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Nasser Bin Khaled and Sons Automobiles, the authorized distributor of Mercedes-Benz in Qatar, hosted an exclusive event for Mercedes-Benz female customers in partnership with Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som. This unique gathering brought together two luxury brands to celebrate automotive excellence and holistic well-being.


The event was designed as a gesture of appreciation to the local community, combining a thrilling driving adventure with Mercedes-Benz SUVs and a luxurious, rejuvenating experience at Zulal Wellness Resort. Guests enjoyed a carefully planned day of relaxation, wellness activities, and premium hospitality.


VIP guests participated in engaging experiences that highlighted the synergy between the two brands. The collaboration enhanced the shared values of Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles and Zulal Wellness Resort: a commitment to well-being, luxury, and unparalleled attention to detail.

With a legacy of fostering strong customer relationships, Nasser Bin Khaled Automobiles and Mercedes-Benz aim to offer more than just automotive excellence by creating enriching and memorable experiences. This partnership reflects their dedication to giving back to the community.


Gary Pike, Executive Director, Nasser bin Khaled and Sons Automobiles stated: “We are proud to have partnered with Zulal Wellness Resort for this exceptional event. This collaboration aligns with our commitment to engaging with the local community by providing extraordinary experiences that prioritize physical and mental well-being. We look forward to future initiatives as we continue to expand these programs throughout the year."





The event began at the Mercedes-Benz showroom in Salwa road, where VIP guests attended a safety briefing before being assigned vehicles. A convoy of 26 Mercedes-Benz SUVs set off toward the resort, with scheduled changeover points to allow participants to swap roles and test different SUV models.


Upon arrival at Zulal Wellness Resort, guests were warmly welcomed and treated to an exclusively prepared bespoke lunch followed by wellness activities such as a nutrition talk, cooking classes, and spa treatments. The day concluded at the NBK Automobiles suite, where guests relaxed with refreshments, networked, and admired the sunset before the return journey. The vehicle-swapping experience was repeated on the drive back to ensure participants had a comprehensive test drive.


Ammar Samad, General Manager of Zulal Wellness Resort, expressed: “We are delighted to welcome our esteemed guests to experience the unparalleled luxury and personalised wellness programmes at our resort. The retreat aims to unlock the guest's inner healing powers, to refresh and rejuvenate the body, mind and spirit. Our collaboration with Nasser Bin Khaled and Sons Automobiles aligns seamlessly with our commitment to offering an exceptional and indulgent experience defined by sophistication and thoughtful attention to our guests' wellbeing.”





Zulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som is an iconic wellness destination in Qatar, blending Traditional Arabic and Islamic Medicinewith a holistic approach to health. Situated along the serene northern coast of Qatar, Zulal offers two distinct experiences: Zulal Serenity, focused on transformative health for adults, and Zulal Discovery, designed for family wellness journeys. The resort provides a tranquil retreat, fostering sustainable lifestyle changes just a short distance from Doha’s bustling city life.


Nasser Bin Khaled and Sons Automobiles, established in 1957, is a name synonymous with premium service and automotive market leadership in Qatar. As the exclusive distributor of Mercedes-Maybach, Mercedes-Benz, and Mercedes-AMG, the company continues to set benchmarks in the industry through its dedication to customer satisfaction.



Under the stewardship of Corinthia Hotels, the new hotel brings vibrant energy to 76th and Madison 





A Corinthia Hotel, opens today under its iconic moniker, bringing a new design and ultra-luxury experience to one of the most coveted addresses on the Upper East Side. The 16-story building is the inaugural property in North America for Corinthia Hotels. Owned by Reuben Brothers, global leaders in real estate development and private equity, with striking interiors by Martin Brudnizki of MBDS, The Surrey has been completely transformed to encompass 70 guest rooms, 30 suites, and 14 private residences. It is home to the first New York outpost of the beloved eatery Casa Tua and the tranquil Surrey Spa featuring Sisley Paris and offers a chic lifestyle experience for both international tastemakers and local New Yorkers alike.


“The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, has tapped leading visionaries in dining, spa, design, and architecture to bring a sense of vibrancy to Manhattan’s Upper East Side,” said Pradeep Raman, Managing Director, The Surrey. “We aim to be a cultural mainstay of our neighborhood and add to the dynamic and ever-evolving tapestry of fashion, creativity, and art that surrounds us.”

