CHEVY CHASE, MD -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 05, 2007 -- Inspired by generations-old Arabic culture, design and traditions, The Sharq Village & Spa, which has opened in Doha, offers each guest an authentic interpretation of the rich Qatari past, introducing them to a hotel experience unique to the region. Operated by The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company B.V, this is the award-winning global hotel company's second property in Qatar, and the fifth in the Middle East, joining resorts in Bahrain, Dubai and Sharm el Sheikh.

"Whether traveling for business or pleasure, hotel guests will enjoy a stay filled with the sights, sounds and experiences of having been transported back in Qatari history," said Simon F. Cooper, president and chief operating officer, The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C.

Designed to reflect the close-knit communities of fishermen, pearl divers and merchants who shaped Qatar's vibrant history, Sharq Village & Spa houses 174 beits, or rooms, each decorated with ornately designed furnishings, hand-woven carpets, and embellishments of plush velvets and rich silk fabrics. Arranged in a courtyard setting, the beits interior design captures the ancient past of Qatari tribes and the legacy of once flourishing international trade routes. Oversized chests, Persian lanterns, and carved Indian furnishings surround a four poster bed. Each guestroom features regional accents of copper and inlaid brass. While the motifs are centuries-old inspired, the in-room amenities are contemporary, including wireless internet access and plasma televisions.

Located on the waters of The Arabian Gulf, The Sharq Village & Spa has an exterior resembling a sheikh's marbled palace. Crystal chandeliers hang from the towering arched ceilings of the resort lobby, which houses an indoor recreation of a Qatari souk or bazaar. Guests may browse through shops selling a variety of wares from designer clothing to traditional Arabic handicrafts.

Throughout the winding streets and alleyways of Sharq Village & Spa, visitors will find a scenic landscape of cooling pools, bubbling fountains, gardens lush with palm and date trees, and quiet courtyards offering the traditional "majlis" seating areas. Guests can make their way to the water's edge where fishermen bring their freshly caught catch to market. They can select a piece of fish to be cooked to perfection over open air grills at the resort restaurant.

At The Six Senses Spa, the treatment menu includes ancient Arabic physical rejuvenation techniques, coupled with new and innovative therapies. Qatari souks have always been a place to discover the vibrancy of Arabian life. At Sharq Village the transformation of the old souk into a spa is deeply respectful of this belief. Spa treatments reveal a world of sensory exploration through the healing treatments of Arabian custom and ancient reviving arts. Giant Omani and Indian doors hide secret sanctuaries of well being that are gently illuminated by a glass-refracted sunlight that glows from domed ceilings.

Whether for a group meeting or a special social event, The Sharq Village & Spa provides a venue both unique and flexible, able to accommodate up to 950 guests. Conference space measuring 12,150 square feet in total is split among two ballrooms, a board room, and a grand reception foyer.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md currently operates 63 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, The Middle East, and Africa. Over 35 projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Moscow, Tokyo, Dublin, Beijing and Dallas. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognized outstanding customer service. For more information, contact The Ritz-Carlton toll free reservations line at 1 (800) 241-3333, visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com, or consult a travel professional.

Contact:
Vivian Deuschl
Corporate Vice President
Public Relations

4445 Willard Avenue, Suite 800
Chevy Chase, Md. 20815
Tel: (703) 941-6225
Fax: (703) 941-7492
Cell: (202) 255-5786
Email: vivian.deuschl@ritzcarlton.com