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Renovated and restyled, this beachfront high-rise hotel is the perfect blend of business and pleasure

WHERE IS IT? About 30 minutes from Doha’s international airport and within 15 minutes of the city’s major landmarks, this hotel is within West Bay’s glittering high-rise neighborhood. It’s only a short drive to Souq Wasif, the Corniche area and many well-known museums like the National Museum of Qatar. Facing the sea, the hotel does a great job blending facilities for both business and leisure travelers. The hotel is a prime example of how Doha is fast becoming a destination for beach holidays, family fun, city breaks, and arts and culture. And every Four Seasons does a great job appealing to romantic getaways with impressive dining options.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? This 17-story high-rise hotel enjoys beautiful views of the bay. Fresh from a multi-million-dollar renovation, it’s not just what you see from the outside that counts. Welcoming doormen lead you into the elegant lobby, visitors discover a sea of marble, impressive flower arrangements, plush seating areas and a renowned collection of art. Polished chandeliers abound, and a selection of boutiques draws you in further to explore.

ROOM FACILITIES French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon oversaw the redesign of the rooms, which now sport colors inspired by the sand and sea. Light blue, white and beige colors show a modern, yet refined touch, that is a hallmark of the Four Seasons brand. Decorative Arabic motifs like mashrabiya patterns and mother of pearl inlay continue the chic look. For starters, the hotel company’s bespoke bedding is dreamy with a pillowtop mattress, large soft and firm pillows, and cloud-like duvets. On either side of the bed are electronic controls for the drapery and lighting plus power and USB outlets. Large flat-screen TVs face the bed and an armchair or sofa provides lounging space.

Walk-in closets have a full-length mirror, robes, slippers, garment bag and plentiful shelves. The hotel takes pride in the details with things like a cushioned box for jewelry in the safe, a plate of Arabic sweets on the table at arrival, and replenished bottled water morning and night. The bathrooms have walls of mirrors, marble vanities stocked with Christian Lacroix toiletries, stacks of towels and a glass shower stall with rainfall showerhead. A variety of suites is in the mix, too, offering separate living rooms. In many rooms, small Juliet balconies provide entertaining views of the water, the pools and the city.

RESTAURANTS AND BARS Like most hotels in the Middle East, the food and beverage proposition is important and often lures locals as well as guests. Elements is the all-day dining venue, which starts with a beautifully designed buffet of Arabic and international selections served by the staff. Later in the day, the menu shifts to a pan-Asian and Arabic menu with everything from sushi and curry to mezze spreads and kebabs.

The hotel’s most famous restaurant is Nobu, which brings global acclaim to the hotel’s waterfront. A curvaceous pier leads to this famous eatery with indoor and outdoor seating plus a sushi bar. There’s also the Shisha Terrace and a pool grill, both of which serve casual fare with a mix of Mediterranean and Arabic menu items. The tea lounge draws people in for a business breakfast and beautiful tea service later in the day with finger sandwiches, pastries and scones served on multi-tiered stands. Numerous bars, including one with fine whiskeys and cigars and another by the pool and beach, are available at the hotel.

LEISURE FACILITIES The spa is a big draw with its 11 treatment rooms offering services based on Chinese healing practices. Numerous massage and beauty treatments are on the menu including a special menu for kids and teens. The changing areas have whirlpools, sauna, steam room and ice room facilities that guests can use before or after a treatment. Splashing waterfalls create a lovely sound at the multi-tiered swimming pools where the staff set up towels and lounge chairs. They can also set up chairs and umbrellas on the beach, and everyone receives a cooler filled with chilled bottled water. An indoor pool and whirlpool are another option, and the well-equipped fitness center provides the latest workout equipment. A kids club is great for families offering supervised activities including beach and pool time, kite making and other arts and crafts.

BUSINESS AND MEETING FACILITIES Wireless Internet works well throughout the property including on the beach and by the pool. The meeting facilities were also remodeled and are popular with both business and social functions. Indoor capacity is 400 whereas the outdoor lawns and reception space can welcome another 700 people.

VERDICT This is a reliable and renewed favorite in West Bay with top-notch service and beautiful interior design tailored for both a regional and international audience.

PROPERTY HIGHLIGHTS Elegant decor, beachfront pools and eclectic dining

HOW MANY ROOMS? 237 rooms and suites

CONTACT Four Seasons Hotel Doha, The Corniche, P.O. Box 24665, Doha, Qatar, Tel +974 4494 8888, fourseasons.com/doha

Ramsey Qubein is the international editor for Business Traveler magazine and is a regular contributor to many news and travel outlets. As a journalist, he covers hotels, cruises, airlines, and loyalty programs from around the globe. His work has appeared in numerous publications including Conde Nast Traveler, Travel+Leisure, Forbes.com, CNBC.com, AFAR, Robb Report, Readers Digest, BBC Worldwide, USA Today, NerdWallet.com, Frommers.com, and Fodors.com. Ramsey flies more than 450,000 miles per year and has traveled to 166 countries, all seven continents, and 50 U.S. states.

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