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
Kabul Serena Hotel is located in Afghanistan
Kabul Serena Hotel
Location within Afghanistan
General information
LocationDistrict 2, Kabul, Afghanistan
Coordinates34°31′12″N 69°10′40″E
Opening1945; Reopened; November 8, 2005 (2005-11-08)
OwnerGovernment of Afghanistan
ManagementSerena Hotels
Design and construction
DeveloperAga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
Other information
Number of rooms177

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]

  • Entrance
    Entrance
  • Inside
    Inside
  • Gardens
    Gardens

References
  1. "Stay At The Best Hotel In Afghanistan". Serena Hotels. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  2. "New development initiative launched in Kabul with opening of 5-star Kabul Serena hotel". AKDN. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  3. Logan, Nick (21 Mar 2014). "How high was security at the Kabul Serena Hotel?". Global News. Global News. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  4. "Kabul Serena Hotel". Directory. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  5. "KABUL SERENA HOTEL, KABUL". NMP Design. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  6. "STAY IN KABUL". Serena Hotels. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  7. "SILK ROUTE RESTAURANT". Serena Hotels. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  8. "KABUL SPA". Serena Hotels. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  9. MacKenzie, Jean (23 Mar 2014). "The Kabul Serena's dark history". The World. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  10. Opening of the Kabul Serena hotel Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
  11. Ismaili.net
  12. "Terrorists hit Australian embassy". The Courier-Mail. January 14, 2008.
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