Rosewood Doha officially opens its doors with spectacle-filled launch

Rosewood Hotel Group has officially opened Rosewood Doha, marking a major new addition to Qatar’s luxury hospitality landscape and strengthening the brand’s growing focus on the Gulf.

The opening was celebrated with a large-scale launch event that drew senior figures from Qatar’s hospitality, business and cultural circles, alongside regional and international guests. The evening featured a fireworks display, live performances including an ice-skating showcase and a piano set by musician Tokio Myers.

Among those in attendance were senior tourism officials and Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al Thani, chair of Qatar Museums, underlining the property’s positioning at the intersection of luxury, culture and lifestyle in the capital.

Speaking to Arabian Business on the sidelines of the opening, Sonia Cheng, CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group, said Doha was a natural choice for the brand as it accelerates its Middle East expansion.

“Doha obviously is such an important market in the GCC,” Cheng said. “It’s not just a key economic hub, but also a place with rich heritage and a growing arts and culture scene. The Middle East is one of the fastest-growing luxury tourism markets globally, so for us as a luxury brand, it’s a very important market to be in.”

New landmark for Qatar’s luxury scene

Rosewood Doha has been operating for several months ahead of its official debut and has quickly positioned itself as a destination not only for international travellers but also for the local community.

The property brings together a broad range of food and beverage concepts, a comprehensive wellness offering under Rosewood’s Asaya brand, family-focused amenities and leisure facilities aimed at encouraging repeat local engagement.

Cheng said the approach reflects Rosewood’s global philosophy of creating lifestyle destinations rather than standalone hotels.

“In every market we’re in, we want to create a place where locals gather and connect,” she said. “It’s not just a hotel for people to stay in, but a destination for the community, with different lifestyle offerings.”

The Doha opening builds on Rosewood’s existing presence in Abu Dhabi and comes as the group steps up its regional ambitions. Rosewood is preparing to open properties in Saudi Arabia, including at the Red Sea and AMAALA developments. The group is also planning its first Dubai property, as competition intensifies among global luxury brands across the Gulf.

The launch of Rosewood Doha also reflects broader shifts in global travel patterns, with the GCC increasingly attracting high-spending travellers for both leisure and longer stays, and positioning itself as a central hub in the global luxury tourism market.

Rosewood Hotel Group now operates close to 60 properties worldwide, with two currently operating in the Middle East and further openings in the region set to drive the brand’s next phase of growth.