Hospitality
WATCHHOUSE DEBUTS ITS FIRST PERMANENT UAE HOUSE AT THE ARCADES AT ABU DHABI EQUESTRIAN CLUB
WatchHouse marks a significant milestone in its international growth with the opening of its first permanent UAE House at The Arcades at Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, set to launch in June 2026.
Founded in London, WatchHouse has built a reputation for redefining modern coffee through a focus on quality, precision, and guest experience. Following its regional debut through a pop-up at Marsa Boulevard in Dubai, the brand now establishes a long-term presence in the capital, with further expansion planned across the UAE and wider GCC.
At the core of WatchHouse is its “Modern Coffee” philosophy is an approach that brings together expertly sourced coffee, thoughtful hospitality, and environments designed around how people naturally experience coffee in their daily lives. Every detail, from sourcing and roasting to service and space, is considered to create a consistent and elevated guest experience.
The Abu Dhabi House introduces WatchHouse’s structured coffee offering, designed to guide guests through different flavour experiences. Rituals form the foundation of the menu, designed for everyday moments and familiar comforts, featuring milk-based espresso drinks and carefully developed decaffeinated options that prioritise balance and sweetness without compromising on quality. Ventures invite guests to explore deeper and more expressive profiles through filter coffees and bolder brews, showcasing origin character and pronounced tasting notes for those seeking a more immersive experience. At the more exploratory end of the spectrum, Horizons present a curated selection of brighter, funkier cups, highlighting experimental methods and distinctive flavours, offered at a higher price point for guests looking to discover something unexpected.
For those drawn to rarity and provenance, WatchHouse also offers Rarities: limited-edition coffees that are produced in small quantities and often challenging to source. Selected for their exceptional quality and interesting stories, these coffees provide a deeper connection to origin, craft and innovation, offering guests the opportunity to experience coffee as a truly special moment, available only for a short time.
As its first permanent House in the UAE, the space reflects WatchHouse’s commitment to creating environments that balance refinement with approachability. Developed in collaboration with interior designer Deidra Hodgson and located at The Arcades within Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club, the new House takes cues from the site’s equestrian heritage, Spanish-influenced architecture. References to saddlery, traditional shading techniques, and stable detailing are subtly integrated, creating a space that feels tactile, grounded, and quietly refined.
Roland Horne, CEO and Founder of WatchHouse said: “As WatchHouse continues to evolve, each new House must earn its place; not just within a city, but within its story. Our Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club location marks an important milestone as our first permanent home in the UAE, a distinguished destination that embodies design, refinement, and community. These values align closely with our philosophy of Modern Coffee, which challenges the status quo to create experiences that are truly considered. This House has been thoughtfully designed to offer a space of calm and connection, reflecting the modern craftsmanship and welcoming spirit that define WatchHouse.”
Deidra Hodgson, Interior Designer said: “WatchHouse Equestrian Club draws on the venue’s heritage, blending Spanish-influenced architecture with equestrian design cues. Warm terracotta, rich tones and natural materials create a connection to the outdoors, while varied seating, including a rarities bar showcasing exceptional global coffees, is designed to bring people together and foster a sense of community within Abu Dhabi.”
The Abu Dhabi opening represents the next step in WatchHouse’s regional expansion, with additional locations planned in Dubai, Kuwait, and Qatar, as part of the brand’s ambition to grow to 500 Houses globally by 2036.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
For all media enquiries, contact QComms:
Serena Arnita, Account Executive: serena.a@qcomms.ae
WatchHouse@qcomms.ae
To follow WatchHouse, visit: www.watchhouse.com, @watchhouse , @watchhouse_ae
About WatchHouse
WatchHouse is a Modern Coffee business, founded by Roland Horne in a former 19th-century watch house on London’s Bermondsey Street. Since opening in 2014, it has grown House by House, now a global business with locations across central London, New York and the UAE. Rooted in the ethos of Modern Coffee, WatchHouse delivers an experience shaped by three pillars: exceptional product, considered design, and an elevated guest experience. From industry-leading specialty coffee to House-made food and architecturally driven spaces, every detail is crafted to move coffee and those who drink it forward.
About Abu Dhabi Equestrian Club
Set within the renowned Equestrian Club, a destination dedicated to lifestyle, culture, and community, the new House becomes part of a wider environment that brings together specialty retail, food and beverage, and curated programming. Designed as a place to return to, the space offers a warm and inviting setting where guests can experience WatchHouse’s meticulous approach to sourcing, roasting, and brewing coffee, alongside a sense of everyday ritual.
Hospitality
Qatar Airways Unveils Onboard Signature Music Created in Partnership with Award-Winning Composer Hans Zimmer
Qatar Airways today unveiled its new onboard signature music, created in partnership with world-renowned composer Hans Zimmer.
Inspired by Qatar and its culture, Qatar Airways’ new onboard music brings a distinctive sound identity to the passenger experience through its collaboration with the iconic composition of Hans Zimmer. The music is also featured on the ‘Burgundy Symphony’ album, a bespoke five-track album that encapsulates the airline’s wider sound identity and signature sound elements.
The collaboration brings together Zimmer’s acclaimed cinematic storytelling and Qatar Airways’ commitment to delivering memorable experiences, creating a recognisable sound that reflects the emotions, moments and memories that define travel.
