QATAR - Doha

17:41 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

Qatar is an Arab country located in the Middle East and is still not a very well known country all over the world as they just started developing their country in the 90s. Qatar is not know for the largest or tallest title like their neighbour Dubai, but Qatar has held the title of Richest Country based on GDP per Capita since 2010. Of course for those football fans out there, you will also know that Qatar will host the FIFA World Cup in 2022. 

I’m now residing in Doha, the capital of Qatar and have been here for a month. So where have I been so far?




Not so many places actually. It’s still summer here in Qatar and the weather is HOT! Not only that, the humidity level is at all time high. Now is September, so its actually a bit cooler than the first time I came in August. But the temperature is still above 40°C. Summer in Qatar stretches from May till September and it isn't much cooler at night.


The best place to go while avoiding the summer heat is to the shopping malls.


City Center Doha, located in West Bay Doha is currently the largest mall in Qatar.


The Shanghai Garden Chinese Restaurant. The restaurant was not open even though it was already 1.30pm. Well, I didn’t know that most of the shops in Qatar closes from 11am till 2pm on Fridays. Some of the shops didn’t even open on Friday. Next time I’ll only go to shopping malls on a Saturday.


Well the food is reasonably priced and also taste reasonably okay.


A waterfall in Doha? Well, you wouldn’t expect a real waterfall in Qatar as it rarely rains in this country.


City Center has basically everything you expect of a mall. I have been told that if you can’t find what you want in City Center mall, you won’t find it anywhere else.


Other than the numerous shops in the mall, there is an ice skating ring, cinemas and restaurants.


Well, this mall still dwarfs in comparison to the megamalls in Malaysia. It is about 3 times smaller that Mid Valley City Mall. 


Other than going to the shopping malls, there are many hotels around Doha. My first hotel visit is at the Oryx Rotana hotel.


Nice lobby area.


A beautiful pianist playing the piano at the lobby.


Ordered dinner here at the Sky Lounge. Ketchup, mustard and pepper sauce were given in a miniature size bottles.


Ordered a Beef Burger and a Thai Pizza. Wrong choice ordering the Thai Pizza.


View of Sky Lounge, Oryx Rotana.


Sky Lounge is a nice place to chill.


Well, the food was okay and the design of the hotel is nothing to shout about.
.

The Oryx Rotana is awarded the 5 star by the Qatar Tourism Authority and so is the next five star hotel which is the Marriot Hotel.


Headed straight to the Restaurant Gallery of Marriot Hotel.


There are 4 restaurants at the Restaurant Gallery, but only one is open for lunch.


Corniche restaurant.


Welcome to Corniche Restaurant. Enjoy a culinary tour of the Mediterranean. The price list of Corniche Restaurant.


Time to indulge in the lunch buffet.


And time for Elijah to have his milk.


Father and son.


Dessert at the buffet spread.


Yummy cakes!


‘I want one too!’


Asia Live! Might try it out one day.





There’s also a Mexican restaurant, Salsa.


To the left is the current king Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and to right is he’s father, the previous ruler of Qatar, Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.




Time to explore the hotel’s surroundings.


Well, the Marriot sure has better facilities than Oryx Rotana.


A small private strip of beach at the Marriot.


Some guys swimming in the sea. Hmm…the sea water must be extremely hot!


I’ll get a heat stroke if I stayed longer outside. Overall, the Marriot is a nice hotel.


Gerry’s Grill located at Al Jadeed Street. At first I couldn't locate the restaurant as Gerry’s Grill was dimly lighted.


Gerry’s Grill serves Filipino dishes and have braches in United States, Singapore, Qatar and of course Philippines. 


We ordered four dishes as we have four people.


The spicy garlic fried chicken was really delicious.


Three and a half men. My beau with his friends from Philippines. 


Another well known shopping mall in Doha is the Landmark Mall.


Located in Al Gharaffa, Lanmark Mall is a medium size shopping mall.


Elijah happy to be out the house.


Ate breakfast at the Caper & Gambini’s.


The restaurant is an international franchise restaurant-cafe chain headquartered in Beirut, Lebanon.


Ordered the Perfect Pancakes and Gambini’s Omelet.


At an average price of QR30 for the breakfast menu, it is not cheap dining here.


Friendly staff and the food is okay.


Time for Elijah’s breakfast.


Nice interior of the mall.


Shopping here in Landmark Mall is enjoyable. Only one storey and the shops are well laid out.


Circus Land.


There is also a Marks & Spencer. Unfortunately, M&S is closed due to an undergoing renovation.


Time for lunch. Ate here at the Wafi Gourmet, a Lebanese restaurant.


Diners enjoying their meal at Wafi Gourmet.


Claimed to be an authentic Lebanese restaurant. However, Wafi Gourmet is actually based in Dubai.


The grilled skewered meat is simply delicious.


Wafi Gourmet is most definitely recommended to have your meal. Delicious food and the Lebanese bread or better known as the pita is soft and tasty. 


Last week, I went to the famed St Regis Hotel, Doha.


Well it was my birthday and also my 5th Wedding Anniversary.


Has lunch here at the award winning Lebanese restaurant Al-Sultan Brahim in St Regis Hotel.


The outdoor patio of the restaurant. Obviously, no one in their right mind will have their meal outdoor in the summer heat.


Was shown to a table right beside an aquarium.


