Qatar is a country that does not shy away from granting its residents a lifestyle marked with sheer extravagance and luxury. Characterized by fine dining, high-end shopping and futuristic architecture like their National Convention Center, it makes sense why the country has constantly been ranked as one of the wealthiest in the world. Its hotels are also no exception whether its their luxurious island getaways or penthouse suites looming over Doha’s skyscrapers, guests get to tap into Qatar’s finest lavish resorts.
With the upcoming World Cup, many hotels are overbooked including the high-end options like the Upscale W Doha hotel. This prompted the Scoop team to do some research and we were able to find several hotels available for booking during the anticipated global event. If you would like to experience Doha’s ultimate lavish lifestyle, we have curated a collection of hotels, starting from the pricey and going all the way up to the downright extravagant.
Banana Island Resort
Just off the coast of Doha, nestled along a stretch of land is the Banana Island resort that blends together luxury and nature. By taking a private catamaran, guests get to escape from the hustle of Doha’s downtown and head to the crescent island.
Guests get to customize their stay by picking one of the resorts’ many accommodation options whether its a room overlooking the lagoon pool or a suite hidden in a cove looking upon the sea. Each room is designed with white and brown hues accentuated with blue and orange furniture and ornaments.
For the ultimate luxury experience, there is the option of the over water villas. These 220m floating bungalows sit right above the water and can house an entire family. They are surrounded by a shaded deck sprawled with cabanas and a mini pool were the family can also enjoy a 360 degree view of the surrounding sea. For added extravagance, a tray lain with rich fruit can be ordered and eaten at the pool.
The resort in itself is akin to a mini leisure center with its very own VIP cinema, bowling alley, a nine hole putting golf course and an F1 simulator. To give guests an even more unique experience, it also offers sunrise and sunset fishing trips as well as floating HamacLands which are private floating boat-like lounges were guests can relax along the water.
As a continuation of their luxury, the hotel also offers a wide array of extravagant dining options. For a more intimate experience, guests can opt for a private dinner in an Arabian cabana on the white sands of the resort. The menu can be customized wherein guests can collaborate with the chef and select any dish of their choice. For an added touch of elegance, the butler is available for other arrangements like custom cakes, sparkling grape juice and even a bouquet of flowers. For a different experience, guests can opt for the Q-One Lounge, a deck that floats atop the resort’s lagoon.
When it comes to the prices, it all depends on the room type with their premier sea rooms costing 378 USD a night while the most luxurious option on offer is their five bedroom Anantara over water villa which can amount to 5760 USD a night.
Banyan Tree
Located in the heart of Mushaireb, Doha’s old city center is the Banyan Tree, an architectural maverick that gives off an urban yet sophisticated air. Its designer is the acclaimed Jacques Garcia who specializes in hotels that exude an opulent style like Paris’ Hotel Costes and Morocco’s Hotel La Mamounia.
By merely entering its large lobby, you will be met with glossy mirrored surfaces and towering metallic trees from which the Banyan hotel got its name. Even its restaurants exude an out of this world vibe like their famous Vertigo lounge marked with spiraling wooden fixtures that loom over the entire room as well as a retractable roof.
When it comes to their accommodation, the hotel boasts 6 types of unique stays. For the ultimate high-end experience, there’s their floor to ceiling Harmony Sky Club Suite with panoramic views of Doha’s glistening cityscape. The 160 square meter room pays attention to detail and includes elements of luxury such as purple or orange velveted walls as well as marbled bathrooms with a walk in shower and bathtub.
To bring a higher sense of comfort for the guests, the Banyan Tree is also known for its wellness center especially its Rainforest Hydrotherapy facility that offers rejuvenating treatments using steaming water jets. Other unique facilities include their spa sanctuary made of a collection of spaces and experiences including a brine steam room and a herbal sauna.
When it comes to their dining, the hotel brings together international flavors including Thai, Indian and Italian all under one roof. Each restaurant offers a fine dining experience with indigenous ingredients and old-school cooking methods, all set in lavish interiors marked by golden walls or intricately woven tapestries.
