48 Hours at The Chedi Katara

DAY 1

15:00 - Dazzled by the sky-high spectacles of downtown Doha on the short drive from Hamad International Airport, you’ll arrive at The Chedi Katara refreshed in soft-leather comfort. Step out of your luxury transfer into a magnificent courtyard lined with colonnaded archways, an architectural masterpiece showcasing classical elements of Ottoman and Mughal architecture. Look up to the onion-domed chhatri roofs on each corner of the courtyard, typical of Indo-Islamic palace architecture, and the detailed façade with its Ottoman flourishes. In the centre, the Tree of Life welcomes all, a towering arboreal sculpture symbolising growth, beauty and strength. As your butler leads the way to your villa, take a moment to notice the pinpoint attention to detail: the intricately carved wooden doors, handwoven rugs and the fine filigree mouldings; all the trapping of a modern-day palace.

15:30 - Check-in formalities complete, take a moment to look around your sumptuous villa, a palatial abode fit for kings and queens, with Ottoman rugs, bespoke furnishings and bathrooms clad in swathes of white marble. Outside, your private garden opens up onto expansive views of the Arabian Gulf. Loungers and lanterns surround your swimming pool, while the undulating landscape of Katara Hills provides perfect privacy. Sooth away your travel fatigue with a few laps in the pool or spend the afternoon curled up on a lounger, basking in the Arabian sunshine.

18:00 - As the shadows begin to grow long, take a slow walk along the 300-metre beach and splash through the warm waters while admiring the hotel’s beachside profile, a palatial façade drawing upon architectural influences from across the region that captures the spirit of Doha, a cultural crossroads and home of heartfelt hospitality. When birds wheel around the golden domes, illuminated by the soft light of setting sun, you know the holiday has really begun.

19:30 - Celebrate your inaugural evening with dinner at La Marsa, the jewel in the culinary crown at The Chedi Katara. Perched on a jetty that rises above the tranquil waters of West Bay, this one-of-a-kind restaurant showcases Mediterranean flavours and Middle Eastern classics, served to the backdrop of The Pearl Doha and the twinkling lights of the downtown Doha skyline. Eight private dining chalets strung along the jetty provide a fabulous setting for private family gatherings or celebrations, each decked out with subtle touches that nod to Doha’s seafaring heritage, with timber beams and sumptuous sofas suspended by ropes. After dinner, consider a shisha on the terrace while admiring the stars, or head back to the villa for a restful night’s slumber.

DAY 2

07:00 - Rise early and prepare for a full day immersed in Arabian culture and heritage. The morning begins in the elegant surrounds of The Restaurant, where Levantine cuisine is fused with the flavours of Asia in a royal banquet fit for lords and ladies, served with a side of sunshine on the outdoor patio or beneath the soaring vaulted ceilings.

09:00 - Set out on foot or buggy to Katara Cultural Village, a short stroll from the hotel. Designed to celebrate the heritage and traditions of Qatar and the wider Arabian Peninsula, this 100-hectare site is home to an incredible collection of galleries, museums, mosques and public art; a cultural beacon where festivals and exhibitions celebrate the region’s rich history and bright future. Don’t miss Katara Mosque, festooned in elaborate Persian and Turkish tile and enamel work in shades of blue and gold by Turkish architect Zeynep Fadillioglu, and the twin pigeon towers next door. You’ll be dazzled by the Gold Mosque, which blazes in the sunshine, and transported back in time at a collection of art galleries including Qatar Museum Gallery and Katara Art Center. Turn your sights to the cosmos and explore the universe at Al Thuraya Planetarium, or indulge in a spot of retail therapy at 21 High Street, a collection of luxury boutiques nestled around an outpost of iconic French department store Galeries Lafayette.

13:00 - Grab a bite to eat at one of the myriad dining options in Katara, showcasing the flavours of the region, then head back to The Chedi Katara via the green expanse of Katara Hills, where walking trails cut through lush greenery overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Take a moment to cool off in the elegant surrounds of your villa, soaking in the sunshine and reflecting on your morning of cultural discovery.

15:00 - Head to The Lobby Lounge for Afternoon Tea in the magnificent surrounds, where original artworks and tapestries celebrating Mughal and Ottoman artistic traditions hang from towering walls below 10-metre-high ceilings. Indulge in a selection of pastries and gourmet snacks accompanied by a selection of teas or mocktails. With space for just 20 guests at a time, this is a refined and exclusive experience enjoyed alongside panoramic ocean views.

16:00 - After a busy morning, treat yourself to an indulgent afternoon in The Spa at The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort, where the healing touch of therapists will calm the mind, revitalise the senses and reinvigorate the spirit. Divided into separate men’s and women’s wellness areas, each with private treatment rooms, hammams and changing facilities, plus a couple’s room connecting the two, the spa reflects the same architectural style as the rest of the hotel, with the added warmth of wooden panelling and candle-lit treatment rooms to put you in the mood for relaxation. Embracing eastern philosophy with Asian inspired rituals, spa treatments are based around the traditional practices of aromatherapy, Ayurveda and herbalism, designed to restore balance and harmony. The two-hour Chedi Hammam Ritual is the ultimate indulgence that starts with a vigorous scrub with eucalyptus scented black soap followed by a body mask of purifying Moroccan geranium-scented rhassoul mud with rose or orange flower water. While the wrap works its magic, enjoy a nourishing hair mask, organic facial cleanse, exfoliation and facial massage, followed by a relaxing body massage using organic argan oil and application of organic day cream for the face. Emerge renewed and radiant as you glide back to the villa.

19:00 - By night, The Restaurant is transformed to a culinary emporium where tastes from across the Middle East and Asia are brought to life in four distinct dining theatres. Delve into the exotic flavours of Arabian cuisine, feast on fine Indian fare, savour aromatic Thai dishes or travel into the heart of Japan with sushi and teppanyaki; plot your own course through this gastronomic journey of flavour. For a change of scenery and moment of reflection, head to The Cigar Lounge and wind down with a selection from the walk-in humidor in the studious wooden surrounds, or take a table outside below a blanket of stars.

DAY 3

09:00 - Treat yourself to a lazy morning as you luxuriate in the villa. Throw open the doors to your master bedroom for direct access to the pool and order breakfast to enjoy al fresco, prepared in your villa kitchen by a Chedi host. When the mood takes you, wander down to The Chedi Pool and get comfortable in one of the private cabanas. A signature attraction across all Chedi resorts around the world, the striking swimming pool spans an enormous 60 metres and maintains a comfortable 28-30 degrees all year round, the perfect temperature for a dip or a few lengths accompanied by spectacular views of the 300-metre shoreline and beach.

12:00 - Maintain your soporific state with a casual lunch at The Beach Restaurant, where the menu is loaded with modern European cuisine and fresh catch of the day cooked to perfection under the Josper grill. Take a seat inside and bask in the bright and airy surrounds below a glass skylight or dine outside beside the 35-metre family pool, a final feast before the journey home.