Mandarin Oriental, Doha is the city’s most stylish place to stay and the best-located luxury hotel for sightseeing. It stands on Barahat Msheireb, the great shaded square of Msheireb Downtown, so Souq Waqif, the Msheireb Museums and the metro are all within a short walk. The rooms and suites mix contemporary design with Qatari touches, and there are family rooms, signature suites, villas and serviced apartments for longer stays. Dining is a highlight: IZU serves French Mediterranean cooking, Mosaic offers Silk Route dishes from open kitchens, Liang serves Cantonese food, and Aqua, the rooftop bar, looks over the city. The Baraha Lounge overlooks the square, and there is a cake shop, a chocolate café and a gelato bar. The spa is one of the best in Doha, and the pool area has cabanas with sea views. The airport is around twenty to twenty-five minutes away by car.
Living in it: you can walk to the souq for dinner and back, a rare luxury in a car-centred city, and the square is lively in the evenings. Service is polished, and the spa is worth a booking even on a short stay.
Trade-offs: rates are at the top of the Doha market, and it is a city hotel, not a beach resort. Msheireb is busy with events at times, so ask for a quieter room if you sleep lightly.
Why stay here
- ✓Luxury spa
- ✓Outdoor pool with cabanas
- ✓Aqua rooftop bar
- ✓IZU French Mediterranean restaurant
- ✓Liang Cantonese restaurant
- ✓Fitness centre
- ✓Serviced apartments
- ✓24-hour valet parking
Good questions
Where is Mandarin Oriental, Doha?+
On Barahat Msheireb in Msheireb Downtown, a short walk from Souq Waqif.
Does it have a spa and pool?+
Yes, a full-service spa, a fitness centre and a pool with sea-view cabanas.
How far is the airport?+
About twenty to twenty-five minutes by car from Hamad International Airport.
