QATAR - West Bay, Doha

15:01 Travel Bunny 0 Comments

A newly developed area of Doha, West Bay is the central business district of Doha. The district was literally created in the 1980s following a massive land reclamation project along Doha’s Coastline.


Aerial view of West Bay. I took this photo when I was flying to Azerbaijan.


Aerial map of Doha. As mentioned before, West Bay is the central business district of Doha. Those who can afford the expensive rent also lives in West Bay where it will be nearer to their work place. However, the average people like me, mostly lives in the South of Doha. Corniche is marked in red.



Being the central business district, West Bay is home to modern skyscrapers.



The International Islamic Tower.



The Qatargas head office.



Ashghal office.



The iconic QIPCO Tower, better known as Tornado Tower.



The Ministry of Environment and Qatar Financial Centre.



Designed by renowned French architect Jean Nouvel, Doha Tower is one of the most recognisable landmark of Doha. The blue building Beside Doha Tower is the World Trade Center Doha.



Other than office and government buildings, there are two shopping malls. The City Center Shopping Mall…..



….and Gate Mall.



Gate Mall is located just opposite City Center. When I say City Center, it is actually with reference to the mall. There is actually no city center in Doha. When you say city center, it means the City Center Mall.



Life is like a bowl of Fine Olives. Hmmm, I don't understand this phrase.



The beautifully decorated Gate Mall.



The Gate Mall Art Gallery.



Beautiful glass sculpture being displayed.











I’m not a shopaholic. I’m helping the economy! That’s a good one.



It really is a joy window shopping at the Gate Mall. Its not crowded like City Center.



Ample of sitting area for me to rest my feet.



Well, Gate Mall is actually a high end mall where the shops sells only luxurious items.



Well, if you can afford it good for you. As for me, I’m here just to enjoy the window shopping.



A lady taking pictures of the surrounding buildings at West Bay.



Well, there are a few hotels located near City Center. There is the Marriott Marquis Hotel and the InterContinental Doha, The City Hotel.



Both of them are nice hotels which are within walking distance from City Center.



Another popular hotel at West Bay is Hilton Hotel. Even though it is further away from City Center, it is located at a prime seafront close to the Corniche.



Head on to Mawasem at the Hilton Hotel to enjoy the scrumptious buffet. 



The dining area.





The Mawasem restaurant has a view of the hotel’s pool.



The buffet was delicious.



The private beach at the Hilton Doha Hotel is a plus point for this 5 star hotel.



You can relax by the beach while enjoying a meal, drink or a shisha.



Well, If you want to choose a hotel with a beach, sea view and great location, Hilton Doha is the hotel to be.



The Christmas decoration when I was at the hotel last year.



Hilton Doha, one of the best hotel at the West Bay area.



After having my lunch at the Hilton, I walked to the Corniche.



But first, I went to the Sheraton Park. There is a newer Sheraton Park just beside this park, but its still under construction. So why is it called Sheraton Park? Simple, it's because Sheraton Hotel is located beside the park. 



Known also as the Pyramid of the Gulf.



Sheraton Hotel is the first hotel to be built in West Bay. Sheraton Hotel was inaugurated on 22 February 1982.



Had a peek inside Sheraton Hotel. No, I did not dine here. Maybe next time.



The pyramid shaped interior of the hotel.



Sheraton Park is located just beside Corniche surrounded by the many skyscrapers.



The park is actually very big, with a view of the buildings at one side and the sea at another side.



My son was still crawling at that time. He was trying to chase the other children at the park.



He really did enjoy his time at the park.



Did I mentioned before that Qatar does not rain. Well, not frequently anyway. Maybe less than 10 times a year. So how does all the flowers and grass survive? Well, the area is actually watered by automated irrigation system.



Doha Corniche is a waterfront promenade extending for approximately 6 kilometres along Doha Bay. The Corniche was formed following extensive land reclamation which led to development of crescent shaped bay.  



The Corniche connects the West Bay with the south of the city. The Corniche starts from here, near the Sheraton Hotel till the….



….Museum of Islamic Art. From the Museum of Islamic Art you see the skyline of Doha, West Bay.



From West Bay, you see the South of Doha, where the Souq Waqif and Museum of Islamic Art is located. The area you see in the picture can be considered the downtown Doha. It is where the restaurants are and where most of the residents live.



Sun setting behind the Msheireb Enrichment Centre at the Corniche.



The opening time for the Msheireb Enrichment Centre is from Sunday to Thursday 9am till 5pm. Don’t suppose I can visit the center since I’m still working at the opening hours.



Qatar, you make us proud.



There are actually very few restaurants in West Bay. Not counting the ones in shopping malls and hotels of course. One of them located at the Corniche is Costa. It is actually a cafe to have a drink or some snacks.



Most of the residents come to the Corniche to jog.



Sometimes they stop by to do some exercise.



The nightlights of Corniche.





A replica of the first Qatar National Bank founded in 1963 at the Corniche..





The lights of Doha Skyline.



It seems that the Al Mourjan Restaurant at the Corniche is the only restaurant at the Corniche (other than the cafe, Costa). From here, you can dine by the sea, while enjoying the view of West Bay.



The ‘D’ building on the left is the Doha Bank Head Office Tower.



Generally, West Bay is where most of the residents of Doha goes to work. It is not so much of a tourist spot but its still worth going for a visit.