New hotel group Sapphire launches first Doha hotel

Sapphire Hospitality Company has opened its first hotel in Qatar, in the Bin Mahmoud area of Doha, and is promising to develop a chain of properties in the city.

The Sapphire Plaza, a four-star hotel with 174 rooms and suites, had a soft opening 3 September.

It features two restaurants — Al Maha, an all-day dining restaurant, and Oishi, which specialises in Far Eastern cuisine. The hotel also has an Italian café, a health club with swimming pool, a fine-dining room, a banquet hall and a conference room that can accommodate 250 people.

Shahzad Mughal, the CEO of Sapphire Hospitality, a new division of the Qatar-based Dania Group, said the company was established the company in a bid to contribute to the promotion of tourism in the country. “Qatar is on the verge of more tourist traffic, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030 as well as in preparation for the FIFA 2022 World Cup.”

Chairman Sheikh Nasser bin Mohamed bin Jabor al-Thani, added that the opening of Sapphire Plaza Hotel was in line with the “wise policy of HH the Emir to prepare Qatar to become one of the most important areas for attracting investment and tourism in the region, in line with Qatar National Vision 2030”.

The Dania Group, which has other subsidiaries in real estate, building materials, travel and technology, has entered the hospitality market due in response to the “aggressive expansion plan by the government of Qatar,” according to its website. “Since the number of arrival (sic) of foreigners grows exponentially from year to year, this division foresee great prospects.”

Dania Group CEO Shahzad Mughal, said: “Since the inception of the [Sapphire] brand, we have taken intricate measures to assure everything is in the finest order. From architecture to dining, elaborate thought has been put to ensure everything emits a sense of luxury and elegance.

“Our goal is to carry this prestige forward, and spread this excellence to not only the Gulf, but the entire world. Sapphire Plaza Hotel, is not just a name, but a promise that stands for enduring value, integrity and reliance.”