With the gentle autumnal temperatures embracing Doha, allow your compass to point you towards a setting where the Qatari desert looms large to the west and the iridescent waters of the Arabian Gulf, shimmer to the east. Sitting on the cusp of the Katara Cultural Village, this is where traditional Arabian hospitality meets modern opulence that sprawls over some 66,000 square metres. Welcome to The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort.
Greeting guests with a magnificent courtyard lined with colonnaded archways, onion-domed chhatri roofs and the Tree of Life, a towering arboreal sculpture symbolising growth, beauty and strength, the property blends Mughal, Ottoman and Indian designs seamlessly into what can feel like an exquisite art exhibition.
Take your pick from 59 lavishly appointed rooms and suites. In the Katara Suite, you will find a veritable private residence, replete with a 42 square-metre balcony, yielding vistas of the Arabian Sea. Or for something more eye-catching, place yourself in the aptly named Pearl Suite, where a palatial experience is found at every turn. Home to magnificent textiles and refined designs, it’s all up to you whether you luxuriate in the living room, dining room, bedroom or upon the vast terrace that showcases views that stretch out towards the tall towers of Doha.
When nothing less that everything will do, check into one of the 32 pulchritudinous villas. Truly fit for a king or queen, each abode promises the utmost in exclusivity and luxury with its Ottoman rugs, bespoke furnishings and bathrooms clad in swathes of white marble. Inviting guests to surround themselves with tranquillity, head outside to your own lush garden, where you can curl up on a lounger underneath the Arabian sunshine or go for a refreshing dip and set of laps in the private swimming pool. The Royal Villas offer the ultimate experience in high living with five bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, an outdoor lounge, private pool and spa.
When you decide to leave behind your blissful, temporary home’s surroundings, the five-star property is home to a plethora of wonderful indulgences. For gastronomes, begin your day at The Restaurant where you can sample Arabic, Indian and Japanese for breakfast, before enjoying a light seafood lunch at the relaxed, al fresco venue, The Beach Restaurant. A spot of afternoon tea can be savoured at The Lobby Lounge but for a dining experience to remember, make an appointment for the overwater La Marsa.
The Spa at The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort is where guests can ease mind, body and soul as expert therapists combine Asian-inspired rituals with Eastern philosophies to soothe away any stress and tension. And as day turns to night, enjoy a stroll along the 300-metre beach, allowing the warm waters of the Arabian Gulf to splash against your feet. It is here where you can capture the magnificence of the hotel’s palatial façade in the evening twilight.
Book The Chedi Katara Advance Purchase package a month before your arrival and you will be gifted up to 20 per cent off your stay as well as daily breakfast in The Restaurant and complimentary snacks and beverages from the minibar.
