One of New York’s most historic hotel brands has made its debut in Kuwait.
The much-anticipated Waldorf Astoria Kuwait is now welcoming guests for overnight stays.
Directly connected to The Avenues, one of the city’s biggest shopping malls, the five-star hotel is a haven of luxury with marble accents, a sculptural central staircase and artwork inspired by the legacy of Kuwait.
The hotel is set to become “one of Kuwait’s most prestigious landmarks”, said Jochem-Jan Sleiffer, president of Hilton for Middle East, Africa and Turkey.
There are 200 contemporary rooms and suites, all offering views of the city skyline and designed in an opulent champagne, gold and silver colour scheme.
Guests can expect the premium services that Waldorf Astoria is renowned for, especially since everyone checking in to the hotel will be offered the brand's personal concierge service.
Children can also enjoy a dedicated Waldorf Astoria Kids' Club, which provides plenty of spaces to play in and a variety of daily activities.
A new entry for Kuwait's culinary scene
Waldorf Astoria Kuwait will also make its mark on the city's competitive culinary scene with all-day dining restaurant Ava, which offers the best cuisine from across the French Riviera, the south of Italy and the Greek islands.
Japanese robatayaki is on the menu at the hotly anticipated Roka, a new restaurant from famed chef Rainer Becker, which will open in autumn.
Oxio Pool and Lounge has light bites and refreshments during the day, and entirely transforms once the sun goes down into Kubbar Poolside Restaurant. Named after Kuwait’s Kobar Island, the venue is set to be one of the city's most coveted nightspots, serving elevated Levant cuisine against a green backdrop.
Inspired by Waldorf Astoria New York
Afternoon tea and other delights are on the menu at the Parisian-inspired Peacock Alley — a tribute to the gathering spot in the original Waldorf Astoria Hotel, which opened on New York’s Fifth Avenue in 1897.
Other nods to the original Waldorf Astoria hotel exist, including a signature grand clock, adapted to reflect Kuwait’s cultural heritage and inspired by the grand clock in the Manhattan hotel that was a meeting spot for generations of New Yorkers.
The sprawling Waldorf Spa will be the place to relax when it opens in October. Spanning more than 1,200 square metres with two vitality pools, several treatment rooms and three hammam rooms, it also has separate facilities for men and women, including private consultation rooms.
“We are very excited to be expanding our portfolio in Kuwait to include the iconic Waldorf Astoria, which brings an elevated luxury guest experience to the country,” said Sleiffer.
Rates start from Dh2,900, including taxes, in a premier room; www.hilton.com
Biography
Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad
Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym
Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army
Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter
Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's
Hili 2: Unesco World Heritage site
The site is part of the Hili archaeological park in Al Ain. Excavations there have proved the existence of the earliest known agricultural communities in modern-day UAE. Some date to the Bronze Age but Hili 2 is an Iron Age site. The Iron Age witnessed the development of the falaj, a network of channels that funnelled water from natural springs in the area. Wells allowed settlements to be established, but falaj meant they could grow and thrive. Unesco, the UN's cultural body, awarded Al Ain's sites - including Hili 2 - world heritage status in 2011. Now the most recent dig at the site has revealed even more about the skilled people that lived and worked there.
Zayed Sustainability Prize
MATCH INFO
Maratha Arabians 107-8 (10 ovs)
Lyth 21, Lynn 20, McClenaghan 20 no
Qalandars 60-4 (10 ovs)
Malan 32 no, McClenaghan 2-9
Maratha Arabians win by 47 runs
MATCH INFO
RB Leipzig 2 (Klostermann 24', Schick 68')
Hertha Berlin 2 (Grujic 9', Piatek 82' pen)
Man of the match Matheus Cunha (Hertha Berlin
The bio
His favourite book - 1984 by George Orwell
His favourite quote - 'If you think education is expensive, try ignorance' by Derek Bok, Former President of Harvard
Favourite place to travel to - Peloponnese, Southern Greece
Favourite movie - The Last Emperor
Favourite personality from history - Alexander the Great
Role Model - My father, Yiannis Davos
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
Virtuzone GCC Sixes
Date and venue Friday and Saturday, ICC Academy, Dubai Sports City
Time Matches start at 9am
Groups
A Blighty Ducks, Darjeeling Colts, Darjeeling Social, Dubai Wombats; B Darjeeling Veterans, Kuwait Casuals, Loose Cannons, Savannah Lions; C Awali Taverners, Darjeeling, Dromedary, Darjeeling Good Eggs
The Way It Was: My Life with Frank Sinatra by Eliot Weisman and Jennifer Valoppi
Hachette Books
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
- Priority access to new homes from participating developers
- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
- Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
- DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
About Tenderd
Started: May 2018
Founder: Arjun Mohan
Based: Dubai
Size: 23 employees
Funding: Raised $5.8m in a seed fund round in December 2018. Backers include Y Combinator, Beco Capital, Venturesouq, Paul Graham, Peter Thiel, Paul Buchheit, Justin Mateen, Matt Mickiewicz, SOMA, Dynamo and Global Founders Capital
