12 Best Hotels in Doha, From Wellness Resorts to Historic Guesthouses
Qatar is one of the most luxury-minded countries in the world, and that's reflected in every inch of its capital's hotel landscape. From polished five-stars to historic boutique hotels, Doha has accommodations to suit every taste: Luxurious hotels offer stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and world-class dining, stylish business hotels showcase the best in business travel, beachside inns welcome families from around the globe, and discreet wellness resorts can be found tucked away in the quiet desert dunes. And with the 2022 FIFA World Cup kicking off this month, there is no shortage of options for the discerning traveler. Here are the best hotels in Qatar's capital.
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Joe Chua AgdeppahotelAlwadi Hotel Doha MGallery
$Nestled in the heart of Qatar's capital city, the Alwadi Hotel MGallery Doha is a haven of peace and relaxation amidst the bustling commercial center. Explore the rich culture and cosmopolitan atmosphere of the city with this luxury hotel as a nightly retreat. The hotel’s 202 guest rooms and suites are designed with a blend of local culture and modern luxury. Inspired by the traditional Qatari forts, each room is decorated with bespoke furnishings, rich fabrics, and dark wood details. The expansive windows allow natural light to flow inward and offer views of the cityscape or Arabian Gulf. But it’s not all about the looks—each room is also fitted with state of the art amenities and technology, ensuring a stay is both comfortable and stylish. The chefs at the Alwadi Hotel MGallery Doha are passionate about high-quality ingredients prepared with a creative spin on traditional Arabian and modern European fare.
Joe Chua AgdeppahotelBanyan Tree Doha
$$$The Banyan Tree Doha is a resort situated in the Doha Oasis complex, offering guests a truly unique experience. Each room offers beautiful views across the Gulf, along with access to a world-class spa and exquisite dining experiences. The elegant architecture was inspired by Qatar's heritage, with arches and courtyards that evoke a sense of space and light amidst the more modern shapes. As for the interior, there’s noticeably an emphasis on natural materials such as wood and stone, which are used to create a warm and contemporary space. The result is a splendid hotel that combines Qatar's rich heritage with modern luxury. The plush onsite spa has a variety of treatments inspired by traditional Arabic healing practices, particularly with the use of rose and argan oil. It’s a difficult choice to make between the massages, facials, and body treatments on offer. Otherwise, relax amidst the heat and steam in the refreshing hammam. Indulge in a world tour of culinary delights. From authentic Thai dishes at Saffron to comforting Italian at Il Galante, you’ll find something to tickle your fancy.
Mandarin Oriental, DohahotelMandarin Oriental, Doha
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Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022Down near the Corniche and Souq Waqif, in the pristine and newly-minted Msheireb district, the Mandarin Oriental Doha highlights Qatari heritage with sophisticated design. Windows are shaded with traditional mashrabiya window lattices, door handles are made to resemble oryx horns, and sand dune patterns appear in carpets, textiles, and light fixtures. The rooftop pool and its poolside cabanas is easily one of the best spots in the city to watch the sunset.
Joe Chua AgdeppahotelW Doha
$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2017, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022Walking into the W’s first Middle Eastern outpost is like entering a never-ending party: Chill music plays in the sleek lobby (even at 8 a.m.), and the handsome staff from Mexico, New Zealand, Tanzania, and Russia, among other countries, hand each arriving guest a mocktail. The hotel’s Sisley Paris Spa and restaurants (there's Papermoon Milan and Peruvian spot COYA) are attracting expats and locals eager for a more global experience. The 442 rooms are filled with curves: rounded frames for the desks and bed platforms, arabesques on walls and curtains, and circular chairs positioned to take in the seafront or the ever-rising skyline. Business travelers will appreciate the convenient location in the West Bay financial district, the attentive service, and the lap pool with resistance current.
Courtesy Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The PearlhotelMarsa Malaz Kempinski
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2022Qatar’s game-changing, artificial Pearl Island complex welcomed its first hotel in 2014, and it’s a palatial pink pile that towers over the bay from its own islet. With its domes, columns, and archways, the building calls to mind a Venetian palazzo, and that’s very much by design; in fact, you’ll even find paintings of Italy’s Floating City in some guest rooms, alongside romantic detailing like steamer trunks and crystal chandeliers. At the Spa by Clarins, there’s a hammam for utter relaxation, and the wide array of restaurants here includes standouts like Al Sufra, which draws on the flavors of Lebanon, Cyprus, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. On the other end of the spectrum: a family-friendly retro American diner, complete with leather booths and a digital jukebox.
Zulal Wellness ResorthotelZulal Wellness Resort by Chiva-Som
$$$Quite literally a hidden oasis in the heart of Qatar’s desert landscape, Zulal Wellness Resort is a pretty unique place to delve into a wellness journey. Secluded on the northern tip of the country, the resort blends traditional Arabic and Islamic design, philosophy, and medicine for a one-of-a-kind stay. Surrounded by desert dunes and beaches, the resort provides a haven for those seeking a lifestyle reset. The large complex is built in traditional Qatari style desert architecture, with flat roofs, high ceilings, straight edges, and simple structures. Inside, the interior becomes much more sleek and modern, with neutral tones broken up by pots of greenery, patterned textiles, and large windows.
