is the largest cultural institution in the State of Israel and ranks among the world’s leading art and archaeology museums. Founded in 1965, it houses encyclopedic collections including works dating from pre-history to the present day, as well as the most extensive holdings of biblical and Holy Land archaeology in the world. Over the past 70 years, thanks to a legacy of gi s and generous support from its circle of patrons worldwide, the museum has built-up a far-ranging collection of nearly 500,000 objects, representing the full scope of world material culture. Among the highlights of the museum’s original campus is the Shrine of the Book, designed by Armand Bartos and Frederick Kiesler, which houses the Dead Sea Scrolls, the oldest biblical manuscripts in the world. imj.org.il

JERUSALEM

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3 Get your grill on with a traditional lunch Jerusalem’s culinary scene is de ned by a fusion of ancient and modern recipes using both Eastern and Western cooking techniques. e con uence of ethnicities that merge together in Jerusalem creates a unique cultural tapestry. From creamy hummus to the freshest sh in the market, good food is a must for Jerusalemites and visitors. Grab a quick meal in a local hidden eatery or dine more leisurely on four courses at an upscale restaurant. Both are worth trying. A must-taste is ‘Meorav Yerusahlmi’ – a traditional Jerusalem mixed grill of chicken hearts, spleens and liver combined with pieces of lamb in a pita bread. It’s simple and delicious. 4 Browse around Machane Yehuda Market A visit to Jerusalem is not complete without a browse around Machane Yehuda market. By day it’s a bustling and colourful Middle Eastern market with vendors pushing their goods. By night it’s a vibrant nightlife hotspot. e festive vibe in the market is simply unparalleled; it’s a chance to sample interesting food and drink and meet friendly locals.

5 Hike as much as you like If you have the time and inclination to explore the city on foot, a repertoire of hiking trails and walking tours showcasing Jerusalem’s rich tapestry of attractions await in the picturesque Ein Kerem neighbourhood. Start on Ma’ayan Street, home to Ein Karem springs and a mosque; continue to the San Vincent monastery – a beautiful structure surrounded by large agricultural areas; stop at the Church of Yelizaveta Feodorovna where the nuns speak Russian and admission is free; and nish at e Sisters of Zion Convent. Another option is a tour of the Emek HaTemanim neighbourhood on the slopes of Nahal Sorek in Ein Kerem. It’s a quiet Yemenite district with wellpreserved stone houses built when the Yemenites immigrated to Israel. ese tours are available all-year-round. 6 Feel Jerusalem’s beating heart; the iconic Old City e Old City is the heart of Jerusalem and arguably, Israel, home to several sites of religious importance: e Temple Mount and Western Wall for Jews, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for Christians and the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque for Muslims. e city’s monumental defensive walls and iconic gates, built between 1535 and 1542 by the Ottoman Sultan Suleiman the Magni cent, encase the Muslim, Christian, Armenian and Jewish Quarters, each with its own myriad of narrow winding alleys and streets, steeped in history and lined with cafés, restaurants, shops, places to stay and more. A feast for the senses, with sights, sounds, tastes and aromas unique to this location, it is one of the most intriguing and inspiring places on Earth. 7 Shop in style at Mamilla Mall in West Jerusalem In stark contrast, but close to the Old City, just north-west of Ja a Gate, is Mamilla Mall, also known as Alrov Mamilla Avenue – an upscale shopping street and the only open-air mall in West Jerusalem. is promenade is home to high-end shops, restaurants with incredible views and luxury hotels. It also houses the galleries of world-class artist and designer Avi Luvaton and is without a doubt, the best place to buy one-ofa-kind jewellery pieces and Jewish art. While Mamilla certainly would not look out of place in cities such as London or Paris, it maintains a unique Jerusalem atmosphere that visitors simply must experience.

PHOTO BY ZOHAR GAFNI, COURTESY OF THE ISRAEL MUSEUM

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP

LEFT: Jerusalem is perched on a plateau between mountains and sea; Israel Museum silhouette; Dome of the Rock; Traditional ‘Meorav Yerusahlmi’

A swathe of hotels are opening in the Gulf State in the run up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup

HOTELS QATAR WORDS GEMMA GREENWOOD

HOTELS CALLING

The Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park at Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas

It’s a hive of activity in Qatar as the Gulf State gears up to host the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Construction of new mixed-use destinations with a tourism focus is in overdrive and hospitality developers are playing their part with the roll out of new resorts and hotels across multiple brands.

