Arabian Business got an exclusive inside look into the first-of-its-kind ultra-luxury Raffles and Fairmont in Doha, Qatar. The dual-branded property is located within the iconic Katara Towers which is a unique crescent-shaped building gracing the skyline of Lusail.
Raffles and Fairmont, Doha, first opened its doors exclusively to FIFA officials and delegates for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022, in November. The hotels recently opened its doors to the public, now accepting bookings for the 132 suites at Raffles and 361 rooms & suites at Fairmont.
The curved towers are designed to pay homage to Qatar’s history, symbolising traditional scimitar swords and the country’s national seal.
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The unique yet distinctive towers house Fairmont on one side, a 5-star hotel and Raffles on the other which is a rare 6-star property. Both hotels are connected and guests have access to the luxuriant amenities and F&B venues across the grounds spanning 300,000 square meters.
“A challenge is an opportunity, we have gone a very long way in all aspects to create two absolutely iconic hotels, both of them are very distinctive but both have one shared vision,” Christian Hirt, Managing Director of Raffles and Fairmont Doha, told Arabian Business in an exclusive interview ahead of the opening in 2022.
“The GCC is definitely a market where we will surely get a significant number of visitors,” said Hirt.
The hotels since its opening has seen the likes of royalty, delegates, FIFA officials and other massive football stars, the staff revealed.
The hotels are designed with opulence and intricate detail based on Qatar’s history, with the aim to exceed the expectations of those seeking luxury. Details range from scent to colours, textures, lighting, art, architecture and more.
The venues located within both properties, each unique in their offerings and experiences, are designed to appeal to international and national visitors, with over 96 nationalities and 1200 staff extensively trained to offer guests a bespoke and tailored stay.
Unique hotel features
The Fairmont lobby has the tallest chandelier in the world, measuring a whopping 57 metres, the piece is made out of individual glass spheres that have a droplet effect falling through the centre of the hotel and can be viewed from all the floors of the hotel.
The lobby at the Raffles has a one-of-a-kind kaleidoscope ceiling which changes to reflect clouds or stars depending on the time of day.
The hotel also has a lavish private auditorium that can be used for movie screenings, conferences, concerts and other private events. Royal red curtains surround the room with individual recliner seats equipped with lighting, a mic, a table and other features.
A speakeasy bar, private spa rooms, and a ballroom with the highest ceiling in Doha are some of the amenities that the hotels have to offer to guests.
No uniforms or name tags
Throughout the hotel, the staff do not wear uniforms or nametags, in fact, staff at every area of the hotel including the F&B venues wear what they call a ‘Colleague Wardrobe’ designed by couture designer Nicholas Oakwell, who founded a company called ‘NO Uniform’. All the outfits were custom designed and created for the staff at each location of the hotel.
“Usually people wish to have an employee with uniform and nametag so they would follow the standards, here, it is the other way around. No uniform and no nametag, we make sure the standard is followed, but in a different way. My work will somehow present me indirectly and then I will make sure through the journey, you will remember me,” Hani Akkari – General Manager at Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, Doha, told Arabian Business.
Suites and rooms
The hotel boasts elaborate suites for those who are willing to indulge, suites range from Presidential, Parisian, Shanghai and more, each suite featuring designs to suit the theme.
Raffles, in line with its 6-star badge, has a private butler for every room booked in the hotel. All 132 suites come with a private butler, luxurious bath products, Dyson hair tools, a custom room scent machine, panoramic windows, high thread count sheets and more.
“If you are returning guests or shared your preferences with us, your butler will know everything about you that he has to know to offer you the best experience,” said a staff member at Fairmont, Doha.
The presidential suite at the Fairmont is a 787 square metre duplex with features including two living areas, a cinema, a private bar, a dining room, Jacuzzi, a gym, a private barber, and butler.
The suite has housed Saudi delegates and other VIP guests since its opening. The price per night has not yet been disclosed as the suite is still not released for public booking and has only been given to exclusive guests, state officials and VIPs.
The Fairmont hosted the FIFA delegation and legends during the World Cup. Officials and Saudi delegates resided at the Raffles.
Within Fairmont is an exclusive member-only premium hotel-within-a-hotel, Fairmont Gold. Offering an elevated level of guest benefits and privileges, including a dedicated pool and lounge, as well as butlers providing highly personalised service.
The hotels feature various standards of rooms and suites with key features including advanced technology, Posturepedic mattresses, a walk-in bar, dressing table, walk-in closet and valet delivery closet box. Sparkling with 18k gold tiles, bathrooms include a separate shower, tub and TV.
Dining, spa and other amenities
Both Raffles and Fairmont have multiple dining and drink venues including Masala Library by Jiggs Kalra, Vaya!, Acoustic Music Penthouse, Dome and Provok.
Every venue features design elements unique to its theme. Dome, for instance, has a massive glass cloche at the centre of the venue, and the 12 feet high glass cloche which had to be brought in by sea in one piece and craned into position.
Provok, the two-floor venue has guests picking from two themes, fire and ice. Each floor is designed to suit the theme, the bottom floor features icy designs and ice sculptures while the second floor has red interiors with fire displays.
Fairmont Gold guests have access to the lounge on the second floor, a private check-in area, complimentary continental breakfast, afternoon tea, evening canapés and treats at the dessert buffet and mixology bar.
When the project was announced, Sheikh Nawaf bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani, the chairman of Katara Hospitality, said: “The world’s most loved cities are often identified through imagery and landmark buildings. We strongly believe the property we are developing will provide Qatar with an architectural symbol that is known and understood right across the globe.”
The new properties added for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 aim to broaden Qatar’s appeal to a range of travellers and enhance the visitor experience as Qatar tourism continues its mission to turn the country into a world-class holiday destination.
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