W DOHA HOTEL & RESIDENCES ADDS EIGHT GLOBAL HOSPITALITY AWARDS TO ITS GROWING LIST OF ACCOLADES

Doha, Qatar (xxx May 2013) – Recently, the W Doha Hotel & Residences underlined its dominance within the global hospitality market by taking home a number of prestigious awards at the Time Out Doha Awards, World Travel Awards (WTA) and the MENA Travel Awards. The WTA, known as the ‘Oscars’ of the travel industry honoured the W Doha with - ‘Middle East’s Leading Hotel Residences’, ‘Middle East’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel’, ‘Qatar’s Leading Hotel Residences’, and ‘Qatar’s Leading Lifestyle Hotel’; whilst the MENA Travel Awards named the hotel as ‘Best Five Star Business / Corporate Hotel’. Time Out Doha crowned Market for the second year running as the ‘Best Express Lunch’, and also, the most wanted title of the night, ‘Restaurant of the Year’, and lastly, Spice Market, renowned for its creative cuisine held onto its award as ‘Best South East Asian’ restaurant.

W Doha’s triumph cements a year of growth and continued success. As Doha’s first lifestyle hotel, guests are invited to escape to a world where iconic design and contemporary luxury set the stage for exclusive and extraordinary experiences. Only the highest level of service is offered to guests who from the moment of arrival, are invited into surprising, sensory environments that create not just a hotel experience, but also a happening & vibrant destination. The hotel has carved out a niche as a trendsetter by redefining the design-led hotel experience in the GCC, and combining its unique personality and style with its reliable, consistent and attentive service.

Considered three of the biggest events in the hospitality calendar, the awards turned the spotlight on some of the Middle East’s most sought after hotels and resorts. Recognised worldwide as the hallmark of industry excellence, the awards serve to acknowledge, reward and celebrate leading hotels in the Middle East and North Africa. Each winner is voted for by travel and tourism professionals that seek to distinguish the very best nominees in each category to maintain the high standards of the awards.

W Doha Hotel & Residences General Manager Safak Guvenc comments, “We are extremely proud to have won these eight awards in the space of a week, and I would like to congratulate each and every member of our team for their passion, hard work and dedication”.

Guvenc adds, “What sets the W Doha apart from the competition is its exceptional personalised customer service, offering the ultimate insider access to a world of comfort, attentive hospitality and exceptional amenities – this is the foundation of our success and how we will continue to grow”.

W Doha Hotel & Residences Director of Food & Beverage Esra Parin also comments, “We are honoured to have been recognized for our wide array of F & B offerings at such a highly rated award ceremony. Not only was Market recognized in its own category as ‘Best Express Lunch’, it was also awarded ‘Restaurant of the Year’. Meanwhile, Spice Market has won for the second year running ‘Best South East Asian’ restaurant, which highlights what we never stop setting the highest of standards each year. With such vast F & B options available in the market today, winning these awards places the W Doha in an elite category”.

 Parin adds, “W Doha offers guests a lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand’s sensibility through contemporary culinary offerings to stimulate the senses of our guest. With the guidance of our three Michelin starred chef, Jean- Georges Vongeritchten, we shall continue to excel, and ensure that our staff are trained to the highest levels of service excellence”.

ENDS

About W Doha Hotel & Residences

Casual glamour meets urban energy at W Doha Hotel & Residences. Find insider access to the hottest shopping, buzzing nightlife and full array of restaurants and lounges located in the hotel. W Doha features 313 rooms and suites and 138 residences each one showcasing iconic design. Experience creative cuisine at Spice Market and Market by chef 3 star Michelin Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten or try the W Café for mouth-watering snacks.  The hotel invites you to mingle at one of the three bars & lounges, the Living Room, Wahm and Crystal, the sleekest spots in town, or kick back and re-energise at the only BLISS® Spa in the region, the WET poolside deck or SWEAT, the state-of-the-art fitness facility.  Finally, get some business done and connect with the world in the Wired Business Centre or meeting rooms. Should guests need to leave the hotel, they can discover historical culture at the Museum of Islamic Arts in the Corniche, or take in the sounds and spices of Souq Waqif, both only minutes away from W Doha, with the help of the hotel’s own W Insiders. Too much choice? Rest assured the W brand’s signature Whatever/Whenever service philosophy, will be able to offer you whatever you want – day or night!

About W Hotels Worldwide

W Hotels is a contemporary, design-led lifestyle brand and the industry innovator with 40 hotels and retreats in the most vibrant cities and exotic destinations around the world. Inspiring, iconic, innovative and influential, W Hotels provides the ultimate in insider access, offering a unique mix of cutting-edge design and passions around fashion, music and entertainment. W Hotels offers a holistic lifestyle experience that is integrated into the brand's sensibility through contemporary restaurant concepts, glamorous entertainment experiences, stylish retail concepts and signature spas. With more than 12 years of proven success, W Hotels is on track to reach more than 50 hotels by the end of 2012. W Hotels and W Retreats have been announced for Paris, St. Petersburg, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Bali, Bangkok, Athens – Astir Palace, and Verbier, among other international destinations.  For more information, visit www.whotels.com