Yes.
For a change to the 5 stars big stopover hotels, always the same without a "special" touch.
I would strongly suggest:
Souq Waqif Boutique hotels (5 stars too) namely Al Mirqab (from December 2011), Al Najada, Arumaila,Musheireb (from May15th 2012) are already opened. Two others will follow soon. Not all restaurants are open yet and rooms are taken for the atmosphere, experience, intimate environment, views, n.1 location in dowtown Doha (for me). At least one of them is coming with outdoor swimming pool open 24h. These hotels are not on the cheap side but are unique to Doha. The web page -still scheleton- is http://www.swbh.com/News. I think they have opening promo so can be another incentive to stay there. I love to visit brand new "special" hotels

How widely are credit cards accepted, how many QAR should I get for 2-3 days if I prefer to use a card and have USD as back up?

Credit cards are accepted (almost) everywhere. However I would be inclined to take cash (USD) and change them into QAR at an exchange house as it will probably be cheaper than using a credit card.

If you want to dine in fine hotels I would budget QAR 300 per person per meal. Otherwise I would budget QAR 150 per person per meal.

For taxis I would budget QAR 50 each way from the airport and QAR 20 each way for other journeys.

hi

considering whether to do a stopover in qatar for 24hrs on way back to japan..
can anyone advise if there is much to do for an adukt and 3kids (11,8,5) and if it will be too hot in late august?

thanks

Did you try doing a search?
"DOH" = several threads, including this one http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/middl...-stopover.html and http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/middl...abu-dhabi.html

If you're going to be there anyway, you can make it worthwhile for a day. Souq Waqif and the Islamic Museum are worth a visit. Maybe enjoy Katara in the evening. You could also get a hotel near the airport, like the Sharq Village, and enjoy the pool and spa.

Hotel rates are low that time of year because. . . It will be excruciatingly hot, so if that bothers you, then you won't enjoy it.

To save on costs, I am considering visiting some countries as a day trip only, that is planning to land in Doha early morning, and then fly out later in the evening.

If I could store my luggage at the airport, then I would have 9hrs or so to enjoy the city without having to pay for any hotels.

What kind of attractions can I experience and take photos/videos? Museums are no interest to me really as I cannot film it.

I am thinking of visiting The Torch, The Pearl, and the Corniche...however I am not at all wowed by the lack of attractions in Doha.

Any ideas?

I wasn't wowed by anything I saw in Doha except the pace of construction. The Souq does not have real historic value (unlike, say, a visit to Tangiers) and is mostly full of merchants with household goods though there are a few shops that cater to tourists. The Pearl and Corniche were scenic - well - for Doha - but not stunning like say the whitewash houses on the cliffs of Santorini. You could certainly get some interesting photos there. Doha is a perfectly civilized city with good restaurants and hotels. But personally I enjoyed just hanging out at the resort swimming pool. Of course, I do that pretty much everywhere ....

You can take photos - even with a flash - at the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha and certainly film around the exterior. (I don't recall rules against taking videos in the interior - they may exist, I just didn't pay attention.)

Even if you aren't interested in the objects on display, the building itself is extraordinary and was designed to be a destination in and of itself.

Solo female looking at a 2 day stopover - any issues I should be aware of?

I like to walk in new cities to get a feel for things, would this be unsafe? I am generally uncomfortable with taxis as a single woman, so would prefer to avoid them unless necessary.

I presume shoulders and knees covered is preferable? Or can one be slightly cooler (sleeveless -not strappy tanktop- and above the knees shorts) without being considered offensive?

There is absolutely no problem with safety in Doha. And the attire you describe is fine. It's not unusual in Doha.

Doha is quite large and you will need to take a taxi to some locations, such as the Villagio mall. I walked and took taxis alone and had no problems, was not uncomfortable. Your attire is fine but a woman in above the knee shorts will be in the definite minority.

Also, you might check w/your hotel to arrange airport pickup - that was the one area I found overwhelming.

Thanks for the tips! Long shorts it is - I have no problem dressing more conservatively if it is the norm, just looking not to overheat!

This may all be moot as I discovered today the airlines are playing games with my schedule, so I may not make it there, but good to know nonetheless!

It does look interesting http://www.mia.org.qa/en/
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Great thread! I have a night stay in Doha next month coming back from SIN. (SIN-DOH-LAX). Is it advisable to stay at the airport or downtown? I have a 8 am flight out of DOH. Is my US passport the only thing I need?

Will I be able to enjoy drinking beer? Lol