Where to Stay in Doha

Doha, the capital of Qatar, is located on the northeastern coast of the Arabian Peninsula on the Persian Gulf. With a population of over 1 million, it is known as the country’s most populous and largest city. Noteworthy for its cool skyscrapers, first-class restaurants, and beautiful city parks, Doha also attracts attention with its desert safari tours. On our Where to Stay in Doha page, you will find the most ideal areas for accommodation in the city and our Doha hotel recommendations.

When compared to its neighbors, Abu Dhabi and Dubai, which are also global tourism hotspots, Doha is a less-known travel destination in the Middle East. However, it has started to gain more interest, especially after the FIFA World Cup in 2022. Capitalizing on this, the city has received more investments and promises visitors a lot with its vibrant economy, cosmopolitan structure, accommodation facilities, high-quality infrastructure, modern architecture, and luxury shopping centers.

One of Doha’s most iconic landmarks is the Museum of Islamic Art, located on the beautiful coastline that stretches along the Gulf. The museum captivates visitors with its architecture before even showing its collection, which includes an impressive array of Islamic art. Another popular attraction in Doha is Souq Waqif, a traditional market that has been restored and now houses many shops, restaurants, and cafes. The market is a great place to experience Qatari culture and traditions and taste samples of local cuisine.

Table of Contents

Where to Stay in Doha: Best Areas

The best areas to stay in Doha, in order, are West Bay, Corniche (Doha Corniche), The Pearl (Pearl Island), and the Diplomatic Area.

💖 Best area for first-time visitors: West Bay
💎 Best luxury hotel: The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort
🏨 Best mid-range hotel: C – Hotel and Suites Doha
💰 Best budget hotel: Hampton By Hilton Doha Old Town

West Bay is known as Doha’s modern and financial center. The area features luxury hotels, high-rise buildings, and offices. You can enjoy many beautiful restaurants, shopping venues, and pleasant times on the beaches along the coast. It offers easy access to other areas.

Corniche is where Doha’s famous 7 km coastline is located. Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art, which are the first things that come to mind when Doha is mentioned, are found here. It is known for its proximity to many tourist attractions.

The Pearl is an artificial island reflecting Doha’s luxurious side. Shopping centers, restaurants, and beaches are located here. Its illuminated and luxurious structure appeals to visitors.

The Diplomatic Area is typically a zone where consulates, ministries, offices, and official institutions are located. It is intertwined with West Bay but stands out with its high-level security, private beaches, and restaurants.

Doha, a modern and dynamic city with a rich cultural heritage and many things to see and do, does not have a large number of areas for accommodation. Divided into a total of 4 popular tourist areas, you can use our list when choosing the best hotels in Doha.

West Bay

Doha’s West Bay district stands out as a modern and rapidly developing area located on the northern coast of Qatar’s capital. The most notable feature of the area, preferred by those visiting Doha for the first time, is its dazzling skyscrapers. Some of these skyscrapers, many of which serve as homes or offices for large international companies, also house hotels.

The West Bay area, also known as Doha’s financial center, is home to numerous corporate headquarters, banks, and financial institutions, as well as some of the city’s most luxurious hotels, high-end shopping centers, and restaurants.

One of the notable landmarks in West Bay is the iconic The Pearl-Qatar, an artificial island featuring luxury residential buildings, upscale retail stores, and numerous restaurants and cafes. This man-made island, which we can translate to Pearl Island in English, was inspired by the Mediterranean. The area has a unique design and offers a magnificent view of the Persian Gulf.

West Bay is also home to the Doha Corniche, a natural stretch of coastline running along the bay that offers stunning views of the city’s skyline. A popular destination for both locals and tourists, you can see numerous parks, restaurants, and cafes along the Corniche.

Where to Stay in Doha West Bay

The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – One of the city’s most luxurious and magnificent hotels, The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort is located right on Katara Beach. The 5-star hotel features an outdoor swimming pool, private beach, large family rooms, parking, a gym, a SPA center, and a restaurant.
Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Offering a spectacular view among the skyscrapers, the Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach promises a pleasant holiday with its 5-star benefits. The hotel, which has a simple yet rich design, includes an outdoor swimming pool, large family rooms, a gym, a restaurant, parking, and a SPA center.
Retaj Al Rayyan ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Offering a wonderful Gulf view close to the sea, Retaj Al Rayyan is the choice for those who want to stay in this luxurious area with a slightly more affordable budget while still receiving quality service. The 4-star facility features an outdoor swimming pool, large family rooms, a restaurant, a SPA center, a gym, and parking.

Corniche

The Corniche, or the Doha Corniche, is a beautiful and pleasant approximately 7-kilometer stretch along the coast of Doha Bay. This is one of the most popular public spaces in Doha, where you can watch the magnificent views of the city and the Persian Gulf.

The Corniche, which features parks, children’s playgrounds, cafes, restaurants, and shops, is an ideal place for those who want to run, cycle, or walk along the coast. You can also visit many public beaches here, including the popular Al Bidda Park Beach and the family-friendly Al Wakra Beach, and enjoy the gulf and the sun by renting umbrellas and sunbeds.

