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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jeremy Armstrong

Inside England team's luxury World Cup hotel - with 2ft thick walls and a private beach

England’s World Cup hotel is taking on another 40 staff to guarantee personal service for every member of the team.

It is understood Gareth Southgate has chosen the Souq Hotel in Qatar because of its peaceful location by the beach.

Manager Emad Nabulsi, an Arsenal fan, met the England coach and FA officials earlier this year.

They inspected the luxury suites, outdoor leisure facilities, dining areas and beach near the local souq, a traditional market.

The hotel in Al Wakra is 20 minutes’ drive from capital Doha and five minutes from the Al Janoub stadium and nearby training facilities.

By having the footballers stay at the hotel, it is hoped this will boost Qatar’s growing tourism industry post-2022 (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

It offers rooms with 2ft thick walls to guarantee a good sleep, a variety of food options, a business centre and “unmatched personal service”.

A games room and other activities will be laid on for skipper Harry Kane and the players. The Souq looks more modest than the trendy hotel Group B rivals USA will be based at.

They will found at the Kempinski Marsa Malaz at the exclusive Pearl area of Doha, popular with celebrities, footballers and Bollywood stars.

The hotel could call in extra staff if necessary to help the team with their stay (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Wales are staying at the brand new Delta Hotels City Centre, due to open in October. They will train at a new training ground at Al Sadd SC.

Souk Hotel boss Mr Nabulsi said: “We will prepare whatever the England group need. The advantage here is peace and quiet and you are 20 minutes from most of the stadiums.

“There is a state-of-the-art gym and a lot of activities. Our restaurants and bars are much quieter than in Doha.”

The senior sales manager of the hotel is certain the England football team will be comfortable with their stay (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Senior sales manager Aiman Merenciano said: “The walls are so thick here, it is very quiet.”

Mr Nabulsi added: “We would need to bring in some more manpower for the World Cup. It would be 40 people to make sure the service is done perfectly, which is what we aim for.”

The hotel could call on a “task force” from sister hotels in Asia, including the exclusive H Collection, for the extra staff if necessary.

Three-quarters of the teams in the tournament will be based within a six-mile radius of each other. World Cup Qatar 2022 CEO Nasser Al Khater said: “Legacy planning has been a key factor. The hotels will support Qatar’s tourism industry post-2022.”

The Souq Al Wakra Hotel is minutes away from the beach (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

Three-quarters of the teams will be based within a 10km (six miles) radius of each other in and around Doha.

Wales are staying at a brand new hotel, Delta Hotels City Centre, due to open in October. They will train at a bespoke new training ground, at Al Sadd SC.

Nasser Al Khater, FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 CEO, said: “We’re pleased to let fans see the world-class facilities that Qatar has developed for their teams.

The hotel in Al Wakra is 20 minutes’ drive from capital Doha, and minutes from the training facilities (Andy Commins / Daily Mirror)

"As with all of our World Cup projects, legacy planning has been a key factor.

"Many of the training sites renovated and built will benefit local clubs and communities long after the tournament has finished.

"The new hotels will support Qatar’s growing tourism industry post-2022."

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