DOHA, Qatar and BOSTON, Nov. 29, 2011 -- Over five years in the making, The Grand Heritage Doha Hotel & Spa, is now a reality and has already become a style setter as the super luxury hotel property in Doha, Qatar where the pace of new hotel openings reflects the city's emergence as a world-class travel destination.

This iconic property, created by J/Brice Design International, reinforces this USA-based firm's position as one of the most influential and sought-after interior design groups in the Arabian Peninsula (http://www.grandheritagedoha.com/home).

Commenting on the five-year watershed design and construction effort, Jeffrey Ornstein, J/Brice founder and CEO says, "We're proud of the fact that throughout its long development period, the property emerged true to our original concept. The architectural concepts and interior design directions were executed precisely as envisioned from the early conceptual phase.

"When the Grand Heritage opened its doors, it was exactly as we had promised." To compare the renderings with photos of the Grand Heritage, please visit: http://www.jbricedesign.com/doha.html

This new Chateau-inspired, 137-room, five-star hotel's arrival in the marketplace is spot on and in time to play a pivotal role as Doha completes its transformation – from commercial and shipping center to a world-class destination for luxery travelers and a sophisticated social center with its own unique brand.

The hotel overlooks Doha's Aspire Academy for Sports Excellence; site of the 2006 Asian Olympic Games and 2022 World Cup. In addition to ranking as a serious contender for the 2016 Summer Olympics, Doha now hosts Grand Prix auto racing, PGA and other major sporting events.

Ornstein has lived with this project since its inception. He said, "The developer, Sheikh Hamad Al-Thani, wanted the property to be a defining landmark for world travelers and well-heeled sophisticates  – an iconic property that stands out on the ever changing skyline, distinguishing Doha from neighboring Dubai and Abu Dhabi."

By all measure Sheikh Hamad has succeeded. Since the recent opening, The Grand Heritage's occupancy rate has become the envy of Doha's hoteliers. Moreover, Sheikhs and leading socialites living in the area have fully embraced the property making it their own informal "private" club.

The J/Brice S-Factor

"With the Grand Heritage – as with all our projects both domestic and international – We are guided by our S-Factor philosophy – three core criteria, Style, Setting and Story –guide us through every project," says Ornstein.

"With this in mind, The Grand Heritage was conceived of and created in the architectural style of a fine European country home while respecting regional aesthetics by incorporating distinctively Arabian themes into the design."

Notes Ornstein, "In terms of setting, The Grand Heritage excites all the senses; sight – touch - taste, within the property and the interior environment has a distinct charm which is reinforced by the well-balanced dimensioning of the spaces and fluidity of the plan.

Sheikh Hamad recognized the need to create a dramatic setting or sense of place for the Grand Heritage, and has committed generous funding for exterior landscaping and gardens reminiscent of Versailles to enhance the arrival experience.

"Additionally, we want guests to own the experience so that they will share a positive story about the Grand Heritage and generate word-of-mouth buzz about the property. Story is especially important today as social media empowers guests to tell their story to thousands of friends," says Ornstein.

The J/Brice S-Factor approach is holistic; it eliminates conflict between design and operational requirements by marrying the two and gives each an equal and complementary role in creating the experience and building brand equity. For further details on how J/Brice developed and embraces the S-Factor, please visit the Reuters article appearing in the J/Brice Design Newsletter at: http://conta.cc/jbricedesign

The Eateries
A wide choice of fine international cuisine is available at The Grand Heritage Hotel & Spa in environments that were created to harmonize with the offerings. Guest options include Victoria , the first and only authentic tea lounge of its kind in the Middle East to partner with Le Palais des Thes – the renowned Paris tea purveyor. Victoria offers over 40 different teas, exceeding the expectations of seasoned tea connoisseurs.

The signature restaurant, Figus, the brainchild of Italian Chef Antonia "Nino" Figus, showcases refined Italian recipes inspired by Chef Figus's Sardinian roots. In a recent review Gulf Times reports, "...interiors ... blend Victorian and contemporary styles, guests at Figus are served under the watchful eye of a host, who interacts with diners, taking time and care to ensure that guests experience the very best of refined Italian cuisine," (http://bit.ly/sG0Hq7 ).

Blue, a casual and contemporary international restaurant features selections from every continent, while the all-day dining restaurant Flavours provides an inviting environment for breakfast, lunch and a dinner prepared in a lively show kitchen, and is often requested for private events as a result of its culinary delights and a signature ambience.

As a practical matter, every guest room is accessorized with 40-inch flat screen TVs, complimentary wireless Internet access, Nespresso® coffee and tea machines, and laptop compatible safety deposit box.

J/Brice and The Grand Heritage Doha Hotel & Spa are defining future expectations for the luxury traveler and fostering the Arabian role as the leader on the global hospitality stage.