The 10 best beach hotels and resorts in Doha include Sheraton Grand Doha, Banana Island Doha, Doha, Four Seasons Doha, Grand Hyatt Doha, Hilton Doha, InterContinental Doha, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, Ritz-Carlton Doha, Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa, and St Regis Doha.
Doha, the capital of Qatar, remains a relatively unknown holiday destination. Nearby Dubai gets far more press exposure, but we think Doha offers a much more authentic and less commercial snapshot of the Middle East. Visit this magical destination now, before the masses descend!
Qatar also tops the list of the wealthiest countries in the world with the highest GDP per capita. Its rapid growth has created some stunning architecture and cultural highlights, such as the Museum of Islamic Art.
1. Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
Rising like a pyramid on the edge of the sands, Sheraton Grand Doha offers stunning views, gorgeous sunsets and is right by its very own beach. Make the most of your time in the city while spending some quality time at the beach or the outdoor pool and Jacuzzi. Interestingly for any of our readers who are Northern Europeans, the extensive beach and pool facilities both have very warm water, which is fun when you are used to swimming in the cold North Sea.
Beyond the pool and beach, get motivated to stay fit in the 24-hour fitness center and unwind in the lush garden. Immerse in art and history at the Museum of Islamic Art and National Museum of Qatar, take a stroll down Doha Corniche or The Pearl, or find trinkets to take home at Souq Waqif.
Enjoy tastes that inspire in one of the 7 restaurants, bars, and lounges at this resort-style hotel. The Sheraton Club Lounge is particularly excellent. It is spacious with lots of seating, and it overlooks the lush gardens of the resort. The food at happy hour is extensive with a range of salads, hors d’oeuvres, sushi, and hot dishes, including vegetarian options, enough for a full meal. Alcohol includes spirits and red and white wine.
2. Four Seasons Doha
With the business district on one side and their private beach on the other, the Four Seasons Doha is a true urban resort. Dine at the world’s most spectacular Nobu restaurant, unwind at the three-storey Spa and laze in their beautiful pools. If you are a Four Seasons fan, this hotel does not disappoint.
Of course, there is no Four Seasons rewards program, but if you are a regular guest of the Four Seasons or even want to try this iconic brand for the first time, you can take advantage of loyalty style benefits at Four Seasons hotels for no extra cost by booking your next stay via our luxury travel concierge.
Highlights of this hotel include the fact that most rooms have a step-out balcony, and the sea view rooms are the perfect place to watch the sunrise in the morning. The pool is really special too, as is the spa.
3. InterContinental Doha
The luxurious 5-star InterContinental Doha is located on the longest private beach in the city and is just minutes drive from the city center.
Nestled in landscaped gardens, the InterContinental Doha features 12 restaurants and bars, including the famous La Mar Doha, a range of recreational facilities, a free-form swimming pool, and the exclusive Spa InterContinental. The hotel’s prime location is just minutes from downtown Doha and major government and corporate offices, the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre, the City Center Mall, and Doha Golf Club.
This InterContinental is one of the few InterContinental beach resorts. This relaxing resort hotel is located next to The St. Regis and a short walk from the Katara area with lots of restaurants and entertainment.
A hotel highlight beyond the well-equipped gym, excellent on-property restaurants, and the large pool is the stretch of beach, which offers a gorgeous view across the gulf to downtown Doha and Hamad International Airport.
The Doha Club InterContinental is available to guests who book club rooms. It is located on the hotel’s Mezzanine floor, with stunning views of the Arabian Gulf and Doha skyline. Club InterContinental executive lounges offer complimentary breakfast, light refreshments, afternoon tea, and evening cocktails. You can see our in-depth review of the executive club lounge at the InterContinental London for some pictures and examples of the quality and quantity of food available at InterContinental lounges across the world.
4. The Ritz-Carlton, Doha
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha is located on the shores of the Arabian Sea, with a world-class spa, a modern fitness center, and elegant restaurants and bars as well as indoor and outdoor swimming pools and lush landscaped gardens.
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha offers The Ritz-Carlton Beach, set on its own private island adjacent to the hotel. The high-end beach uses the ideal escape, with sun loungers sitting beside the blue-green, blue waters of the Arabian Gulf.
The Ritz-Carlton, Doha, celebrates the city’s progressive spirit with an exclusive Club Level, distinctive dining options, modern rooms and suites, a unique spa journey, and legendary outdoor pools.
5. Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa
Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa is modelled from a Sheik’s palace, with the rustic authenticity of true Islamic architecture, mixing old-world style and modern-day amenities. Sharq Village is just a quick 10-minute ride from the airport and another 10 minutes from the heart of downtown. Unlike many of the high-end hotels in Doha, this luxury property is located on the other side of the bay, which means you get some great views of the city’s skyline from the beach.
The other advantage, of course, is the sense of seclusion from the rest of the world. The “village” is a sprawling complex that can feel slightly overwhelming. Though if you think about it, getting lost between a spa, a gorgeous pool, lounge chairs on a beach, and several amazing restaurants isn’t such a bad problem to have!
Each restaurant and bar also has its own unique ambiance and design style to be in line with the ethnic feel of the menu. Beyond these main restaurants are a series of bars and lounges which are available for a quick bite or drink around the property.
6. St Regis Doha
The St. Regis Doha is part of Al Gassar Resort located in the emerging commercial heart of the city, West Bay, adjacent to the Pearl Island and close to the Diplomatic Area. It is also next door to the InterContinental above.
The surrounding sand dunes and ancient architecture were the inspiration for this timeless Doha landmark. Steeped in Middle Eastern mystique, The St. Regis Doha presents majestic interiors and an extensive range of leisure facilities.
