Graced with gleaming cityscapes, historic souqs, serene coastlines, and unique man-made islands, Doha is a veritable paradise for explorers and wanderers alike.
The city boasts luxuriously appointed accommodations nestled within cultural hotspots and thriving urban spaces that assure not just a comfortable stay, but also a rich immersion into the local lifestyle.
I spent a week exploring Qatar’s capital’s most famous neighbourhoods and the best places to visit. So, I decided to write this practical guide to where to stay in Doha, with the pros and cons of staying in each one, to help you plan your holiday.
From the opulent sprawl of The Pearl-Qatar to the modern buzz of West Bay and Msheireb to the traditional lure of Souq Waqif, here are the best areas to stay in Doha.
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Where to Stay in Doha, Qatar
Before you decide where to stay in Doha, it might help to know more about this captivating destination.
Doha, the largest city in Qatar, has a surface area of approximately 132 km² (51 sq mi) and a population of more than 658,000 inhabitants.
The whole infrastructure that was built to host the FIFA 2022 World Cup enhanced Doha’s tourism potential and made the city easy to navigate, whether by car or public transport. You can travel by bus or metro, there are three lines (Red, Green & Gold), but depending on where you’re staying, you may need a car.
The four best areas to stay in Doha for tourists are Souq Wakif, Msheireb, West Bay, and The Pearl. These neighbourhoods are well-connected, apart from the last one, easy to get around, and have plenty of shops and restaurants.
If you’re visiting Doha for the first time, Souq Wakif and Msheireb are the best places to stay. These two areas boast several points of interest and local amenities and are within walking distance of some of the most famous tourist attractions in the city.
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Best Areas to Stay in Doha
- Souq Waqif: It’s easy to navigate the city and everything is relatively close by. The perfect area for first-timers and those staying one night in Doha.
- Msheireb Downtown: The best area to stay for an opulent holiday in Doha Old Town.
- West Bay: Where to stay in Doha if the focus of your trip is to spend more time on the beach. It features top-notch beachfront hotels.
- The Pearl: Very secluded and romantic. The best place to stay in Doha for an ultimate luxury and stress-free holiday.
Now let’s discuss the pros and cons of staying in each one of them and peruse the best hotels in these areas.
Souq Waqif
Located in the heart of the city, this busy tourism hub and a major attraction for visitors and residents is the best area to stay in Doha.
It’s home to a century-old trading market, famous landmarks, alfresco dining, and world-class museums and is fringed by the beautiful Corniche, a 7-kilometre-long coastal palm-lined promenade along Doha Bay.
From Souq Waqif, it’s easier to explore the rest of the city whether you decide to walk, take the metro, a cab, or drive.
The location is perfect for those visiting Doha for the first time, staying a short time in the city (1 – 2 nights) and wanting to be culturally immersed.
Despite the crowds, staying in the Souq Wakif area was great. I loved exploring the bustling and aesthetic markets and the fact that I could walk to the National Museum of Qatar, the Islamic Museum and the Corniche.
Points of interest in/near Souk Waqif:
- Hamad International Airport: 15min drive (40min by metro)
- Museum of Islamic Art: 18min walk
- National Museum of Qatar: 27min walk (19min by metro)
- Katara Cultural Village: 35min by metro
Where to stay in Souk Waqif – Best Hotels
Central Inn Souq Waqif
Situated 10 minutes walk from Souq Waqif metro station, Central Inn is a reasonably priced hotel with friendly staff and excellent customer service.
It features concierge services, a fitness centre, private parking, and a restaurant.
All the Qatari-style air-conditioned rooms come with a desk, a kettle, a safety deposit box, and a TV.
- Gloria Hotel & Suites
Located 1.4 km from the Qatar National Museum, Gloria Hotel & Suites Doha features an outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre, and a terrace.
This budget-friendly hotel provides air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a kettle, a minibar, a safety deposit box, and a TV.
It also offers a business centre, a concierge service and currency exchange for its guests.
- Ramada by Wyndham Doha Old Town
Set in the Souq Waqif area, this middle-range 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, a desk, a TV and a safety deposit box.
There’s also a restaurant serving American, Italian and Middle Eastern cuisine. Vegetarian and halal options can also be requested.
The hotel is ranked 8.7 on Booking and guests particularly love the location, 9.1.
- Shaza Doha
Situated in Doha, 1.3 km from Qatar National Museum, Shaza Doha, one of the best-ranked hotels in Souk Waqif, features an outdoor swimming pool, private parking, a fitness centre with a sauna, and a terrace.
Among the facilities are a restaurant, concierge service, and currency exchange.
All the rooms are fitted with a wardrobe, AC, a safety deposit box, and a TV.