With the tournament expected to attract more than 80,000 football fans from all over the world, accommodating them all also calls for new innovative and sustainably minded concepts to ensure Qatar’s hotel room inventory meets the 90,000 mark.

ADMARES Construction and Qetaifan Projects have joined forces to create 16 luxury hotels designed just for the games, bringing some 1,616 rooms to market.

The four-storey structures, located on Qetaifan Island

North, not far from the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium, will all feature a restaurant, lounge/bar and 101 Scandinavianstyle rooms and will be bookable on global travel sites like

Expedia.com and Booking.com, according to developers.

What’s more, the occupant’s energy use will be measured and shared with them, empowering visitors to cut back on their carbon footprint and when the tournament is over, the hotels will be relocated and repurposed, although no details have been announced yet.

Back on shore and all the major regional and international hotel groups are fast-tracking their Qatar expansion plans, opening the doors to new properties this year and next, not only in anticipation of the World Cup, but the positive repercussions of Qatar National Vision 2030, with the tourism sector earmarked as a key pillar for long-term economic growth.

Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman of Qatar-based Katara Hospitality, has big plans for expansion. The company currently has 42 properties, but will grow this to 60 by 2030.

One thing’s for sure, visitors to Qatar will be spoiled for choice. If you are visiting this year or next, here are some new hotel options to consider, including two with huge water parks for some after-work recreation.

Palais Vendôme and Le Royal Méridien Doha

A lavish hospitality experience embodying classical Parisian elegance will set Palais Vendôme apart when it opens in Q1, 2022. This Luxury Collection Hotel with a palatial presence will feature 250 rooms, including two Presidential Suites, and will be part of a three-property complex. It will mark the entry of the brand into Qatar, offering global explorers a “unique gateway to this visionary destination”. Le Royal Méridien Doha, part of the same development, will offer a more contemporary style, reflecting modern French culture and design. The property, opening in Q3 this year, will house 250 guest rooms, including a Presidential Suite in one wing, while the other wing will offer 150 serviced apartments, Le Royal Méridien Doha Residences, with a range of options from studios to four-bedroom suites, ideal for extended stays and larger family groups.

Le Meridien Doha

Opening soon, Le Meridien Hotel Doha will occupy a 47-storey building and feature 256 rooms and suites, plus 97 one-, two- and three-bedroom luxury serviced apartments, including VVIP suites. Six dining outlets, outdoor and indoor pools, a health club and a fitness centre will also be part of the offering.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Palais Vendôme and Le Royal Méridien Doha; Banyan Tree Doha; Rixos Doha Qetaifan; Le Meridien Doha

Banyan Tree Doha

Banyan Tree Hotels & Resorts is on track to open its rst hotel in Qatar any day now. Banyan Tree Doha, located in Mushaireb and part of the Doha Oasis project, will o er guests direct access to a signature department store, indoor experiential theme park and exclusive cinema multiplex. A “sanctuary for the senses”, the property’s design ethos will re ect the four elements of life – earth, re, water and air – demonstrated in the trees of life that will ll the lobby with an air of calm. Accommodation will include 126 rooms and suites and 215 serviced residences with up to four bedrooms, complemented by an Altitude Club Lounge, Banyan Tree’s signature spa, a gym with exercise room, nine meeting rooms and multiple restaurants. ey include Panya Lounge – a patisserie with Asian are; Sa ron – Banyan Tree’s signature ai Kingdom restaurant; Qalamkarri (contemporary Indian); an all-daydining restaurant; and Vertigo on the 28th oor – a venue with a retractable roof, o ering a breathtaking night-life experience with panoramic city views.

Rixos Doha Qetaifan

Turkish all-inclusive resort brand Rixos is set to make its debut in Doha in 2022, just in time for the World Cup. Rixos Doha Qetaifan will not only feature a 345-key hotel, but a range of facilities that will elevate the Qatari capital’s tourism o ering including a Souq, a beach club, theme park and water park. e property will be part of Qetaifan Island North project, a new island destination close to Lusail City, located 27km from Hamad International and accessible via two iconic hanging bridges linking the island to the mainland. e theme park will feature e Icon Tower, the world’s highest structure of its kind, standing 82 metres and promising guests a memorable adrenaline rush.

