Life / Travel Marsa Malaz Kempinski
TIP: STYLE relax? to Need mmend o c e r at e W assage m i a a Th y Well Spa, the Sta tin Hotel Wes
Souq Waqif
WHERE TO STAY:
Nobu
You’ll be spoilt for choice as Doha offers an unashamedly grand level of luxury and service coupled with genuinely helpful, friendly and attentive staff. Think Vegas without the tackiness and add a massive dose of opulent splendour. You’ll be greeted like a touring pop star when you walk into every hotel. The competition here is fierce, which means constantly evolving hotels offering new and exciting initiatives on what seems to be a daily basis. Every hotel has something new to offer guests, from vast indoor atriums, pool wave machines, art installations and innovative interior design. From ultra-high tech, contemporary accommodation to traditionally regal palaces, Doha has it covered. Here are our favourites: SHANGRI-LA: No standing at desks waiting for your room key here. You’ll be greeted like an old friend and personally escorted to the Horizon Club Lounge for a sit down express check-in complete with very welcome refreshments. Rooms are incredibly spacious, designed in a more traditional style and decorated in floor to ceiling walnut veneer, art details and luscious wall fabric and flooring. The massive marble and gold bathroom houses a tub you could swim in (or in our case lay and watch TV in). Floor to ceiling windows allow you to admire the panoramic view of Doha’s futuristic skyline and the Arabian Gulf. Relax under a canopy or palm tree atop the ShangriLa’s impressive tree-lined rooftop deck and slip into the pool that’s warmed to a perfect body temperature; no need for tentative dipping here. Enjoy a mocktail at the swim-up bar and luxuriate as you soak up the sun. There are seven restaurants to tempt. Our personal favourite was Fuego, where you can enjoy an Argentinian meal and live South American music, despite being 8,500 miles away!
THE WESTIN: From the sublime to the contemporary— The Westin is like walking on to the set of a sci-fi film. The uber modern lobby leads to rooms equipped with all the technology and gadgets a Star Trek fan could hope for. Elaborate water features meander throughout, creating a tranquil urban oasis. With its decorative entrances, bold walkways, lavish villas, lazy river and wave pool, you’ll feel a long way from the hustle and bustle of the city outside.
WE ALSO LOVED:
FOUR SEASONS: A waterfront city hotel designed to stimulate all five senses. There’s a magnificent grotto pool and extensive element-themed cocktail menu. MARSA MALAZ KEMPINSKI: If this hotel were in Game of Thrones it would be one of the Great Houses of the Seven Kingdoms. Situated in the Pearl-Qatar, a vast, man-made island development (think Thunderbirds Tracy Island), this is definitely on our “when we return” list. W HOTEL: Part of the renowned hotel group recognised for their individuality and popular with the fashionable set, W Doha will not disappoint fans of the famous brand.
TRAVEL FACTS AND TIPS: »» The best time to visit the country is between November and early April. »» Doha is the capital city of Qatar and means ‘roundness’ »» The Global Peace Index ranks Qatar as one of 30 most peaceful countries in the world »» Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022 for which it will build nine eco-friendly iconic stadiums. »» The Pearl-Qatar is a luxury development built on an artificial island shaped like a string of pearls and includes 8 man-made privately owned Islands which are still under construction but all sold! »» Weekends in Qatar fall on Friday and Saturday »» Qatar is a Muslim country so when in Doha, dress modestly as a sign of respect to local customs and culture. »» You can only purchase alcohol in 5 Star hotels
Summer 2016 | Style Birmingham | 87