The Torch has proudly announced its entrance onto the luxury hotels market, as the flagship project situated at the heart of Doha’s Sport City. At 300m high and with 360 degree panoramic views across the whole of Doha, the hotel is a haven for the discerning traveller, be they sports enthusiasts, business leaders or health and wellness seekers.
Located in the middle of Aspire Zone – Doha’s Sports City – The Torch is the premier venue for those who are searching for state-of-the-art sporting, leisure and rehabilitation facilities. The tower is the result of comprehensive architectural, engineering and technical design, and is shaped to represent a colossal torch; namely, the torch of the 15th Asian Games in 2006, which was held atop the hotel during the competition; the highest-positioned Olympic flame to date.
The beginning of 2012 marked the visit of world-class football teams Schalke ’04, Paris Saint Germain and the national Australian football team. The teams took advantage of the excellent conditions available during their training camps in Doha, from the weather to the practice and hotel facilities.
The unique structure of The Torch Doha features 17 floors of five-star hotel accommodation. This includes 163 rooms and suites, three signature restaurants, a breathtaking revolving restaurant at 240m above ground, four health club levels – with cantilevered swimming pool 80m above ground, fitness facilities with state-of-the-art equipment, a business centre, as well as walkway access to Doha’s largest shopping mall, Villaggio.
World-class cuisine
With a mission to provide an exquisite dining experience, The Torch Doha prides itself on the calibre of its cuisine. The talented chefs offer a sophisticated experience drawing on the very best of international flavours.
Flying Carpet is the all-day dining restaurant, which combines international cuisine with a modern approach. Just like the legendary story, this restaurant gains its reputation from the fact that chefs were flown in from all over the world with their talent and secret recipes, creating a cosmopolitan buzz. The restaurant also showcases live cooking stations, which allow a unique interaction between service, chefs and guests.
A must-see on every Doha travel itinerary, Three Sixty offers a panoramic view of Doha that simply takes the breath away. Located on the 47th floor, Three Sixty is the only revolving restaurant in Doha. Higher up on the 50th floor you can find Panorama, another breathtaking restaurant which will open its doors at the end of 2012.
Excellence through innovation
Along with Aspire Katara Investment, and in collaboration with Aspire Zone Foundation, The Torch Doha embraces new technology and recently introduced the iPad based ‘In-Room Solution’ for the first time in the Middle East.
Sherif Sabry, Hotel Manager at The Torch Doha, said: “We have redefined the idea of luxury service in Middle Eastern hospitality. Introducing the iPad system in all rooms and suites shows that our vision focuses on guest convenience, control and speed of service. Guests can now enjoy a new found autonomy while we streamline our operation.”
The In-Room iPad Solution is custom-built to allow guests to place do-not-disturb and make-up requests for the room, control the mood light system and the curtains, listen to music, watch TV and access online newspapers and books. The Torch has downloaded a Qibla locator app on all iPads which shows the multi-faceted functionality of the bi-lingual system (featuring Arabic and English).
“There is no greater satisfaction for us, as a newly opened property, than achieving this performance on our first year of operation. We are glad to be able to enhance customer experience and pioneer customer engagement technology in Qatar. Ultimately, we trust that guests will enjoy our interactive services and spread the word for us,” says Sabry.
Nominated for the first time in the Business Destinations awards in the Best Luxury Hotel category, The Torch Doha was the proud winner of the Business Destinations’ Best Luxury Hotel in Qatar 2012 award. Recently, The Torch Doha has also been nominated in the MENA Awards as Qatar’s Leading New Hotel.
Other important awards enhancing the hotel’s record are the Gold Medal awarded to one of the Torch chef’s in the Italian-themed competition at Doha’s Taste and Fun Food Festival 2012; and two medals, one silver and the other bronze, obtained at Diyafa 2011 Salon Culinaire Exhibition. “All the recognition received proves that we are serious about what we do,” said General Manager Gerhard Foltin.
The Torch, a member of the ‘Leading Hotels of the World’, also offers opportunities to university students. Through the newly implemented internship programme, the hotel aims to increase global understanding and competence. The internships allow students to gain practical experience working alongside professionals. The programme covers a wide range of subjects including culinary, lodging, housekeeping, food and beverage, accounting, human resources and marketing, and sets an example in quality hospitality education with its high standards.
“The hotel is proud to offer internships to Qatari students and enables them to practice theory while giving them the opportunity to develop themselves into future hospitality managers,” said Foltin.
Recently The Torch Doha also welcomed a delegation from Qatar’s municipality, on a photo shoot aimed at establishing and promoting best hygiene practices across Qatar’s hospitality industry.
The highest standards
Municipality officials took photos of all related hygiene standards used at The Torch Doha. Several aspects, such as food preparation, storage measures, temperature control and standard operation procedures, were examined during the visit and received positive remarks.
The municipality delegation took pictures of best practice examples that should take place in any kitchen and also put together techniques that can be used to avoid cross-contamination of foods. Also examined was the cleanliness of the facility and hygiene equipment such as knife steriliser cabinets and cutting board racks. Storage equipment and storage facilities were also inspected in order to ensure that clean equipment is kept hygienic. All images taken at The Torch Doha will be used for future reference in municipality brochures and best-practice guides.
“It is an honour to receive great feedback from the municipality in terms of hygiene practice,” says Foltin.
“We are glad to invite students from universities and proud to teach sustained best hygiene practices from scratch. Within the first months of our operation we received particular recognition for our food and beverage department. It is definitely rewarding to see, and that sort of confidence enables us to continually develop our services.”
Further information: www.thetorchdoha.com
