On the shores of the Arabian Gulf, the award-winning InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa is one of Qatar’s landmark hotels commanding one of the best coastal positions and incorporating Doha’s longest private beach. The architecture is an antidote to the gleaming high rises you pass on the way from the airport and the grand canopied entrance of the InterContinental sets the tone for arriving guests; as does the voluminous lobby lounge, interspersed with dark blue velvet armchairs, cushioned sofas and statement pieces of artwork, all sitting beside large picture windows looking out upon the free-form swimming pool, palm trees nestled in landscaped gardens and the sea beyond.
Qatar’s capital is in final preparations for the Fifa World Cup Qatar 2022 and this property is very well positioned to reach any one of the eight stadiums spread across this compact nation. The hotel is also minutes from downtown Doha, Katara Cultural Village with its 5,000-seat amphitheatre, and the Doha Exhibition and Convention Centre. The Doha Metro is the clever way to get around the city.
Distance to all the eight World Cup stadiums are listed below:
- Lusail Stadium by car: 22 min (13.5 km)
- Education City Stadium by car: 22 min (16.9 km)
- Khalifa International Stadium by car: 23 min (19.3 km)
- Al Thumama Stadium by car: 25 min (22.6 km)
- 974 Stadium by car: 26 min (16.5 km)
- Ahmed Bin Ali Stadium by Car: 27 min (24.6 km)
- Al Bayt Stadium by car: 33 min (42.4 km)
- Al Janoub Stadium by car: 36 min (34.1 km)
Whichever InterContinental hotel one stays in, the king-size bed and perfect pillows create a true haven of comfort which did indeed provide a very sound sleep. My deluxe sea view room was spacious and well presented; mood lighting encourages a sense of relaxation as soon as you step inside the door. A flat-screen TV, desk, sofa and marble bathroom with separate shower cubicle and bath, were complimented by the usual amenities you come to expect within a five-star resort. Room colours are serene, with everything designed for kicking-back and leaving the world at the other side of the door. The hotel has 375 rooms of varying categories including Club rooms allowing access to The Club Intercontinental Lounge which provides luxury and privacy in equal amounts.
This is a true resort hotel in every sense of the word, and it would be quite easy never to leave the premises. There are plenty of stand-out areas across the complex: a landscaped swimming and beach area is a picture of tranquillity, with the pool fanning-out to mirror the two wings of the hotel and divided by a wood bridge, giving guests a short cut to the sea. Pool and beach assistants buzz unobtrusively amongst guests, ordering drinks and ensuring loungers have the official blue towels draped across them ready for another day of guest sun worship. There is a good range of recreational facilities both on land and sea plus the exclusive Spa InterContinental. All parts of the hotel have free high-speed internet/wifi access even whilst sitting on your sun lounger beach side.
Unless you intend staying for a month, it is unlikely you will sample the 14 restaurants and bars including the famous La Mar Doha by Gastón Acurio, which is Peruvian cuisine at its finest. Several other à la carte options are spread across the hotel, complimented by the easy going Belgian Café, a wine and cigar bar La Vue and my personal favourite, Mykonos, serving Greek Mediterranean dishes from its al-fresco setting beside the pool, beach and palm trees.
A sumptuous resort hotel in the city centre of a culturally fascinating destination. Above and beyond the luxuries of the hotel complex, the level of service from the multi-lingual and multi-cultured staff is exemplary. All employees of the hotel at all levels ensure guests are always greeted with a smile and the consistent desire to make your stay is as pleasurable as possible. Football fans are in for a real treat when they stay here for the Fifa World Cup and beyond.
- Address: Street 900 Bldg. No. 25, Zone 61, al Dafna, Doha, Qatar
- Phone: +974 4484 4444
- For more information: InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa
- UK Travellers entering Qatar require a pre-arrival PCR Test – Go to ExpressTest by Cignpost
Header image credit: Intercontinental Doha Beach & Spa; all other images by Ramy James Salameh
