Kempinski Residences & Suites Doha

Qatar, a small and politically stable emirate, is continuing to achieve strong economic growth rates thanks to the astute administration of its huge natural gas reserves and its policy of gradually opening up to the West. At the same time, massive investments in large infrastructures, sport and culture are attracting international tourist and business elites. These factors prompted the world-famous Kempinski luxury hotel group to enter the market through a contract to manage the tower-residence recently built by Alfardan Group Qatar. Nestled in the heart of West Bay, Doha’s business district, Kempinski Residences & Suites is the city’s new landmark with 62 floors and, at a height of 270 metres, the tallest building in the emirate. On the four external facades of the modern square-plan construction, vertical white lines delineate juxtaposed rectangles containing Arabic and Middle Eastern motifs. The overall image is typically Qatari. The integrated design of all the interiors of the startling structure (concept, design specifications, coordination of design, art direction, furnishings, finishes) was tasked to the Milanese architectural firm Peia Associati. The design approach is contemporary western combined with the distinctive features of local culture. A modus operandi that is deeply rooted in the company’s DNA aims to give the built fabric its own identity, avoiding slavish repetition of the exasperating International Style that appears in an identical form all over the world. So in the entrance hall, the theme of the Arab courtyard or “sahn”, with its central fountain and surrounding “mushrabiya” windows (turned wood grilles that allow one to look out without being seen), is tempered by the use of white painted steel and hi-tech lighting systems that create a “mushrabiya” shadow effect. The search for a balance between luxury, European style and local traditions is repeated, with different themes, in all the public areas of the residence and in the 370 suites which offer breathtaking views over the Persian Gulf. The surface areas vary from 63-91 square metres for the one-bedroom suites to an average of 150 square metres for those with two rooms, to 183-191 square metres for three rooms, up to 410 and 545 square metres of the four-bedroom Triplex Sky Villas and 1,050 square metres of the six-bedroom Duplex Sky Villas on the top two floors with double-height ceilings and private elevators. Guests enjoy exclusive access to the Pure Leisure & Wellness Centre equipped with two 25-metre indoor swimming pools, a gym with the latest equipment, spas and other facilities for body care. The Kempinski Kids Club offers various activities for children. In the spa area and swimming pools the designers drew inspiration from the tradition of Middle Eastern hammams and classical spas, spaces that made abundant use of marble and stone. At the same time they were concerned about the maintenance problems that these materials can create. Hence the choice of using Marble Hill collection ceramic wall tiles from Naxos in the colour Sculpture and the Black Hill strip in a size 32.5 X97.7 cm size, products that are aesthetically very similar to natural marble. First-rate cuisine is on offer at the Aroma European brasserie, which is open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch or dinner. The Contemporary Lounge & Bar serves the finest international drinks as well as a broad selection of tea and coffee in a relaxing musical ambience. Delicacies from all over the world and quality artisan products can be purchased at the Gourmet House. The Health Lounge@Pure, located in the wellness area, serves fresh fruit and vegetable juices, iced tea and cocktails made from natural proteins, all in pure Kempinski style.