Hotels
Best hotels in Doha: where to stay in Qatar, from West Bay to the desert
As the call to prayer echoes over Souq Waqif at dusk, the lanterns come on in the alleys and the wooden dhows on the Corniche light their masts. Five minutes away, the towers of West Bay glitter. Doha is one of the world's busiest stopovers, and with the right hotel the city is worth more than a single night.
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Qatar is a small country, and almost all its hotels are in and around the capital, Doha. The city curves around a bay, with the old Souq Waqif market and the Msheireb district in the south, the Corniche promenade along the water and the towers of West Bay to the north. Further north again are the man-made island of The Pearl and the new city of Lusail.
We have chosen nine hotels in five areas, from a design hotel in the old town to a wellness resort in parkland outside the city, and we say who each one suits. All score highly with guests on Hotels.com. Our links go there, and the hotel is always chosen before the link.
Short answer: where to stay in Doha
On a short stopover, stay in Msheireb, within walking distance of Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art. For a beach and pool, West Bay is best, and for a few quiet days The Pearl or a resort outside the city is the better choice.
Best for romance: Raffles Doha
Best for families: Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl
Best for a stopover: Mandarin Oriental, Doha
Best for value: Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery
Best for design: Mondrian Doha
How to choose the right hotel in Doha
Stopover or holiday: for one or two nights, stay centrally in Msheireb or near the Corniche. With more time, a beach and pool in West Bay or on The Pearl will feel more like a holiday.
Distances: the airport is close to the centre. Msheireb is around fifteen minutes by taxi, West Bay a little longer, and Lusail about half an hour.
Metro: Doha has a modern metro with stations in Msheireb, West Bay and Lusail. It is cheap, clean and a good alternative to taxis.
Alcohol: the big hotels are licensed and serve alcohol. Outside the hotels it is hard to find.
Dress: normal holiday clothes are fine in hotels. In the souk and museums, cover your shoulders and knees.
Msheireb at dusk
Mandarin Oriental, Doha and the streets of Msheireb in the evening.
Msheireb and Souq Waqif: the old town
Msheireb is a rebuilt district of low sand-coloured buildings, pedestrian streets and museums, right beside the old Souq Waqif market. From here you can walk to the Corniche and the Museum of Islamic Art.
Mandarin Oriental, Doha: a rooftop pool above the old town
Mandarin Oriental stands at the heart of Msheireb, with a rooftop pool looking over the old town towards the skyline. The interiors mix clean modern lines with patterns from Arab tradition, and there is a large spa.
This is our stopover pick: you stay in the most interesting part of the city and can cover the souk and the museum in an afternoon. It is a city hotel with no beach, and prices are high. Head down to Souq Waqif after dark, when it is cooler and the lanes are at their liveliest.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Mandarin Oriental, Doha
The terrace
The terrace bar at Alwadi Hotel Doha.
Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery: warm and better value
Alwadi is also in Msheireb, decorated with wood and textiles in warm tones, with a small pool. It is smaller and more personal than the big chain hotels, and guests single out the service.
This is our value pick, for staying in the old town without paying top rates. Rooms are smaller than at the big hotels, and there is no beach. In return, the souk and the metro are right outside.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery
The beach
The St. Regis Doha seen from the beach.
West Bay: beaches and skyscrapers
West Bay is the business district of tall towers. Hotels here have their own beaches and pools facing the bay, and the Corniche leads straight back towards the centre.
The St. Regis Doha: butlers and a private beach
The St. Regis sits on the water in West Bay, with a private beach, large pools and the brand's signature butler service for every guest. The lobby is grand, and its restaurants are among the most popular in the city.
It suits travellers who want classic luxury with a beach, ideally on a longer stopover. The style is lavish rather than understated. The beach is man-made, but the water in the bay is calm and warm for much of the year.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at The St. Regis Doha
The marina and beach
The marina and beach at Four Seasons Hotel Doha, seen from the air.
Four Seasons Hotel Doha: a marina and beach in central West Bay
Four Seasons is closer to the Corniche, with its own beach and a small marina in front. Tower rooms look across the bay, and the hotel is home to several of the city's best-known restaurants.
