Doha
Aug 13, 2015, 11:24 am
#1
formerly declinespecificinformatiom
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: USA
Posts: 1,140
Doha
Asides from the Four Seasons, is there any hotel that would be recommended?
I'd prefer something with historic charm if possible, that would be good for just one day and typical tourist stuff. Also, FWIW it's worth we'll have our son who will be six and my wife has blondish/brown hair, and she's not too keen on wearing a burka, but will is she must... so nowhere in super conservative parts of town, if that's possible.
I'd prefer something with historic charm if possible, that would be good for just one day and typical tourist stuff. Also, FWIW it's worth we'll have our son who will be six and my wife has blondish/brown hair, and she's not too keen on wearing a burka, but will is she must... so nowhere in super conservative parts of town, if that's possible.
Aug 13, 2015, 1:46 pm
#3
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: UK
Posts: 1,644
I've stayed in Doha, at the Four Seasons. We had a corner suite which we liked a lot, though to be frank it could have been anywhere in the world. There is a nice restaurant, an excellent pool and even a halfway decent beach.
There really isn't anything specific to see in Doha - it's basically one big building site, like most Gulf States, with some incredible modern architecture. There is also, of course, the highly contentious FIFA World Cup site which may or may not be used in 2022. My advice is to rent a car for the day and drive around - there is a lot of sand, dust and villa complexes. There is a so-so UNESCO World Heritage Site at Al Zubarah which consists of a reconstructed fort and the dusty foundations of a trading settlement.
Don't go to Qatar expecting layers of culture and Islamic formality. This place isn't about that at all - it's about beating Dubai and Abu Dhabi and buying the rest of the world.
Driving around these Gulf States is an interesting thing to do - we once drove all seven of the United Arab Emirates starting in Abu Dhabi. Not at all what you'd expect.
There really isn't anything specific to see in Doha - it's basically one big building site, like most Gulf States, with some incredible modern architecture. There is also, of course, the highly contentious FIFA World Cup site which may or may not be used in 2022. My advice is to rent a car for the day and drive around - there is a lot of sand, dust and villa complexes. There is a so-so UNESCO World Heritage Site at Al Zubarah which consists of a reconstructed fort and the dusty foundations of a trading settlement.
Don't go to Qatar expecting layers of culture and Islamic formality. This place isn't about that at all - it's about beating Dubai and Abu Dhabi and buying the rest of the world.
Driving around these Gulf States is an interesting thing to do - we once drove all seven of the United Arab Emirates starting in Abu Dhabi. Not at all what you'd expect.
Last edited by Pausanias; Aug 13, 2015 at 11:29 pm
Aug 13, 2015, 2:22 pm
#4
Suspended
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: Barcelona
Posts: 3,317
I've stayed in Doha, at the Four Seasons. We had a corner suite which we liked a lot, though to be frank it could have been anywhere in the world. There is a nice restaurant, an excellent pool and even a halfway decent beach.
There really isn't anything specific to see in Doha - it's basically one big building site, like most Gulf States, with some incredible modern architecture. My advice is to rent a car for the day and drive around - there is a lot of sand, dust and villa complexes. There is a so-so UNESCO World Heritage Site at Al Zubarah which consists of a reconstructed fort and the dusty foundations of a trading settlement.
Don't go to Qatar expecting layers of culture and Islamic formality. This place isn't about that at all - it's about beating Dubai and Abu Dhabi and buying the rest of the world.
Driving around these Gulf States is an interesting thing to do - we once drove all seven of the United Arab Emirates starting in Abu Dhabi. Not at all what you'd expect.
There really isn't anything specific to see in Doha - it's basically one big building site, like most Gulf States, with some incredible modern architecture. My advice is to rent a car for the day and drive around - there is a lot of sand, dust and villa complexes. There is a so-so UNESCO World Heritage Site at Al Zubarah which consists of a reconstructed fort and the dusty foundations of a trading settlement.
Don't go to Qatar expecting layers of culture and Islamic formality. This place isn't about that at all - it's about beating Dubai and Abu Dhabi and buying the rest of the world.
Driving around these Gulf States is an interesting thing to do - we once drove all seven of the United Arab Emirates starting in Abu Dhabi. Not at all what you'd expect.
I get the feeling EVERY hotel worth staying at will have the 'anywhere in the world' feeling. As you pointed out, it's Doha...
Aug 14, 2015, 12:16 am
#7
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Here, there … you know how it goes.
Posts: 1,518
Absolutely disagree with this. It's worth going, IMO, for the IM Pei designed Museum of Islamic Art alone. That is a stunning building.
Aug 14, 2015, 3:06 am
#8
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Europe
Posts: 2,600
Always surprises me to hear something like that, as I thought FS Doha is a spa destination in its own right. But I hear you. Quite a few people that were not blown away. Quality spa still, but a destination spa?
Aug 14, 2015, 10:06 am
#9
Join Date: May 2012
Location: Here, there … you know how it goes.
Posts: 1,518
Caveat: I would never call myself a "Spa Fanatic", so for me there are not really any true "Destination Spas". BUT ... as I said, I would stop by Doha again just to visit the MIA.
Aug 23, 2015, 6:52 am
#12
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Canada, USA, Europe
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 31,452
Yes. It's pretty soulless. The rooms are similar to what you see in Kempinskis all over the ME. The hotel is very large and feels it. F&B is ok, though the bar is a bit dark and lacking atmosphere in my opinion. The fake beach area is actually the best part of the hotel, I'd say. The whole place is good for Doha, but nothing like some of the options you have in Dubai.
Sep 9, 2015, 6:33 pm
#14
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Danville, CA, USA;
Programs: UA 1MM, WN CP, Marriott LT Plat, Hilton Gold, IC Plat
Posts: 15,720
It's a decent FS property but not what I would consider a "destination spa." However it does well by comparison to the nearby Sheraton and the newer IC. My main complaint was the cig smoke that permeates the bar area, though this is by no means unique to FS in Doha. The pool area is very resort-like and a nice place to spend a day if you are stuck in Doha.
Last edited by Boraxo; Jan 31, 2016 at 9:35 pm
Sep 9, 2015, 6:56 pm
#15
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: NYC, ORD
Programs: AA EXP, AS 75K, SPG Gold, Hilton Gold
Posts: 280
Stayed at the Oryx compliments of QR as a J passenger back in May, compliments of Qatar Airways. I found it quite nice - not super luxe, but very nice, and for the price you can't beat it 
. Also, as a QR J passenger they comped me the fantastic buffet - one-ups Vegas buffets easily. Anyone else stayed there?
. Also, as a QR J passenger they comped me the fantastic buffet - one-ups Vegas buffets easily. Anyone else stayed there?