Finding the perfect hotel is an endeavour regular travellers can spend a lifetime focussed upon. And while a multitude of factors are important, a hotel that represents its location’s heritage always feels like an essential to us. Case in point: the commitment to Arabia found at Doha’s Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Nestled snugly in the capital city’s coastline, this 174-room and suite, hotel is designed to resemble a traditional Qatari village, so that means glorious Arabian-inspired architecture, winding alleyways, courtyards and water features. Of course, while the aesthetic might be traditional, the amenities and technology you’ll discover are as luxe as you would imagine.
Although you might be neatly tucked away in gentle seclusion, Doha’s main attractions are all close at hand. But while the corniche, Souq Waqif, and the Museum of Islamic Art might all be on your doorstep, we think you’ll want to spend a fair amount of time in your hotel. You should start at the spa.
The treatments here draw inspiration from the region, too, taken from Arabian rituals and practices. With 23 private treatment rooms occupying a total space of 6,500 sq.m, you’ll also find relaxation lounges and a Turkish hammam to help you wind down. If you’d like to take your relaxation outdoors, then lounging by the pool—starring views of the Arabian Gulf—is a popular option.
Of course, many people will judge a staycation by its food and drink options. Well, whether you’re enjoying the live cooking stations at signature restaurant Al Liwan, the contemporary Persian fine dining at Parisa, pastries at Al Jasa Lounge and Terrace, or handcrafted cocktails for sundowners at Iris Doha (below), you’ll be on a culinary journey.
While any trip to Doha will show you just how far Qatar has come in a very short space of time, there’s a lot to be said for preserving roots. A visit to Sharq Village & Spa, a Ritz-Carlton blends that tradition and modernity uncommonly well. So much so that, really, the debate over your next staycation spot should now be over.