Originally Posted by
MSPeconomist
Did Doha serve drinks through room service or make them available in minibars? It would seem rude to drink in a lobby bar or other place in public view, but a closed off bar, especially if open only to hotel guest or foreigners, might be less of an issue during Ramadan.
I heard you can still have drinks from your mini bar but I have also heard they lock the mini bar or empty it out. I would think you can still use the mini bar as I still drink at my home as I stock up before Ramadan starts to ensure I have enough to last for the entire month.
However, the hotel bar will not serve alcohol and you will not be able to purchase it anywhere else in Doha. It doors seem like Dubai allows it.
Originally Posted by
bdemaria
Yes, there are exceptions for precisely the groups you have outlined.
To the OP: to amend my statement: I've only been in Doha during Ramadan, so there may be some restrictions on where alcohol/food can be consumed which I mistook for "normal" However, I was not forced, not even expected, to abstain nor did I feel uncomfortable eating lunch, etc.. in the same way that I didn't feel uncomfortable by not wearing a veil/head scarf at all times.
You shouldn't feel uncomfortable in a hotel but if you venture out and you smoke, drink water or eat in public then someone may make you feel extremely uncomfortable. This also applies to cloths. Ladies should not show their shoulders our knees in pubic during Ramadan. Again this is in Doha, sounds like Dubai and barhain may be more lax.