DOHA

Not only is Doha a very attractive and wealthy city with green tree-studded parks, interesting sights and plenty of places to stroll, it's also on a waterfront flanked by beaches. For these reasons a number of renowned international hotel chains have set up shop and Doha has some of the most glamorous hotels in Qatar. Hidden behind the glittering high-rises of Doha's waterfront, there are some original features of the city well worth discovering. Wandering around Souk Waqif, which is the oldest souk in the entire Gulf region, is an absolute must. Its huge indoor-outdoor network of squares and lanes contain shops and stalls selling a kaleidoscopic range of goods including traditional food, rugs, cushions, camels and even fluorescent birds. It's a great place to bargain for souvenirs and soak up the culture of Doha as it once was.

To stay in the old town and by the atmospheric souk there are some great hotel options. Double Tree by Hilton Hotel Doha Old Town is close to the action on the southern edge of Doha Bay, while the renowned Anantara brand's Musheireb boutique hotel situated beside Souk Waqif offers opulent Arabian ambience in the old heart of the city.

The West Bay area of the city has a clutch of high-end hotels overlooking the ocean, each a stunning architectural masterpiece with deluxe facilities. The Sheraton Doha Resort sits at the northern tip of the Doha Bay, opposite the port, and is not only close to the corniche and amusements of central Doha, but also has its own stretch of sand. The equally luxurious Four Seasons Hotel with its magnificent dome-topped sandstone buildings and the neighbouring plush Hilton Doha also tower over pristine palm-studded beaches with shallow clear waters perfect for paddling.

Splendidly positioned between West Bay Beach and Katara Beach, the InterContinental Doha and the St Regis Doha are two more luxury hotel options that have the added advantage of being close to the premium Lagoona Mall for designer shopping and the Katara Cultural Village for an insight into Arabian life. Close to the offshore Pearl development, the West Bay Lagoon area has a few more premium accommodation options. The five-star Ritz-Carlton Doha and the Grand Hyatt both sit behind sandy indentations at the fringe of the Pearl.