MIDDLE EAST DEBUT
Lifestyle hospitality company sbe has opened its first hotel in the Middle East. Mondrian Doha is Dutch designer Marcel Wanders’ debut in the region and boasts 270 rooms, with guests able to choose from five distinctive categories, including penthouses and studio suites – all of which feature Swarovski crystal chandeliers and bespoke furniture.
The hotel also has a striking spiral staircase in its lobby atrium, plus a rooftop pool and sky bar on its 26th and 27th floors, complete with stainedglass dome.
Another feature of the property is a ground floor ballroom complete with a secret suite, plus a 1950-square metre spa.
Structurally, the building is shaped like a falcon and features many references to the national bird of Qatar, including paintings, portraits and ornaments.
Wanders’ design was influenced by the beauty of local patterns, ornate Arabic scripts and historic souks, with stand-out elements including a tree of life composed of flowers, falcon video art, ornate stained glass and intricate mosaic tiling.