The best hotels in Doha, Qatar

One of the richest cities in the world, Doha has long been associated with luxury and the finer things in life. With a growing stream of tourists and an appetite for opulence, major brands are clamouring to get a foothold in the city. These hotels in Doha are setting very high standards for lavish hospitality.

Mandarin Oriental

Featuring an outdoor swimming pool and fitness centre, Mandarin Oriental, Doha is located in the centre of Msheireb Downtown Doha. With a terrace, the property also has a bar. The in-house restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine. The rooms are equipped with air conditioning, a flat-screen TV with satellite channels, a coffee machine, a bath, free toiletries and a desk. The rooms are fitted with a kettle and a private bathroom with a shower and a hair dryer, while certain rooms include a kitchen. The units feature a seating area.

Guests at the hotel can enjoy a buffet or an American breakfast. Mandarin Oriental, Doha offers a range of wellness facilities including a hot tub, a sauna and an indoor pool. Staff at the 24-hour front desk can provide tips on the area. Souq Waqif is 1.6 km from the accommodation and the business district is also close by. Hamad International Airport is 14.5 km away.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Doha

A recent design-driven makeover has given this prestigious hotel a new lease of life. Rooms have been painstakingly refurbished with a fresh, contemporary feel, complete with plush new furnishings and marbled bathrooms. The hotel’s array of restaurants has also been amped up thanks to the opening of cult steakhouse STK Doha and a new, casual French brasserie, Sel & Miel.

Once considered to be on the edge of Doha in West Bay Lagoon, the hotel is now closer than ever to the heart of things, thanks to a new road network and a growing city. The spa is without a doubt one of the most popular in Doha, and houses an indoor pool and two tennis courts. Lounge lizards will love the tropically inspired pool area, which comes with cool towels and poolside food service.

InterContinental Doha

A grand landmark hotel, InterContinental Doha combines heritage and luxury with contemporary comfort. Located in the prestigious West Bay area, overlooking the blue waters of the Arabian Gulf, the hotel boasts the largest free-form swimming pool and longest private beach in the city. It is conveniently located within 10 minutes of the major central business district, the diplomatic area, the centre of the city and Doha Golf Club. Doha International Airport is only a 25 minute drive. It is ideally situated for both business and leisure travelers. This delightful hotel provides a warm Qatari welcome. Many of the spacious guest rooms enjoy outstanding sea views, and all offer broadband internet access.

The hotel is equipped to host business meetings social gatherings with 4 flexible function rooms and a grand ballroom that accommodates up to 700 guests. There are 6 restaurants and bars serving international cuisine alongside Italian, Middle Eastern, Tex-Mex and Seafood specialties. The outstanding recreational facilities include a 24 hour gym, tennis, squash, swimming pools and massage treatments. A Sailing Centre is available for boat hire.

Sheraton Grand Doha

It is hard to miss the Sheraton Grand Doha, it is the huge pyramid-shaped building on the Corniche. Built for the 1980 GCC summit (at a reported cost of $100 million), it has now become a much-loved part of Qatar’s landscape and history. The opulent lobby with its gold dome is a place to socialise and sample the legendary dessert umm ali (bread pudding). The hotel recently refurbished all its split-level rooms, which boast sea or city skyline views.

The Sheraton has an eclectic mix of restaurants and bars, from the city’s first Irish pub to authentic Middle Eastern cuisine. Salt Bae, who became a viral-video sensation in 2017 for the distinctive way he sprinkles salt onto meat, has opened a restaurant here. A private beach and standalone fitness club with indoor tennis and squash courts will keep health-conscious visitors occupied.

La Cigale Hotel

Experience five-star accommodation and a superb level of personal service in the heart of Doha, Qatar at La Cigale Hotel. Behind its polished 20-story facade, this striking high-design hotel offers a stylish yet relaxing haven where business travellers can escape the city’s hectic pace.

Enjoy a finely crafted mix of comfort and luxury at La Cigale Hotel. Exceptionally appointed Deluxe and Premium Rooms are a welcome and relaxing respite from the non-stop energy of Doha. In perfect balance with the customary travel luxuries, each hotel room affords a host of signature surprises, including La Cigale homemade chocolates and mineral water, designer Acqua Di Parma bath amenities, and high-speed Internet. To fully personalize your sleep experience, La Cigale features goose-down duvets, plush mattresses and heavenly pads, and a dedicated Pillow Menu with 15 types of pillows.

See more: The must-visit museums in Doha, Qatar

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Top 5 markets in Osaka, Japan

Osaka is a city filled with marketplaces – from shopping arcades to flea markets. They are open all year round, giving you a chance to explore some good finds from local shops, fresh food and a range of quirky souvenirs. If you’re in Osaka, be sure to visit some of these markets on your journey.

Shintennoji Temple Market

Antique flea market in an idyllic setting The Shintenno-ji Temple is officially the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan and was built by Prince Shōtoku in 593 A.D. The temple hosts an antique market on the 21st and 22nd of every month. Around 100 sale tents are erected, offering goods from handbags, pottery and handicrafts all for incredibly low prices. Among the craft stores are food stalls serving delicious, warm local street food with authentic tastes. Admission to both the market and temple is free, so be sure to check out this beautiful sight.

