Why Qatar is unbeatable for luxury travel – Lonely Planet

If you're looking for a place that adds glamour and luxury to your city break, look no further than the small Gulf state ofQatar. It takes the best aspects of middle eastern travel and packages them together with no expenses spared for a sumptuous experience.

It's perfectly placed to be enjoyed in comfort and luxury due to its blend of traditional culture with modern opulence. From the best hotels and restaurants with world-class chefs at their helm, to private excursions and shopping malls with top labels, to spa treatments that put the lux in relaxation, Doha is the pearl in the jewelry box.

Stay overnight in a five-star resort

There is too much choice when it comes to luxury accommodations. There are top hotels, many with private beaches, good restaurants and spas, and a mix of comfort and bling.

You can stay on a private island in the bay at the Banana Island Resort with its South Pacific-style overwater villas, excellent restaurants and a floating lunch in the pool. The Marsa Malaz Kempinski is an artificial peninsula district full of hotels, residences, cafes and restaurants and has a private beach.

The Corniche, Sharq Village & Spa is a Ritz Carlton property and is located at the other end of the bayside promenade. The Four Seasons Hotel Doha is one of the best hotels in the world. The property is located in West Bay, between the city center and the Pearl-Qatar.

It's a great place to plan a romantic vacation.

Sample the best of Doha’s fine dining scene

There are many top restaurants in the city that offer cuisines from around the world and the best local dishes. Located on a small island by a causeway to the Four Seasons hotel, Nobu is a great place to eat and drink. The churros de naranja at the W Hotel's COYA restaurant is one of the best in the world.

The first restaurant in the Middle East by "Iron Chef" Masaharu Morimoto is located at the Mondrian Hotel. The dim sum platter at the Hakkasan restaurant at the St Regis Hotel is so delicious that it's hard to decide if you should eat it or not.

The influence of a three-Michelin-starred chef is seen in the creation of a restaurant that serves European and Mediterranean food. Spanish flavors are served with a "personalized international twist" and the restaurant won the title of best European restaurant in the world.

If you want to experience the best of Middle Eastern food in a luxurious setting, you should visit the country. At the Marsa Malaz Kempinski, dishes based on traditional recipes and flavors are served with rich coffee and over-the-top service that feels destined to stand the test of time.

One of the most luxurious addresses in the world is located in the uptown area of The Pearl-Qatar. The décor is extravagant and the food is good. For a complete luxurious sensory experience, you can take one of the three gourmet journeys.

There are 8 of the best dining experiences in the country.

Go on a private excursion around Qatar

Booking a private helicopter flight over the capital is a great way to get to know the area. It's a perfect introduction to this desert country if you fly over the city and the bay.

Make sure you take time to look at the bay. There is no better way to see the bay and the skyline of a city than on a luxury yacht, which has a stop off on an island for a swim and optional lunch.

The desert is next. In the south of the country, there are sand dunes that are perfect for exploration. It's a thrill to drive up and down the sand dunes in a 4WD. Are you looking for a little more laid back? The Inland Sea is the location of a private DesertSafari tour. It has a magical backdrop for a picnic lunch before you head off for more desert activities.

From sea to dune, adventure abounds in Qatar
 

Get the ultimate pampering with a spa session

Gold and pearls are more decadent than anything else. A gold- or pearl-based spa treatment would be great.

You can get a gold hot stone massage, gold body oil, a gold facial and more at the Al Messila Spa. You will be pampered for 180 minutes.

You can get a massage using pearl- infused oil at The Spa at Mandarin Oriental. There are couples suites at the spa.

The Arabian Oud Renewal Therapy is available at the Four Seasons. There are so many options to choose from inQatar that it's hard to decide.

Designer shopping

There is a lot of shopping to be done inQatar. The need for shelter from the heat is reflected in the malls.

The traditional Souq Waqif has many cafes, restaurants, and stalls that sell everything from traditional incense to plush camels. Villaggio Mall has Venetian canals and lux labels, as well as Al Hazm, which is similar to the Galleria Vittorio Emanuele II in Milan. You can hire a local stylist to take you to the shopping highlights of the city.

The Place Vendme shopping complex is one of the latest examples of high-end shopping. Up to 600 different retail outlets with an entire wing dedicated to luxury labels are part of the Parisian-inspired development.

Sparkling experiences without the price tag

Though it may be full of spare-no-expense luxury, it also has a wealth of top-class inexpensive and free attractions for savvy travelers to enjoy. Some of the cheapest options don't skimp on the impact.

• Stroll the Corniche at dusk: When the lights on Doha’s skyline start to twinkle and a soft breeze wafts across the Gulf, there’s no better place to be than this beautiful walk along the water’s edge. In an hour you can cover its entire 4.5-mile span or pick a spot and enjoy the view.
• Take a short dhow tour: Speaking of a view, many dhows offer 20-minute tours from the Corniche for a fraction of the cost of a full private excursion. On a night cruise on these traditional wooden boats, you will see the city sparkle all around you, with the light reflected on the dark, calm water of the Gulf, making it look iridescent.
• Outdoor art installations: With a wealth of public art on display, there’s always something new to see for free. Perhaps none is as striking as The Miraculous Journey by Damien Hirst at the Sidra Medical Center – 14 gargantuan bronzes depicting a growing fetus in the womb. Elsewhere, the gilded thumb in the Souq Waqif and the soaring sculpture known as ‘7’ in the Museum of Islamic Art Park will leave you amazed at how these sparkling installations make you feel.
• Relax on a public beach: With golden sand, beautiful clear water, and the friendly laughter of children, it’s hard to top a perfect lounge on the beach in Qatar. Pick your favorite, whether it’s on the Gulf or the Inland Sea, and watch the world go by. What’s more luxurious than that?