Hani Akkari brings new meaning to experiential hospitality at Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery, with his storytelling and culturally immersive approach.

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Astory is only as good as its narrator and Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery’s general manager, Hani Akkari showcases storytelling with a novel approach, encompassing history, culture, and tradition. Hani has become a celebrity in the hospitality sector during his first year as general manager. Not only is he currently the youngest general manager of a hotel in the entire GCC, with fine taste in suits if we may add, but he has also immensely transformed and perfectly translated the storyline of his hotel to the residents of Doha in a short space of time.

The hotel is known as a cultural hub, tying in the past with the present through cuisine, architecture, interiors, and views of the city. Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery is a contemporary and traditional blend of storylines and stands out from a crowd of neighbouring competitors. Hani believes in creating a unique storyline when managing the first five-star MGallery luxury boutique hotel in Qatar, located in Msheireb Downtown Doha. “We shy away from standardised text and descriptions of our amenities. Instead, we use beautiful, audacious yet elegant images and video to translate a day in the life of our hotel, the kind of stories that people can relate to,” says Hani. “By being factual to our brand and telling our story honestly and delightfully, we create marketing content with stories that are fundamentally engaging to people.”

Each boutique hotel in the MGallery collection tells a unique story, inviting guests to immerse themselves in tales of adventure, romance, history, culture, nature, and more for the length of a memorable stay. Msheireb is deeply rooted in Doha’s rich history and is historically known as the place where rainwater would run down from the ‘wadi’ or valley — this being the narrative from which the hotel gets its name. This area was a place for people to collect their precious supplies, to trade, and socialise. Today, it remains an important meeting place as Doha’s modern social and civic hub. Alwadi relies on the same narrative, bringing people together to converse while sitting amid a history of culture. “Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery is the place to meet, watch, learn, and where Memorable Moments are yet to be discovered,” adds Hani. As he emphasises that Memorable Moments arise as guests immerse themselves in the essence of Qatari Hospitality and discover a cultured blend of Qatari heritage and contemporary design.

Every aspect of the hotel relates to a story, culture, or theme. It’s a schematic array of wonders in architecture and interior design. Sitting adjacent to the hotel is the iconic Souq Waqif, a centuries-old market. These surroundings serve as tales of past and present, with the current day Souq Waqif sitting right outside windows that are themselves surrounded by images of the area’s history. It’s as if you’ve opened a portal between the past and present.

“Through unique architecture, stunning design, and an immersion in the local scene, our hotel stands out and attracts the world to our doorstep. Each space inside our hotel has been carefully considered to create a welcoming atmosphere that is consistent with its style,” says Hani of the unique story behind the establishment.

What’s important to note is that not everyone can convey these stories, you need people who are as deeply fascinated by and passionate about the stories you want to tell. This brings us to the people who ensure that guests have an unforgettable experience. The hotel doesn’t employ staff, rather it employs Dream Makers and Heartists, creating passionate hoteliers that come together to make their guests’ dream of a perfect hotel experience come to life.

“Being a Heartist is about serving others from the heart. It’s about placing people at the heart of everything we do,” says Hani. “We hire for attitude, train for skills, and help people become Dream Makers and Heartists,” he reveals. Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery shares stories with authenticity and staying true to its brand values. Storytelling for the team members is an art, just like many other things in life. ✤

Memorable Moments

Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery celebrates its second anniversary of immersive Qatari hospitality, a cultured blend of Qatari heritage and contemporary design creating endless Memorable Moments in the heart of the city. The aim is to deliver guests a unique experience, fully inspired by authentic Qatari hospitality in pure elegance and style.

Walking into the hotel is reminiscent of walking onto the pages of a history book. Every door opening a new chapter in to the past. With compliments to Hani’s storytelling strategy, visitors will see that every restaurant, café, room, and hallway encompasses a collection of history, their own story. These elements originate from multiple eras and backgrounds, encompassing vast knowledge in subtle objects throughout the establishment.

“Here at Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery, we inspire our guests to uncover and pay tribute to the past while discovering and celebrating the future,” says Hani. Speaking of the future, this spectacular property also delivers spectacular volumes of modernity while amid Msheireb Downtown Doha. The location ties in with the hotel’s vision for the future combining sustainable concepts and the spirit of historic Qatari design, concerning the environment.

Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery is redefining hospitality with its passion, history and personal experiences. The hotel and management alike are known to exceed all expectations, regardless of the challenges; bringing forth Memorable Moments for all guests and visitors.