Hotels dish up Arabian hospitality

A number of Doha’s hotels have announced details of their special offerings throughout the holy month of Ramadan. Most hotels are offering special deals on Iftar and Suhoor buffet dinners, with a number of new possibilities for people to explore during Ramadan this year. The Four Seasons will once again  host guests in its Arabica Terrace Tent, which has been “transformed to create an ambience of Arabic decadence,” according to a hotel representative. “This year, Ramadan promises to be a festive family affair, whether gathering family and friends to break their fast while enjoying the sunset over the waters of the Arabian Gulf, or meeting late night for elegant Suhoor evenings,” she said, adding “the extensive Ramadan buffet will feature exceptional international, local and traditional dishes which will leave diners lost for choice.” Iftar, which is available until 7pm, is priced at QR225, while Suhoor costs QR285. The hotel’s Seasons Tea Lounge will open at sunset each evening, and Il Teatro will open at 7pm for dinner. Grand Hyatt Doha is preparing to celebrate Ramadan with the ‘Ramadanak’ or ‘Your Ramadan’ tent. Guests can enjoy Iftar at The Grill restaurant until 7.30pm for QR220 per person, and they will receive a 20% discount voucher off Suhoor to be used throughout Ramadan. With this voucher they can enjoy live entertainment from Syrian 13-piece band, Nojoum Salateen Al Tarab who will perform every evening during Suhoor in the tent. “Bring your family and friends and enjoy Suhoor in true Arabian style including cold mezze, hot cuisine such as shawarma and mixed grills, a selection of sweets and an assortment of soft beverages for only QR220,” said a spokesperson. The hotel is also offering room packages, with 2-bedroom villas priced at QR1,500, 3 bedrooms at QR2,000, 4 bedrooms at QR3,000 and 4-bedroom seaview villas at QR5,000. Hotel rooms are also available for QR475 per night, including a 25% discount on Iftar, with this promotion running until August 28. The InterContinental, another traditional favourite among the local community over the years, will also be offering Iftar and Suhoor buffet meals. “The warm welcoming ambience is enhanced through the rich Arabic decor of Al Wajba Ballroom and will provide both residents and visitors to Doha with the opportunity to savour the finest hospitality and best traditions of Arabia,” said a hotel spokesperson. Arabic hot and cold dishes as well as live cooking stations and Ramadan juices will make up the buffets, and Suhoor will also feature live musical entertainment. Iftar from sunset to 7.30pm and Suhoor from 9pm are both priced at QR195 per person. General manager, Hafidh al-Busaidy said: “The holy month of Ramadan is a very special month for all and we believe that it is also a family occasion and an opportunity for us to serve you during this special time.” “This year, our Al Wajba Ballroom is the ideal place for relaxing and entertaining with family, friends and colleagues. We at InterContinental Doha wish everyone all the blessings and goodwill for Ramadan,” he added. The Café restaurant will serve buffet breakfast and lunch, Mykanos will remain open and the Tea Garden will open after sunset.  However, Belgian Café, Paloma, Lava and Fish Market will remain closed throughout Ramadan. Mercure Hotel Doha will be having a daily Iftar spread during the Ramadan period. Executive Chef Lassad Saad and his team recently held a cooking demonstration showing how some popular Arabic dishes are made. The recipes were also provided to an interesting audience so that these dishes can be prepared during Ramadan. The next demonstration of Arabic cuisines will be held in August during Ramadan, a Mercure spokesman said. La Cigale will also provide a number of special offers to celebrate Ramadan, including an Iftar buffet at Le Cigalon restaurant priced at QR200, which includes Ramadan juices. The hotel will also have a Ramadan tent where Suhoor will be hosted each night during the month.  Suhoor is priced at QR250, including Ramadan juices and soft drinks, and the hotel’s outdoor sheisha garden will also play host to guests who dare to brave the evening heat throughout Ramadan. La Cigale Traiteur is also offering a large selection of Ramadan delicacies to mark the holy month, including an Iftar box, customised Iftar invitation, traditional Arabic sweets and special Ramadan chocolates. Throughout Ramadan, the Marriott’s Corniche restaurant will continue to offer a lunch service, featuring international and Arabic cuisine, said a representative of the hotel. Iftar and Suhoor buffets will also be served there. Friday brunch will continue to be offered throughout Ramadan, but without selected beverages, and JW’s steakhouse will operate regular hours. However  Asia Live!, Taj Rasoi, Salsa and the Pearl Lounge will all be closed throughout Ramadan and will reopen on the first day of Eid. Millennium Hotel Doha is offering an Iftar Arabic buffet of hot and cold mezze and other dishes at their Cosmo restaurant for a price of QR150. The hotel’s Zaman restaurant will host Suhoor, offering a traditional buffet as well as  a la carte menu. General manager of the hotel, Giorgio Lanfranchi said: “Millennium Hotel Doha is wishing guests and local residents a Ramadan Kareem and we look forward to welcoming them to the hotel throughout the holy month. With our sumptuous Iftar and Suhoor offering authentic Arabic cuisine as well as some international specialities, we truly cater for everybody.”   