The Hotel Inter-Continental Doha celebrated its first anniversary with a function befitting its exceptional array of achievements.
More than 500 local dignitaries, clients and VIPs attended a reception in the hotel's grand ballroom to mark the occasion. "We started operating with 100 per cent occupancy for our first night and we have continued impressively ever since," said Johnny Fattaleh, regional vice-president, Six Continents Hotels, Northern Gulf, and general manager of the hotel, whose 245 rooms each have views of the Arabian Gulf. He said the hotel's first year of operations had seen stays by British and Jordanian royalty, eight presidents, two prime ministers, actors, and sports personalities, including many of Europe's top golfers hosted by the official hotel for the $750,000 Qatar Masters. The hotel also hosted the international line-up of guests to the 9th Islamic Summit Conference and the World Trade Organisation Conference last year. Boasting Qatar's longest private beach, the Hotel Inter-Continental Doha also eclipsed 607 coastal hotels worldwide to walk away with the coveted Kuoni Travel Green Planet Award recognising its environmental role.