Qatar: the Land of Sun, Sea and Sand…Just Not In The Way You Think
Qatar is a new country. Independent only since the seventies, the country is now a thriving hub of culture and opportunity, buzzing with new traditions. One of those new traditions is the annual Shop Qatar festival, which attracts visitors from all over the region with its fabulous range of offers and events, from fashion shows and workshops to concerts and other cultural performances. This year I was invited to see the sights and indulge in everything on offer which, as a fashion enthusiast, was right up my street. I quickly discovered that Qatar has a lot more to offer than I ever expected.
Stay & Play
What’s great about the way that Qatar has developed is the manner in which the capital, Doha, has been planned so meticulously to enable access to so many cultural hotspots within easy reach of each other. Our stay started at the glamorous St Regis Hotel which, I have to say, is one of the best hotels I’ve ever stayed in. With a private beach, a sprawling pool, spacious rooms and a well-stocked bar, it’s a haven for visitors to the city.
I do have a warning about the service, however. In that, it’s so good that you might just get too used to having your own personal butler do your ironing for you (yes, really) and that could make for a terribly disappointing reality check when you return home. The food is excellent and truly caters to global tastes. I overindulged in the fresh seafood buffet and returned with a huge debt to the gym. Meanwhile, the stylish Vintage Bar offers a late night happy hour featuring classic cocktails like Negronis and Old Fashioned tipples. Refreshingly, for the Middle East, you’ll find Qatar’s attitude to alcohol reasonably relaxed if you’re a foreigner. Visitors will find most good hotel bars and restaurants offer a variety of options.
The St Regis really knows how to look after its guests and was very accommodating when I asked for my room to be changed from the side that faces the pool and night club (a bit loud at times!) to the side facing Katara Cultural Village (a much nicer view in my opinion anyway).
Speaking of which, Katara Cultural Village is a must-see. A picturesque spot a stone’s throw from the St Regis, Katara is a beacon of art, culture and history. Home to a number of galleries, workshops and performance spaces, the village is centred round a huge amphitheatre that opens onto a sunny promenade and, beyond that, a beautiful private beach. 
Promoting the cultural richness and history of Qatar is very important to the community there, which is clear from the many festivals, craft boutiques and exhibitions hosted by the village. 
It’s a great place to spend an afternoon and take a meal. Our vote goes to Saffron Lounge, an Indian restaurant developed with internationally-renowned Michelin Star Chef Vineet Bhatia. Its elegant, warm ambience, fragrant food and traditional teas are a feast for the senses. The staff may also let you try on an abaya from one of its resident fashion designers, which makes for an additional treat!
If you have more time in Doha, it’s definitely worth visiting the Museum of Islamic Art, which houses over fourteen centuries of art and artefacts from throughout the Muslim world. 
Here you’ll find some of the best examples of Arabic calligraphy, ornate jewellery and decorative crafts like textiles and ceramics. The museum is also set upon a brightly lit terrace with stunning views across the Doha skyline amid a display of dancing fountains.
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If you’re a true culture vulture, then be sure to also pay a visit to Msheireb Museums. Formed of four historic heritage houses in Downtown Doha, the collective provides an induction into Qatar’s economic history, with an overview of some of the key industries, like pearl diving, that helped establish the country. I found the Qatar Slavery Museum particularly confronting, and admired its acknowledgment of the role of slavery in Qatar’s founding history, as well as its exploration of modern slavery in various forms. Surprisingly touching and educational, it serves an important purpose in promoting awareness and activism against the evils of slavery.
Shop ‘Til You Drop
Of course, the primary purpose of my trip to Qatar was to immerse myself in all the fun of the shopping festival! With a host of world-class shopping malls, Qatar is a fashionista’s shopping dream. From Mango to Michael Kors, Qatar’s modern malls have every brand under the sun. It’s a great place for discovering new brands as Qatar has really recruited the best retailers from all over the world to set up shop in its sprawling shopping destinations.
The biggest and best of them is the Mall of Qatar, offering 500 international stores, among other immersive attractions. The central atrium is a thrilling space with laser projections, animated water features and indoor tree structures. Entertainment is provided by MOQ Live, with the world’s first in-house theatre crew based in a mall. Good for families, the Mall of Qatar has plenty to keep the kids entertained to give mum and dad a well-earned break! Do however be sure to check opening times, especially at weekends, as all shops cease trading during prayer time.
I can promise you’ll never get through the whole mall without needing some time-out for refreshments. Better yet, book ahead with Sazeli, the world-renowned Turkish restaurant. For light bites, you can head up to the lounge and terrace for some much-needed R&R. The Turkish-style mint lemonade is the perfect tonic for weather-worn shoppers. 
If you’re after a proper meal, then Sazeli imports the best of Turkish charcuterie, with a succulent array of mixed grilled meats. What’s more, in keeping with the entertainment theme of the mall, Sazeli’s chefs put on a stunning display of table-top theatre, complete with pyrotechnics as they prepare your meal!
Sun, Sea & Sand
Believe it or not, Qatar is not all mod design and glass skyscrapers. For me, heading out of the capital Doha, and across the sand dunes on a “Desert Safari”, was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip.
Organised by Qatar International Adventures, this excursion is must-do for thrill-seekers looking for something a little different. In a convoy of jeeps, we sped over the dunes, racing uphill and downhill, sometimes backwards, sometimes sideways. There were times when I genuinely thought we would roll over, but our expert drivers were in full control at all times and I spent much of the experience screaming with excitement.
Following the rolling dunes of the desert, we were taken to Khor Al Adaid, also known as the Inland Sea, which is one of the most extraordinary, breath-taking sights I’ve ever encountered. Located 60km south-east of the capital, Khor Al Adaid is a UNESCO-recognised natural reserve and one of the rarest places where the sea actually comes so far into the desert. 
A remote, tranquil spot, it can only be reached by traversing the dunes. You can visit it as part of a half day or full day excursion. I’d recommend the full-day trip, which will also take you to a terrific Bedouin camp where you can swim, snorkel and even go sand-boarding. The camp also provides showers and a BBQ meal, so really worth taking a full day to enjoy.
Sure to Impress
In the heart of the Middle East, Qatar is, needless to say, a hot country! Yet unlike most desert destinations I’ve been to, it didn’t appear to get quite so cold at night. As a relatively built up destination, the urban landscape offers some insulation. This meant that on our final night we could take a pleasant walk along Al Corniche, the waterfront promenade, in the early evening to take in the sight of Doha’s impressive skyline. At night, the towering skyscrapers light up in a full spectrum, casting rainbow reflections over the water. Despite Doha’s conservative culture, I considered this one of the most romantic spots in the city. It’s a spectacular scene and brought our perfect trip to a perfect end.
Overnight stays at The St. Regis Doha start from approximately GBP 175 per night, on a bed and breakfast basis in a Superior Room. Flights can be booked direct from Heathrow with Qatar Airways, which connects over 150 destinations across six continents everyday.
