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Mandarin Oriental Doha, Qatar

BACKGROUND Doha is reopening, but only to vaccinated travellers, and that means some bureaucracy. Travellers must complete permits online before travelling and buy a local sim card on arrival to ensure they have the green pass app required to access all public spaces. It’s not a destination to travel to without thorough preparation. The hotel is situated in Msheireb Downtown Doha, a new district where a plethora of new low-rise hotels, shops, museums and more are opening as the city prepares to host the 2022 World Cup. It overlooks Barahat Msheireb, a beautifully designed climatecontrolled town square.

WHAT’S IT LIKE? Stylish and elegant, the hotel is designed with signature MO features, blended with Qatari touches such as the traditional carved wood lattice work known as mashrabiya. Oud scents fill public areas in a nod to the hotel’s location.

WHERE IS IT? Near to Souq Waqif and just 20 minutes away from the airport, so it is convenient for business and leisure. The iconic Museum of Islamic Art is a short walk from the property.

ROOMS There are 250 guest rooms, of which 91 are apartment-style residences. I stayed in the 70 sqm Studio Suite with a glorious outdoor terrace and luxurious finishings; beautiful marble and gold features, dotted with elements of traditional Qatari or more broadly, Khaleeji design. The workspace and lounge area were grand and there was a guest bathroom in addition to the en-suite. A vast walk-in wardrobe space and a huge double bathroom made this a home away from home. I loved eco-aware touches such as reusable glass water bottles and toiletries sourced from natural materials, including wooden toothbrushes in a bid to minimise single use plastics. There’s also MO Club, an exclusive venue o ering bespoke privileges and experiences for guests staying in Club Deluxe Rooms or Club Studio Suites. The MO Club Lounge serves complimentary breakfast, all-day refreshments, evening cocktails and more.

FOOD AND DRINK The hotel has become one of the city’s most desirable dining destinations, featuring a great selection of restaurants and lounges that appeal to local foodies. From Chinese to French/Mediterranean, gelato to tea lounges, there is something for everyone. The signature MO afternoon tea at the Mandarin Lounge is served from 2-6pm.

BUSINESS A range of meeting, conference and event venues include a ballroom, plus a business centre that can be hired for VIP groups of up to 16 people.

LEISURE A well-equipped gym plus a ladies-only gym and two hotel pools with stunning city views. The 3,030 sqm spa is spectacularly luxurious and there is a hair and beauty salon and men’s grooming lounge to make sure you look your best.

VERDICT This is an outstanding property in every way, where every guest is treated with care and attention. MO Doha excels on service, with sta paying attention to every detail and going out of their way to assist with anything and everything, from booking Uber rides to PCR testing. Melanie SwanBEST FOR Service

DON’T MISS MO Club

PRICE From US$517

CONTACT +974 4008 8888; modohreservations@mohg.com; mandarinoriental.com

This is an outstanding property in every way, where every guest is treated with care and attention

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