W Doha
The W Group is one of the world’s most iconic and design led hotel brands and they don’t let the side down in Doha. The W Doha is the perfect fusion of location, vibe and facilities. With the city recently having seen an onslaught of newer and bigger hotel openings, the W Doha has held its own. This is in no small part due to the excellent array of restaurants, including the European-style Market, the Asian street-food Spice Market and the Italian outlet La Spiga. A café, bar and nightclub round out the hotel’s entertainment collection. The rooms are quirky with a touch of whimsy. Some of the design accents include swing-like wicker chairs suspended from the ceiling and beds surrounded by fringed curtains. At weekends this place is jam-packed, so ask for a room away from the bustling public areas.
Mondrian Doha
Stepping into the Mondrian Doha is like visiting a hotel dreamed up by Alice in Wonderland’s Mad Hatter. From a lobby featuring a ‘staircase to nowhere’ (yes, you can climb it) to a ‘frozen forest’ complete with white tree sculptures, the Mondrian Doha is the eccentric fantasy of Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. Situated between Lusail and West Bay, the hotel has an exterior inspired by a Qatari falcon.
It boasts 211 rooms and 59 suites over 24 floors and a huge 2000 square metre function room with its own 24K gold elevator, as well as a luxurious spa and an enclosed rooftop pool. Each room is decorated with a bespoke mural personally created by Wanders. With two celebrity-helmed restaurants (CUT by Wolfgang Puck and Morimoto) as well as a Middle Eastern restaurant and a popular pub, it’s the full package for any traveller. Be sure to check out the I Dream of Jeannie-inspired bathrooms draped with Arab lanterns.
The St Regis Doha
For old-school glamour and hospitality, it’s hard to surpass the St Regis Doha. From its white-gloved butlers to its signature bloody marys, this is one of Qatar’s most sought-after hotels. The palatial hotel has more than 350 minimalist rooms with stunning full ocean views. Home to 10 restaurants, lounges and bars, the hotel boasts a Gordon Ramsay bistro as well as Raw Bar, which has become one of Doha’s most popular Friday brunches. The hotel’s biggest selling point is its stunning Olympic-size swimming pool, which opens onto its own private white-sand beach.
Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara
Known to locals as ‘Banana Island’, this hotspot was once a haven for Doha dwellers seeking some fun in the sun. Now it’s a luxury resort complete with a wellness centre, minigolf course and wave pool. A 30-minute luxury catamaran ride away from Doha’s Corniche, the resort makes the most of its secluded location and calm, crystal-clear water with a long beach and lagoon for swimming, sunning yourself or just hanging out.
Of the 141 rooms, suites and villas, there are eight two-bedroom, Maldives-style overwater villas. The resort also has an exclusive trio of three-bedroom villas, each with a private pool. Rooms reflect the seaside locale – airy and filled with blues and whites. Food options include the American-style diner Ted’s and a beach-vibe restaurant offering Arabic and Indian grills. The resort is dry, so there are no bars or alcohol. It’s a great place to escape with the kids that is super family friendly and packed full of activities for the whole family to enjoy.
The Ritz-Carlton Hotel
A recent design-driven makeover has given this prestigious hotel a new lease of life. Rooms have been painstakingly refurbished with a fresh, contemporary feel, complete with plush new furnishings and marbled bathrooms. The hotel’s array of restaurants has also been amped up thanks to the opening of cult steakhouse STK Doha and a new, casual French brasserie, Sel & Miel. Once considered to be on the edge of Doha in West Bay Lagoon, the hotel is now closer than ever to the heart of things, thanks to a new road network and a growing city.
With 370 rooms and 60 high end suites, the Ritz Carlton in Doha is one of the most spectacular and plush hotels in the country. Their spa is a great place to unwind and de-stress. The spa is without a doubt one of the most popular in Doha, and houses an indoor pool and two tennis courts. Lounge lizards will love the tropically inspired pool area, which comes with cool towels and poolside food service.
Grand Hyatt
Manicured gardens, classical piano music and glittering chandeliers make for a posh stay at this seaside resort hotel. The in-house restaurants are excellent. Ask for a sea view or beach side room. The first floor has an outdoor terrace with a garden view. Higher floors also have a view of the lagoon and all rooms have a balcony or terrace. Third to fifth floors have added security and only guests with a room there can access the floor. The pool and beach are on opposite sides of the hotel. Wi-Fi isn’t included in the room rate.
Four Seasons
If classic elegance, easy ocean access, beautiful pools and classy food is your idea of a good time, then this resort hotel is for you. Most rooms have a step-out balcony. Staying in a sea view room above the fifth floor so you can watch the sunrise in the morning. The in-house restaurants are worth staying in for, especially Nusantao and Theatro, and the breakfast buffet is the most varied in town (it even has gluten-free bread and homemade yoghurt). The pool is the nicest in Doha and quiet during the week. The beach is sometimes used for events so check the schedule to see what’s happening. Wifi is included in room rate but it can be erratic. A visit to the spa is a must - try the Desert Signature treatment.
The Torch
An iconic, cylindrical, 300-metre tower with panoramic views of Doha, it’s located in the city’s sport zone, Aspire Zone, and connected by a walkway to Villaggio Mall. Rooms are fully automated with iPad custom-built software controlling curtains, mood lighting and room service. It offers two gyms and a Wellness menu and doesn’t serve alcohol. On the 47th floor is the Three Sixty revolving restaurant, while The Flying Carpet has a ceiling covered with oriental carpets. The Tea Garden with its grass ceiling and eclectic furnishings is often used for local photo shoots. Another interesting feature is the outdoor swimming pool on the 19th floor, which sticks out like a lip from the side of the building. Go and have a look if you’re in the area. Ask for a room that overlooks the stadium, not Villaggio Mall.
InterContinental
InterContinental Beach Resort: A beachside, resort hotel which is superb for families. The 500-metre beach is the longest in Doha and the pool is the biggest. Make sure you ask for a seaside room away from the elevator and remember that the higher up you are, the better the views.
InterContinental City: This hotel is centrally located and within walking distance to the City Center. With 56 floors, it’s in one of the tallest towers in Doha and no matter which side of the hotel you stay in, you’ll have a lovely view - whether it’s of the City and Gulf or the low lying buildings of Doha. The fitness room has excellent facilities. Make sure that you visit the rooftop pool on the 46th floor where the view is amazing, especially at sunset. The steakhouse, Prime, is fabulous and Strata, the bar on the 56th floor is a must-visit for the view, even if you don’t stay for a drink.
Sheraton Grand Hotel
It’s hard to miss the Sheraton Grand Doha – it’s the huge pyramid-shaped building on the Corniche. Built for the 1980 GCC summit (at a reported cost of $100 million), it has now become a much-loved part of Qatar’s landscape and history. The opulent lobby with its gold dome is a place to socialise and sample the legendary dessert umm ali (bread pudding). The hotel recently refurbished all its split-level rooms, which boast sea or city skyline views. The Sheraton has an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars, from the city’s first Irish pub to authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Salt Bae, who became a viral-video sensation in 2017 for the distinctive way he sprinkles salt onto meat, has opened a restaurant here. A private beach and standalone fitness club with indoor tennis and squash courts will keep health-conscious visitors occupied.