Spas in the News
Sharq Village & Spa Recreates
Centuries-Old Lifestyle of Qatari Tribes in New Doha, Qatar Resort Operated
by the Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company B.V.
CHEVY
CHASE, MD -- April 05, 2007 -- Inspired by generations-old Arabic culture,
design and traditions, The Sharq
Village & Spa, which has opened in Doha, offers each guest an
authentic interpretation of the rich Qatari past, introducing them to
a hotel experience unique to the region. Operated by The Ritz-Carlton
Hotel Company B.V., this is the award-winning global hotel company's
second property in Qatar, and the fifth in the Middle East, joining
resorts in Bahrain, Dubai and Sharm el Sheikh.
"Whether traveling for business or pleasure, hotel
guests will enjoy a stay filled with the sights, sounds and experiences
of having been transported back in Qatari history," said Simon
F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel
Company, L.L.C.
Sharq Village & SpaDesigned to reflect the close-knit
communities of fishermen, pearl divers and merchants who shaped Qatar's
vibrant history, Sharq Village & Spa houses 174 beits, or rooms,
each decorated with ornately designed furnishings, hand-woven carpets,
and embellishments of plush velvets and rich silk fabrics. Arranged
in a courtyard setting, the beits interior design captures the ancient
past of Qatari tribes and the legacy of once flourishing international
trade routes. Oversized chests, Persian lanterns, and carved Indian
furnishings surround a four poster bed. Each guestroom features regional
accents of copper and inlaid brass. While the motifs are centuries-old
inspired, the in-room amenities are contemporary, including wireless
internet access and plasma televisions.
Located on the waters of The Arabian Gulf, The Sharq Village
& Spa has an exterior resembling a sheikh's marbled palace. Crystal
chandeliers hang from the towering arched ceilings of the resort lobby,
which houses an indoor recreation of a Qatari souk or bazaar. Guests
may browse through shops selling a variety of wares from designer clothing
to traditional Arabic handicrafts.
Throughout the winding streets and alleyways of Sharq
Village & Spa, visitors will find a scenic landscape of cooling
pools, bubbling fountains, gardens lush with palm and date trees, and
quiet courtyards offering the traditional "majlis" seating
areas. Guests can make their way to the water's edge where fishermen
bring their freshly caught catch to market. They can select a piece
of fish to be cooked to perfection over open air grills at the resort
restaurant.
At The Six Senses Spa, the treatment menu includes ancient
Arabic physical rejuvenation techniques, coupled with new and innovative
therapies. Qatari souks have always been a place to discover the vibrancy
of Arabian life. At Sharq Village the transformation of the old souk
into a spa is deeply respectful of this belief. Spa treatments reveal
a world of sensory exploration through the healing treatments of Arabian
custom and ancient reviving arts. Giant Omani and Indian doors hide
secret sanctuaries of well being that are gently illuminated by a glass-refracted
sunlight that glows from domed ceilings.
Whether for a group meeting or a special social event,
The Sharq Village & Spa provides a venue both unique and flexible,
able to accommodate up to 950 guests. Conference space measuring 12,150
square feet in total is split among two ballrooms, a board room, and
a grand reception foyer.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase,
Md currently operates 63 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, The Middle
East, and Africa. Over 35 projects are under development around the
globe with future openings including Moscow, Tokyo, Dublin, Beijing
and Dallas. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice
earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which
recognized outstanding customer service. For more information, contact
The Ritz-Carlton toll free reservations line at 1 (800) 241-3333, visit
the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com,
or consult a travel professional.