“We are incredibly proud to have our first opening in North America be one as meaningful as The Surrey, an address that has been lying in wait for its next chapter,” said Simon Casson, Chief Executive Officer of Corinthia Hotels. “We see this hotel as a love letter to New York and a beacon of the city’s creative spirit. As we embark on global growth, The Surrey is in many ways a new flagship, representative of the warm familial spirit of Corinthia that makes all guests feel perfectly at home.”




PLACE SETTING DESIGN

Located on East 76th Street, the hotel’s grand façade has been restored by master architects Schwartz & Gross to retain the history of the neighborhood and its architectural legacy, while London and New York-based design team MBDS has crafted the hotel’s public spaces and guest rooms to blend past influences with contemporary sophistication. The design evokes a residential feel, paying tribute to New York with details like handcrafted Murano chandeliers and bespoke furniture pieces. Textures throughout the hotel—from cabinetry to wall finishes—add a rich, sensory dimension to the spaces.


The hotel’s suites are inspired by the bridges of Central Park. They include the Bethesda Grandeur Suite, Pine Bank Bridge Suite, Greywacke Heritage Suite, and The Surrey Suite, featuring design elements that pay homage to their namesakes. Crown moldings reflect each bridge’s architectural style, while illustrations of the bridges are found within each suite’s grand armoire. These spacious accommodations feature elegant living spaces, luxurious beds, and opulent bathrooms. Guests staying in these suites may opt for complimentary, dedicated butler service for a seamless and highly personalized stay.





CASA TUA LANDS IN NEW YORK

Casa Tua, the famed restaurant group founded by Miky and Leticia Herrera-Grendene, debuts its first New York location at The Surrey, A Corinthia Hotel, as the exclusive food and beverage partner. Designed by renowned Italian architect Michele Bonan, the restaurant design blends modern luxuries with influences from Bonan’s native Florence, featuring custom Italian furniture and an art collection curated by Miky and Leticia. Adjacent to the hotel lobby, the Lounge by Casa Tua, features an all-day menu of light bites, coffees, and cocktails. The Casa Tua experience extends to the hotel’s second floor with a private members’ club. Casa Tua‘s menu pays homage to the varied flavors of Italian and Mediterranean cuisine. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner seven days a week, the restaurant includes a semi-private chef’s table.


THE UPPER EAST SIDE’S WELLNESS DESTINATION

A new wellness destination arrives on the Upper East Side: The Surrey Spa featuring Sisley Paris. Corinthia Hotels has partnered with the luxury French lifestyle brand Sisley, renowned for its expertise in Phyto-cosmetology – combining the finest plant-based ingredients with cutting-edge science - to offer treatments focused on rejuvenation, anti-aging and relaxation. The spa menu features several treatments incorporating Sisley products, including the property-exclusive Black Rose Re-plumping Facial. The Surrey Spa incorporates two treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, salt relaxation room, sensorial shower, an AMP-designed gym, and a Sisley retail shop. The spa connects to a secluded outdoor terrace.


A LIVING GALLERY

Just blocks from some of the world’s most renowned museums, art plays a central role in The Surrey’s design and guest experience. The hotel has collaborated with the expert team at Paris-based VISTO Gallery to curate an art collection that uses the city as its unifying theme. Designed to feel like a personal ensemble, the collection celebrates the hotel’s century-long tenure with pieces created by New York's melting pot of artists since the 1920s. Works of native New Yorkers, international New York-based creatives, as well as artists inspired by the city’s unrivaled energy fill the walls in visual storytelling.






The highly anticipated Corinthia Brussels, situated on Rue Royale, opens today amidst the celebrated Maltese group’s global expansion. Formerly the Grand Hotel Astoria, this iconic Belle Époque landmark has undergone a complete transformation, now featuring 126 rooms and suites, and a subterranean spa. Following an extraordinary journey of rebirth, the hotel reaffirms its position as a cornerstone of Belgian hospitality, partnering with exceptional local talent to elevate its bar and dining experiences. It promises to be an unparalleled destination for both locals and international travellers.


Originally opened in 1910, the project to restore this Brussels landmark has been reimagined by the Corinthia Group - owners, developers and operators of luxury hotels worldwide - whose operating company, Corinthia Hotels, now take on the management of this beloved palais at the heart of Europe’s capital.





Simon Casson, CEO of Corinthia Hotels, said, “The reopening of Corinthia Brussels marks an exciting chapter for both our brand and the city. This project isn’t just about restoring a hotel—it’s about redefining what luxury hospitality can be. By collaborating with some of Belgium’s most forward-thinking craftspeople and gastronomic minds, we’re challenging conventions and creating something truly special. We look forward to welcoming guests to experience this new era and to discover a space where heritage and innovation meet.”