The launch was celebrated at Hans Zimmer’s highly-anticipated concert in Doha on 6 November, where audiences were given an exclusive first look at the story behind the collaboration through a specially created film on the creative process and inspiration behind Burgundy Symphony, alongside a preview of the music. Qatar Airways passengers can experience the new composition onboard from today.
The Burgundy Symphony album captures the rhythm of travel through five original tracks, each reflecting a different stage of the journey:
Dawn opens the collection with a sense of anticipation and possibility experienced when stepping beyond the daily routine and discovering new horizons.
Dusk reflects the tranquillity of flight as daylight fades and travellers are carried above the clouds beneath a sky illuminated by stars.
The Orchard introduces a restorative pause, inspired by moments of calm and reflection amidst the pace of everyday life. The inspiration for the composition is drawn from the sense of escape offered by the ORCHARD – one of Hamad International Airport’s most distinctive passenger experiences.
Homecoming reflects the quiet gift of returning home and the small but lasting ways travel enriches life. The track encapsulates the adventure continues beyond touchdown, with memories of places and skies keeping moments of wonder alive long after the journey ends.
An Ode to Qatar, concludes the album with a tribute to the nation’s rich heritage and forward-looking vision. The piece brings together a sense of history, culture, and ambition, reflecting a country where tradition and progress exist in harmony.
Following the unveiling, Burgundy Symphony is now available on the Qatar Airways YouTube channel, inviting audiences around the world to experience Hans Zimmer’s original compositions inspired by the journey of travel and the spirit of Qatar Airways.
Hospitality
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah Wins Sustain Sharjah Award for Second Year Running
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah has won the Sustain Sharjah award for Hotel Properties at the Sharjah International Travel and Tourism Forum 2026, organised by the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority (SCTDA). This marks the resort’s second consecutive recognition under the initiative.
The accolade acknowledges the property’s progress at Level 2 of the programme’s Explorers journey, structured around four core pillars: Guest, Experience, Local, and Story. Across each pillar, the resort has prioritised measurable, practical measures that engage guests, support the surrounding community, and ensure transparent sustainability reporting.
Central to this achievement are three primary operational initiatives:
- Onsite water bottling plant: Replaces single-use plastics with reusable glass bottles, eliminating approximately 300,672 plastic bottles annually.
- Winnow AI food-waste system: Weighs and monitors kitchen waste in real time, enabling culinary teams to curb excess directly at source.
- Onsite biodigester: Installed in 2026, making the property the first hotel in Sharjah to process organic waste entirely on site.
Commenting on the achievement, Iftikhar Hamdani, Area General Manager of Coral Beach Resort Sharjah, said: “Securing the Sustain Sharjah award for the second consecutive year is an honour for our entire team. Initiatives such as our water bottling plant, AI-driven waste monitoring, and onsite biodigester reflect our daily operational commitment—one shared with our guests, partners, and the local community. We thank the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority for this recognition and for their steady leadership in advancing sustainable tourism across the emirate.”
Coral Beach Resort Sharjah is a signatory to the Glasgow Declaration on Climate Action in Tourism and continues to align its operations with broader international climate targets.
Hospitality
Qatar Airways Connects Doha to Caracas, Venezuela, and Bogotá, Colombia with First Flight
Qatar Airways has inaugurated its new twice-weekly service connecting Doha with Caracas and Bogotá. The service represents a significant milestone for the airline, as Qatar Airways becomes the first Gulf carrier to serve Venezuela, and the first airline to operate nonstop services from the Middle East to both Bogotá and Caracas. The new route underscores the airline’s commitment to strengthening global connectivity for the region and is operated on Boeing 777-200LR aircraft.
Qatar Airways flights to Caracas (CCS) and Bogotá (BOG)
Qatar Airways’ flight schedule has been designed to provide smooth onward connections through Hamad International Airport to key markets including Australia, China, Japan, Lebanon, South Korea, and the United Arab Emirates. This offers passengers greater flexibility and seamless transfer options across Qatar Airways’ global network of over 170 destinations.
Departing every Wednesday and Sunday:
Doha (DOH) to Bogotá (BOG) – Flight QR783: Departure 07:35; Arrival 16:25
Bogotá (BOG) to Caracas (CCS) – Flight QR783: Departure 17:55; Arrival 21:00
Caracas (CCS) to Doha (DOH) – Flight QR783: Departure 23:30; Arrival 20:35
The addition of Caracas and Bogotá marks the 16th and 17th destinations in the Americas served by Qatar Airways. The airline began serving South America in 2010 with its inaugural flight to Brazil’s São Paulo.
The airline has recently expanded its partnership with LATAM to include LATAM Airlines Colombia, offering travellers greater access to the region. Qatar Airways will place its code on LATAM-operated flights between Bogotá and key domestic destinations including Cartagena, Armenia, Barranquilla, Bucaramanga, Cali, Cúcuta, Ibagué, Leticia, Medellín, Montería, Neiva, Pereira, Pasto, Riohacha, San Andrés Island, Santa Marta, and Yopal.
Qatar Airways continues to strengthen global connectivity, serving more than 170 destinations this winter. Bookings can be made at qatarairways.com or through the airline’s mobile app.
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