Kuromon Ichiba

Fresh local food market The Kuromon Ichibamarket, previously known as the Emmeiji market, is named after the black gate, which is situated north-east of the Emmeiji temple. The market is close to 600 meters long with 170 shops. The vast majority of shops specialize in the most fresh and best quality meat, vegetables, eggs and other ingredients used around the country. Most of the sales are made to businesses and professional chefs, but Kuromon Ichiba also caters to the public. Established for over 170 years, everyone has been drawn in by the taste, freshness and range of products.

Shinsaibashi-suji

Shinsaibashi-suji is one of Osaka’s most popular shopping districts and like many places in Osaka, gets its name from the many bridges that are built around it. The street is home to hundreds of shops and restaurants, including well-known foreign brands such as Zara, H&M, Bershka and Forever 21. The shopping arcade ends at Dōtonbori Bridge and the famous neon lights of the Glico running man and the giant crab. Even if you aren’t in the mood for shopping, the area has a lot to offer on insight into the local fashion and food.

Sennichimae Doguya-Suji

Famous shopping area Sennichimae Doguya-Suji is a well-known shopping arcade in Osaka. Within it is the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living, where you can dress in a kimono and experience a village in the Edo period. Many shops in the arcade sell famous Japanese snacks, from the huge variety of Kitkat flavors to the Glico brand. They sell souvenirs at a cheaper price than most tourist locations too. The arcade is also renowned for its sushi and you can get an assorted plate for just 500 yen, but there will be a queue.

Korea Town Osaka

Situated near Namba, Korea Town is the dwelling and working place for many Koreans. The town has been developed with local Korean shops selling food, daily goods and even Korean-style clothing. The restaurants are mainly of the Yakiniku style, which is a cuisine of grilled meat over charcoal. The town has only been around for about 15 years and welcomes visitors and newcomers to come along and try the incredibly tasty foods and Korean cuisine.

See more: Where to visit in Changwon, the city of art

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Top Pattaya’s beaches to discover in 2020

If you too want to experience the true essence of Pattaya, you need to lose yourself in its untouched nature and lovely beaches. And so, to help you with it, here are some of the best beaches in Pattaya. Have a look!

Jomtien Beach

Located just south of Pattaya's city center, Jomtien Beach has a lot going for it. It is quiet enough that you will not feel like you are at a party, but there still plenty of things happening. Bordered by glistening condo towers where expats and wealthy Thais alike make their coastal homes, Jomtien is a bit cosmopolitan compared to some of the other beaches, though there is plenty of Thai flavor here, literally, thanks to all the street food stalls on the main road.

Koh Larn

Koh Larn, or Coral Island, has much more in common with the famous southern Thailand beaches than with other beaches in Pattaya. It is a little slice of paradise nestled away from a city which can at times feel like anything but. Perfect for a romantic getaway, the coral from which its name derives can be enjoyed through snorkeling or taking a glass bottom boat, and the clean, transparent water surrounding the beach should make for good visibility.

Wong Amat Beach

Wong Amat, located next to northern Pattaya Beach, is one of the cleanest and the best beaches in Pattaya. It is mostly visited by families and you can see kids playing with sands and families engrossed in day picnic on the beach. With spectacular view of azure sea, the beach has many luxury sea-facing hotels and restaurants for travelers.

Bang Saray Beach

Located the farthest south among all the beaches on this list, Bang Saray also feels the most isolated. This is perfect if you are looking for some R&R and do not want to be stimulated, intellectually or otherwise. However, you can make the journey all this way worth it by visiting the nearby Ramayana Water Park, or stopping at Pattaya Dolphin World en route.

Naklua Beach

Naklua means ‘salt field’ in local language. Surrounded by fishing habitat, Naklua Beach is located in the northern part of Pattaya. It is popular for fishing boat rentals, surfing, and swimming, a few things that make it one of the best beaches of Pattaya. Chilling out under the sun in sun loungers at the outdoor shacks is a popular thing to do here. The beach shore is gradually becoming a little crowded with some five-star hotel chains establishing their resorts and hotels on the beach.

Pattaya Beach

There is no better place to start than the most popular and most lively beach in the city – Pattaya beach. At four kilometers long, this crescent-shaped beach has plenty of space for visitors and it needs it too, with plenty of people descending upon it to take advantage of the blazing sun and warm weather.

There is more than sunbathing on offer though. Parasailing, jet skiing and the classic banana boat are all available for you to enjoy, as well as beachside shacks that can prepare your favourite Thai dish should you get peckish. It is also home to some great parties at night, if that is your cup of tea.

Dongtan Beach

Located north of Jomtien Beach, Dongtan is the quietest beach in Pattaya city. It is about 1.5 km long strip of golden sand backed by palm trees. This scenic beach is perfect for swimming, sailing, and fishing. Dongtan is also famous for watersports like jet skiing and banana boating and has several Thai body massage parlors on the shore. There is a special gay section on the beach itself. The otherwise serene beach gets busy in the afternoon during weekends.

See more: A guide to Pattaya's nightlife

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