khabah

It appears that Marriott's hegemony of the Doha hospitality market is unrelenting: the fifth hotel tower in the City Center complex, which was supposed to be a Grand Murwab but sat unfinished and unfurnished despite construction completion for years, will open next year as a Delta. This will mean that three of the four hotels in the complex will be Marriott operated, leaving the Rotana as the outlier. I have a feeling that as Shangri-La was ousted to make space for the JW Marriott, the Rotana's days as a non-Marriott are numbered.

Some renderings here: Delta Hotels by Marriott doha city center | Al Rayyan | Tourism Investment Co. (ARTIC)

In the next three years, we should expect Le Méridien Lusail, the Palais Vendôme [Luxury Collection Hotel] at Lusail, the JW Marriott behind the W, St. Regis Marsa Arabia, the return of the Doha Marriott, an Element in West Bay and the oft-delayed Le Méridien West Bay to make their Qatari debuts.

khabah

Downunderdesert

Should only drive down hotel prices even further! (At least until FIFA)

khabah

Plot twist: currently in Doha and staying at the neighboring JW Marriott Marquis, and noticed construction and interior decoration going on at this hotel’s site. I noticed a bar on the ground floor being fitted with mid-century light fixtures, and after checking out the owning company’s site at this link this morning, the hotel will open as Le Méridien Doha. I also spoke to one of the managers at the JW earlier this morning, and she confirmed that the hotel will open as a Le Méridien later this year. She didn’t know when, but I’ll do some further investigating. Yay, more Le Méridien hotels!

There are also rumors that the owning company is working towards getting Rotana out of the fourth City Center Hotel and bringing another Marriott brand [possibly Delta, since the manager mentioned that Delta was still on the table - which also works as it’s Marriott’s conversion brand] to manage it.

khabah

AbuCordoba

Great investigative skills!!

I knew about the Delta but did not know about the Le Meridian!! Despite the great options in Doha, without a global promotion on Marriott, and the oversupply in Doha, I am getting rates at the Double tree al saad for like 270-350 QAR per night, (which is owned by the same investment company as all the city centre marriotts). I really hope they release a promotion for the 2nd quarter as all my bookings for the first quarter has been with chains!

khabah

Thanks, @AbuCordoba!

This is Marriott - big, blustering, bumbling Marriott. I wouldn't count on any promotions worth your time - let them sort out their lackluster top-end benefits and disastrous IT before they get creative with anything else.

In any case, forgot to post these shots I snagged during my shadowy sleuthing; it looked very nearly ready, so hopefully more info comes out soon.

khabah

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khabah

Property has just been officially announced by the owning company in the below press release.

khabah

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ARTIC SIGNS SIX PROPERTY DEAL IN DOHA WITH MARRIOTT INTERNATIONAL

17 January 2021ARTIC Signs Six Property Deal in Doha with Marriott International

The hotel openings will mark the debut of six Marriott International brands in Qatar

Doha, Qatar, 16 January 2021:Al Rayyan Tourism Investment (“ARTIC”), one of the leading international hotel investment companies, is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Marriott International to operate six properties in prime locations across Qatar. The hotel openings are anticipated to mark the introduction of five new brands in the country – Autograph Collection, Delta Hotels by Marriott, Element by Westin, Le Meridien, and Marriott Executive Apartments.

The six properties will include five new-build hotels - Le Méridien City Center Doha, Delta Hotels City Center Doha, Element City Center Doha, Element Doha West Bay, and Al Samriya, Autograph Collection - in addition to a conversion property that will be rebranded to become Marriott Executive Apartments City Center, Doha. Five of the properties will be located in one of the most vibrant and commercial areas in the Qatari capital, West Bay, while Al Samriya, Autograph Collection will be located in the Al-Shahaniya district, an ideal sanctuary for quality time with the family and loved ones. All six hotels are expected to open in 2021.

To mark the occasion, Sheikh Mohammed Bin Faisal Al Thani, Vice Chairman of ARTIC, commented: “We welcome the signing of these six new agreements. The completion of five new projects within 2021 will be a first for Qatar’s hospitality sector and will further enhance ARTIC’s position as a leading player in the sector and supporter of the development of Qatar’s tourism industry. These agreements will bring ARTIC’s total number of hotel keys in Qatar to over 3,260, further enhancing ARTIC’s investment portfolio as they represent established international brands known for their quality, adding value to ARTIC and for all our stakeholders. Our ongoing investment and commitment to these partnerships remains a priority for us, and we are extremely proud to be an integral part of Qatar’s attractive local market, based on our country’s strategic location in the region, attractive investment climate and excellent track record of organizing successful prestigious events.”