Oryx Rotana is also gearing up to celebrate its first Ramadan in Qatar, and will be offering Iftar and Suhoor buffets at Choices restaurant, where a live band will also entertain guests with music on the oud and violin. A hotel spokesperson explained that Iftar will be priced at QR190, with Suhoor at QR220 per person. The hotel’s newly opened outdoor restaurant, Al Nafourah Garden will also be offering an a la carte menu. The Ramada Plaza is hosting Iftar in its Hyde Park Coffee Shop, explained a spokesperson for the hotel. Guests can choose from an array of special Ramadan dishes and a huge selection of desserts and sweets, all specially prepared by our team of renowned Arabic chefs,” she said. The hotel is also preparing to offer a special Iftar buffet in its Indian restaurant, Chingari, nightly from sunset until 8pm. Retaj Al Rayyan hotel is hosting a special Iftar buffet of Arabic cuisine and Ramadan juices at the Al Maiz restaurant, priced at QR130.  Suhoor is also available for QR80. “Surround yourself with the warmth of traditional Qatari culture and enjoy the hearty, healthy and happy celebration here in the heart of downtown Doha,” said a hotel representative. The Ritz-Carlton will be hosting festivities in its 1,100sq m Ramadan tent in the Al Wosail ballroom, set to be decorated in Arabian colours of turquoise, gold and red, explained a spokesperson. The room will also contain six VIP tent areas for up to ten persons, while the entire tent cans seat 300 people each evening. Live cooking stations featuring executive sous chef, Amgad El Nemr and a team of 25 chefs, will serve a large selection of Arabic cuisine. Director of food and beverage, Yucal Eltutan said: “This year’s Ramadan tent is built in such way as to create unique experiences for guests who look forward to enjoying something traditional but yet sophisticated.” “We have special entertainment like the ‘Jallab’ man and Arabic coffee man, an Arabic souk, a falconry display at the hotel’s entrance and have kept the proven ones like the henna, traditional band and singer,” added Eltutan. The tent will open from 6.30pm until 1am, with corporate Iftar, for groups only, priced at QR180, and Suhoor at QR250, with a charge of QR75 for sheisha. Individual Iftar is available at the Lagoon restaurant from sunset to 8pm, costing QR180 per person. Sharq Village and Spa will also host a Ramadan tent, called ‘Seher Al Sharq.’ The hotel is offering special buffets during the month, as well as room packages for guests. “For the fourth consecutive year, the elegant Seher Al Sharq Ramadan tent in Al Dasha ballroom welcomes guests for a truly memorable Ramadan experience,” said a spokesperson, adding “comfortably accommodating up to 200 guests seated in traditional majlis settings, diners will enjoy a buffet spread like no other.” “This feast for the senses includes carving stations and over 45 different dishes from cuisines of the region as well as an array of fresh salads and tempting desserts, and live entertainment by oriental musicians coming from Morocco, called Al Awtar Al Dahabiya band,” she added. Dinner at Seher Al Sharq, from 9pm until 2am, is priced at QR250, and includes a selection of over 25 flavours of sheisha. Al Liwan restaurant will host a buffet priced at QR205, and Al Jalsa will present a dessert buffet at dusk each evening for QR95. The hotel is also running a special Ramadan room package, at QR1,080 per night for single and QR1,170 for double occupancy, which includes Iftar at Al Liwan and other options. Sheraton Doha, one of the longest standing hotels in Qatar, and a favourite destination for families looking to celebrate holidays, will also be offering a special Ramadan buffet with traditional Arabic decorations. The hotel’s Al Hubara restaurant will host Iftar buffet each evening, priced at QR190 and including a 20% discount for Starwood Preferred Guests. A special offer will mean that one person can eat free of charge for every group of eight booking, explained a hotel spokesperson. La Veranda will be closed for lunch, but will offer its normal a la carte menu for dinner, and the Irish Harp, Latinos and Pirate’s Cove will all be closed during Ramadan. General manager, Steven Kalczynski said: “Ramadan at the Sheraton Doha has long been a tradition for Qataris and expatriates alike to celebrate and to enjoy their families over wonderful dining options.” Doha’s other Starwood property, the W Doha will once again host its Ramadan tent in the Great Room.  Iftar each evening will run from 30 minutes before until 8pm at a cost of QR195 while Suhoor from 9pm until 2am will cost QR260 per person.