DISCOVER

All the new hotels worth checking into

Words: Elise Kerr

Post-World Cup, Doha might’ve fallen out of our daily conversations, but there’s still plenty of excitement bubbling in Qatar’s capital. The city that brought nations together through football continues to thrive, with new hotels, international restaurants, and plenty to see and do. Here are the six top new hotels to stay in on your next visit.

Maysan Doha

With a total of 33 palatial villas and suites, the newly opened Maysan Doha defines luxury, offering privacy and wellness to the city of Doha. With state-of-theart facilities, including a 13,000sqm spa, gym and hammam, plus two padel tennis courts and an outdoor swimming pool, health is at the heart of this resort’s ethos. There’s also a kids club and roster of activities to keep the younger guests active. Villas feature private pools and chic, minimalist interior design, offering guests the utmost in secluded luxury. Dining options include beautiful Mediterranean restaurant La Casa, with art deco window frames, including a ceiling skylight, and luxe-looking red and green velvet furniture.

Rates start from Dhs2,963 per night. @maysan_doha

Katara Hills Hotel

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Bringing a touch of Scandi to Qatar is Katara Hills Hotel, found in, well, the hills of Katara. The picturesque resort features modern, Scandinavianinspired design, with 15 geometric-shaped detached villas, with private pools, a personal butler and beautiful hilltop views. Only the skyline views remind you that you’re just a 10-minute drive from Doha’s bustling city. Accompanying the resort’s unique architecture is an all-day dining signature restaurant –Gymkhana, inspired by the clubs of India in the 19th century, offering a wide choice of sophisticated and contemporary dishes. The resort’s spa offers guests a range of treatments and therapies that are designed to soothe the mind, body, and soul.

Rates start from Dhs5,349 per night. @katara.hills

Zulal Wellness Resort

One of Thailand’s most renowned wellness retreats, Chiva-Som, gave Qatar’s hospitality scene a shake up when it opened Zulal Wellness Resort an hour outside of Doha. The region’s largest holistic wellness resort is not only home to the world’s first contemporary showcase of Traditional Arabic Medicine, but an array of curated retreats that offer traditional wellness solutions alongside more inventive ones. Unlike many of its counterparts, Zulal focuses on family wellness, with the likes of motherdaughter retreats and family activities designed to encourage connection and positive habits.

Rates start from Dhs1,201 per night. zulal.com

The Ned

Following the success of The Ned London and The Ned NoMad New York, came The Ned Doha. The member’s club and the hotel are located in the former Ministry of the Interior building, split over five storeys and is home to seven restaurants, five of which are open to the public. The building features 90 rooms and suites, a health club and a 30-metre outdoor pool. Restaurants include Italian spot Ceccioni’s, American concept Electric Diner, Asian-Pacific eatery Kaia, outdoor poolside restaurant Malibu Kitchen, live music bar The Nickel Lounge, and Levantine garden, Hadika. Rates start from Dhs1,022 per night. thened.com/doha

Raffles Doha

A suite-only “6-star” property overlooking the water that stretches before Al Maha Island, Raffles Doha joins Fairmont Doha in the 692-feet-tall iconic horseshoe-shaped Katara Towers. Throughout the ultra-luxurious hotel, Raffles Doha staff have one goal: to offer the utmost in hospitality. The hotel boasts six restaurants and bars – including a guestsonly floating island – and a Raffles Spa. Catering to your every need, you’ll also have primary and secondary butlers provide personalised service day and night.

Rates start from Dhs3,471 per night. raffles.com/doha

Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha

Situated on the only private beach in Lusail, Waldorf Astoria Lusail Doha offers a luxury oasis in the Arabian Gulf. Resortstyle amenities include family-friendly pools, a waterpark, cabanas, plus kids’ and teenagers’ clubs. The hotel features the only ‘ESPA Life’ Spa in the Middle East and seven restaurants. Home of the first Sushisamba beach club, guests of Waldorf Astoria

Lusail can enjoy the Japanese-Brazilian restaurant poolside for the first time. Additional dining options include contemporary brasserie Bywater, pool and beach Praia, Italian restaurant Scarpetta and cigar lounge The Highmore.

Rates start from Dhs905 per night. hilton.com