The landmark Sheraton Doha Hotel & Resort one of the most famous in the Middle East will undergo a $20 million renovation to coincide with its 20th anniversary.
The investment by owners Qatar National Hotel Company is designed to maintain the propertys premier status and its long-standing position as a Sheraton flagship.
Three floors of bedroom suites will be refurbished, a new restaurant complex and entertainment centre are being built on the ground floor, and the main entrance and foyer area will be re-designed to take best advantage of the seaviews offered by the hotels prime beachfront position.
The Salwa Ballroom one of Dohas favourite venues for weddings and conferences is also being refurbished in keeping with the hotels vigorous policy of styling ahead or abreast of modern styling.
Work is due for completion by December when the hotel will again host the Gulf Cooperation Council conference, first held there in 1983.
The Sheraton Doha Hotel & Resort has always been regarded as one of the Middle Easts signature properties, and the owners are committed to retaining that distinction, says general manager Robert van
Meerendonk.
Last year, the first phase of refurbishment was completed three floors of bedrooms and a completely new fitness centre. More improvements are still at the planning stage, but all with the common objective of ensuring that the hotel remains in the upper echelons of international ranking.
Since opening in 1982, the Sheraton Doha has hosted royalty and heads of state, business tycoons and captains of industry, the most famous names in sport and show-business, astronauts and admirals, economists and generals.
We have also played an important role in the successful development of the country, said van
Meerendonk.
"From signing ceremonies to mark major international agreements on matters political or economic, to exhibitions, conferences, weddings and social events the Sheraton Doha has been an integral part of Qatar life.
Among the 371-bedroomed hotels many distinguished guests over the years have been former US president George Bush, Egyptian president Hosni Mubarrak, boxing legend Mohamed Ali, the late Princess Diana, and tennis superstars John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.
It has hosted the Islamic Conference with 43 heads of state attending, and last years ministerial assembly of the World Trade Organisation representing 143 countries the biggest conference ever held in Doha.
The 20th anniversary celebrations will take place on April 20, attended by more than 1,000 invitees including HE Sheikh Abdulla Bin Ahmed Al-Thani, chairman of Qatar National Hotels; Phillipe Cassis, senior vice-president and director of operations Africa & Middle East for Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc Sheratons parent company; and Gerhard Foltin, the hotels first General Manager.
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