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 5002 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