Mr. Tarek M. Al Sayed, ARTIC’s Managing Director and CEO, added: “As we build on our long-term relationship with Marriott International, we continue to bring distinctive new brands to Qatar’s hospitality scene. This showcases our ongoing commitment to the Qatari market and our uncompromised focus on the quality of assets and premium experience they provide to our guests. These six new agreements were signed in line with our reputation of always being committed to maintaining the highest standards of quality and design in all our assets, making ARTIC a preferred collaborator for a well-established, world-leading operator such as Marriott International. It is with pleasure that we announce that with the expected completion of these new hotels in 2021, the majority of ARTIC’s portfolio of properties will be operational, supporting our future growth through new developments and acquisitions.”

Ziad Abi Raad, Director of Lodging Development - Middle East & Pakistan for Marriott International, commented: “We are delighted to strengthen our relationship with ARTIC and further enhance our footprint in the country with six additional hotels. Qatar is a key growth market that continues to present great opportunities for us to expand our portfolio. We look forward to introducing these new brands into this market and remain committed to supporting the growth of the country’s tourism sector.”
Source: ARTIC Signs Six Property Deal in Doha with Marriott International | Al Rayyan | Tourism Investment Co. (ARTIC)

khabah

In Doha earlier this week and took the following photos. Signage is up on the top, sides and front of the building, and furniture appears to be in place. Looks to be very nicely done, and possibly the best and certainly the freshest of the City Center hotel lot. Management tells me there's a slight delay in opening to early 2022.


khabah

khabah

Hotel website is now up at the following link: https://www.marriott.com/hotels/trav...y-center-doha/

Property blurb:
"Towering 43 floors above the city, Le Meridien City Center Doha offers a new perspective on the cityscape while centrally located within the commercial and leisure districts of Qatar. 353 luxuriously appointed rooms, suites and apartments offer floor to ceiling windows with uninterrupted views of the City, the Arabian Gulf and beyond while offering lifestyle amenities and facilities to ensure a relaxing experience. Explore the city’s attractions, shopping centers, cultural and historic hubs such at Souq waqif, Qatar National Museum, Islamic art museum, Doha Corniche etc. within easy reach from the hotel. Doha Exhibition and Convention Center and City Center Mall are within walking distance and offers convenient access for exhibition and event travelers and for shopping trips. 6 varied gastronomic options, an Indoor and outdoor temperature controlled swimming pool and a Spa ensures the ultimate in comfort and relaxation. Guests at Le Meridien City Center can enjoy special privileges from the cluster hotels."

Opening July 2022.

khabah

khabah

Found this virtual tour of one of the apartments in the hotel, and unfortunately, the design is as I suspected: this hotel was initially designed as a Grand Murwab and was supposed to open back in 2016, and sat partially unfurnished and incomplete for the past few years. It seems the owners stuck with the original design scheme, and just stuck in some new light fixtures and bits and pieces to make the property a Le Méridien, so it'll be a bit of lipstick on an older pig rather than an all-new product. If one is looking for a properly designed Le Méridien that conforms to the brand image, the new Le Royal Méridien at the Place Vendôme mall in Lusail will be it.

khabah

khabah

Just got some photos of the interiors and it's exactly as detailed above: a very, very lazy warm over of the nearly-completed interiors of the frozen Grand Murwab City Center Doha. The interiors already look like they're ten years old [which they nearly are, considering the towers were completed in 2011/12], and the hotel only opens on Friday.

Sad - Marriott is really tanking the Le Méridien brand name.

khabah

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AbuCordoba

Thats really disappointing as was planning on staying here during the WC! Did you hear if the Delta is going to be any better? its by the same owner.

khabah

Based on , it's marginally better since the building is a recently-completed new build that was initially to open as Hyatt Centric West Bay and was furnished with a hair more creativity than the planned four-star Grand Murwab/present Le Méridien. The Delta should be open now or opening imminently, so more images of it should be sneaking out any day now.

khabah

AbuCordoba

agree the views will be much better and will be brighter considering where in westbay it is however Le Meridian is near the metro which might be valuable during the world cup!

khabah

Technically, the closest property to the DECC station is the Marriott Marquis, since you walk out of the hotel, to the left and less than 200 meters to the station entrance. The JW, Le Méridien and Rotana share an entrance on the other side of City Center, and you need to walk ~700 meters down Street 811 along the long side of the mall to get to the hotel. On a stiflingly humid Doha day, that distance makes all the difference in the world!

khabah

khabah

As per this press release, Le Méridien City Center Doha is now open.

khabah