Hilton International will open its first property in Doha in December 2005. The hotel chain has signed a 15-year management contract to open and operate a new 320-room property on behalf of New Doha Hotel Company.
Hotelier Middle East also understands that the Le Meridien Hotel in Amman is being re flagged as a Hilton. It is said that the hotel group is currently working on a large deal involving some 23-24 hotels in the region. A number of Skandic hotels, Hilton’s economy brand and its luxury product Conrad are also to be introduced into the Middle East.
“Our intention is to open six Conrad hotels in the region within the next four years. We are thinking of two Conrads in Dubai followed by one each in Doha and Kuwait,” Rudi Jagersbacher, vice president, Arabian Peninsula, Hilton International told Hotelier Middle East.
In Qatar, Hilton has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to build the US$ 60 million development in Doha’s upmarket Al Dafnah district on the prestigious Corniche.
The property will consist of two floors of public areas together with a 20-floor guestroom tower. The hotel’s facilities will include a dedicated conference wing with meeting rooms, three restaurants and underground parking.
The development team consists of project managers Hamarain Project Management (HPM), architects and consultants, Crang and Boake and consultants Sabex Engineering.
“The Middle East region is experiencing strong growth, both as a business and leisure destination, and we are pleased to be opening Hilton Doha as the country is developing rapidly,” says Jagersbacher.
Hilton’s property portfolio has expanded rapidly over the last three years with the opening of five new hotels in the region – the Hilton Dubai Creek, Hilton Dubai Jumeirah, Hilton Ras Al Khaimah, Hilton Kuwait and Jeddah Hilton and the acquisition of Makkah Towers.
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