Qatar’s leading global hotel owner, developer and operator Katara Hospitality is partnering with Accor on a landmark development project including a Raffles and a Fairmont hotel.
Katara already owns several hotels managed by Accor including the Plaza in New York, The Savoy in London and the Raffles in Singapore. The new development will also join Accor’s Fairmont Hotel and Raffles Hotel & Residences portfolio. The management agreement was signed by His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Jassim Bin Jabor Al-Thani, Chairman of Katara Hospitality and Sébastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO of Accor.
His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, Chairman, Katara Hospitality said: “Katara Hospitality is one of the first investors that understood the significance of the project, committing to developing the hospitality icon of Doha for the 21st Century in the State of Qatar. We are confident the ethos of Accor brand is a strategic fit for this iconic project as it is important that we have an operator who understands our vision and strategy, while ensuring it occupies its rightful position in the local and global marketplaces when it opens next year.”
The hotels will be located in the Iconic Towers in the planned city of Lusail, located north of Doha. The building’s unique design is an architectural translation of Qatar’s national seal, representing the traditional scimitar swords. In addition to the two luxury hotels and residences, the development will include entertainment and recreational facilities, specialist boutiques, cinemas, signature restaurants and a private Cigar Lounge, banqueting and conference spaces, as well as offices. His Excellency added: “We strongly believe the property we are developing will provide Qatar with an architectural symbol that is known and understood right across the globe. Our vision is to set new standards that go beyond the borders of the hospitality industry and provide a landmark location that is instantly recognised internationally”.
Sebastien Bazin, Chairman & CEO of Accor commented, “We are extremely excited to announce this iconic property and to showcase it on the world stage in the years to come. The arrival of the Raffles and Fairmont brands in Qatar marks an important milestone for Accor, as we endeavour to bring their distinctive levels of quality and luxurious service to residents and travellers alike.” Accor currently operates six properties in Qatar across five brands including Movenpick (also owned by Katara Hospitality), Mondrian and MGallery, with nine additional hotels in the pipeline. The partnership fits with Accor's announced development plan, in which a key part was development in luxury outside of Europe.
The hotels are due to open in 2022, in time for the FIFA World Cup hosted by Qatar.