Hotel
Mandarin Oriental, Doha
Mandarin Oriental, Doha is a five-star urban hotel in Msheireb Downtown, a short walk from Souq Waqif, with a rooftop pool, spa and nine dining venues.
The Sheraton Grand Doha, opened in 1982 at the northern end of the Corniche, is a landmark resort hotel with a private beach, pools and nine restaurants and bars.
Good to know
The Sheraton Grand Doha Resort and Convention Hotel is one of Doha's landmark buildings. It opened in 1982 on reclaimed land at the northern end of the Corniche, in West Bay, and it remains one of the best-known landmarks along the Corniche. Today it is a five-star resort and convention hotel, surrounded by the towers of West Bay, with the Corniche promenade starting at its door. Hamad International Airport is about 19 kilometres away.
For a city hotel, the leisure facilities are extensive. Guests have a private beach of about 400 metres with sun loungers and cabanas, an outdoor pool, a children's pool and a pool with a whirlpool. The Sheraton Health and Recreation Center has massage rooms, a sauna, a steam room and a solarium, and there are hair salons on site. Check-in is from 3pm and check-out at noon.
There are nine restaurants and bars. Jamavar, the Indian restaurant, holds a Michelin star, and Al Hubara and The Terrace by Al Hubara serve Qatari cuisine. Other options include Nusr-Et Steakhouse, the Italian-inspired Lucia's Doha, the Pool Café, the Atrium Lounge and the Padel Café. The Irish Harp is the hotel's pub and, as a licensed hotel venue, it serves alcohol to adult guests.
The Sheraton suits families who want a beach without leaving the city, business travellers attending events, and visitors who want to walk the Corniche from their hotel. Its size and long history mean it feels more like a resort than a tower hotel, and the beach and pools make it a good base in the warmer months.
Because the hotel is also a major convention venue, it can be busy when large conferences or events are on, so check the calendar and book early if your dates coincide. Ask about sea-facing rooms if views over the bay matter to you, and plan beach time for the morning or late afternoon in summer.
From the hotel, the Corniche promenade runs south around Doha Bay towards the Museum of Islamic Art and Souq Waqif, a long walk or a short taxi ride. West Bay's offices, malls and restaurants are on the doorstep, and Katara Cultural Village and The Pearl are a short drive north.
In 1982.
On Al Corniche Street at the northern end of the Corniche in West Bay.
Yes, a private beach of about 400 metres with loungers and cabanas.
Yes, there is an outdoor children's pool as well as the main pools.
Jamavar, Al Hubara, The Terrace by Al Hubara, Nusr-Et Steakhouse, Lucia's Doha, the Irish Harp pub, the Pool Café, the Atrium Lounge and the Padel Café.
Yes, licensed venues such as the Irish Harp serve alcohol to adult guests.
Check-in is from 3pm and check-out at noon.
About 19 kilometres from Hamad International Airport.
Tour operator
Discover Qatar, the destination management company of Qatar Airways, runs Doha city tours, sunset dhow cruises, desert safaris and short tours for transit passengers.
Thing to do
The Doha Corniche is a seven-kilometre crescent promenade around Doha Bay, linking the Museum of Islamic Art, Al Bidda Park and the West Bay skyline.
Restaurant
Alain Ducasse's IDAM occupies the top floor of the Museum of Islamic Art, serving Michelin-starred contemporary French tasting menus with views across Doha Bay.
Attraction
I. M. Pei's limestone Museum of Islamic Art stands on its own peninsula off the Doha Corniche, with 1,400 years of art from three continents.