All guest rooms at The St. Regis Doha offer extensive views over the Arabian Gulf’s tranquil blue sea. The exclusive private beach with discreet oceanfront cabanas is pretty special here, and both the InterContinental and the St. Regis take advantage of this patch of sand.
Escape to a sanctuary of rejuvenation at the signature Remède Spa featuring 22 private treatment rooms or dine at excellent restaurants, bars & lounges where accomplished master chefs present exciting new fine dining experiences to the capital of Qatar. Enjoy the ultimate English afternoon tea in Doha at Sarab Lounge, where Diners can choose from a vast selection of teas, infusions, or coffee, served with macaroons and chocolates – and then drift away to the smooth sounds of jazz.
Also on offer is an Olympic-size pool and the crystal clear waters of the Arabian Gulf. Equipment for water sports and activities including luxury floating beds, tennis courts, snorkeling equipment, wind sport, pedal boats, kayaks, paddleboards, boogie boards, beach soccer, beach volley, and a youngster ultimate inflatable water playground are all available for hire on request.
7. Banana Island Doha
Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara is a paradise sanctuary, offering an alcohol-free environment, an island of beaches, and indulgence. Just 25 minutes from the heart of Qatar’s vibrant capital, yet a world away, a luxury catamaran ferry will whisk you across the crystal clear water to reach this breathtaking island. Alternatively, arrive by a private helicopter to get a bird’s eye coastal view.
Banana Island is located on a 13-hectare spit of sand. Sheikhs have been known to try to book the villas here for six months at a time or just buy them outright. That’s how addictive this place is! There are eight restaurants, three pools, a private beach, 141 bedrooms, and the Middle East’s first overwater villas. Yet even at full occupancy, this hotel feels exclusive and peaceful.
In the evenings, beds are scattered with rose petals, lighting has 10 mood light settings, and the towels are folded into different animal shapes each night. Kissing swans and even a grinning monkey can be found, all made out of towels, hanging on the back of your bathroom door.
Fine dining is offered under the stars overlooking Doha’s regal skyline. Among the resort’s eight dining options, try Ted’s for a U.S.-style hamburger or Al Nahham for Arab meze, seafood dishes. Riva is an Italian restaurant with a Michelin starred head chef and probably the best Italian food in Qatar. Although you can’t have a glass of wine, a Ferrero Rocher milkshake is more than pleasing.
Twenty-four-karat-gold manicures are available at Anantara Spa, which has eight treatment rooms along with separate hammams and hot tubs for men and women. At the Balance Wellness Center, guests choose among six wellness retreats and access facilities, including 14 treatment rooms, an indoor botanical garden, and the Zest café, serving meals and juices made with organic ingredients. The Surf Club is the hang-out for the kids. There’s also a surf pool, where novices can have lessons on giant artificial waves.
8. Grand Hyatt Doha
The Grand Hyatt Doha has a brilliant club lounge and a particularly gorgeous and safe sandy beach. Here, the water is shallow, and the water temperature is around 30 C in its lagoon-style bay. Because of how the water flows in the lagoon, this area of the sea has become very saline, so you get to swim in a very buoyant and pleasantly warm sea that we loved. When we personally reviewed the Grand Hyatt Doha in detail.
The club lounge at the Grand Hyatt Doha is extremely spacious, so even when it is busy, you can find a space away from other guests. For breakfast, there is a vast spread of continental breakfast items and the option to order eggs. Evening cocktail hour offers a very good choice of still or sparkling wines, beer and spirits, and a buffet that includes a cheese board, crackers, bread, meat, hot snacks, pitta, dips, nachos, and little desserts.
Beyond the club lounge at the Grand Hyatt Dubai, there is a wide choice of restaurants, from traditional Arabian Mezza through Italian to genuine Thai. Isaan is a real Thai restaurant staffed entirely by Thai personnel, and it has won a Time Out award as the best SE Asian restaurant in the Middle East.
The large freeform swimming pool is accessed from one level below reception, so you can exit your room discretely attired in swimwear and bathrobe without offending locals in the lobby area. It is understandably very popular with families, which can make it feel hectic.
Stroll through the delightful gardens down to the very safe shallow sandy beach. The water temperature is about 30 C as the bay is a virtual lagoon. The water is very saline too, so you are very buoyant, which makes swimming even more fun. As if that were not enough, there is a separate, more conventional swimming pool along the far end of the beach surrounded by hedges.
The gym is very large and extremely well equipped for a hotel fitness center. Alternatively, if you prefer to brave the heat, there is an outdoor jogging track. The spa contains two private couples’ suites different in style but each with its own water feature. One has a small plunge pool, and the other a jacuzzi.
9. Marsa Malaz Kempinski
Marsa Malaz Kempinski offers an oasis of comfort, tranquillity, and privacy which reflects the ultimate luxury of a genuine and majestic palace. Its 281 rooms and suites offer breathtaking views over the Arabian Gulf and the Pearl-Doha from the spacious balconies.
Marsa Malaz Kempinski ensures a family-friendly experience in Doha. Joyous activities include a blissful culinary experience with seven restaurants and four stylish bars and lounges, the award-winning Spa by Clarins, a private beach, outdoor pools, a tennis court, a state-of-the-art fitness center, and thrilling kids’ and adults’ activities, including water sports and a kids’ club.
10. Hilton Doha
Hilton Doha is located on the waterfront promenade Corniche, this 5-star hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with views of the Doha Bay. It has a private beach and a spa with an outdoor pool.
A flat-screen TV, minibar, and tea/coffee maker are in each of Hilton’s well-appointed rooms. Each comes with toiletries, a hairdryer, ironing facilities, and a bathrobe. All rooms and suites feature Arabian Gulf views.
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