For city centre
W DOHA
An unashamed poser. If any of the World
Cup contingent have a big win to celebrate,
this is definitely where they’d come. Staff are
so trendy and good-looking it hurts. Only
come here if you’re prepared to share lifts
with people wearing shoes worth more than
a month’s salary, though. With more than
440 rooms, this hulking tower stands out
amid some pretty stiff competition in the
West Bay area of the city. People come from
far and wide for hedonistic weekends in the
Crystal Lounge, while foodies can get a treat
at the outstanding Market restaurant by
Jean-Georges Vongerichten.
ROOMS: Doubles from £211, room only.
whoteldoha.com
For the cool kids
To get an idea of what Doha used to be
like, before the influx of oil money, there
are a number of accommodation options
in the Al Najada souk and its surrounding
neighbourhood. This pedestrianised
marketplace isn’t as ancient as it appears,
but for the first-time visitor it’s convincing
enough as Ye Olde Arabia. As well as lots of
independent cafes and traders — look out for
the guys selling garishly dyed live birds —
there are familiar options such as Coffee Bean
& Tea Leaf. Of the boutique hotels in the area,
Souq Waqif gets the nod — light and airy, it’s
just been refurbished, too.
ROOMS: Doubles from £124, B&B.
souqwaqifresort.comSOUQ WAQIF HOTEL DOHA
72 natgeotraveller.co.uk
SLEEP