Doha advice!
 

Because of bad planning on my behalf I have got a 3 day layover in Doha 24 - 26 Dec. Can anyone recommend a hotel that I can get a reasonably priced beer or two and lounge around a pool which wont break the bank? Should I consider going to Muscat? Is it a more interesting city than Doha? Any ideas pls.

I've only ever overnighted in both cities, but did find that Muscat was dearer than Doha. This will be something different - enjoy your Christmas day :D

Alcohol is expensive in Qatar, due to a 100% tax and monopoly distribution. The prices are not that different across venues.

A mid-range hotel like the Crowne Plaza or Doubletree could be options. They both have bars and pools. Food is slightly better at the DoubleTree but the Crowne Plaza has a lounge (though they have never given me access as Platinum/Spire). Rooms are nice at both places.

Both are in the older part of the city, closer to the airport, and with local bars (in the non-chain three-star-type hotels) nearby. Nightlife in Qatar is pretty uninteresting in general.

The Marriott near the airport is also a solid and economical, albeit dated, option with a lot of amenities and comfortable rooms. Ditto for the Radisson (former Ramada).

Muscat is a more interesting place to visit in my opinion, though if you are a first-time visitor, you should find enough to do in Doha.

Straight answer is that Muscat, Oman in general, is much, much more interesting than Doha/Qatar. Or any other of the Gulf States for that matter. But for two nights you should be find Qatar different enough to be of interest.

Note there are costs in getting to Muscat and getting visa-ed up.

Rather than think of it as a Doha vs. Muscat comparison, consider it as Qatar vs. Oman (unless you really just want to stay in a city).

Oman and Qatar both have amazing scenery in the countryside. When we had one day in Doha, we took a trip to the Inland Sea area, e.g.,

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...a.html#REVIEWS

It was really, really an incredible adventure.

In Oman, you could go the Khasab area:

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attracti...vernorate.html

Of course, you could stay in the cities and see museums...your choice.

Break the bank and go to Lacigale... Worth it

The Marriott also has a half price happy hour for beer in the pool area ;-)

Doha advice...go to Muscat.

Inquiring minds want to know, what did you do on your 3 day layover?