Qatar: a hotspot for luxury wellness getaways

Located at the InterContinental Doha Beach Spa, La Mar is the city’s best Peruvian restaurant, and features the acclaimed cuisine of celebrity chef Gastón Acurio, including ceviches, fresh seafood and small plates. Make sure to try a signature cocktail, particularly the Pisco Sour, which is a Peruvian speciality.

If you are looking for something a little healthier, Evergreen Organics cafe is 100% vegan and serves juices, kombuchas and colourful plates of food. It is in the Qanat Quartier of the man-made island The Pearl, which has been designed to be reminiscent of Venice, complete with canals and even a mini Rialto Bridge.

Where to stay

The five-star Ritz-Carlton in northern Doha is an oasis in the city, with a private beach, sculpted swimming pool complex and spa. It has 374 luxury rooms with sweeping views over the capital, Asprey toiletries, and decor featuring Tuscan marble and French oak. Its seven restaurants and bars make it the perfect setting to unwind in the evening.

Banana Island

Where to get back to nature

For a little piece of paradise go to Banana Island, which is 20 minutes away from Doha by boat. The up-scale resort has water sports including paddle-boarding, kayaking and, of course, a banana boat.

If you would prefer to chill, however, loungers line its golden sands and a spa is on hand to make sure you leave feeling refreshed. You can visit for the day or stay in one of the country’s only over-water villas, and there are seven restaurants.

If you would prefer to be land-based, head out into Qatar’s vast desert for a sand safari, dune bashing in a 4×4, or fishing at inland sea Khor Al Adaid. Sunrise provides particularly spectacular views.

Qatar’s inland sea Khor Al Adaid

Where to shop

Doha is definitely a rich person’s playground, but you don’t have to have a Cartier budget to enjoy some retail therapy. Souq Waqif is a traditional Middle Eastern market, complete with winding lanes and haggling proprietors.

The market was founded at least a century ago by Bedouins who would sell their goods here, but it was destroyed in a fire in 2003. The restoration has preserved its cultural identity though, and the architecture has been sympathetically designed in Qatari style. Come here for spices, fabrics, souvenirs and shisha, as well as restaurants including the colourful Parisa, which serves Persian food.

Parisa Souq Waqif restaurant

Travel details: how to get there

Qatar Airways flies six times a day from London’s Heathrow and Gatwick direct to Doha’s Hamad International Airport, and onwards to more than 140 destinations globally. Qatar Airways is the only airline to have held the accolade “Skytrax Airline of the Year” title for five years.

For further information and to book a flight, see qatarairways.com. For further information and to plan your holiday in Qatar, visit visitqatar.com.

Article source: https://www.theweek.co.uk/arts-life/travel/957089/qatar-a-hotspot-for-luxury-wellness-getaways