2 July 2011 (Doha, QATAR): QATARI DIAR Real Estate Investment Company, an international leader in sustainable development, celebrated the reopening of the Hotel Schweizerhof Bern on Friday, the 24th of June, 2011.  The renovated 150-year old luxury hotel has accommodated stars such as Peter Ustinov, Grace Kelly and Elizabeth Taylor over its history and has now reopened its doors to visitors in Switzerland's charming capital. 

Eng. Mohammed bin Ali Al-Hedfa, Group CEO of QATARI DIAR, attended the grand opening night event with the Mayor of the city of Bern, Alexander Tschäppät, and Bruno H. Schöpfer, the Director of QDHP Swiss Management AG. Other guests included Hollywood legend Ursula Andress and model Julia Saner, along with numerous personalities from the hotel trade and from the worlds of business, politics, diplomacy, culture and entertainment.

"QATARI DIAR is proud to celebrate the reopening of this legendary hotel in the center of the Swiss capital.  The newly renovated Hotel Schweizerhof Bern is a symbol of QATARI DIAR's commitment to luxury development that embraces local history and tradition while incorporating top international standards and design.  We look forward to continuing our relationship with the city of Bern for years to come," said Eng. Al-Hedfa, Group CEO of QATARI DIAR.

The hotel, located in the Swiss capital's historical Old City, celebrated a partial reopening on the 16th of April, 2011 and now, after a 2-year renovation, all of the hotel's 99 rooms and suites are available to guests.  QATARI DIAR's team of experienced hoteliers was responsible for the renovation and conceptualization of the new Schweizerhof. Renowned MKV Design agency from London was tasked with developing a modern interior that would also acknowledge the hotel's illustrious past. Antiques from the inventory of the Schweizerhof and items of restored furniture from Bern's golden years have been incorporated into the hotel's décor.

The fully renovated 5-star hotel was designed to combine the hotel's tradition of luxury with contemporary flair, classic design and world-class service. It offers 99 rooms and suites, an 800 m2 conference and business center, a ballroom and, from the end of 2011 onwards, a wellness zone.

The Hotel Schweizerhof Bern, together with the Bürgenstock Resort in Lucerne and the Royal-Savoy in Lausanne, is part of QATARI DIAR's portfolio of redevelopment projects in Switzerland. 

Wholly owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, QATARI DIAR Real Estate Investment Company was established in December 2005 to support Qatar's growing economy and to co-ordinate the country's real estate development priorities. QATARI DIAR is currently involved in more than 35 projects in more than 20 countries around the world

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About QATARI DIAR Real Estate Investment Company:
Wholly owned by the Qatar Investment Authority, QATARI DIAR Real Estate Investment Company was established in December 2005 to support Qatar's growing economy and to co-ordinate the country's real estate development priorities.  QATARI DIAR is currently involved in more than 35 signature projects in more than 20 countries around the world.

QATARI DIAR is becoming established as one of the world's most trusted and respected real estate companies because of its commitment to quality, local community, partnership and hallmark sustainability.

QATARI DIAR's hallmark vision of sustainable development places community and local traditions at the forefront. The Company aims to create and manage property investments and developments which not only comply with the best international standards, but which also strongly reflect local culture and values. As a result, QATARI DIAR's projects deliver a distinctive and sustainable social, economic and environmental benefit to the community. In addition, QATARI DIAR often enables local and international developers and investors to partner in its projects, and to work together in exploring other opportunities, both locally and internationally. www.qataridiar.com

For further information, kindly contact:
Symaa Abdullah, Media Relations Director
Brown Lloyd James
Tel: +974 5584 1108
symaa@brownlloydjames.com

© Press Release 2011