The Ned Doha: An exclusive blend of luxury and community

The Ned Doha has redefined the country’s hospitality scene not only with the preservation of brutalist architecture from Qatar’s rich, historic past but by becoming a symbol of opulence and sophistication.
Gulf Times had the opportunity to sit down with key players from the hotel: General Manager Niels Kristensen, Head of Membership Gabriela Manrique , and Executive Chef Mussa Fatti.
In this interview, Kristensen provided valuable insights about The Ned brand and its history, while Manrique shared the unique features of the Membership Club. Fatti, on the other hand, presented the exceptional culinary offerings available in the hotel’s different restaurants.

Gulf Times: Can you tell us more about The Ned brand and how it was founded?
Kristensen: Soho House founder Nick Jones was asked whether he would be interested in recreating the old Midland Bank in London into a Soho House, which is a typical membership club with members mostly from the creative industry.
So, Nick liked the building a lot. It was a unique 240,000sq ft building, which he described as his “blockbuster movie.”
He then created a new brand within Soho House; it was called “The Ned” as the building’s architect was Sir Edwin “Ned” Lutyens.
Can you talk more about The Ned Doha and how its presence in Qatar is so unique?
The branding and the colour of The Ned came from the verdite marble that was on the 92 pillars inside the old London building. So, that’s why you’ll see a lot of green around this building, as well.
Tell us more about the location of The Ned Doha? How has the former Ministry of Interior building’s architecture influenced the design of the hotel?
In terms of expansion, the company wanted to ensure that all The Ned buildings have the same DNA.
The Ned Doha’s building used to be the former Ministry of Interior, with Qatar Museums Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani keen to repurpose the building; it fitted the pillars that you would normally have in a Ned, and this is how The Ned Doha came about. You will find a lot of similarities between this building and the one in London.
What can members expect from The Ned Doha’s membership club?
Manrique: Ned’s Club is a membership club that offers a wonderful community, which is a key component of The Ned properties. The club is a community where members can network, both professionally and socially, as well as relax and enjoy the space as their home-away-from-home.
Our members include entrepreneurs, creative people, and like-minded professionals that you would love to meet, work, and develop valuable relationships with.
How does The Ned Club differentiate itself from other private members’ clubs in the country?
I think the big difference is that aside from getting access to a community, we put in a lot of effort in giving our members access to a vibrant events calendar, which is well-curated and exclusively tailor-made for our members. Members can participate in our masterclasses, NedTalks, as well as fitness classes and offsite events. This allows our members to meet like-minded individuals on various occasions and in different settings, all catered to their interests and needs.
What are the benefits of being a member of The Ned Club in Doha and abroad?
Being part of this community also gives you access to the Global Ned community, which means you can access the exclusive members facilities at The Ned in London and The Ned Nomad in New York, such as the lounge, pool, spa, and gym, among others.
Can you give an overview of the benefits that members receive?
We are continually adding perks and benefits to our members and recently included complimentary spa treatments, personal training sessions and dedicated parking for our members at The Ned Doha.
In all The Ned hotels globally, members get a 20% discount on the best available rooms, as well as a 20% discount on public restaurants and special rates for special events, including brunch. What is most important is the events calendar, which has a variety of events – from food and beverage to music, fashion, fitness classes, and offsite entertainment.
We also have a global mobile where members can book rooms, spa treatments, and members’ events. The app also has a tool that allows companies to offer a 20% discount on their services. In Doha, we are working on creating partnerships with local businesses.
Can you give an overview of the monthly events and activities that members can participate in at The Ned Club?
Overall, we have more than 70 events this month at Ned’s Club, including fitness classes, around four to five classes per week, and for those looking to unleash their inner artist, painting and mirror painting workshops are available to explore. We are also planning to host a cigar station, as well as to organise many different panel discussions on various topics, such as the economy or cybersecurity, among others, which our members can enjoy the most.
How does The Ned Doha ensure that members receive personalised attention and service?
We ensure that members get the best attention and personalised service from The Ned. To ensure that our services are tailored to our members’ individual needs, we request that they provide us with various details about themselves, their profession, and their hobbies. We make sure that all members feel welcome and that they are part of a community. When new member joins the Membership Club, they will be given a tour of the hotel and its facilities. Additionally, they will receive a welcome box, which includes a platinum membership card, Ned Notes, which outlines the rules and regulations of the club, and a special gift from The Ned.
Tell us more about the culinary offerings at The Ned Doha. What makes The Ned Doha restaurants special?
Fatti: Some of the restaurants in The Ned Doha are similar to what we have in London, so the concepts moved from London to Qatar. The Ned Doha offers an inviting atmosphere with customised furniture, decor, and layout that create a comfortable and personalised experience. The diverse range of restaurants provides a variety of cuisines from Italian to Japanese, American, European and Levantine.
What makes us special is the culinary diversity, the people, the quality of ingredients, and our attention to detail. We provide a personalised experience for all our guests and members, going above and beyond to ensure that no request is ever denied and that anything is possible. This commitment to personalisation is what sets us apart.
At Ned’s Club, you can start your day with breakfast, enjoy afternoon tea, or have dinner in our restaurant, or private dining room. We also offer a great space for members to socialise after work.