It works for business travellers and couples alike, with beach and city in one place. It is one of the older luxury hotels in West Bay, and some rooms show it. Walk the Corniche towards the souk in the evening; it takes about an hour.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Four Seasons Hotel Doha
The pool
The pool beneath the colourful ceiling at Mondrian Doha.
Mondrian Doha: the design hotel
Mondrian was designed by the Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, with playful shapes, huge chandeliers and bold contrasts. It sits in the West Bay Lagoon area, with a rooftop pool and a large spa.
This is our design pick, for travellers who want something other than classic Gulf luxury. You will either love the look or not, and the hotel is some distance from the old town. Its rooftop bars draw a crowd from across the city at weekends.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Mondrian Doha
The pool at sunset
The pool at Sharq Village & Spa at sunset.
By the Corniche: a village by the sea
East of the centre, between the Corniche and the old airport, is one of the city's most distinctive hotels, built like a traditional Qatari village.
Sharq Village & Spa: low houses and a private beach
Sharq Village is run by Ritz-Carlton and designed like an old village, with low sand-coloured houses, narrow passages and wind towers. It has its own beach, a large pool and a spa with separate treatment houses.
It suits travellers who want calm and architecture with a sense of place, while staying close to the city. Buildings are low-rise and walks between rooms can be long. The Museum of Islamic Art and the souk are a short taxi ride away.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel
The beach and pools
The beach and pools at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, seen from the air.
The Pearl and Lusail: islands and new towers
The Pearl is a man-made island north of West Bay, with marinas and Venetian-style canals. Lusail is a brand-new city further north, with the crescent-shaped Katara Towers on the waterfront.
Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl: an island of its own
Marsa Malaz occupies its own small island at The Pearl, with a private beach, several pools and a palatial lobby. There is plenty of outdoor space, and many rooms have a balcony facing the sea.
This is our family pick in Doha, with a beach, pools and room to roam. It is a long way from the old town, so plan on taxis. The style is classic and ornate, heavy on marble and gold.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl
A sea-view suite
A suite looking out over the bay at Raffles Doha.
Raffles Doha: all suites in the Katara Towers
Raffles occupies one of the two crescent towers in Lusail and has suites only, each with butler service. The views stretch across the bay and the new city, and there is a large spa and a private beach.
It is our romantic pick, for a special occasion or the last nights of a long trip. Prices are among the highest in Qatar, and Lusail is still a work in progress. Its sister hotel, Fairmont, fills the neighbouring tower.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Raffles Doha
The pool at night
The pool at Al Messila in the evening.
Outside the city: green in the desert
West of Doha is one of the few resorts in Qatar built not by the water but in wooded parkland.
Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort: spa and stillness
Al Messila sits in extensive grounds of trees and gardens, about fifteen minutes from the centre. The resort is built around wellbeing, with a large spa, several pools and villas with their own pools.
It suits travellers who want to recover after a long journey, or simply rest without going far. There is no beach, and you will need a taxi into town. Evenings are quiet, which is exactly the point.
Book your stay: Check availability and prices at Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa
When to book
Winter: November to March is pleasant, with temperatures around 20-25°C. It is high season and the most expensive time.
Summer: June to September is extremely hot, often above 40°C. Prices drop sharply, and hotels make good places to spend the day indoors.
Big events: major sports events and trade fairs fill the hotels. Check the calendar before you book.
Frequently asked questions about hotels in Doha
Where should I stay in Doha on a stopover?
Msheireb is best, with Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art and the metro within walking distance. It is around fifteen minutes by taxi from the airport.
Do Doha hotels have beaches?
Many hotels in West Bay, on the Corniche and at The Pearl have their own beaches. The hotels in Msheireb are city hotels without one.
Can you drink alcohol in hotels in Qatar?
Yes, most large hotels are licensed and serve alcohol in their bars and restaurants. Outside the hotels it is very limited.
How many nights do I need in Doha?
Two nights covers the souk, the museums and the Corniche. Three or four leave time for the beach and a desert trip to the south.
Can I take the metro from the airport?
Yes, the Red Line runs from Hamad International Airport to the centre and West Bay. It is fast and cheap, though a taxi is easier with lots of luggage.