SOUTH West Architecture, one of the leading engineering consultants in Qatar and the developers of the Al-Mirqab Tourism Company-owned Al Maha Project, an impressive twin residential towers and hotel development (total area of 52,000sq meters) under construction in the West Bay of Doha, has appointed Dubai-based, Wa International to undertake the interior design scope for the hotel, part of the Sofitel group of Accor managed properties.
Apart from its unique design recommendations, Wa International was selected to design the interiors for the Al Maha Sofitel Hotel because of its work currently underway on a number of other Accor-run properties, including a 450-room Sofitel under construction at the prestigious Jumeirah Beach Residence development, Dubai; the Zamzam Sofitel Tower in Mekka and the Sofitel Al Khobar in Saudi Arabia.
“The Sofitel brand is very strong throughout the world and it has a great deal of flair. We want to blend it with a little Arabic style and colour to create a unique environment.“ said Claire Craig, design director, Wa International. “Accor has a real passion for their business and we share their desire to create environments which guests can really enjoy and identify with.”
In a luxury hotel market dominated by the Anglo-Saxon model, Sofitel insists on positioning its specific French touch as a point of difference and has given to talented interior designers the task of recreating a certain art de vivre.
‘’We are convinced that all the key elements are combined with Al Maha Sofitel West Bay to create an extremely successful project both financially and image wise’’ says Christophe Landais, managing director for Accor Middle East.
The Al Maha Sofitel Hotel in Doha offers a luxurious and majestic feeling of space with no shortage of exquisite materials and furnishings. The impressive dimensions of the lobby and public areas harmonize these finishes beautifully leaving the guest with a feeling of decadent luxury and comfort.
The lobby is spacious and architectural but with a warm contemporary elegance featuring splashes of colour on the unique pieces of furniture and tone on tone finishes. To tie in with the regional style, beautiful back-lit mashrabiya panels are incorporated giving the reception a dramatic backdrop. Grand staircases lead up to the first floor giving the space glamour and a regal quality. Beyond the staircase stands a stunning contemporary sculptural water feature designed to reflect shards of light around the entrance to the scenic lifts.
The rooms are fresh, contemporary and moody with highlights of exotic colours in appreciation of the rich and diverse culture of this region. The bathroom is light and airy with frosted glass doors and a sliding partition next to the bath, opening the space to the room and giving it a stylish high-tech yet intimate feel.
The Al Maha Sofitel Hotel, with 300 bays will boast specialty restaurants, a cigar lounge, ballroom, spa facilities, health club, squash court, swimming pool, tea house and penthouse on the 24th floor. Piling works started in December last year and the hotel, covering more than 5000 sq meters, is scheduled for completion in March 2008.
Founded in London in 1978 and based in Dubai since 1993, Wa International is also carrying out design work in Dubai, London, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jeddah, Karachi and Zanzibar.