Kabul Serena Hotel is a luxury hotel in downtown Kabul, Afghanistan.[1]

Kabul Serena Hotel
The inner garden
Kabul Serena Hotel is located in Afghanistan
Kabul Serena Hotel
Location within Afghanistan
General information
LocationDistrict 2, Kabul, Afghanistan
Coordinates34°31′14″N 69°10′41″E / 34.52056°N 69.17806°E / 34.52056; 69.17806
Opening1945; Reopened; November 8, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-11-08)
OwnerGovernment of Afghanistan
ManagementSerena Hotels
Design and construction
DeveloperAga Khan Development Network (AKDN)
Other information
Number of rooms177

History

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The property was built in 1945 as the Kabul Hotel.[2]

The ruined hotel was completely rebuilt by the Aga Khan Development Network from 2002–2005[2] to designs by Canadian architect Ramesh Khosla.[3] The renamed Kabul Serena Hotel was inaugurated by President Hamid Karzai and Aga Khan IV on November 8, 2005.[4][5][6]

Incidents and closures

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Adolph Dubs, United States ambassador to Afghanistan, was killed at the hotel in 1979.[7]

The hotel was the target of terrorist attacks in January 2008 and March 2014.[8]

Facilities

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It is set in landscaped gardens, overlooking the city's Zarnegar Park.[9] The hotel has 177 rooms and suites.[10] 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.[11] The hotel also includes Maisha Spa & Health Club, offering a fitness centre, a steam room, a sauna, and outdoor heated swimming pool.[12]

The design reflects classic Islamic architecture.[13]

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References

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  1. ^ "Stay At The Best Hotel In Afghanistan". Serena Hotels. Archived from the original on 30 June 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  2. ^ a b "New Development Initiative Launched in Kabul - AFGHANISTAN OPENS LUXURIOUS SERENA HOTEL - 2005-11-08". First Ismaili Electronic Library and Database. Heritage Society. Archived from the original on 2023-10-09. Retrieved 2024-03-20.
  3. ^ Logan, Nick (21 Mar 2014). "How high was security at the Kabul Serena Hotel?". Global News. Global News. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  4. ^ "New development initiative launched in Kabul with opening of 5-star Kabul Serena hotel". AKDN. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  5. ^ Opening of the Kabul Serena hotel [1] Archived 2019-03-20 at the Wayback Machine Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN)[2] Archived 2021-08-16 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ "Ismaili.net". Archived from the original on 2011-06-14. Retrieved 2010-05-19.
  7. ^ MacKenzie, Jean (23 Mar 2014). "The Kabul Serena's dark history". The World. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 20 March 2024.
  8. ^ "Terrorists hit Australian embassy". The Courier-Mail. January 14, 2008. Archived from the original on January 17, 2008. Retrieved May 19, 2010.
  9. ^ "KABUL SERENA HOTEL, KABUL". NMP Design. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  10. ^ "STAY IN KABUL". Serena Hotels. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  11. ^ "SILK ROUTE RESTAURANT". Serena Hotels. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  12. ^ "KABUL SPA". Serena Hotels. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
  13. ^ "Kabul Serena Hotel". Directory. Archived from the original on 14 July 2022. Retrieved 14 July 2022.
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