As Qatar counts down to hosting the landmark FIFA World Cup 2022 on November 21, a slew of new luxury hotels is readying to accommodate the 1.5 million visitors expected to converge on Doha when the tournament kicks off.
An influx of new properties from some of the world’s best-known luxury hotel brands will launch in and around the capital beforehand, with more planned to capitalize on the post-event buzz in early 2023. Here are nine soon-to-come Doha hotels that should be on your radar:
Rosewood Doha and Rosewood Residences Doha
Occupying twin towers in Lusail and designed by renowned Qatari architect Ibrahim Al Jaidah, Rosewood’s Doha venture is as exciting as it is ambitious, with 185 guest rooms, 173 serviced apartments for long-term stays and 300 residences for purchase. In addition, eight restaurants and bars and the brand’s signature Sense Spa will grace the hotel when it opens in 2023.
The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort
As the sole hotel in Katara Cultural Village — a tourist zone filled with restaurants, cafés, galleries and theaters — The Chedi will further set itself apart with 32 beachside chalets and villas as well as 59 rooms and suites. With a mid-summer 2022 opening slated, the resort will showcase a design that’s a blend of Indian Mughal architecture and Ottoman influence. It will also be home to a spa and stunning manicured gardens.
Waldorf Astoria Doha, West Bay
Waldorf Astoria will mark its Doha debut with two new properties. The towering Art Deco-inspired West Bay hotel stands at 43 stories and has cemented icon status before opening its doors, which will happen in late 2022. With 311 rooms and 25 suites, the hotel sits commandingly within Doha’s business hub and has panoramic views of the Gulf. A rooftop pool and a split-level spa and health club round out the attractions.
Waldorf Astoria Lusail
The other Waldorf Astoria will open in Lusail. Over the last decade, Lusail, a futuristic new 14-square-mile city, has risen just nine miles from the heart of Doha. The entertainment area’s centerpiece is the 80,000-seat Lusail Stadium, which will host the World Cup. The hotel is next to the opulent Place Vendome, a mall that houses 580 outlets from high-end luxury brands like Dior and Bulgari.
Raffles Lusail Hotel & Residences and Fairmont Lusail Hotel & Residences Qatar
There is a big buzz around this eye-catching debut. Located in the iconic Katara Towers, shaped like two swords and emblematic of the city’s traditional seal, the luxury hotel offers 132 suites with unobstructed views of the Arabian Gulf. Raffles also has its own movie theater, cigar lounge and 49 branded apartments.
Meanwhile, business-traveler-focused Fairmont Lusail Hotel & Residences Qatar is the sister property to Raffles. Situated in the other “arm” of swooping Katara Towers, the Fairmont has 361 rooms and suites and proclaims a commitment to “360 well-being.” Both the Fairmont and Raffles will open in late 2022.
The Doha EDITION
Qatar’s hotel scene will get a stylish, trendy addition with this new West Bay spot. The Doha EDITION will boast 200 rooms and suites, two restaurants, three bars and a hotly anticipated nightclub. Plus, the property will host 167 Edition-managed residences within its sprawling complex, which will open in late 2022.
The Ned Doha
After creating The Ned outposts in London and New York, the ever-so-hip Soho House team is turning its sights to Doha. Perched on the Corniche and demonstrating Qatar’s knack for repurposing its landmarks, the refurbished mid-century Ministry of the Interior building will house the hotel and club. The right side of the structure will hold 90 guest rooms and suites and six restaurants and of course, the bonus: the Ned Club, a members-only space.
Oberoi Doha West Bay
The first Qatar foray for India’s epitome of luxury, the Oberoi Group, this city hotel will come with 237 rooms and suites and 45 serviced apartments when it opens in 2023 in the Mozoon Towers development.
