Qatar

Clara Holleman
Apr 21, 2020
2 min read

Overall, the vibe is modern architecture and Miami glitz in a traditional Middle Eastern setting. Probably what Dubai was like 15 years ago, so it’s a better bargain!

Where I went:

Doha (Mondrian Hotel, Hilton Hotel, and Banana Island)

Desert Glamping Safari near the Saudi border

The Mondrian Hotel had a contemporary style, stunning rooftop pool and dance club (Soulja Boy performed there the night after we checked out), and high-end restaurants by Morimoto and Wolfgang Puck. Perfect for jaw-dropping photos but a little out of the way for sightseeing.

The Hilton Hotel was centrally located in the diplomatic area, next door to the Four Seasons. It had a waterfront pool, so it was a great place to work on my tan.

Banana Island is an all-inclusive resort, with just about every amenity under the sun. If you don’t want to stay for the night, I recommend a day pass (which is what we did).

And, finally, we indulged in a desert glamping safari.

What I wore:

It was all about desert chic! For this trip, I splurged on some designer clothes that I ordered on-line from Revolve and mixed it in with some of my basics for a high/low look. Since Qatar is a Muslim country, I kept it modest when I wasn’t at the hotel. And I gave my blazer and cardigan a workout. Even though it was hot during the day, the desert climate is cool at night.

What I did:

The adventurer in me enjoyed desert dune bashing, quad bikes, and beach resort activities (including the basketball game that resulted in a trip to the hospital).

Qatar also hosts a lot of sporting events (tennis championships, 2022 FIFA World Cup) so it’s a great place to buy last minute tickets to local events.

The fashionista in me enjoyed the glam of the Mondrian and Banana Island Resort. Super fun to dress up and have fruity drinks poolside!

And the artist in me loved the architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art, which was designed by I.M. Pei, and the nearby souks.

What I ate/drank:

I ate baby camel—enough said. Actually, I love Middle Eastern food, so everything I ate was healthy and delicious. Qatar is a Muslim country, but the legal drinking age for non-Muslims is 21.

Social media musts:

Doha was built for social media! Between the architecture of the Museum of Islamic Art, the dramatic desert glamping, and the abundance of chic 5-star hotels, you can’t go wrong!