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Interiors

DoubleTree by Hilton’s wellness facilities include a Himalayan salt sauna.

Back to the future

The DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences takes three elements of Sharjah’s heritage – a historic banyan tree, a palm leaf housing structure and pearling – to create a striking environment for guests looking for a lifestyle destination in this northern emirate.

01 February 2022

The designers behind DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences drew inspiration from three elements intrinsic to Sharjah’s unique heritage and culture when creating the ambience of the northern emirate’s latest five-star hotel.

DoubleTree by Hilton Sharjah Waterfront Hotel & Residences, which was officially inaugurated in late October, is located in the heart of the emirate’s vibrant arts and cultural scene, overlooking the Al Majaz Waterfront and in close proximity to the city centre.

The 264-room hotel sits comfortably within its environment as a modern interpretation of a classic design inspired by three key elements, says a spokesman for Godwin Austen Johnson (GAJ), which undertook the full interior design for front-of-house and back-of-house as well as site supervision, façade design and complete lighting design.

DoubleTree by Hilton features 156 guestrooms and 108 family-friendly apartments.

He elaborates: “For the first element, guests are greeted by a stylised vertical version of an historic banyan tree structure at the entrance. Rolla tree – the first banyan tree planted by Sheikh Sultan bin Saqer bin Rashid Al Qasimi (1803-1866) – was once a favourite spot for residents to sit under the dense shade of the branches to wait for the cargo boats arriving at the nearby port. The abstract tree sculptures and contemporary majlis-style seating area replicate these gathering points, reminding guests of the welcoming culture of the emirate.

The second element is a modern interpretation of the arish style of housing, a traditional palm leaf structure of early UAE homes, through stylised cladding and installations cleverly incorporated into the public space of the lobby area, he says.

“The third element is an acknowledgement of the UAE’s ancient art of pearling, which is reflected in the luxurious materials used throughout the project and highlighted by a monochrome palette that borrows heavily from the blue shades of the ocean and the cool green shades of the Rolla tree, accented by warm desert orange and lustrous pink pearl tones,” he continues.

Stylised versions of an historic banyan tree structure at the DoubleTree by Hilton.

Thoughtfully designed seating areas are enclosed by a wall library shelving treatment housing a large collection of contemporary art and books, which is extended into the coffee shop with its large communal table and elegant counter detail.

The project has been developed by Al Marwan Group and covers a total area of more than 30,000 sq m. Fit-out and MEP services were carried out by Interior International.

According to General Manager Vikram Jamwal, the first DoubleTree by Hilton in Sharjah offers guests stylish and spacious guestrooms, incredible dining options and service and “is poised to become a lifestyle destination of choice for travellers to the emirate”.

It features 156 guestrooms and 108 design-led family-friendly apartments ranging from one to three bedrooms. It also offers modern meeting rooms appointed with state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment and a fully equipped and functional business centre. Each of the guest rooms, apartments and meeting rooms offers a view of the Al Majaz Waterfront with floor-to-ceiling windows.

Dining options at the hotel include Majdolin, an upscale Levantine restaurant, and Banyan Café.

“We believe the opening of this hotel represents a milestone moment in the development of Sharjah as a unique and welcoming destination for visitors,” says Marwan Al Zaiem, Chairman of Al Marwan Group. “With incredible lake views from every room and fully equipped apartments, the design of this hotel is entrenched with the rich historical and cultural heritage of Sharjah all to offer each of our guests a very memorable experience.”

Dining options available at the hotel include Majdolin, an upscale Levantine restaurant with an outdoor terrace set against panoramic views, and Banyan Café.

The wellness facilities include a spacious wooden-floor gym as well as a secluded indoor pool leading into a steam room and a unique Himalayan salt sauna. The hotel boasts an impressive semi-Olympic size indoor swimming pool and an ultra-modern fitness centre.