 



Place setting design

 

Situated in Notre Dame aux Neiges, Corinthia Brussels has long symbolised grandeur and sophistication. Commissioned by royal decree and designed by Henri Van Dievoet, it was originally conceived as a palace to host distinguished guests of the King. With its era-defining architecture and opulent interiors, it became synonymous with elegance, hosting illustrious guests like Winston Churchill and Andy Warhol. Now, after a four-year restoration programme, meticulously preserving the ground floor and façade, undertaken in collaboration with Urban Brussels, Patrimoine Brussels and the Royal Commission, it becomes a beacon of gastronomy, urban relaxation and refined Belgian living.


At its heart is the Palm Court, graced by a magnificent stained-glass skylight restored under the direction of Belgian architect Francis Metzger. Guests will pass through this breathtaking space before ascending the grand staircase to reach the hotel’s 90 bedrooms, 31 suites and five signature suites. Designed by GA Design, the rooms evoke regal opulence with palettes of blue and rust gold, inspired by the building’s rich history.


Beacon of Gastronomy

As Corinthia Brussels has respected the crafts of architecture and design, so too does it honour the artistry of gastronomy. The hotel has partnered with two much-loved, Michelin-starred, Belgian chefs with dining concepts; Le Petit Bon Bon and Palais Royal, while Belgian mixologist sensation Hannah Van Ongevalle opens her first solo bar concept with Under The Stairs.


While their concepts are unique, chefs David Martin and Christophe Hardiquest share a similar work culture; nurturing young talent in a kind, creative and collaborative kitchen, working seamlessly and wholly between kitchen and service staff, and respecting the culinary heritage of Belgium. Open for lunch and dinner from Thursday to Monday, Christophe Hardiquest’s brasserie concept Le Petit bon bon serves traditional Belgian favourites with a modern twist. With both street and hotel access, this vibrant brasserie has been designed by local interior designer We Want More studio and feels at once exciting and homely thanks to the team’s palpable energy and personable service. Under Hardiquest’s leadership, the kitchen is steered by Venezuelan Andrea Mesa adding a distinct South American and female flair to proceedings.


Palais Royal by David Martin serves a menu of French cuisine inspired by the flavours and philosophy of Japan in a seven, ten or 12-course degustation. For time-pressed or weary travellers, any dish on the menu can be ordered à la carte, reflecting Martin’s commitment to inclusivity and breaking down the barriers of traditional fine dining. The restaurant serves lunch, Tuesday to Friday and dinner, Tuesday to Saturday.


Beneath its magnificent skylight the Palm Court serves coffees, teas, light snacks and drinks throughout the day and leads to Salon Elisabeth which serves breakfast, as well as providing a flexible space for events, hosting anything from intimate dinners to screenings and press conferences.


Hannah Van Ongevalle embarks on her first solo venture with Under The Stairs, serving cocktails and mocktails in a seasonally changing menu. Opening in February 2025 and operating daily from 12noon to 1am, the inaugural menu, From Dust We Rise, is a spin on classic cocktails inspired by those invented in famed hotel bars around the world over the past century.


Refined Belgian Living

Wellness is redefined in this first for Brussels, as Corinthia opens with an elegant underground sanctuary created through the addition of a newly excavated floor beneath the hotel. Over 1200 square metres, the spa features seven private treatment rooms, a steam room, sauna, experience showers, tea room and fitness centre with personal training by former British Army physical training instructor Paul Tucker.


The hotel’s concept store Coutume, champions Belgian excellence presenting a curated selection of luxury local brands. From ready-to-wear fashion and fine jewellery to distinctive design pieces, it features celebrated names like Maison La Collection and Daniel Ost, alongside emerging designers.


Located in the heart of Europe, Brussels offers a rich mix of cultural heritage and contemporary flair. Known for its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, the city will celebrate the 100th anniversary of Art Deco in 2025. Guests at Corinthia Brussels are perfectly positioned to explore the city’s museums, vibrant arts scene and culinary delights, all within a short distance from Brussels’ most fabulous address.



For more information visit: Corinthia.com/Brussels

@CorinthiaHotels @CorinthiaBrussels


© 2023 DUNES

DUNES  magazine is  the Middle East luxury lifestyle magazine covering local, regional and international fashion news  in addition to articles from our editorial team about fashion, lifestyle, health & fitness, watches & jewellery, beauty,  travel & hospitality, interviews and many more features.

Dunes magazine is a supplementary of Maqina 

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