The Managing Director of Bin Samikh Holding Group, Dr Braik bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, and Managing Director of Grand Heritage International (Europe, Middle East and Africa), Jean-Patrick Thiry, (right) exchanging documents after signing a contract for the management of a new hotel, at a function in Doha yesterday. With them are the Corporate Director of Human Resource of Governor West Bay Suites and Residences, Magdy Gharib Ali, (left), and the President of Grand Heritage International, John Cullen. Salim Matramkot
BY MOHAMMAD SHOEB
DOHA: Grand Heritage Group that owns two hotels in Qatar and more than a dozen in the US and Mexico, is adding one more luxury property, ‘Grand Heritage West Bay Hotel and Spa’, in partnership with Bin Samikh Holding, to its thriving portfolio in the country, John Cullen, President of Grand Heritage International, announced yesterday.
Dr Braik bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, Managing Director of Bin Samikh Holding Group, and Jean-Patrick Thiry, Managing Director of Grand Heritage International (Europe, Middle East and Africa), signed a contract for the management of the new hotel due to open in the first quarter of 2014.
Sources said under the agreement, the under-construction Bin Samikh Tower (worth about QR500m), which is strategically located in West Bay near Kempeski Suites and W-Hotel, will be converted into ‘Grand Heritage West Bay Hotel and Spa’.
Grand Heritage owns two properties in Qatar — Grand Heritage Doha Hotel and Spa, and Governor West Bay Suites and Residences. The success of its properties in Qatar has propelled the Group to the forefront of the hospitality industry as a leading operator.
Both hotels together add over 450 rooms in Qatar’s thriving hospitality industry. And, according to Cullen, both properties have figured in Qatar’s top five hotels in terms of occupancy rates.
However, despite prodding, he did not provide any statistics related to occupancy rate, calling it “confidential”.
“Each hotel of the Group retains a distinct identity of its own.
“We encourage this individuality because each city or country has its own culture. Since our goal is to maximise the experience of our guests, a one-size-fits-all approach does not fit our corporate culture.
:We adhere to this belief by allowing the local culture and flavours of each city to permeate every segment of our offerings in our hotels,” said Thiry.
He added: “This new venture is the direct result of Grand Heritage’s fine reputation in positioning its properties as leader in their own segment.”
The Group also believes that the new hotel’s location in Doha’s skyline will place it in a prime area in the midst of many leading commercial and retail establishments and in close proximity to tourist attractions such as the Pearl Qatar, Katara, and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Keeping in line with all successful hotels and resorts globally, the new property will offer its guests all services and amenities they require for a luxurious stay.
The Peninsula
