These two Middle East hotels have been ranked among the world's most beautiful

Two hotels in the Middle East have earned a spot in a prestigious ranking of the world’s most beautiful places to stay, with judges applauding the "finesse" of their architectural design.

The Ned Doha and the all-villa Raffles Al Areen Palace in Bahrain are among just 16 global hotels to make the Prix Versailles list, with both now set to compete for one of three coveted World Titles that will be revealed in a ceremony at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris this November.

The awards, which have been running since 2015, shine a light on the finest contemporary projects worldwide, with jury members picking places that "pay tribute to innovation, creativity, reflections of local heritage, ecological efficiency and the values of social interaction and participation".

The Ned, Doha

Judges praised The Ned Doha for architecture that "amplifies the dignity" of the former Ministry of Interior building, constructed in the 1970s by the Lebanese architect William Sednaoui, an icon of Brutalist architecture in the Middle East. The judging panel highlighted how the design has "created an oasis of vegetation" dotted with art installations and shady areas for guests to relax.

Meanwhile, the Raffles Al Areen Palace Bahrain was noted for its "refined tranquility" and its unique location close to the Al Areen Wildlife nature reserve — a natural sanctuary for rare birds and other animals.

Built to echo the architecture of traditional Middle East homes with a contemporary flourish, judges said the hotel is a "magnificent showcase for the beauty and depth of Bahraini know-how".

416727422_17851279536107351_7625498744047229776_n

411151269_122110340900138632_153181235671242805_n

The two five-star properties join global hotels on the list including the Pan Pacific Orchard Singapore, the Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel in France and Paris' La Fantaisie.

Jérôme Gouadain, Secretary General of the Prix Versailles, said: "Through their architecture and their design, the World’s Most Beautiful Hotels elevate the links between culture and tourism.

418542681_255315530913736_1110213433345398884_n

"On the one hand, culture provides finesse, elegance, updates to ancient techniques and diverse shapes, forms, textures and colours, not to mention curiosity, which is the hallmark of a destination.

"On the other, tourism showcases cultural assets, encourages visitors to discover new people and places, and brings knowledge to life. The World’s Most Beautiful Hotels are ambassadors for intelligent, sustainable tourism rooted in culture."