THREE ON A BUDGET
THE SHARQ VILLAGE AND SPA
It may be close to the international airport, but
it could hardly be more different to a traditional
airport hotel. Managed by Ritz-Carlton, this
sprawling property has 300 metres of private
beach, accessed from the wider ‘village’-style
buildings. Eschewing a large tower, Sharq
instead has dozens of individual villas and
a faux-souk — all with carefully planned
Arabesque design elements — which helps
it feel like its own peaceful little settlement,
removed from the rest of the city. Its nine
restaurants are joined by a gargantuan,
23-treatment-room Six Senses Spa — one of
the best in Qatar.
ROOMS: Doubles from £218, B&B. ritzcarlton.com
For villas
Best for backpackers
QATAR YOUTH HOSTEL
As welcome, and welcoming, as it is unexpected. Like
many Hostelling International properties around the
world, QYH is not central but it does have good bus
links. Located in the middle of a dusty residential
district in Doha, this converted villa compound has
everything you’d expect of a hostel: comfy seats,
shared dorms, ping-pong table. A light breakfast is
included and there are cooking facilities, too. Just
make sure to have your supplies to hand — there’s no
popping out to the shops around here.
ROOMS: Dorms from £26 each, doubles from £51, B&B.
hihostels.comFor weirdness
AL SAFA ROYAL SUITES
The life-size plastic horses and ramshackle collection
of vintage cars outside are a clue that Al Safa is
offbeat — an anomaly in largely quirk-free Qatar.
The lobby is a thing of wonder, resembling the living
room of a chronic hoarder. Creepy dolls, guns behind
the check-in desk, mirrored side-boards, chandeliers,
enormous pots of sweets, plastic flowers which are
somehow withering... it’s clear this isn’t a normal
property. Sadly, the roomy apartments upstairs aren’t
anywhere near as wacky, but this place is still great fun
and would suit anyone looking to stay for a longer trip.
ROOMS: Doubles from £86, B&B. alsafaroyalsuites.com
Best for budget fun
THE HORIZON MANOR HOTEL
An ageing tower in a determinedly non-trendy
neighbourhood, the Horizon is surrounded by shops
with faded signs, men in long shirts offering watch-
repair services, and workmen transporting cargo on
push bikes. The hotel seems to be trying to bring
an air of respectability to it all, offering budget
accommodation with a little class: the doormen wear
loud, turquoise suits, and the lobby is filled with string
music. It’s certainly not glamorous, but there’s a great
pub, Krossroads, and a small nightclub on the top floor.
Likely to be great fun when the World Cup arrives.
ROOMS: Doubles from £64, room only. horizonmanor.comNovember 2016 71SLEEP