US-headquartered sbe, a leading lifestyle hospitality company, will open its first hotel in the Middle East with the launch of Mondrian Doha, Qatar in the second quarter of this year. This soft opening will set the stage for Mondrian Doha’s grand opening celebration, which follows in late September 2017 and promises to be an outstanding showcase of the property.

The lavish 270-room hotel has been designed in collaboration with world-renowned Dutch designer, Marcel Wanders, along with South West Architecture – the architectural company of record for Mondrian Doha, responsible for the design of the building. The hotel will be an exceptional lifestyle offering for Doha and will be Marcel Wanders’ first hotel for the region.

Guests can choose from five distinctive room categories including penthouse suites, studio suites, one and two bedroom suites and a range of standard guestrooms – all of which share the universal design details of Swarovski crystal chandeliers and sumptuous bespoke furniture in hues to mirror the desert.

Sam Nazarian, founder and CEO, sbe commented, “We are delighted to open our first hotel in the Middle East in Doha, Qatar, which is one of the most dynamic cities in the region. We’re additionally set to open two more hotel properties in Dubai in 2017 and 2018 and a number of restaurants. I know that Mondrian Doha will be an incredible destination for international and local travellers alike. It will be also a fantastic destination for the locals to experience all our culinary venues.”

He continued: “Following our acquisition of Morgans Hotel Group, sbe is now unrivalled with its unique platform, offering experiences encompassing all areas of hospitality. Mondrian Doha represents exactly this – you need never leave this luxurious destination hotel as we have all your desires catered to. That said, the city outside is remarkable – a thriving artistic centre, brimming with innovation and possibilities. I’m incredibly proud that sbe is partnering with such an admired group of people at South West Architecture and Toscana Ventures, who are leading figures in the region.”

The hotel is the embodiment of Arabia through a modern lens, which in turn mirrors the modern reality of Doha – the Qatari capital that has grown immeasurably over the past few years, transforming itself from a modest fishing village into a global visionary capital. Mondrian Doha is symbolic of this tremendous growth and Qatar’s future path.

The hotel will incorporate bespoke Marcel Wanders design features with influences from the beauty of local patterns, ornate Arabic writing and historic souks. Standout, memorable elements include giant columns with golden eggs, a ‘tree of life’ comprised of flowers, falcon video art, giant shisha, patterned carpets, ornate stained glass and intricate mosaic tiling.

Structurally, the building of Mondrian Doha is shaped like a falcon, with many references to the national bird of Qatar also found inside; from paintings and portraits to falcon headpieces and ornaments. The location of the hotel next to Lagoona Mall in the West Bay area also acts as a gateway to the new Lusail City development.

Mondrian Doha is a culinary emporium; with eight restaurants and bars. This includes Wolfgang Puck, master chef and restaurateur, bringing his concept CUT by Wolfgang Puck to Qatar for the first time. Furthermore, Japanese Chef Masaharu Morimoto, who has garnered critical and popular acclaim for his seamless integration of Western and Japanese ingredients, introduces Morimoto Doha – the first eponymous Morimoto outpost to open in the Middle East.

Additional hotel facilities will include an entertainment floor complete with nightclub, rooftop pool and Skybar, an exclusive spa and a grand ballroom.

Room rates at Mondrian Doha will start from $240.