Thanks in large part to attention garnered during the 2022 World Cup, Qatar’s capital city continues to rise higher both in the collective imagination of global travelers and the sky with its impressive structures — all while still maintaining its sense of history.
Doha’s rich past is a vibrant thread woven into the city’s modern tapestry of luxury hotels, high-rises and malls. Here, the engineered melds with the natural and man-made islands floating in the sparkling waters of the gulf. It all might feel like a mirage, but Doha is a desert oasis that welcomes all comers.
To find the best hotels in Doha, our incognito inspectors posed as ordinary guests and checked in at each property. The inspectors tested hundreds of exacting standards, with an emphasis on exceptional service, which accounts for 70 percent of a property’s rating. The remaining 30 percent comes from the quality and condition of the facilities.
Five-Star Hotels in Doha
Occupying one arm of the dramatic, twin sword Katara Towers in Lusail (a new city just outside of Doha), Raffles takes Qatar’s love of luxurious hotels to another level. Blending the immersive Raffles experience with renowned Qatari hospitality, the all-suite hotel welcomes guests in its dreamy lobby. Look up to see the show-stopping ceiling, which seems to disappear and reappear before your eyes — clouds and blue skies during the day and, of course, the moon and stars at night.
Every detail of your stay is carefully calibrated, from the welcoming cup of Arabic coffee and butler assigned to you upon arrival to the (at-minimum) 600-thread-count sheets that envelop you at night. See more.
Wielding traditional luxury and an excellent hospitality pedigree, Four Seasons Hotel Doha is the city’s grande dame. With its private beach, five different indoor and outdoor pools and lush manicured gardens, the hotel is a haven among the West Bay area’s towering buildings.
Four Seasons Hotel Doha’s discreet yet personalized service sets it apart in a city studded with sumptuous stays. Expect customized T-shirts and bathrobes for returning guests or cold towels and sunglass cleaning by the pool. The hotel has also become one of the top players in Doha’s competitive culinary scene, housing the excellent Elements for all-day dining, the Parisian-chic Seasons Tea Lounge and the world’s largest Nobu restaurant, dramatically perched over the gulf. See more.
The first hotel to open in Msheireb Downtown Doha, Mandarin Oriental, Doha has already established itself as one of the city’s most sought-after luxury stays. The property is a stylish oasis in this redeveloped, up-and-coming neighborhood. Details like personalized arrival and bespoke Qatari-influenced amenities make the hotel feel home-like yet special.
With 158 natural light-drenched rooms and suites (in addition to 91 apartments), two temperature-controlled rooftop pools, a Five-Star spa and nine bars and restaurants (don’t miss the Instagrammable Gelato dessert bar), Mandarin Oriental has brought detailed attention and stylish flair to Qatar’s capital. See more.
Four-Star Hotels in Doha
Banyan Tree Doha At La Cigale Mushaireb
The immediately iconic Banyan Tree Doha At La Cigale Mushaireb fuses Asian Zen with Middle Eastern glam in the distinctive elliptical-shaped steel complex. The towering hotel (with 66 rooms, 60 suites and 215 serviced residences) resides in the emerging cultural hub of Mushaireb, steps away from historic Souq Waqif, and has stunning views across Doha’s unique skyline and a garden.
With an enviable lineup of five restaurants and lounges featuring traditional Thai, regional Indian, Mediterranean, fine Italian and a scene-setting rooftop bar, the property is a foodie heaven.
Families are also well-catered for with spacious suites and apartment-style residences, not to mention the attached Doha Oasis entertainment center, which houses an indoor theme park and a 19-screen cinema. See more.
From its dual lobbies featuring a “Staircase to Nowhere” (yes, you can climb it) and a “Frozen Forest” of white tree sculptures, Mondrian Doha is, in equal turns, an eccentric fantasy and an opulent escape. The hotel reflects the unique stylings of Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, including the sweeping public areas, rooms, restaurants and even the I Dream of Jeannie-inspired bathrooms draped with Arabic lanterns.
As the first of its brand in the region, the property brings Mondrian’s glamour with touches like custom-designed furniture in each room, luxe king-sized beds and personalized service.
Boasting “Iron Chef” Masaharu Morimoto’s first Middle Eastern restaurant, a rooftop bar, a cocktail lounge and nightclub, this Doha address has set the city’s entertainment scene ablaze. See more.
