Long, hot summers and a coastal location make scenic pools a must at Doha’s high-end hotels. From sleek rooftops to palm-fringed retreats, these eight swimming holes are sure to help you make a splash in Qatar’s capital.
The dual spots atop this Msheireb Downtown stay are what rooftop pool dreams are made of. Perched high above the city with stunning views of the skyline, a 25-meter lap pool and a smaller leisure option sparkle in the Doha sunshine.
With curtained cabanas to shield from the harsh sun, you only to emerge to try out the temperature-controlled pools.
Perks like regularly distributed frozen fruit skewers add to the experience. It’s a calming oasis amid this re-emerging area of the city.
A favorite of families, this gulf-side escape provides plenty of fun in the sun for all ages. You easily could spend a whole day on the resort’s well-landscaped grounds, moving among the beach, pool and nearby restaurants.
Send your little ones to frolic in the shaded children’s pool while you snag a seat (don’t stress, there are plenty of loungers) beside one of the largest pools in Doha. With white sands just steps away, you might forget you’re almost in the middle of the city.
When you start to feel peckish, head to the Pool Bar for casual drinks and snacks.
The hotel’s well-regarded Greek restaurant Mykonos is another alternative. Its breezy décor and flavorful Mediterranean cuisine give you the full beach-holiday vibe.
This longstanding local favorite continues to please with its palm tree-lined outdoor pool — actually, pools, with five in total, including plunge and children’s offerings.
The temperature-controlled, freeform main pool has a swim-up bar and plenty of places to relax and soak up the sun. Flamingos serves up some of the best poolside snacks in the city (try the grilled halloumi with mint yogurt). And if you need extra sustenance, staff continually comes around with fresh fruit platters and cold water.
When it’s a little too hot outside, the indoor 25-meter heated pool is just the tonic.
The glamor quotient is upped at this palatial hideaway, thanks to its picture-perfect, Olympic-sized pool. Attentive service will make you feel like royalty — the only decision you have to make is whether to lounge on a day bed beneath a gazebo or on a floating bed.
Refreshments like mocktails are served throughout the day while mineral water spritzes are offered to cool you down.
If it’s privacy you crave, rent out one of the beachside cabanas adjacent to the pool that come complete with plunge pools, smart TVs, private bathrooms and a butler.
Taking a cue from the whimsical hotel itself, this indoor pool is not of your average lap-swimming variety.
Located on the roof of the building, the pool is fully enclosed by a hand-painted glass dome imagined by Dutch designer Marcel Wanders. The checkerboard decoration, pure white armchairs and topiary-inspired bridge give off an Alice in Wonderland vibe — where else can you swim in a pool lit by chandeliers?
That said, it’s a wonderful place to hang out, especially after sundown. The hotel’s rooftop bar, Rise, is on a terrace overlooking the pool. And if that view somehow ever gets old, simply turn your head to the 16-foot TV screen.
Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
This may be one of the oldest hotel pools in Doha, but it remains one of the best. Lush landscaping leads to a private beach and spacious pool area with recliners and, for utter relaxation, hammocks.
During the summer, the property often sets up inflatable slides and other activities in the water. Be sure to check out the postcard-worthy view of the city from the outdoor Jacuzzi.
With its verdant green lawn and white wicker furniture, Pool Café is a great accompaniment to your visit, cooking up the usual sandwiches, salads and burgers.
If you have ever wondered what an afternoon by a sheikh’s pool would be like, this Forbes Travel Guide Recommended retreat may have your answer. With the whitewashed, palace-inspired hotel as a backdrop, two lovely pools cool you down in style — depending on your mood.
The main pool is steps away from the lobby and has everything you could need for a luxurious afternoon, including loungers and shaded, sofa-style seating.
The scenic infinity pool, with grottos and a small waterfall, looks across the bay to Doha’s glittering skyline.
During the 2006 Asian Games, this 980-foot-tall skyscraper was literally a torch. Following the international sporting event, the structure was converted into an iconic hotel with an equally noteworthy pool jutting out from the side of the tower.
Those with a fear of heights might want to look elsewhere, but swimming in the 19th-floor cantilevered pool is a unique experience. By day, you’re treated to unrivaled views of the capital, but after nightfall, the twinkling skyline is enhanced by the pool’s color-changing glow. It’s important to note that the Doha hotel does not serve alcohol, but with these vistas, you might not even miss it.