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT:

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha; Element by Westin City Centre; Delta Hotels Marriott City Centre Doha

Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha

Hyatt debuted its Hyatt Regency brand in Qatar in January, with a new 400-room property conveniently located close to Hamad International Airport and a few minutes from Doha’s business district. Described as a “stress-free sanctuary that enhances productivity and peace of mind”, it suits on-the-go business travellers seeking refuge. Guestroom options include 63 Regency Club rooms and 12 suites, all with high-tech facilities, complimentary Wi-Fi and a workstation with large desk and an ergonomic chair. For meetings and events there are 11 rooms and two ballrooms, while leisure facilities include an outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, massage, steam and sauna rooms. Foodies won’t be disappointed, with restaurants including Choices (international), The Cellar (Spanish), Al Nafourah Garden (Middle Eastern and Lebanese), plus outdoor venue Splash, a Jazz Club and the sky-lit lobby atrium Sky Lounge.

Delta Hotels Marriott City Centre Doha

A 32-storey tower with a helipad roof, located in the West Bay area of Doha, is home to this new property opening in Q3. It will comprise 236 contemporary guestrooms, 84 serviced apartments with fully fitted kitchenettes, four dining outlet options, a spa, health club, swimming pool, a ballroom and meeting room. Doha’s City Centre shopping mall will be close by.

Element by Westin City Centre

Smart green design is the concept behind Element by West City Centre, opening in Doha’s West Bay business district in Q4. It will be housed in an “eco-conscious” 41-storey residential tower, with sustainability efforts including the use of recycled materials and low-VOC interior paints. Another Marriott property close to Doha’s City Centre mall, it will be characterised by natural light, open spaces, healthy dining and lifestyle options and spacious guestrooms featuring fully equipped kitchens, spa-inspired bathrooms and the famous Heavenly Bed.

AND THERE’S MORE…

From both Accor and Marriott

2021

Marriott Executive Apartments Doha, City Centre

Pitched as the ideal corporate housing solution, this property will blend apartment-style living with premier hotel services. All 123 apartments, with city or Arabian Gulf views, will be fully furnished, equipped with spacious gourmet kitchens, executive work areas and state-of-the-art appliances. The Residents Club, towering 44 floors above the city, will feature a lap pool and Jacuzzi, while a fitness and lounge area will be available to book for private events, exclusive to residents.

Element by Westin West Bay, Al Seeliya Tower’

This “innovative lifestyle property” featuring 180 luxury apartment rooms with “exclusive” design promises an “authentic atmosphere” and intuitive service. It’s one of two new Doha properties under the Element brand, which targets “healthy, active travellers who want to maintain a balanced lifestyle while on the road”.

Pullman West Bay Doha

Expect a central location, great sports amenities, timeless and functional design and balanced culinary concepts at this 468-room property (pictured top right). If you’re a fitness fanatic you’re in for a treat – this property will not only offer the highly successful neighbourhood gym concept, Pullman Power Fitness, but the recently launched ‘Pullman Power Fitness Fuelled by Les Mills’ experience. In 2020, the brand partnered with New Zealand-based fitness-class giant Les Mills and will initially offer guests the brand’s globally popular video-on-demand workouts at 50 hotels around the world, including Pullman West Bay Doha.

Aparthotel Adagio Doha C-Ring Road

Ideal for business travellers, this Adagio will offer 153 serviced apartments combining the “comforts and freedom of home” with the benefits of hotel services.

Ibis Doha C-Ring Road

An economy hotel with 153 fully equipped rooms, innovative bedding and 24-hour reception services.

2022

Al Samriya Autograph Collection Hotel

Opening in Q1, 2022 in a unique location – the middle of Al Samriya Farm, part of Qatar’s Shahaniya area – the Al Samriya Autograph Collection Hotel will be built using traditional materials and masonry from the farm. Comprising 62 rooms and 26 villas, a spa and a restaurant, the hotel will be walking distance from three attractions: The Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, the Al Samriya Equestrian Centre and the farm’s oryx reserve, offering visitors the chance to enjoy unique experiences outside of the city.

