Accor inks deal for first MGallery Hotel in Doha

Hotel group Accor and Msheireb Hospitality said on Monday they have joined forces to develop and manage an MGallery hotel in Doha. The MGallery will be a distinctive "boutique hotel" that will offer a modern interpretation of Qatari heritage and hospitality, within the Msheireb Downtown Doha project. The hotel will feature 215 rooms, plus meeting facilities, an exclusive spa and an outdoor pool, a statement said. The property will also offer original cafes and restaurants concepts as well as terraces overlooking unique views of the Mshereib district and the Souq Waqif. The hotel is on the design phase and it is progressing fast, with an anticipated opening scheduled in 2015. Christophe Landais, Accor Middle East managing director, said: "we are delighted to support the long-term vision of Msheireb Hospitality by introducing a unique and internationally renowned hotel in Qatar under the MGallery label." Msheireb Downtown Doha, the world's first sustainable downtown regeneration project, will redevelop 31 hectares site in the historical city centre of Doha. The project aims to transform the old commercial and business district into the vibrant, cohesive and culturally alive city centre that it once was. Abdul Aziz Al Emadi, CEO of Msheireb Hospitality said: "We are very pleased to partner with Accor, the world's leading hotel operator and market leader in Europe. "Accor also shares our passion in creating a new hub in this part of the city, which integrates the best elements of Doha's historical heritage with innovative facilities." Accor Middle East said in February it plans to open 23 new hotels (5,891 rooms) within the next three years. A strong focus will be on two key markets, the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which are seen to drive positive growth for the group's development plans, it said in a statement. Twelve of the hotels will be located in the UAE, four in Saudi Arabia, three in Syria, two in Qatar, one in Egypt and one in Bahrain, it added.