Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, has strengthened its foothold in the Middle East by signing a management agreement with Al Rayan Tourism Development Company to operate a hotel in Doha, Qatar. 

The five-star, 35-storey Shangri-La Hotel, Doha will open prior to the Asian Games in 2006 with approximately 250 guest rooms and 60 apartments.

Centrally located in the commercial heart of Doha, the new hotel will be adjacent to one of the biggest shopping and entertainment complexes in the world and connected to a large convention exhibition centre. 

It will feature spacious rooms with wireless LAN and high-speed internet access, and a variety of restaurants, recreation and meeting facilities.

Commenting on the announcement, Giovanni Angelini,  Shangri-La’s chief executive officer and managing director, said: “The Shangri-La Hotel, Doha reconfirms  our  commitment to expanding in the Middle East. Our target is to build a regional presence of about 8 to ten hotels, and we are delighted to be opening a hotel in Doha in a prime location with such dedicated owners.”

Shangri-La’s first hotel in the Middle East, the Shangri-La Hotel, Dubai, opened in July 2003, and will be followed by the Traders Hotel, Dubai this month.   

In 2005 the Shangri-La’s Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa, Muscat, Oman will open.