Restore your senses and unwind at the InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa. Bianca Apps spent a relaxing weekend at the award-winning hotel.
The InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa is located on the golden sandy shores of Doha, with more than 300 rooms and expansive and impressive amenities. It’s the perfect destination for a holiday or weekend getaway. The beach and pool area transports you away from the hustle and bustle of everyday city life into a relaxing mindset and has a wonderful holiday vibe.
This hotel has been an icon in Qatar for more than two decades and celebrates its 22nd anniversary in November. We were excited to take a few days off and unwind at the famous beachfront hotel. The InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa experience begins as soon as you enter the glamorous lobby. The property’s interior design sets the tone with cool blue and gold accents throughout the entrance. Its design is stylish and well-balanced, with chic chandeliers and a large display of colourful flowers.
The reception staff greeted us with beaming smiles and extensive knowledge about what services the hotel could provide for us. They recommended different dining options and local attractions, really putting in the effort to ensure that our stay was delightful.
Much to our delight, the staff informed us that they were offering us a Club room. This included access to their very impressive mezzanine Club Lounge with a bar, dining room, library area, business centre, meeting room facilities and a stunning balcony. The facilities and service in this club lounge rival the best I have stayed at in the world and are a true testimony to the hotel’s overall standard of excellence. The dining room hosted a fantastic buffet breakfast, evening refreshments and canapés.
We were also surprised by the complimentary options for their guests, like garment pressing, private board room use and what could only be described as a decadent high tea every afternoon. This surprise at check-in truly got our staycation off to a great start and made us eager to see what else the hotel had in store for us.
The concierge was promptly beside us as soon as we had concluded the swift check-in process, ready to take our bags to our room. As we walked into the room, we instantly noticed the lovely large windows showcasing the beautiful sight of Doha’s skyline and the hotel’s substantial grounds, beach, pool and sea. The view was like a piece of art, with the sunshine providing an uplifting brightness and calming vibe. The room was spacious with a sleek yet cosy feel, invoking a homely sensation whilst remaining in ultimate luxury. While I enjoy a bright and airy room during the day, I appreciate dimmable lighting and high-quality curtains. I do enjoy the yearround sunshine of Qatar, but it’s nice to be able to have a dark room when you want to sleep in. The hotel met those needs with high-quality black-out curtains and a high-tech lighting system – all controlled by multiple easy-to-use panels throughout the room, including the bed.
The view was perfect for waking up after a sound sleep in the incredibly comfortable bed. The bathroom was luxurious, and I was thrilled and surprised by such a large, deep tub. If you’ve arrived after travelling on a long trip or even if you are staying for the weekend, having the option of a shower and a bath is glorious!
The room’s beauty and comfort are matched by the hotel’s wide range of features and amenities. The gym, pool, tennis courts and other facilities are perfect for everyone and the dining options are equally exceptional. After dining at several of their other outlets, I found Paloma to be a true gem. Returning to Qatar’s dining scene recently, Paloma serves elevated Mexican cuisine that will delight your taste buds. Fresh, delectable Mexican favourites are on offer, with the Lamb Shank being one of the most well-rounded dishes on their menu. The star of the night was undoubtedly the churros! Crispy, light and the perfect end to a scrumptious and satisfying meal.
The spa, amenities and staff were incredible, but the hotel’s highlights were the dining options and food quality. With 14 outlets on the property, everyone is catered for, and their main restaurant, Coral, hosts themed nights such as Seafood Night. Simply put, Coral was outstanding. Their breakfast was abundant, with a colossal range of spectacular international options. The chefs were happy to make any egg dish to order, and the staff were ready to make as much delicious coffee as your heart desired.
Everything we tasted was perfect, including some of the fluffiest pancakes I have ever had and, as a lover of pancakes, I have tried a lot! The extensive buffet features Arabic, European and Asian options, with a whole section of the buffet dedicated to metres of European pastries! With a colourful selection of fruit and salads from around the world, there is something for everyone. The large selection of fresh juices was refreshing and tasty, and the flavours were changed every morning. I was surprised to see that there were not only favourites like plain warmed oats but alongside the aromatic pot of creamy porridge was an comprehensive display of around 20 different toppings – options such as dried kiwi, roasted maple walnuts and slivered almonds for extra zest.
As we moved down the buffet, we discovered one of our favourite breakfast dishes, foul medames, with all the necessary trimmings. The breakfast buffet at Coral was really spot on for us and I was excited to wake up the next day knowing what was waiting for me! Although very full and satisfied after the impressive breakfast, as the afternoon rolled around and I watched the sun start to set, I decided to indulge in a bath and some room service. I had looked at the digital menu on the hotel room’s giant TV screen and was intrigued by the multiple options. The room service menu was comprehensive, diverse and well-priced, making the choices perfect for all guests. I ordered the burger and dynamite shrimp and was blown away by the quality of the food. The burger was tender, juicy and genuinely delicious. The portions were very generous and both items were rich in flavour.
The next day, we organised our transportation with the concierge, who was efficient and helpful. He suggested we take some time to try one of their signature massages at the Spa InterContinental, located on the hotel’s ground floor. Well, we took his advice and were glad we did! On our second day, after indulging in the decadent breakfast at Coral and lounging by the magnificent resort pool, we wandered downstairs to try one of their signature massages.
This spa experience was unlike any other. We were welcomed with warmed robes, fragrant ginger tea and heartfelt smiles from the friendly staff. The spa’s ambience was superb; sparkling chandeliers, the sound of trickling water and the soft and calming music set the mood for what could only be defined as a heavenly massage. My therapist led me into a softly lit room where I was treated to the signature massage where for 60 minutes, I was immersed in pure serenity. The therapist was a talented masseuse and provided a relaxing and healing treatment while ensuring I was comfortable and happy. After my massage, I concluded my treatment using the spa’s incredible facilities.
I was amazed by the extensive list of amenities the spa had to offer – a sauna, steam room and hot tub in the comfort of the hotel. They lived up to the hotel’s five-star rating and provided that extra level of luxury I had quickly come to expect of the InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa.
All in all, our mini holiday at this wonderful hotel was truly invigorating. We had an amazing experience from the moment we entered to the time we had to say goodbye. The InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa provided the perfect escape. There is no doubt that we will be staying at this Doha gem again very soon!
For more information or to make a reservation,
please call InterContinental Doha Beach & Spa on 4484 4444.
@intercontinentaldoha