Courtesy Bismillah HotelhotelBismillah Hotel
$$As one of Doha’s oldest hotels (and part of the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels), the Bismillah is a cultural treasure. From the spacious lobby to the guest rooms, the hotel pays homage to its long history with intricate Arabic architectural details intertwined with modern comforts. It’s the perfect oasis after a stroll around the bustling city center. It offers a perfect introduction to the city’s culture and history with a stroll around its busy neighborhood: You don’t have to be too overwhelmed by the bustling marketplace though, because the hotel is surrounded by manicured gardens and feels like a world away from the sights and sounds of Doha’s center. The rooms are an experience in themselves, with colors, patterns, and textures that are carefully curated to blend traditional Arabic design with a more modern feel. The suites have plenty of space to unwind, with a large king bed, kitchenette, large bathroom, and private balcony offering views over the city. It makes it easy to relax—either run yourself a bubble bath or sit out on the balcony and gaze out over the nearby market and gardens.
Courtesy Mondrian DohahotelMondrian Doha
$$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2021The Mondrian Hotel is simply a work of art. Inspired by the work of Dutch Artist, Piet Mondrian, the hotel makes a bold statement with its creative flare inside and out. It’s certainly a show-stopping stay in the West Bay area of the city. Take your pick from some exceptional culinary experiences. There are multiple restaurants, a coffee house, rooftop bar, cigar lounge, and classy nightclub to spend the evening onsite. The hotel’s chefs create menus inspired by the city’s surroundings. From fresh seafood to succulent meats of the Middle East, the food is always fresh and exciting. As is the backdrop, with the strong spaces designed by Marcel Wanders complemented by cityscape views.
Courtesy Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by TivolihotelSouq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli
Readers' Choice Awards 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022Totaling 160 combined rooms and suites, this property is a collection of eight boutique hotels dotted around Doha’s Souq Waqif, the Qatari capital’s central marketplace where vendors hawk everything from spices and oud incense to gold and live falcons. While the most historic of the properties is the Bismillah, the city’s oldest hotel, which dates back to the 1950s, the entire boutique accommodation located in the heart of Qatar's historic Souq district is worth a stay. Housed in a carefully restored stone building, the hotel was designed to be at the crossroads between traditional Arabic hospitality and contemporary comfort. The exclusive property is just one part of the broader portfolio of Tivoli Hotels in Qatar, an internationally renowned hotel brand. It has various sister properties throughout the market neighborhood.
hotelBanana Island Resort Doha by Anantara
$$ | Readers' Choice Awards 2020, 2021, 2022Banana Island is a crescent-shaped island, just a 20 minute private catamaran ride off the coast of Doha. Inspired by a traditional Arabian village on a deserted island, Banana Island Resort is for those wanting to temporarily escape ordinary life. With overwater villas, a spectacular lagoon, onsite wellness center, and array of other entertainment options, there’s no reason to ever leave. While each room is complemented with a private balcony overlooking either the beach, pool or sea, it’s the overwater villas that steal the show. With their own infinity pools, shaded balcony with reclined sun lounges, curved bathtubs in the middle of the spacious bathrooms, and Egyptian cotton sheets on the plush King sized beds, they’re hard to resist. This place is as much for families as it is for honeymooning couples. There is a playground for children, a kids water park, bowling alley, mini golf, and a host of water sports to get the whole family involved. The resort also offers special kids programs, including cooking classes, yoga, and beauty parties.
hotelLa Cigale Hotel
$In its rush to compete with Dubai, Qatar has scored a twofer with this sleek 20-story tower, at once architectural eye candy and the embodiment of a fresh hospitality concept: the gourmet business hotel. The ground-floor lobby’s bespoke Baccarat crystal tables, Murano glass chandeliers, kinetic paintings by Venezuelan artist Carlos Cruz-Diez and decorative wall of Rolex watches speak to the property’s luxurious excess, while the adjoining Le Cigalon restaurant and pastry shop serve beautifully presented Middle Eastern delicacies such as bahsaliye, a star-shaped pistachio cake, and viscous ice cream made with salep, a ground orchid powder. The 191 rooms and 34 suites have a masculine dark-wood Art Deco theme. The spa and the sweetshop are popular with abaya-clad ladies who lunch, and the second-floor piano bar is the see-and-be-seen venue for Qataris and expats who drink. (Le Cigalon does not serve alcohol.) The location, equidistant from the airport, the financial district, and Doha’s sports stadiums and university campuses, makes the hotel convenient for business tycoons; the third-floor pool, on a glassed-in terrace, is nirvana for lap swimmers.
hotelJouri, A Murwab Hotel
$The Jouri Hotel is sleek and sophisticated, and located in a central location close to a range of attractions, shopping and dining experiences. Whether it’s the market, the museums or the business opportunities you’re seeking, it’s all pretty accessible on foot or by car. From the cutting-edge architectural design to the sharp and subtle tones of the interior, it strikes a perfect balance between comfort and extravagance. While not overly large, the rooms are airy and provide all the conveniences needed for a comfortable stay. At the three onsite restaurants, executive chef Ahmed Al-Thani draws upon his experience working in some of the world's most celebrated kitchens to create unique dishes that are as delicious as they look. Whether opting to try traditional Qatar favorites like machbous rice with lamb, or venture into modern fusion dishes like tuna ceviche with avocado and grapefruit, the creativity is impressive.
