Centara forays into the Middle East

Centara Hotels & Resorts has forayed into the Middle East with the opening of its five-star property in West Bay, Doha. The Centara Grand West Bay Hotel Doha is being operated under a management contract for Al Bandary Hotel Management LLC and will open in 2016. Thirayuth Chirathivat, chief executive officer of Centara Hotels & Resorts said: “Our brand, with its distinctive Thai identity, is now being accepted by international investors and we are moving into markets that are strategically important for our overseas expansion.” The Group within the five-star Grand brand, in addition to 10 locations within Thailand, can now be found in Bali, Maldives and Mauritius, with further properties underway in Vietnam, Shanghai and Addis Ababa, in Ethiopia. Chris Bailey, senior vice president for sales and marketing at Centara Hotels & Resorts said: “Qatar is growing as a business and leisure destination. With this property, we are in a very strong marketing position and can well cater to international guests.” The new hotel will have 264 guest rooms and 96 residences, offering options including multiple bedroom units and lock-offs, as well as Club level business rooms and a Club Lounge for business travellers. There will also be four food and beverage outlets, including a rooftop dining and entertainment venue. Source: Travel Daily