To book a room during the World Cup it is important to know that not all dates are available. There are some set dates that can be booked like for example from 4 nights from 20 to 24 November or 7 nights from 1 to 7 December. Websites like Booking.com would showcase all the set dates available. Depending on the room type, prices can fluctuate. They would begin from 2600 USD for the Serenity Retreat double room and can go up all the way to their 6000 USD a night Harmony Sky Club Suite.
Al Messila, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
Al Messila can only be described as a towering palace set along an extended 33 acre estate of lush gardens and glistening pools. Nestled along Al Messila district that is populated with luxurious gated communities, the resort brings it own flavor of grandeur through its rich collection of spacious rooms, suites and villas.
Their 1 & 2 bedroom villas have been built in a way that harnesses the nature around them. Natural lighting would flood each room and accentuate their already bright blue and brown interiors. Each villa would also house its very own private pool where guests can lounge and relax in a more intimate setting.
Considered Doha’s ultimate wellness and health resort, Al Messila also houses the largest three-storey 14,000 square meter spa in all of Qatar. Boasting twenty six treatment rooms as well as several hydro thermal facilities, the spa provides a full and complete rejuvenating experience. Guests can try out their facials, body wraps and scrubs or any of the available in-suite massages.
As their restaurants are led by the Michelin Star Executive Chef Pino Lavarra, dining at Al Messila can be a real treat. Guests won’t just get to enjoy the wide selection of cuisines on offer, they can also be part of the behind the scenes cooking process. At Al Messila’s very own Food lab strewn with 8 long counters that are equipped with state of the art cooking tools, Chef Pino Lavarra guides guests along an interactive cooking session as they attempt to master his culinary skills.
To experience the hotel’s wellness and gastronomical finesse, there are rooms available but as with the other hotels, not all dates are available during the World Cup. To truly experience the resort’s luxury, you can go for their villas. For one night, their one bedroom villa costs 5000 USD while their 2 bedroom villa costs 7000 USD.
Mondrian Doha
LA’s Mondrian Hotel crossed the Atlantic and made its way to one of Doha’s lively districts, West Bay Lagoon. Innovative design is the key characteristic of this hotel that was born out of the collaboration of two creative minds. The acclaimed Dutch designer Marcel Wanders and Qatar’s consulting firm, South West Architecture pooled inspiration from age old Middle Eastern folk tales of 1001 Nights but made it new with a modern energy and vivaciousness.
A great example is one of their lounges that is surrounded by gold plated towering blocks shrouded under bright gigantic ceiling lights crowded with multitudes of Arabian style lamps. With every hall and venue within the hotel, a matrimony of energy and glamour takes place. A kaleidoscope of colors, patterns and shapes dominate every nook and cranny of the Mondrian.
Their rooms are also no exception. Extravagance at its finest can be found at Mondrian’s high tiered rooms and suites especially their 845 square meter two story penthouse suite specially crafted by Marcel Wanders. Each of their rooms and suites are draped in an all white color palate that is accentuated with gold and black elaborate patterns and designs.
Their dining brings in that extra element of opulence with the arrival of renowned chef Wolfgang Puck’s restaurant CUT to the hotel’s selection of dining experiences. When it comes to fine dining, caviar takes center stage at Mondrian’s unique 12 Chairs, a restaurant only serving caviar with a maximum capacity of 12 guests. Even beyond dining, the Mondrian has an entire cigar lounge called Smoke & Mirrors that provides an expansive selection of the finest cigars.
To book your stay at the Mondrian during the World Cup, you have to be quick. The hotel is in very high demand with rooms only available at limited select dates and not all rooms are available. Currently, guests can book the double standard room for 2000 dollars a night. If you are planning to stay after the global event, their penthouse suite will also be available and will cost an average 8000 dollars a night making it the most expensive hotel on this list.