The Sharq Village & Spa, Landmark, Ritz Carlton luxury beachfront hotel and resort, has been part of the Qatari luxury hospitality landscape for many years now, offering it’s clientele a generous range of traditional and opulent services.
In an exclusive interview, Wael Maatouk (pictured), General Manager — Sharq Village & Spa, shed light on the latest strategies that are being put to action, to further elevate the quality and experience of services provided at the Village.
“As you know, Sharq Village & spa has been at the forefront of luxury hospitality, and we are always in a state of reinvention to ensure that our clients always get to revel in the opulence that the village provides. We have set new strategies to ensure that the reinvention process moves smoothly and in compliance with our vision and heritage” stated, Maatouk.
Sharq village & Spa has been focused on driving up leisure occupancies on the weekends for the past ten years. However in 2016, the hotel developed strategies that were capable of encouraging corporate and business groups occupancies during the weekdays, and in turn, diversifying their clientele. “We have been successful in increasing the level of corporate and business groups in-house occupancies during the weekdays over the span of 2016. That is quite an achievement and a turning point for Sharq Village, while maintaining our successful leisure occupancies during the weekends.” expressed, Maatouk.
The task of driving up business and corporate groups occupancies was not easy, however Sharq village collaborated with local companies in developing flexible pricing strategies, and better value packages, which has proven to be successful. The hotel is currently working on developing an enhanced internet network “The fastest internet network in Doha.”, and on utilising the latest IPTV technologies in each hotel room and suite, to comply with their latest strategy and to enhance the guests’ experience.
“We have completely revamped the entire bedding experience in each room without affecting the authenticity and the traditional imprint that our guests have come to expect from us, and without erasing the hotel’s identity.” said, Maatouk.
“We have also installed new TV systems in each room and suite, 50’ and 55’ to be precise.” he added. Among the latest developments at Sharq Village & Spa, is a state of the art indoor kids play area, that involves water sports and other fun activities as well. The project that is currently being developed will impact the hotel during the summer, ushering in a lot of family fun.
“We are working on developing a project that targets families and children over the summer, when the weather outside is unbearable, by developing a state of the art indoor kids play and activities area, where the kids can fully enjoy their time, and where their families can unwind. we are very passionate about that project, and it is currently underway.” said Maatouk. The hotel renovated Al Dana Restaurant, the premiere in-house mediteranian restaurant, and it’s extension, The C lounge. With its unique front-row seats to paradise on one of Doha’s most stunning natural beaches, the restaurant offers the hotel residents a range of one of the richest, most diverse and healthiest cuisines worldwide - the Ikarian diet - introduced by Chef de Cuisine Evangelos Liakouris since taking helm of the Mediterranean casual brasserie in early 2016.
Blue Zone Ikarian cuisine is renowned as the best-kept secret to longevity, and is foundational to Chef Liakouris’ creative renditions that focus on the use of market-fresh ingredients as well as fresh fish and seafood. Signature dishes served in sharing concept at Al Dana Restaurant include the contemporary Greek Salad, Sea Bass Ceviche, Greek Shrimps Saganaki, Grilled Dover Sole and Evangelos Deconstructed Black Forest. With a distinctive fish market within the restaurant, guests can explore and handpick from a selection of fresh fish, seafood and colorful variety of vegetables to custom-make their own dishes or create new recipes with Chef Liakouris and his culinary brigade.
Guests will also be able enjoy Al Dana’s vibrant outdoor hot spot extension, C-Lounge that offers guests with a relaxed atmosphere to stargaze and start the evening. C-Lounge features signature drinks, creative cocktails and wines, as well as Chef Liakouris’ special Mediterranean bites and Shisha with a variety of flavors enjoyed with vibrant music and stunning views of the Doha bay.
To complete the refreshed experience, Al Dana Restaurant & C-Lounge has recently unveiled a modern identity through a newly designed brand logo that incorporates creative blue wave elements combined with a focal image of the Pearl, signifying ‘Dana’, which means pearl in Arabic. At Al Liwan, one of the hotel’s most prominent restaurants, a new brunch selection has been introduced over the past three months, offering a wider buffet selection at a greater value.
Two themed nights have been introduced at the Restaurant, one of which is a Lebanese night, where the guests are given the chance to indulge in authentic and traditional Lebanese cuisine, and Turkish themed night on Tuesdays, as well as introducing a traditional Qatari brunch to the restaurant. “We have been successful in introducing new themed nights at Al Liwan restaurant, and we are elated to witness the success of our traditional Qatari brunch. It is such an exciting concept, and we are happy to receive the positive feedback from locals and expats alike.” expressed Mattouk.
In the upcoming months, a strategy has been set to extend the renovating process to another of AL Sharq’s premiere restaurants, Parisa, renowned for being Doha’s Premiere Persian cuisine restaurnat. “The plan is to completely refurbish the restaurant, and to introduce a completely new regional menu.” said Maatouk.
