Qatar

Doha

Qatar

DSCF4600

The A388 800 plane I took to Qatar carries an amazing 517 people. In economy I had plenty of room so that the six-hour journey literally flew by. With only a twenty-minute shuttle to The Four Seasons Hotel I was ensconced in my luxury room quicker than a drive to the West Country.

DSCF4019 DSCF4020 DSCF4026 DSCF4036

And when I say luxury I mean it. The hotel has five pools, Rolex watches for sale in the foyer, its own Mont Blanc shop, what more could you want? I was there just before Christmas and preparations were well under way for the 800 guests they annually have for a festive brunch on 25th. Santa arrives on a camel (what else) and reindeer on kayaks paddle along the edge of the sea, yes really. This is a land where nothing is impossible (the reindeer are staff dressed in case you were wondering).

DSCF4040 DSCF4042 DSCF4133

My first meal was supper on the water’s edge. Lamb chops and char-grilled vegetables followed by a selection of desserts including baked pineapple, a sublime cheesecake and fruit. Then back to my vast room with luxe bathroom and a terrific view of the bay. A perfectly placed armchair with footstool helped me relax for the remainder of the evening. The bed proved so successful I was asleep in seconds.

DSCF4031

Breakfast didn’t disappoint. Like all the best international hotels they saw fit to include international cuisine first thing. Dim sum and eggs Benedict set me up for the day.

DSCF4065 DSCF4076 DSCF4084 DSCF4139

After breakfast it was time to get out of town in a 4X4 Toyota Land Cruisers to do a spot of dune bashing. This if you have never done it is brilliant fun. Skilled drivers take you into the middle of the desert and ride up and down the dunes. Sounds simple but it is harder than it looks. Our driver was taught by his father over many years from boy to man, a kind of modern apprenticeship. It would be easy to get very lost in the desert, but the drivers all have walkie-talkies to keep in touch with each other. A word of warning if you scream on roller coasters you will definitely screen on the dunes. Lunch was a BBQ beside the sea at Qatar International Adventures, the dune busting organisers. If a 4 X 4 sounds too strenuous then you can always take a gentle ride on a camel.

DSCF4205 DSCF4213 DSCF4242 DSCF4247

Doha is a new city in world terms but is making up for lost time. Positioning itself as the Gulf’s cultural hub it is investing in art and the arts in a big way not to mention football in the coming years. Everything here is done to an extremely high standard so I’m sure they will reach their goal.

DSCF4279 DSCF4270 DSCF4285 DSCF4289

The Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl-Doha was the next stop for dinner. A Lebanese feast of many courses that just kept on coming. Like all Kempinski hotels this was spectacular in its size and proportion. The lobby was high enough to fit a small church in. The presidential suite has a hot tub on its own roof garden (it really has, I looked). You get the picture.

DSCF4291 DSCF4312 DSCF4323 DSCF4327 DSCF4261

As I check out of the Four Seasons I ask about the beds, which are truly wonderful, not too hard not too soft just Goldilocks right. Apparently they took two years to develop and if you have a particular request they can alter them to suit your needs. True luxury.

DSCF4336 DSCF4338 DSCF4342 DSCF4360 DSCF4373

Doha has pretty much everything you’d need in terms of eating and sleeping. There is an island known as The Pear, shaped like a clamshell of course, housing über plush apartments and all the high-end brands you’d expect. Yachts form orderly queues at the harbour as the gentle sun beats down. December is a great time to visit this part of the world as it was just like a good summers day at home.

DSCF4375 DSCF4377 DSCF4381 DSCF4384 DSCF4390

After a stroll around the gigantic (everything is large here) QM gallery where they have a moving feast of art I went to the jewel in Qatar’s crown, The Museum of Islamic Art. The building designed by I. M. Pei is itself a work of art. From certain angles it resembles the face of a lady wearing an abaya with slits for the eyes, a brilliant design that just keeps on giving when you enter. Its futuristic interior is a splendid foil to the ancient artifacts on display.

DSCF4403 DSCF4406 DSCF4413 DSCF4418 DSCF4422 DSCF4423

On the ground floor past the gift shop there’s an outside terrace. From here you can see ‘down town’ Doha through three large (of course) arches, one of the best views in town. This is a must do in Qatar, the exhibits are displayed with flair, the grounds beautiful and the building offers a discovery at every turn. Guides or headsets are on hand to answer any questions

DSCF4433 DSCF4472 DSCF4476

Lunch took me to Opal, Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant outpost. Situated in the St. Regis hotel it offers casual dining with high quality ingredients. As you’d expect from Gordon the food was exemplary. My battered squid with chilli was crisp and crunchy with a slight kick. The lamb burger was perfect and the wine (as is always the case with a Ramsay gaff) perfect.

DSCF4517 DSCF4520 DSCF4526 DSCF4531 DSCF4535 DSCF4537 DSCF4539

Next stop was checking in at the Melia, another 5* hotel. After all the luxury I’d been exposed to it was time to use their spa. A half hour later after a firm but satisfying back and neck work over I felt back to normal. My room here was another large space with its own dressing area and a super duper bathroom.

DSCF4541 DSCF4544 DSCF4562 DSCF4566

There are several restaurants in the hotel but it was the turn of tapas tonight at the Aceite, their signature Spanish restaurant. Great and enthusiastic service in conjunction with authentic food made for a robust evening with my fellow diners. And on the way home a late cocktail at the world’s largest (there they go again) Nobu restaurant.

DSCF4570 DSCF4628 DSCF4636 DSCF4654 DSCF4657 DSCF4659

 

DSCF4667 DSCF4669

The restaurant sits out in the water attached by an isthmus of land. It has a spectacular entrance hall and staircase with several levels of dining and drinking. On the top is a roof terrace where you can enjoy one of their outstanding cocktails in an evening breeze. What a way to end a few days in the cultural capital of the Middle East. They are still working on it and it will only get better but for my money it’s well on track and fit for purpose already.

DSCF4672 DSCF4681 DSCF4686 DSCF4693 DSCF4700 DSCF4705 DSCF4714

Useful information:

 

Barrhead Travel is offering a five-night stay in Qatar from £1197 per person (Based on two sharing). Offer includes three nights on a bed & breakfast basis at The Four Seasons Doha, two nights on a room only basis at The Melia Doha and flights from London Heathrow with Qatar Airways. To book please call: 0141 222 2223 or visit www.barrheadtravel.co.uk

For more information on Qatar please visit: www.qatartourism.gov.qa

Qatar Airways flies from London Heathrow to Doha 42 times a week, with prices starting from GBP 637 return (based on availability). For more information on Qatar Airways please visit: www.qatarairways.com

Tours can be provided through Travel Designer Qatar, please visit: www.traveldesigner.qa

The Melia Doha offers a Relaxing Massage at the Spa prices start from GBP 90 per person.

 

About Neil

Neil is a food and travel writer and photographer based in London, UK. He's Food & Travel Editor at Families Magazine, as well as a full-time blogger on this site. Impressed? Then you might like to hire his services.

View all posts by Neil

Leave a Reaction

Your email address will not be published.