- Embassy Suites by Hilton – Doha Old Town
Another top-rated hotel in the Souq Wakif area, 9.0 on Booking.
Embassy Suites is located 18 minutes walk from the souqs and 1.6 km from the Qatar National Museum.
This superb 4-star hotel has air-conditioned rooms with a private bathroom, a TV, and a fridge and some of them also have a sea view.
- Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels – Tivoli
Nestled in the heart of the historic Souq Waqif and just 15 minutes from Doha International Airport, this stylish 5-star boutique hotel is a collection of 9 historic buildings boasting intricate décor and architecture.
You can enjoy an eclectic dining experience at any of the hotel’s 8 restaurants and relax at the spa.
The hotel is a 10-minute walk from the Museum of Islamic Art and 5 minutes away from the Corniche.
Msheireb Downtown
Centrally located in the heart of Doha, adjacent to Souk Waqif and the financial district, Msheireb Downtown is an old commercial district, revamped with a new architectural concept, comprising more than 100 buildings.
You can find entertainment venues, excellent hotels, and a plethora of restaurants, including global options in high-end hotels, cosy cafés, and the biggest open-air covered pedestrian square in the region.
Mshreibe, a prime location with luxury hotels and famous restaurants, is where to stay in Doha for one night in the city centre without the crowds of Souq Wakif. It’s equally close to some of the best places to visit in Doha and you can get around easily.
Points of interest near Msheireb:
- Hamad International Airport: 18min drive (40min by metro)
- Souq Waqif: 10min walk
- Museum of Islamic Art: 33min walk
- National Museum of Qatar: 40min walk (25min by metro)
- Katara Cultural Village: 29min by metro
Best Hotels in Msheireb, Doha
- Alwadi Hotel Doha – MGallery
Set a 7-minute walk from Msheireb Metro Station, Alwadi Hotel Doha MGallery is a 5-star hotel featuring a fitness centre, a spa, a wellness centre, and a rooftop swimming pool.
The beautiful rooms are fitted with a TV, a BOSE docking station, an espresso machine, a mini bar, a bathroom with a bath, and a separate shower. Some of them also offer a city view.
The hotel has direct access to Souq Waqif and offers in-house restaurants, including a breakfast room.
- Park Hyatt Doha
Located 1.4 km from Souq Waqif and a 4-minute walk from a metro station, Park Hyatt Doha is one of the best and high-ranked 5-star hotels in Msheireb.
It provides accommodation with three restaurants, private parking, an outdoor swimming pool and a fitness centre.
- Mandarin Oriental
Located in the centre of Msheireb Downtown, Mandarin Oriental is undoubtedly where to stay in Doha Old Town for an ultimate luxury holiday.
This gorgeous 5-star hotel boasts an outdoor swimming pool, a rooftop bar, a fitness centre and a wide range of wellness facilities including a sauna and an indoor pool.
The lavish rooms are equipped with AC, a TV, a coffee machine, a kettle, a bath, and a desk. Certain rooms include a kitchen and a seating area.
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West Bay
Recognised as one of the most luxurious areas of the city, West Bay is a captivating district on the north end of Doha Corniche home to ultramodern skyscrapers, renowned government offices and foreign embassies.
It isn’t easy to get around by public transportation such as Souq Wakif, but if you plan to hire a car, West Bay is where to stay in Doha for 2 nights or more.
You can find some of the best luxury hotels in the city for leisure stays with family, a great beach with an array of facilities, beach clubs, cool bars, high-end restaurants, parks, international markets, and vast shopping malls with activities for the whole family.
Points of interest near West Bay
- Hamad International Airport: 18min drive (47min by public transport)
- Souq Waqif: 7min drive (39min by public transport)
- Katara Cultural Village: 8min drive (22min by metro)
- The Pearl: 13min drive (37min by public transport)
Where to Stay in West Bay
- Pullman Doha West Bay
Located 20 minutes drive from Hamad International Airport, Pullman Doha West Bay is one of the best-ranked 5-star hotels in the city, 9.0.
It features an outdoor swimming pool, free parking, a fitness centre, a terrace, a sauna, bike hire, as well as an in-house hot tub, hairdressers and a business centre.
Each room has city views, AC, a desk, a kettle, a minibar, a safety deposit box, and a TV. Some of them also offer a kitchen with a fridge, a dishwasher, and an oven.
- Qabila Westbay Hotel by Marriott
With a brilliant location on the Corniche, Qaliba Westbay is another 5-star deluxe hotel in the prestigious West Bay area.
It offers spacious and contemporary rooms with seating areas and a kitchenette with tea and coffee-making facilities, an indoor pool and a luxury spa overlooking the city and the Arabian Gulf.
- Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach
Located less than a 5-minute walk from the beach, Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay features an outdoor swimming pool, a business centre, free parking, a fitness centre, a sauna with a hot tub, and a terrace.
