The Msheirb Tram Is Now Fully Operational Across Msheireb Downtown Doha

Doha, 31 December 2019

Msheireb Properties, the national real estate developer and subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, announced yesterday the launch of the much anticipated Msheireb Tram. The new Tramway connects all Downtown Doha, the world’s smartest and most sustainable city district, and the first sustainable downtown regeneration project worldwide.

Manufactured by the US-based TIG/m, LLC, Msheireb Tram adopts the latest in eco-friendly transportation technology with options and conveniences that makes it also an accessible method of commuting within the downtown area for people with special needs.

With 9 stations, Msheireb Tram interconnects all of Msheireb, making it easier for visitors to move from one spot to the other making the city a truly walkable and environment friendly city. Visitors, residents, and tenants can find a tram car on the loop every six minutes, with a 400-meter hop-on/hop-off zone along the single 2 km, closed-loop track system.

The self-powered environmentally friendly tramway depot is Platinum LEED certified. It is made up of three one-deck, high-tech, electric streetcars, which are fully air-conditioned, incorporating special light-filtering glass panels which prevent over 90% of the heat from sunlight.

The modern high-tech streetcar also includes many advanced features making it a convenient and safe method of transportation for passengers, such as: level boarding at all stations; a hop-on-hop-off service in Wadi Msheireb area; Virtual Tram Detection and tram priority at the traffic signals, tram arrival signs in real-time on the trams and at the passenger stations, on-board CCTV, and on-board Wi-Fi.

The Msheireb Tram also includes a unique open-air feature allowing it to be operated as an open-air car by removing the glass panels.

Ali Al Kuwari, Acting Chief Executive Officer, Msheireb Properties said: “It is a great way to end a year full of success, with the launch of the Msheireb Tram. We hope that this sustainable way of commuting will encourage more people to leave their cars behind. The tramway is very user friendly, cost effective, suitable for everyone, and I am confident that our visitors and residents will find it very convenient.”

Msheireb Tram links all areas of Msheireb Downtown Doha within 18 minutes, with a station at the Central Msheireb Metro Station, where everyone can access Qatar Rail’s all three operating metro lines.

The MDD trams run on standard gauge track (1,435 mm) and are custom designed and handcrafted to the highest standards of excellence while adhering to European Standards for Tramway Safety.

Msheireb Tram goes through nine stations; Sahat Al Nakheel Station, Wadi Msheireb Station, Galleria Station, Msheireb Prayer Station, Heritage Quarter Station, Al Baraha Station, Sahat Al Masjid Station, Al Kahraba Street Station, and Al Mariah Street Station giving everyone multiple points of access to the tramway.

Park Hyatt Doha Hotel Opens In Msheireb Downtown Doha

1 December 2019, Doha, Qatar

Msheireb Properties, the national real estate developer and a subsidiary of Qatar Foundation, in collaboration with Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H) inaugurated today the first ever Park Hyatt hotel in Qatar in Msheireb Downtown Doha (MDD), the smartest and most sustainable fully-built city district in the world.

The grand opening was attended by HE Akbar Al Baker, Secretary General of Qatar National Tourism Council and Board Member of Msheireb Properties, accompanied by VVIPs, dignitaries, media, and influencers, who also enjoyed a pre-opening tour of the hotel.

HE Mr Akbar Al Baker, Secretary General of QNTC and GCEO of Qatar Airways, said during the opening ceremony: “We are very pleased to see the hospitality offering at Msheireb Downtown Doha growing with the opening of their third hotel. In addition to boosting our award-winning hospitality portfolio, the presence of luxurious accommodation options side by side with our heritage treasures in the heart of the city create richer experiences for our visitors.”

Park Hyatt Doha offers personalized luxury and discreet services for discerning global travellers in the heart of the Qatar’s capital, Msheireb Downtown Doha. With bespoke guest experiences, the hotel is the destination for people who savour subtle elegance, bringing to Qatar the understated luxuries this hospitality brand is famous for around the world.

Developed and owned by Msheireb Properties, Park Hyatt Doha presents 187 distinctive guest rooms and suites, three restaurants, and a luxurious spa spread over two floors, with a separate floor dedicated to men and women. In addition to the more than 2,000 square meters of meeting and event space, the hotel offers 1,750 square meters of recreation and leisure facilities, including a pool, spa, and fitness centre.

