The excitement of the FIFA World Cup may be over but it’s left behind a whole host of exciting new venues to be enjoyed. From hotels to beach clubs, entertainment venues to theme parks. We take a look at some of the new offerings and a few that are still to come.

ENTERTAINMENT

Al Maha Island
Al Maha Island features six new high-end restaurants including Zuma, LPM, Billionaire and Carbone, as well as other eateries and attractions such as Nammos Qatar beach club and Lusail Winter Wonderland. The island also features Al Maha Drive, a unique driveway experience reserved solely for supercars and classic cars.

Lusail Winter Wonderland
In contrast to the icy cold temperatures that greet visitors at the famous London Hyde Park location, visitors to Lusail Winter Wonderland can relax on the beach in the sun while enjoying festive games, rides, live entertainment and delicious food and drink. Running through till the end of April, Lusail Winter Wonderland brings winter magic to the Middle East.

Lusail Boulevard
Located in the heart of Lusail, this dynamic and diverse shopping, commercial and residential area is set to become the ChampsÉlysées of the Middle East, with the open-air, climate-controlled boulevard offering a vast range of experiences.

Qetaifan Island North
Conceived as an entertainment hub, Qetaifan Island North will feature luxurious hotels, beach clubs, gardens, pedestrian-friendly streets, distinct neighbourhoods and a waterpark with 36 rides that’s set to open in 2023. Guests will experience an adrenaline rush at ‘The Icon Tower’ zone in the waterpark, which features an 85-metre-high slide set to become the highest in the world.

Corinthia Yacht Club
Located on the glittering waters of Porto Arabia at The PearlQatar, the architecture of this stunning building is designed to echo the billowing sails of traditional Qatari dhows. The private club offers exclusive membership for yacht owners and residents by invitation only.

West Walk
Located in the heart of Al Waab, West Walk is Doha’s latest urban lifestyle community. Tailored to the needs of modern living it fuses residential, retail and leisure spaces to provide the perfect live-work-play experience. West Walk also features a one-of-a-kind pedestrian promenade with innovative outdoor cooling technology.

BEACHES

West Bay North Beach Project
The run-up to the World Cup saw the highly anticipated launch of Qatar Tourism’s West Bay North Beach Project, with the initial launch comprising three new beaches in the heart of Doha: West Bay Beach – an affordable public beach where diverse amenities include a food court, fan zone and beach volleyball court; B12 Beach Club Doha – a family-friendly beach club with a breadth of amenities including 600 sun loungers, a restaurant, retail shops and a children’s playground; and DOHASANDS Beach Club – a stylish club featuring a buzzing concert stage, quick-service food and beverage outlets, retail offerings and 1,000 sun loungers for visitors.

974 Beach Club
Located next to the iconic 974 Stadium, this beach club features a five-star beachside experience: think private bungalows, water-based activities, beach sports, luxury retail outlets, food and beverage kiosks, a big screen, DJ sets and other cultural activities.

Makani Beach Club
Opened last October, The Four Seasons Hotel Doha’s lively seafront lounge brings Southern Mediterranean elegance in a chilled setting overlooking the Arabian Gulf. Club-goers can expect light bites, ocean views and DJ entertainment.

HOTELS AND RESORTS

Fuwairit Kite Beach
Fuwairit Kite Beach is nestled along a natural lagoon an easy hour drive north of Doha. With excellent kitesurfing conditions, the state-of-the-art resort has found a perfect home thanks to the consistent winds, ideal ocean conditions and powder-soft sands.

The St. Regis Marsa Arabia Island
This exclusive island getaway in the heart of Porto Arabia opened in October offering bespoke services and exquisite culinary offerings on a Mediterranean-styled island.

Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha
Rixos Gulf Hotel Doha has inherited a location with a prestigious history; since 1973 and until now, the site was home to the landmark Gulf Hotel. The building has undergone a grand refurbishment to accommodate this new all-inclusive venture by Rixos Hotels, in partnership with Accor and Katara Hospitality, which houses 350 rooms and suites and seven dining outlets.

The Outpost Al Barari
The first of its kind accommodation in Qatar, The Outpost Al Barari is situated in the stunning Inland Sea nature reserve and is surrounded by soaring sand dunes and desert wilderness. The resort offers 21 luxury lodges with private pools that will integrate close-to-nature experiences, sustainability and luxury hospitality.

Rixos Qetaifan Island North Doha
This resort will surround the island’s main attraction: a state-ofthe-art waterpark. A traditional Turkish hammam and luxurious treatment rooms will also be on offer, alongside an exclusive sports club for active travellers and the Rixy Kids Club to keep every child entertained.

Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay
Currently in the final phases of construction, this hotel will be situated in the heart of the capital’s Diplomatic Area. The 44-story tower will boast art-deco inspired rooms, an indoor, rooftop pool and extensive culinary options created by Michelinstarred chefs.

Waldorf Astoria Doha Lusail
The sprawling resort is located in the heart of Lusail and boasts a pristine private sand beach. It offers a selection of fun activities for both adults and children, from water slides to surfing, alongside 461 rooms, a fitness centre, spa and offices.

The Ned Doha
One of London and New York’s most exclusive hotels and private members’ clubs, The Ned Doha is set inside the former Ministry of Interior building along the Doha Corniche, it’s home to 90 rooms and 12 suites, seven restaurants, a gym, spa and 30-metre outdoor pool.

The Chedi Katara Hotel & Resort
Nestled in the heart of Katara Cultural Village and surrounded by lavish gardens, this property features luxury rooms and 32 regal villas – all designed with an elegant blend of Mughal and Ottoman aesthetic.

Raffles Doha and Fairmont Doha
These two luxury hotels face one another in two grand towers, which combine to represent the two scimitar swords on Qatar’s national seal. Fairmont Doha is inspired by mega-yacht design and a soaring lobby housing the world’s tallest chandelier, whereas Raffles Doha is a suite-only property with a legendary butler service.

Rosewood Doha
Located in two stunning towers inspired by Qatar’s coral reefs, Rosewood Doha and Rosewood Residences Doha consist of a luxury hotel, apartments, spa and state-of-the-art fitness centre.

Katara Hills LXR Hotels
Inspired by Scandinavian architectural style and created with environment-friendly materials, 15 luxury villas offer a private and peaceful escape from the city in the green paradise of Katara Hills.

This unprecedented year of development represents a major milestone in Qatar’s emergence as a tourist destination, with the country seeking to welcome six million visitors a year by 2030. Chief Operating Officer of Qatar Tourism, Berthold Trenkel, said: “2022 was an extraordinary year in Qatar with so many major new hotel and tourism openings. From shopping malls to beach clubs, museums to theme parks, there are now activities and experiences in Qatar for every type of traveller, from every nation and to suit every budget.” ✤