This 5-star hotel offers air-conditioned rooms with a desk, a coffee machine, a minibar, a kettle, a safety deposit box, and a TV. Some of them also come with a kitchen with a fridge, a dishwasher, and an oven.
- Sheraton Grand Doha Resort & Convention Hotel
Situated on a private beach overlooking the Arabian Gulf, this 5-star hotel offers 7 dining restaurants and a temperature-controlled swimming pool.
All the rooms feature a balcony with views of the sea, city skyline or the resort grounds and come with a TV, a desk, and a tea/coffee maker.
Sheraton Gran Doha is one of the best hotels in Doha for families and you can enjoy a range of leisure and recreational facilities, including tennis courts, squash courts and a well-equipped gym.
- The St. Regis Doha
Located less than 5 km from The Pearl, The St. Regis Doha is one of the best luxurious hotels in Doha.
It features a wonderful private beach and pool area, tennis courts, a fitness centre, a sauna, an excellent spa and a wellness centre.
All rooms have views of the Arabian Gulf and marble bathrooms with a deep soaking tub and a separate rain shower. The spacious, modern suites include a 42-inch TV and an iPod docking station.
The Pearl
If you ask me where to stay in Doha for a luxury and stress-free holiday, my answer is no doubt The Pearl.
This string of pearls-shaped manmade archipelago composed of 200 minuscule artificial islands, glamorous marinas, and golden sandy shores is home to some of Doha’s ultra-lavish resorts, including The Four Seasons Resort and Residence.
There are also luxury condominiums, sophisticated apartments and villas combining contemporary design with traditional architecture, design boutiques, outdoor cafes, upmarket global restaurants, beach clubs, and boisterous nightclubs.
The cons of staying in this unique archipelago are that it’s a bit isolated and you will need a car to get around. Accommodation and restaurants here tend to be more expensive.
However, The Pearl is the perfect choice if you want to spend more time relaxing on the beach rather than sightseeing and want to be away from mass tourism.
Points of interest near The Pearl
- Hamad International Airport: 30min drive
- Souq Waqif: 21min (50min by public transport)
- Museum of Islamic Art: 20min drive (1h10min by public transport)
- Katara Cultural Village: 9min drive (29min by public transport)
- Lusail City: 20min drive (40min by public transport)
Best hotels in The Pearl, Doha
- Hilton Doha The Pearl
With an excellent location, this 5-star hotel has a restaurant, free parking, an outdoor swimming pool, a fitness centre, a bar, and a sun terrace.
All the rooms come with a seating area, a TV, a kettle, a safety deposit box and a private bathroom with a shower, bathrobes and slippers. Some of them also have a balcony, and others have pool views.
There’s also a business centre and a kids’ club.
- Retaj Baywalk Residence
If you prefer to book a private apartment at The Pearl, I recommend Retaj Baywalk Residence.
These superb apartments ranked 9.0 on Booking.com, are fitted with AC, a fully equipped kitchen, a TV and a bathroom with a bath and a hair dryer.
The facilities include a children’s playground, WiFi, parking, a sauna, a 24-hour front desk, a business centre, housekeeping service at the property, a year-round outdoor pool and a private beach area.
- Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl
Perched on a private island, Marsa Malaz Kempinski is a stunning five-star seaside spa and resort featuring fine European architecture blended with traditional Arabian elements.
There are 11 fine restaurants and lounges, a jazz house, a private beach, outdoor pools, a tennis court and two paddle courts.
The resort also offers a Kids Club, watersport activities and a health club, which makes Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl, one of the best hotels in Doha with a beach for families.
- The St Regis Marsa Arabia Island
Another gorgeous hotel with a highly rated location on Booking.com (9.5) providing an island getaway.
Combining Qatari Culture with a touch of Andalucía, the luxurious St Regis Marsa Arabia Island, houses 10 world-renowned bars & restaurants and the first Longevity Hub by Clinique La Prairie to open in the region.
This glamourous 5-star hotel also offers sophisticated accommodation with an outdoor swimming pool, a private beach, free parking, a fitness centre, a garden, a kids’ club, and a terrace.
Undeniably, Doha captures the essence of an invigorating global city while nurturing its timeless appeal.
A stay in The Pearl-Qatar, West Bay, Msheireb or Souq Waqif can gift you unforgettable experiences whether it’s delighting in the opulence of world-class amenities, soaking in breathtaking views, sampling diverse gastronomy, or simply walking the historic alleyways steeped in tradition.
As vibrant as it is tranquil, these areas lift the spirit of Doha, making it not just an ideal Middle Eastern destination. This is your invitation to set foot in Doha and discover your place in its evocative tale.
Safe travels and have fun in Qatar.
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