First of all you choose your fish from the aquarium. Naw…just joking.


First of all you choose your seafood from the Fisherman’s room.


There’s the price list. We chose the Hammour and shrimps. Hammour is also known as the Arab Grouper fish and is a favourite among the Arabic people. The captain then recommended the best way to cook our selection. 


Al-Sultan Brahim was first opened in 1968, in Lebanon. This branch in Doha has only recently opened its doors in 2013, last year. This upscale Lebanese fish restaurant is famous in Doha and its best to make an early reservation. When I was there, the restaurant was full.


Even though Qatar is known as the 2nd most conservative society in the GCC (Saudi Arab is the 1st), you can still wear a skirt. The female captain can be seen here wearing a short mini skirt. Alcoholic drinks are even served here in Al-Sultan Brahim. 


The Tiger prawns and deboned Hammour fish. Here’s my comments on the food. The pita (Lebanese bread), was not as good as the one I ate in Wafi Gourmet. The prawns were well marinated but at about QR 30 (USD 8) per prawn I was expecting more. However, the fish was quite good.


Complementary desserts were served. They are actually not called dessert but sweets and my, they are very sweet. Could only swallow a piece.


The Al-Sultan Brahim has also won the Highly Commended Best Seafood from Time Out Doha in 2014. For more information, you can always visit their website at http://www.alsultanbrahimdoha.com/en/


Eating here at the Al-Sultan Brahim is an expensive affair, but hey, its an award winning restaurant both in Lebanon and Doha. You should try it out.


After lunch, I explore the surroundings of the hotel.


Some guys playing beach volleyball at the beach.


You can swim here at the Arabian Gulf Sea.


The stretch of private beach at the St Regis. It’s much better than the one in Marriot.


Doha or should I say, Qatar is not famous for its beach. So, don’t expect too much.


Some of the beach rules.


Beach chairs for those who want to laze around and have a tan.


Me and Elijah enjoying the beautiful landscape of St Regis Doha.






A private mini pool.


A selfie of me and my hubby at the beach.




The swimming pool facing the sea.


St Regis Hotel sure does has a very nice outdoor design.


A hidden outdoor speaker that looks like a rock to blend in with the surroundings.


The St Regis Doha was actually awarded the ‘Best Outdoor Area’ at the Middle East Hotel Awards 2014 held in Dubai.


 St Regis Doha exterior spaces feature a strong concept that supports both the story of the Doha location and the legacy of the St Regis brand.


I couldn't agree more.


Just imagine sitting here while enjoying the cool sea breeze during the winter months.


St Regis Doha often advertise itself as located in the finest address in Qatar.


The hotel is part of Al Gassar Resort located in the heart of West Bay.


Adjacent to the Pearl Island and close to the Diplomatic Area.





Guess I better go inside the hotel. The weather is too hot to be outside for long.


In addition to being awarded the Best Outdoor Area, the St Regis Doha was also awarded the ‘Best Hotel Interior’ at the international ‘World’s Best Awards’





Interesting paintings and….


……..sculptures placed around the hotel.


A vintage car on display at the hotel’s lobby.


Local influences are being used in the design.


The hotel upholds its reputation of excellence, having won 22 awards since opening in 2012.


One of the achievements is winning the award for ‘World’s Leading Business Hotel 2013’.


St Regis Doha most definitely is a place recognised timeless elegance, luxury and renowned services standard. 


St Regis Doha is most definitely the best luxury hotel in Qatar.


Rested for a bit after walking round the hotel.


Opal by Gordan Ramsay or the Ramsey Gordan Doha?


We actually made reservations for the Ramsey Gordan but unfortunately, they have a no kids policy. Anyone below age 12 is not allowed in Ramsey Gordan fine dining restaurant. So we settled with the Opal restaurant.


Looked at the menu and ordered our food.


The beautiful setting of Opal by Gordan Ramsey overlooking the Arabian Gulf. 


I copied this picture from Opal’s website just to show the viewed we enjoyed that evening.


Opal is acknowledged as one of the best restaurants in Doha.


And has been awarded the Best Contemporary European Restaurant in 2013 and Highly Commended Best Brunch in 2014 by Time Out Doha.


My beau ordered the USDA Striploin steak. I tasted it and it’s not the best steak I ever had. Well, at 199 Rials or USD 55 per plate, I may have set my expectations too high.


I ordered the Canadian Lobster Spagetti. The succulent lobster was simply delicious. This dish is highly recommend. Opal’s menu can be viewed at their website http://www.opalbygordonramsaydoha.com/mains.


Now I can say that I have eaten at one of Gordan Ramsay’s Restaurant. 


The awards won by both the restaurants.


After dinner, we strolled around the hotel while enjoying the view.


However, you won’t enjoy the cool sea breeze. It is still warm at night.


The night view of the St Regis Doha Hotel.


Had a memorable 5th Wedding Anniversary and birthday.


Time to head back.


The Baskin-Robbins 4 flavoured Ice Cream Cake sure is suitable for my summer birthday.


My son so happy to see the ice-cream cake.


‘I want the cake too’.


I Can’t wait for October to come where I can enjoy walking outside and further explore Qatar.
I will continue to travel around this region and in the mean time I’ll continue posting all my previous countries I’ve been so far. I’ll be going for holidays next month and where will I be going? Just stay tuned!


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