The Serena Hotel is built in the heart of Islamabad and reflects history and enlightening heritage.

The Hotel complex extends of 13 acres of landscape gardens. The real triumph of the Hotel is its
rich and beautiful interiors as well as its exclusive location. The design combines a hybrid of
modern as well as traditional styles, with a modern scheme and open plans and traditional
finishing and detailing style. The unique combination enhances its prolific décor and marvelous
style that differentiates Serena Islamabad from other hotels.

While talking about the architecture of Serena, the rich use of “Mushrabiyas” (bay windows)
throughout the façade and lobby add more splendors to it. The main idea behind is the use of
“Sheesham” wood and a revival of old Islamic Civilizations where bay windows were used for
fresh air circulation. Apart from depicting a rich Islamic and cultural architectural heritage, the
true style is simply reflected in aesthetics of the public areas, rooms, corridors and restaurants,
with a deeply rooted sense of art. The manifested work of the artisans deeply encompasses the
magical beauty on ceilings, walls, floors and furnishing. The hand-made glaze tiles add more
majesty to the interior. Also the hand-carved “Naqashi” could be seen there. The interior has
simply artistic creations by Ustad Saiffullah, Michoo Sallah-Ud-Din, Shafique Rana, Master
Mahmood and Ustad Allah Rakha.
The interior uses a rich and fine combination of Botticino marble flooring, Sheesham wood,
earth-tone on walls and Chakwal sand stone in an ideal blend. Upon reaching the entrance, one
sees a sand blasted intricate glass designs that impart the image of a circumspect luxury. The
striking use of marble flooring throughout the hotel reflects the mastered and skillful work of
Pakistani artisans. The lobby is simply scattered with classy and nostalgic imagination.
Especially the fountain at lobby adds more grandeur and charm to it, with water flowing from
bowl and Diyas (lights) floating on the surface. Thus, the style creates an ambiance of harmony
and serenity. The lobby’s floor is interlaced with symmetrical and geometrical patterns of
marble.
Also, apart from the interlaced designs, the unusual use of materials and their replication at
certain places add more attractiveness, opulence and glamour to the interior decor. The antique
and marvelous Persian rugs add more complexity and beauty to the interior. This reflects a style
of perfect proportion and balance, deeply enriched with exquisite craftsmanship and deep hall
marks of Islamic architecture. The use of wooden arches that frame colonnades supporting
balconies is truly ravishing. Also, the linear and proportional extension of the colonnades,
bifurcating spaces and attaching the lobby adds more exquisiteness to the interior. The rich
Iranian crystal-made Shamadans (chandeliers) add a highly romantic touch to the lobby lounge.
The elegant crystal chandeliers known as Shamadans in Turkmenistan and “Lalae” in Iran are
one of the most fabulous décor pieces at Serena.
As ceilings are concerned, they are produced with the same elegance and splendid geometric
expression of interlaced wood with floral motifs beautifully brushed in ochre, amber green and
Indian red. The main lobby ceiling exemplifies the rich “Naqashi” of Ustad Saif-ur-Rehman. The
magnificent transformation of Sheesham into splendid piece of art is commendable achievement.
The ceiling of the main lobby has been lined with a plaster and arabescue stucco tiles.
The Zamana Restaurant delightfully blends together Moorish, Kashmiri, Islamic and traditional
sways in an assorted fashion. The overall special effort by the designers and architects to essay
and safeguard the customary crafts has been an inimitable feature of Serena Islamabad. “The
Maghreb” Speciality Restaurant luxuriantly enthralls with an enhancing brilliance and exotics
achieved through the beautifully arched ceilings and crystal chandeliers. Talking about the
interior of the Banquet Hall, it’s beautifully and richly lavished with features of Moorish and
Islamic brilliance. One would find a family note of Islamic finery and gorgeousness with
textured plastered walls and hand-painted domed ceilings. However, the doorways from the Hall
have been outlined with the lime plaster and stucco respite. Also, the vibrant ceilings of the
Banquet Hall are painted by Ustad Saif-ur-Rehman that truly exhibits his genius. Just like the
lobby, the hall is also enriched with drapery of colors and intricate furniture.
As coming to the art work, the Serena’s interior exhibits a rich collection of art work by
renowned artists like Naheed Raza, Gulgee, Amin Gulgee, Samina Ali Akhtar, Maleeha Ali
Agha, Masroor, Kazi, Abrar and Has-saan Gardezi. The “Maisha” health club and pool offer
some nice gym facilities, along with some steam room and dry heat saunas too. Talking about the
fabrics and carpets, the most revived designs have been used from Swat, Punjab and Kashmir.
The rich source of Afghani hand-woven carpets, Kilims, Moroccan and Tunisian traditions
encompass a deep heritage. Special care has been taken in the design and selection of fabrics,
curtains and carpets to ensure factual manifestation of Islamic Architecture. The architecture at
Serena truly reflects the masterpiece beauty and skill of Nayyer Ali Dada. The fabrics and
furniture is of Casabella where furniture and wood work has been by Mohkam Furnishers.