Ali Al Kuwari, Acting CEO of Msheireb Properties, said: “We are celebrating today the launch of Park Hyatt Doha, another first that Msheireb Downtown Doha introduces in Qatar. The hotel is the outcome of strategic collaborations that reflect the confidence that global brands, such as the Hyatt Group, have in our project. It also embodies the spirit of Msheireb Downtown Doha, focusing on tradition and heritage to build for the future and centring around the community.”

Kurt Straub, Hyatt’s Vice President of Operations for the Middle East, Africa, and South West Asia, said: “We are delighted to bring the Park Hyatt brand to the culturally and creatively rich city of Doha.”

“The Park Hyatt brand is dedicated to creating exceptional, intimate and memorable experiences, and we are thrilled to open doors and welcome guests from around the world to this unique location.  The introduction of Park Hyatt Doha in Qatar strengthens our vision of being the preferred brand for global travellers and enhances the footprint of Hyatt’s luxury portfolio in the Middle East,” He added.

Stefan Gaessler, General Manager of Park Hyatt Doha, said: “Each Park Hyatt Hotel around the world is custom designed to combine sophistication with a distinctive local character. We have worked with Msheireb Properties to create something in the heart of Doha that integrates with the genuine local culture and connects us to the community. Our design and services reflect the elements that make up the modern Qatari identity with its connection to the past and forward-looking attitude at the same time. We promise our guests a luxurious experience of understated and timeless elegance as that manifested by the story of Qatar along the years.”

Park Hyatt Doha also includes 28 Park Suites, 3 Park Executive Suites, a Diplomat Suite and a Presidential Suite. All rooms enjoy floor to ceiling windows, luxury window seats, and designer marble bathroom with deep soaking tub, rain shower, and double vanity sink. In the Presidential and Diplomat Suites, guests can retreat to a private terrace with magnificent views overlooking the city or Corniche and stunning West Bay skyline.

In addition to its wide range of luxurious accommodations, Park Hyatt Doha creates an enriching dining offering through its main restaurant, Opus; offering Qatari and French cuisines in parallel, Anis; a healthy eatery, and the Japanese restaurant and lounge, Sora.

Sora, a tasteful Japanese restaurant and lounge, offers magical views of Doha’s skyline from its high-rise location on the hotel’s 21st floor. Boasting an ultra-modern space where guests can experience a balance of small sharing dishes and the distinctive culinary art of Robata, the restaurant offer the highest panoramic views of Doha in Msheireb. Hosted by Japanese Chef, Takeumi Hiroaka, who is famous for his traditional Japanese cooking gear and attire, the restaurant, is the most authentic Japanese dining spot in Qatar, serving modern versions of traditional favorites such as Robata, Sushi, Sashimi, Tempura and an extensive beverage collection.

Opus offers parallel experiences of Qatari and French cuisines from an open kitchen. Guests can enjoy a “four hands” chef table concept, an expansive open-air terrace as well as private dining options. Qatari-inspired dishes, with menus curated by local celebrity chef, Shams Al Qassabi, and Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme’s Michelin-starred chef, Jean-François Roquette, present guests the opportunity to experience cultural similarities through cuisine.

Anis, on the other hand, is an all day, healthy food eatery creating generous handmade, nutritionally balanced dishes, coffees, juices and smoothies.  Boasting direct street entrance, the restaurant is a social hub for health-conscious locals, office workers and visitors of the downtown district.

Park Hyatt Doha hosts a subtly luxurious Spa that serves as a relaxing sanctuary, where therapists take guests on a journey of self-discovery to create bespoke treatments that suit their individual wellbeing needs. Private, elegant, and soothing female and male spa facilities spread across two different floors, will rejuvenate and replenish with exclusive Swiss and Australian product lines and personal health consultants. Spa facilities include; whirlpool, steam room, sauna, outdoor 20m swimming pool and beauty salon, and gyms that are flooded with natural light and equipped with Technogym.

Located on Sikket Al Wadi street, in Msheireb Downtown Doha, Park Hyatt Doha has been built to US Gold LEED certified standards, with a vision to embark on environmentally sustainable initiatives, and collaborations with local suppliers.

The hotel is located 16km from Hamad International Airport, and moments away from a Light Rail stop that runs through the precinct, as well as one of Doha Metro’s largest stations, Msheireb Station. The sophisticated hotel is ideally located for business and leisure travellers alike, being in the centre of the city, as well as a short walk from Msheireb Downtown Doha’s four museums, and the traditional Arabian souk, Souk Waqif.

The hotel is located 16km from Hamad International Airport, and moments away from a Light Rail stop that runs through the precinct, as well as one of Doha Metro’s largest stations, Msheireb Station.