Sitting on a private island, The Ritz-Carlton, Doha makes you forget you’re in the midst of the city with sandy shores and a meandering outdoor pool with a waterfall and swim-up bar. Yet even with the splashing, you’re still within striking distance of the bustling West Bay business district, The Pearl-Qatar and the emerging Lusail area.
A recent renovation of its 374 rooms and suites breathed new life into The Ritz-Carlton, but it still managed to maintain the elements (like its renowned service and warm atmosphere) that have made it one of Doha’s most-loved luxury hotels. The refurbishment included beefing up its culinary arsenal with the addition of a branch of the popular STK steakhouse, pan-Asian hot spot B-Lounge and relaxed French brasserie Sel & Miel. Those delicious amenities with the extensive leisure facilities and private beach make The Ritz Carlton, Doha an inviting city oasis. See more.
Recommended Hotels in Doha
Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara
Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara blends the company’s Asian sensibilities with renowned Qatari hospitality to create a singular overnight experience. The excitement starts the minute you check in at the custom-built boat terminal on the shoreline of the Doha Corniche and settle in for the short but luxurious ride (where dates, coffee and newspapers are offered) to the island.
The resort makes the most of its secluded location and calm, clear water with a half-mile stretch of sand and a 328-foot-long lagoon for swimming, sunning or just lazing. But if that isn’t enough, of the 141 accommodations, 11 Maldives-style overwater villas have private pools. The spacious spa, which has its own indoor plunge pool, delivers sumptuous treatments to complete the invitation of total relaxation. See more.
InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa
With a sprawling beachside location, friendly and approachable service and buzzing bars and restaurants, InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa is one of the city’s most popular hotels with locals and visitors alike. The property’s location, nestled between the soaring skyline of West Bay and tourist attractions like Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl-Qatar, makes it appealing to business and leisure travelers.
Combine 375 spacious rooms and suites with Doha’s longest beach, 14 food and beverage outlets and beautifully manicured gardens, and you’ve got a luxurious complex that feels more like a bustling beach resort than a well-perched city hotel. See more.
Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl-Doha
Occupying its own island, the palatial Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl-Doha offers the best of both worlds: a high-end hideaway within striking distance of the capital. A part of The Pearl-Qatar, the resort sits in the heart of Doha’s thriving new residential, dining and shopping precinct, but there is little reason to ever leave your luxurious locale.
From sizable rooms and suites (the smallest units are more than 800 square feet) to the resort’s secluded beach, it’s easy to see why this Doha hotel is such a coveted stay.
Additionally, Marsa Malaz Kempinski’s restaurants — which run the gastronomy gamut from Spanish and Arabic to Japanese and South American — are considered among the best in the city. See more.
Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz Carlton Hotel
For those wanting an authentic Arabian adventure with more than a touch of timelessness, Sharq Village & Spa may be just the ticket. Located away from the thriving central part of Doha (though you can still see the skyline in the distance), this low-rise Ritz-Carlton hotel is designed to reflect a traditional Qatari village, complete with a sheik’s palace (Royal Villa) and villas interconnected by courtyards and lush gardens.
On arrival, you’ll be served Arabic coffee and dates in the palatial lobby — featuring one of the most intricate chandeliers in Doha — before being whisked to one of the 174 rooms and suites around the sprawling white-washed complex. A spa, a private beach, three outdoor pools and a host of top restaurants and lounges help ensure an exquisite stay. See more.
With a prime position in the heart of West Bay, The St. Regis Doha is as sumptuous as you would expect a luxury hotel in Qatar to be.
From the tuxedoed doormen and Rolls-Royce-lined entrance to understated rooms appointed with Arabian accents, there are many reasons why this is one of the region’s most sought-after hotels.
The property does a magnificent job of balancing its Middle Eastern location — dates and coffee are offered in the public areas— with the brand’s renowned customer care. To that end, all in-house guests have access to the St. Regis butler service, ensuring personalized service at check-in and throughout your stay. See more.
Be it the photogenic blue-lantern-strewn lobby to the pop-art-fashioned rooms, W Doha Hotel and Residences provides a wholly immersive experience from start to finish.
Opened in 2012, the stylish hotel continues to impress with its glamorous W amenities (luxe king-sized beds), quirky touches (board games in each room) and lavish Sisley Paris Spa.
Three deluxe dining venues, including two outposts from celebrity chef Jean-George Vongerichten, and one of the city’s hottest nightspots, Wahm, round out this Doha stay. See more.