Grand Mercure Doha C-Ring Road

A 283-room hotel that will blend with its environment to create a sense of locality, offering an authentic destination experience.

Doha West Bay Novotel

Modern easy living and rich digital experiences define the Novotel brand, with the Doha property offering 396 rooms and plenty of space to work, relax and have fun.

Sofitel Doha West Bay

Guests will discover French-style luxury hospitality with an Arabian twiest at this 430-room property with signature touches including the MyBed Experience, SoFIT and SoSPA.

Swissôtel Doha Cornice Park Towers

A contemporary and stylish hotel promising service quality and 476 innovatively designed rooms with modular functionality, reflecting the brand’s Alpine heritage.

Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas

If you’re looking to have some real fun during your next business trip to Doha, Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas could be the answer as it plays host to the largest theme park in Qatar and one of the biggest in the Middle East – Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park. It’s the place to make a splash after a busy work day, or you can retreat to the Eforea Spa for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. Back to business and the resort offers a collection of customisable venues for meetings and events, including the grand ballroom, Al Massarah, with more than 2,000 sqm space. Accommodation spans 246 rooms and suites, 84 beachfront villas, plus an authentic Arabian Village with 31 eye-catching villas and apartments defined by bright blueand-white exteriors and regionally inspired design. You won’t go hungry either, with 20 food and beverage concepts ranging from Dante (Italian) and Octa (seafood) to Miss Wong (Chinese) and Levantine (Arabian).

voco Doha West Bay Suites

Described by parent company IHG Hotels & Resorts as “a new characterful hotel with an unstuffy attitude”, voco Doha West Bay Suites has just opened its doors in the city’s West Bay District.

The 396-room property combines “familiar comforts with the indulgences of a hotel to create dependable and upscale service” and features an outdoor swimming pool, spa facilities, an all-day dining restaurant, shisha lounge, three meetings rooms and a 35th floor club lounge. Ideal for those who like to shop, it’s also just a 10-minute walk from Doha City Centre Mall.

Millennium Place Doha

Millennium Hotels and Resorts MEA is set to open its first hotel under its Millennium Place brand in Qatar this month (March). Millennium Place Doha, located in Doha’s Rawdat Al Khail area, will feature 150 rooms, meetings and events space, five dining outlets, a gym, spa, indoor and outdoor pools and parking. The Millennium Place brand tagline is ‘find your happy place’ and promises to take guests on a “journey” that encompasses “genuine services and unique hospitality.”

CLOCKWISE FROM LEFT: Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas; Millennium Place Doha; Sedra Arjaan by Rotana; Centro Doha; The Plaza Doha Anantara Hotel & Suites; voco Doha West Bay Suites

Sedra Arjaan by Rotana

UAE-based Rotana recently took over the management of this 250-key property on Pearl Island – a pearlshaped artificial island located 30 minutes from Doha. Ideal for short or long stays and perfect for a workcation with family, it features 250 studios, apartments and penthouses, two outdoor swimming pools, two fitness centres (separate male and female), a kids’ play area and an outdoor jacuzzi. Full hotel services include a 24-hour reception and daily housekeeping.

The Plaza Doha Anantara Hotel & Suites

Minor Hotels will open its second Anantara property in Qatar in the last quarter of this year.

The Plaza Doha Anantara Hotel & Suites, located in the Um Ghuwelina area of the city, 15 minutes from Hamad International Airport, will feature 118 guest rooms and 172 serviced apartment suites, plus a large ballroom and six meeting rooms. It will be a grand-looking property with a palatial façade and inside, blend Parisian design with Arabian luxury, with examples including the hotel’s centre piece – an elegant, air-conditioned courtyard atrium. For leisure, guests will be able to choose from a rooftop infinity pool, indoor pool, a gym and a signature Anantara Spa. A kids’ play area and multiple dining options are also among the hotel’s highlights.

Centro Doha

Rotana will also open a hotel under its contemporary Centro Hotels brand in Doha by 2023, featuring 350 rooms and suites, an all-day dining restaurant, an innovative 24-hour grab-and go dining concept offering guests tasty food, drinks and quick snacks to take away, plus a gym, outdoor swimming pool and well-equipped meeting rooms. Centro is a modern, stylish and affordable lifestyle business hotel brand targeting corporate travellers seeking sophisticated value-for-money accommodation and convenient city centre locations.