Rosewood Hotel Group has officially opened Rosewood Doha, marking a major new addition to Qatar’s luxury hospitality landscape and cementing the brand’s growing focus in the Gulf.
The opening was celebrated with a grand launch event that drew dignitaries from Qatar’s hospitality, business and cultural circles, as well as regional and international visitors. The evening featured a fireworks display, live performances including an ice-skating show and a piano performance by singer Tokio Myers.
Among those present were senior tourism officials and Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, chairman of Qatar Museums, underscoring the place’s position at the intersection of luxury, culture and lifestyle in the capital.
Talking to Arabian business alongside the opening, Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group, said Doha is a natural choice as it accelerates its expansion in the Middle East.
“Doha is obviously such an important market in the GCC,” Cheng said. “It is not only an important economic center, but also a place with rich heritage and a growing scene of art and culture. The Middle East is one of the fastest growing luxury travel markets in the world, so for us as a leading brand, it is a very important market to be in.”
The new hub of Qatar’s luxury scene
Rosewood Doha has been operating for a few months before its official opening and has quickly established itself as a destination not only for international travelers but also for the local community.
The area includes extensive food and beverage concepts, comprehensive wellness offerings under Rosewood’s Asaya brand, family-oriented amenities and recreational facilities aimed at encouraging repeat local engagement.
Cheng said the approach reflects Rosewood’s global philosophy of creating livable spaces rather than stand-alone hotels.
“In all the markets we are in, we want to create a place where local people can meet and communicate,” he said. “It’s not just a hotel where people can stay, but it’s a community, with different types of life.”
The Doha opening builds on Rosewood’s presence in Abu Dhabi and comes as the group expands its regional ambitions. In Saudi Arabia, Rosewood operates Rosewood Jeddah and is developing Rosewood Riyadh in the Diriyah Gate development, near Rosewood Red Sea, a resort project on Shura Island as part of the kingdom’s Red Sea tourism program. The group is also planning its first Dubai location, as competition heats up among global luxury brands in the Gulf.
The launch of Rosewood Doha also reflects broader shifts in global travel patterns, as the GCC increasingly attracts high-spending travelers for both leisure and long-term stays, and positions itself as a key destination in the global tourism market.
Rosewood Hotel Group now operates nearly 60 properties worldwide, with two currently operating in the Middle East and further openings in the region that will drive the next phase of brand growth.
