The Luxury Collection marked its debut in Qatar with the opening of Al Messila, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa in Doha. The resort is owned by Katara Hospitality, global hotel owner, developer and operator based in Qatar. Only 25 minutes from Hamad International Airport and 15 minutes from Doha’s city center, West Bay, Al Messila is an urban oasis designed to respect the area’s natural surroundings. The ‘private palace’ setting is a celebration of a verdant retreat in the heart of the desert, offering attentive service infused with age-old Qatari hospitality. A cherished reflection of the local spirit, Al Messila is anchored by holistic wellness and epicurean journeys for each guest to embark on during their stay.
“Doha today is a world-class city with a burgeoning arts and culinary scene, rooted in tradition and a rich heritage,” said Anthony Ingham, Global Brand Leader, The Luxury Collection. “We are delighted to welcome Al Messila Resort & Spa to The Luxury Collection’s ensemble of hotels. True to our brand’s mission and informed by Qatar’s foresight and commitment to sustainability, Al Messila offers global explorers a palatial retreat in a lush haven, guiding our guests on transformative journeys that touch their spirits and enrich their lives.”
A regal retreat in a historical oasis
With an expansive botanical backdrop in Doha’s historic ‘oasis’ district, Al Messila is visually dramatic and equally inspiring. Guests arriving through the stately porte-cochere will be transported to their own private palace. Understated opulence hints at its 21st-century roots, where the three-story, light-filled lobby adjoins a lounge offering expansive views of the resort. Sculpted marble sits alongside mashrabiya, detailing original Arabic patterning with the contrast producing a warm and welcoming ambience, perfectly infusing modern design with Qatari accents.
The resort has 152 rooms and suites, including 30 premium Villas, each with their own pool, garden and personal butler service. Landscaped with native Mimosa and Acacia trees, alongside an abundance of vibrant flora and fauna, Al Messila is the ultimate oasis escape within a dynamic city.
With eight unrivalled dining venues expertly overseen by Michelin Star Chef Pino Lavarra, Al Messila Resort & Spa offers an unrivalled international epicurean experience. Snøull features a Nordic gourmet experience inspired by friluftsliv, the Scandinavian philosophy of ‘reconnecting with nature.’ Dishes are crafted using naturally nourishing, raw and biodynamic produce. Veritas offers a refined Northern Italian menu inspired by seasonal ingredients. Caravanserai will serve hearty, comforting dishes that reinterpret the flavors of the Maghreb and Europe for a contemporary audience. Those seeking a spirited, convivial atmosphere can thrive in the down-to-earth Greek estiatorio, Siga-Siga, with its healthy menu of authentic mezze and fresh seafood. This is complemented by a signature Deli Kitchen where guests can shop, learn and enjoy under the same roof.
An original approach to wellness and family
The resort’s comprehensive Al Messila Wellness facility is an extensive female-only facility with 26 treatment rooms and advanced hydro-thermal facilities. Al Messila hosts the region’s largest wellness retreat of its kind, including three therapy pools and four hydro wellness ‘Worlds’ – Oriental, Mystic, Mineral and Floral – equipped with flotation tanks, cocoon beds, oxygen rooms, Kneipp walks, Hammams, salt rooms, and an elite range of exclusive treatment products and protocols.
Suitable for families, Al Messila also hosts the innovative Little Explorers’ Club – the first ‘edu-tainment’ facility of its kind in Doha. This includes a gym with kids-fit equipment, a cinema, an educational play area, an outdoor playground with interactive water fountains, and a shaded outdoor pool with hot-dip trampolines.
Rita Ghantous is a hospitality aficionado and a passionate writer with over 9 years’ experience in journalism and 5 years experience in the hospitality sector.
Her passion for the performance arts and writing, started early. At 10 years old she was praised for her solo performance of the Beatles song “All My Love” accompanied by a guitarist, and was approached by a French talent scout during her school play. However, her love for writing was stronger. Fresh out of school, she became a freelance journalist for Noun Magazine and was awarded the Silver Award Cup for Outstanding Poetry, by The International Library of Poetry (Washington DC).
She studied Business Management and earned a Masters degree from Saint Joseph University (USJ), her thesis was published in the Proche-Orient, Études en Management book.
She then pursued a career in the hospitality industry but didn’t give up writing, that is why she launched the Four Points by Sheraton Le Verdun Newsletter.
Her love for the industry and journalism led her to Hospitality Services - the organizers of the HORECA trade show in Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Jordan, as well as Salon Du Chocolat, Beirut Cooking Festival, Whisky Live and other regional shows. She is currently the Publications Executive of Hospitality News Middle East, Taste & Flavors and Lebanon Traveler.
It is with ultimate devotion for her magazines that she demonstrates her hospitality savoir-faire.