One of the most striking landmarks along the Corniche is the Museum of Islamic Art, a very impressive building that houses one of the world’s largest collections of Islamic art and artifacts. Other important landmarks located on the Corniche include the Sheraton Hotel, Al Fardan Towers, and the Pearl Monument.

Where to Stay in Doha Corniche

Shaza Doha ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Noteworthy for its magnificent building and spacious rooms, Shaza Doha promises visitors a 5-star luxury stay. The facility features an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, a SPA center, a restaurant, and breakfast service. Its spacious rooms, decorated with a blend of modern and classic styles, have all the amenities you need.
C – Hotel and Suites Doha ⭐⭐⭐ – Located a 5-minute walk from the Doha Corniche, C – Hotel and Suites Doha is ideal for those seeking good service on a budget. The 3-star hotel includes an indoor swimming pool, a gym, a restaurant, a bar, free Wi-Fi access, and breakfast service.
Hampton By Hilton Doha Old Town (BUDGET) – Offering pleasant rooms with Gulf views, the Hampton By Hilton Doha Old Town is the choice for those seeking quality at an affordable price. The hotel includes a gym, modernly decorated spacious family rooms, a restaurant, free parking, and breakfast service.

The Pearl

The Pearl, a man-made artificial island located on Doha’s coastline, is noted for its luxury residences, high-end retail stores, restaurants, cafes, and entertainment venues. As the name suggests, this man-made island is designed in the shape of a string of pearls and covers an area of approximately 4 million square meters. The Pearl is divided into areas, each with its own unique style. The most popular among these are Porto Arabia, Viva Bahriya, and Qanat Quartier.

We can call Porto Arabia The Pearl’s main district. It features a magnificent marina, upscale boutique stores, and luxury residences. It is known for its Mediterranean-style architecture and numerous cafes and restaurants offering a wide variety of cuisines from around the world.

Viva Bahriya is a coastal area in The Pearl with luxury residential buildings and a few public beaches. With a calm and relaxed atmosphere, Viva Bahriya is a popular destination for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

Qanat Quartier is a pleasant place in The Pearl with colorful Venetian-style buildings and a network of canals. Known for its charming bridges, narrow streets, and scenic waterways, the district offers a romantic and picturesque setting for both residents and visitors.

Overall, The Pearl is a luxurious and exclusive destination offering a wide range of amenities and attractions for both residents and visitors. If you want to relax on the beach, shop at luxury boutiques, or dine at first-class restaurants, you can choose The Pearl hotels.

Where to Stay in Doha The Pearl

Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – One of the most magnificent facilities on the island, Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl attracts attention with its grand structure. The 5-star resort features swimming pools, a private beach, a SPA center, a gym, entertainment areas, spacious rooms, and breakfast service.
Hilton Doha The Pearl ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – One of the chain hotels on the island, Hilton Doha The Pearl offers visitors 5-star service. Located in a skyscraper, the facility includes an outdoor swimming pool, spacious common areas, a gym, a SPA center, a restaurant, a bar, free Wi-Fi access, and breakfast service.
The St Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl Qatar ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – The Doha branch of the world-famous luxury hotel chain, The St Regis Marsa Arabia Island, The Pearl Qatar, promises visitors a magnificent 5-star stay. This stylish facility, built on a very large area, has spacious rooms, swimming pools, a SPA center, parking, a restaurant, and breakfast service.

Diplomatic Area

As the name suggests, the Diplomatic Area is a district where economic and political relations are conducted in Doha, primarily preferred by those traveling for business.

The Diplomatic Area, which houses many of the city’s skyscrapers and high-end shopping centers and occupies a small space, is located within the West Bay area, which is considered the city’s business district. The area is home to numerous foreign embassies and consulates, as well as international organizations such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Organization for Migration (IOM). The Qatar National Convention Centre, which hosts many high-level international conferences and events throughout the year, is also located here.

In addition to diplomatic and commercial activities, the Doha Diplomatic Area can also be seen as a popular destination for tourists looking to explore the region’s many cultural and historical attractions. For example, the Museum of Islamic Art and the iconic Souq Waqif market, which offers a glimpse into traditional Qatari culture and architecture, are located very close by.

Where to Stay in Doha Diplomatic Area

Aleph Doha Residences, Curio Collection By Hilton – Operating as a serviced apartment hotel, the rooms at Aleph Doha Residences, Curio Collection By Hilton include items such as a dishwasher, microwave, or coffee maker. The hotel also features an indoor swimming pool, a SPA center, a restaurant, parking, a bar, and breakfast service.
Magnum Hotel & Suites West Bay ⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Magnum Hotel & Suites West Bay, with rooms overlooking the Persian Gulf, offers visitors 4-star service. The facility includes an indoor swimming pool, a SPA center, a gym, a restaurant, room service, a bar, and breakfast service.
Dusit Doha Hotel ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Located about a 5-minute walk from the city center, Dusit Doha Hotel operates in a skyscraper. The 5-star facility features an outdoor swimming pool, a gym, a SPA center, a restaurant, free Wi-Fi access, room service, parking, and breakfast service.