Kabul Serena Hotel
Kabul Serena Hotel is a luxury hotel in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan.[1] Originally built in 1945, the Kabul hotel was restored and expanded by AKDN and named as Kabul Serena Hotel. It was inaugurated by President Karzai and the Aga Khan in 2005.[2]
| Kabul Serena Hotel | |
|---|---|
The inside garden area | |
Location within Afghanistan | |
| General information | |
| Location | District 2, Kabul, Afghanistan |
| Coordinates | 34°31′12″N 69°10′40″E / 34.52000°N 69.17778°E |
| Opening | 1945; Reopened; November 8, 2005 |
| Owner | Government of Afghanistan |
| Management | Serena Hotels |
| Design and construction | |
| Developer | Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN) |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 177 |
Architecture
The five-star hotel was designed by Romesh Khosla - a Canadian-based architect.[3] The building design reflects the classic Islamic architecture.[4]
Facilities
It is set in landscaped gardens, overlooking the city's Zarnegar Park.[5] The hotel has 177 rooms and suites.[6] It has several restaurants, including the Café Zarnegar serving Afghan cuisine, the Wild Rice fine-dining restaurant serving Southeast Asian cuisine, the Serena Pastry Shop serving homemade breads, cakes and patisseries and the Char Chata Lounge.[7] The hotel also includes Maisha Spa & Health Club, offering a fitness centre, a steam room, a sauna, and outdoor heated swimming pool.[8]
Incidents and closures
Adolph Dubs, United States ambassador to Afghanistan in 1979, was killed at the hotel.[9]
The hotel was heavily damaged by civil war; it was completely refurbished and extended, reopening on November 8, 2005. The main work for the hotel was given to the Aga Khan Foundation and thus it was inaugurated by Aga Khan IV.[10][11]
It was the target of terrorist attacks in January 2008 and March 2014.[12]
With the Taliban gaining control of the country, the hotel has been suspended since August 31, 2021.[citation needed]
Gallery
Entrance
Inside
Gardens
References
- ^ "Stay At The Best Hotel In Afghanistan". Serena Hotels. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "New development initiative launched in Kabul with opening of 5-star Kabul Serena hotel". AKDN. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ Logan, Nick (21 Mar 2014). "How high was security at the Kabul Serena Hotel?". Global News. Global News. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "Kabul Serena Hotel". Directory. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "KABUL SERENA HOTEL, KABUL". NMP Design. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "STAY IN KABUL". Serena Hotels. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "SILK ROUTE RESTAURANT". Serena Hotels. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ "KABUL SPA". Serena Hotels. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ MacKenzie, Jean (23 Mar 2014). "The Kabul Serena's dark history". The World. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
- ^ Opening of the Kabul Serena hotel [1] Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)[2]
- ^ Ismaili.net
- ^ "Terrorists hit Australian embassy". The Courier-Mail. January 14, 2008.
External links
- Official site