luxe - The TORCH-Doha, Qatar
Written by Rachel Morris
It’s rare that a national architectural (and sporting) icon can be turned into a luxury hotel, but The TORCH-Doha hotel in Qatar has made that crossover with flair. 
One of Qatar’s most recognisable structures, what is now a hotel was once literally a torch – or the Asian Games 2006 torch to be precise. That sporting link is the centrepiece of 250 hectares of world-class sporting facilities known as the Aspire Zone. Standing 300m tall (50 storeys) and boasting 360˚ views of the sprawling cityscape, the interior is understated glamour – neutral and earthy colours such as white, beige, and brown, with bursts of vibrant reds or regal purples. Details offer a sense of Qatari culture coupled with the forward-looking modernity. The rooms are a gadget-lover’s dream – with 12 ‘moods’ of LED lighting, a ‘smart pad’ room-service menu, and a media hub. The hotel is aiming to attract the plethora of sporting teams expected to pass through in the lead-up to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™. With three dining outlets, including a revolving restaurant (which does one rotation an hour), The TORCH-Doha also has a covered walkway to the shopper’s paradise, Villaggio Mall. Contact
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Scenic Swimming The structure’s architect, Hadi Simaan, has called The TORCH-Doha a ‘celebration of earth and sky’, and nowhere is this more evident than the hotel’s spectacular pool. The TORCH-Doha’s cantilevered swimming pool manages to combine the earth, sky, and water – all with a touch of glamour. The outdoor pool is perched 80m above the ground, jutting out from the main structure, giving the sensation that you are swimming in thin air. One dip and those fashionable infinity pools will just never be good enough. |
