THE RITZ-CARLTON, DOHA WELCOMED MORE THAN 1,000 GUESTS TO ITS ANNUAL TREE LIGHTING CEREMONY Monday, 06 December 2010 19:05

DOHA, QATAR – December 6, 2010 –.The Ritz-Carlton, Doha kicked off the holiday season with its annual tree lighting ceremony recently, welcoming more than 1,000 guests to this special occasion. With a 5.5-meter high Christmas tree decorated with 2,000 lights and 1,000 ornaments, the newly refurbished Grand Lobby was the perfect venue for the holiday celebration. No one is more excited to see the festive season’s events come to life than the hotel’s top leader.

“I am so proud of the line-up of activities that the ladies and gentlemen of The Ritz-Carlton, Doha have planned for this holiday season,” says General Manager Pep Lozano. “As this is my first festive season in this country, I’m thrilled to celebrate with my wonderful team, my supportive family and the great new friends I’ve made this year.

Families enjoyed the slight winter chill off with hot chocolate and cookies as they listen to classic carols by the talented Ritz-Carlton Choir. Hotel guests and residents of Doha had the opportunity to donate for a good cause with all the proceeds benefiting Al Hiba Group for children with cancer.

Soaring 115 meters above Qatar’s sea and desert landscape, The Ritz-Carlton, Doha is an impressive symbol of the nation’s emergence as a destination for travelers to the Middle East. The hotel fuses contemporary styling with classic Arabic and European design, creating a hotel with a promise of setting a new benchmark for luxury and sophistication in the region. Located on its own exclusive island in prestigious West Bay Lagoon, the hotel has sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C., of Chevy Chase, Md., currently operates 73 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and the Caribbean. More than 30 hotel and residential projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Dubai International Financial Centre, United Arab Emirates; Toronto; and Hong Kong, Kowloon. The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information, or reservations, contact a travel professional, call toll free in the U.S. 1-800-241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marriott International, Inc.