Raffles Doha
The crowning glory of the grand luxury hotel industry
Doha’s landmark, my “Qatari dream” come true!
No other city in Qatar can boast such a variety of five-star luxury hotels for business and leisure as Doha. The cosmopolitan city as well as the modern hotel scene are a symbol of luxury, relaxation, culture and hospitality on the Arabian Peninsula. Doha therefore offers the perfect conditions for a successful fusion of work and leisure.
“The average gives the world its existence, the extraordinary its value.” This quote from Oscar Wilde fits perfectly with Raffles Doha, an architectural icon of superlatives. The famous Raffles in the unique Katara Towers characterizes Doha’s skyline. The sublime design of the new Accor flagship hotel on the Persian Gulf has been the talk of the town worldwide since the historic 2022 FIFA World Cup together with its neighboring Fairmont hotel. Their architecture pays homage to the intersecting scimitars of the Qatari national coat of arms.
RAFFLES DOHA – THE LOCATION
Unlike most luxury 5-star hotels in the city, Raffles is neither located directly on the beach (like many hotels in West Bay or Pearl Qatar) nor in Msheireb Downtown. From Downtown, you can reach most of the sights on foot. From the Raffles Doha, you can reach the Qanat Quarter in 10 minutes by hotel limousine. Pastel-colored buildings line the canals, reminiscent of Venice. Be sure to visit this district, stand on the famous Rialto Bridge, put your hand in the lion´s mouth, and don´t forget to climb the “Music Stairs”. You will love this musical experience. Not fare away, you will find the Katara Cultural Village. I recommend a visit of the amphitheater, the Golden- and the Blue Mosque with its dovecotes. You can also stroll along the beach. Finally, the nearby Place Vendôme shopping mall with its unique water fountain that captivates visitors every hour, is a sight not to be missed. You will find the photos in the Raffles Doha sightseeing slideshow at the end of the article.
Raffles Doha is located on the waterfront promenade in Lusail City, in the prestigious Katara Towers, which are over 200 meters high. The Lusail district lies just north of the coastal metropolis. It is the symbol of the city’s uniqueness and the fusion between Doha’s heritage and the changing times.
Hamad International Airport, the hub of the national airline, Qatar Airways, can be reached in a 25- to 40-minute cab ride, depending on traffic.
RAFFLES DOHA – THE 6-STAR STYLE ICON
The Raffles Doha makes the heart of every well-traveled person beat faster just by looking at it from the outside. The timelessly glamorous, almost palatial “entrance hall” also impresses from the inside. This towering lobby, one of the most spectacular I have ever seen, fires my imagination at the sight of the digital kaleidoscope over 30 meters high. Visually reminiscent of a telescope, I immediately recognize its meditative and therapeutic potential. I can hardly take my eyes off this object, because the multifaceted play of colors fascinates me anew every day and so I spend hours in this “kaleidoscopic atrium” and indulge myself with coffee, dates and other delicacies. Different lights are created depending on the time of day and the variety of patterns and color nuances seems endless. Thanks to the attentive staff, I experience a grand hotel feeling in its most modern form.
A few things went wrong during our stay, but the trained and always helpful staff were able to solve everything to our satisfaction. And it is precisely this helpfulness and responsiveness that I really appreciate. The staff constantly question themselves and do their very best so that the guest feels at home.
RAFFLES DOHA – THE ELEVATOR EXPERIENCE
As usual, you can call the elevator with your room card. But it’s not an ordinary elevator. You must use the touchpad to choose whether you want to go to the floor you have booked, visit the public hotel areas or simply enjoy the ride up or down on the plush bench seat. Take a look at the photos. They speak for themselves!
RAFFLES DOHA – LUXURIOUS SUITES
As the ultra-luxurious Raffles is exclusively an all-suite retreat, it therefore only accommodates suites (just like the BAA in Dubai). In all 132 accommodation units, a modern interior design blends seamlessly with Qatar’s magnificent heritage. The numerous art objects, Arabic books and hand-knotted carpets make every single suite a stylish and historic gem.
All the elegant suites also have the legendary Raffles butler service, which fulfills every wish even before the guest has made their request. If you don’t want the butler to enter your suite, simply hang your shirts to be ironed in the small cupboard right next to the entrance door and the valet will take them out immediately.
Furthermore, all suites have their own dressing room with a large make-up mirror and Dyson Supersonic hairdryer as well as hair straighteners, wooden shoe stretchers, a (personalized) walk-in minibar with complimentary non-alcoholic drinks, a multi-sensor room management system via a tablet, a fantastic marble and crystal bathroom (made of one-piece white marble slabs and real golden style elements) with an experience shower, free-standing bathtub with digital settings and a private steam bath. The bathroom itself is already balm for the soul. But the fully automatic WC should also be mentioned here. It has a Japanese wash function and can be heated by remote control.
My Qatari dream from A Thousand and One Nights becomes reality in our suite. We stayed in the spacious Crescent Suite with 2 furnished panoramic terraces on the 20th floor. This suite is divided into a living area with a writing and dining table and a separate sleeping area. We find a welcome greeting from the Director of Rooms on both tables upon arrival. All suites are arranged along the “crescent moon” and offer spectacular views of the Arabian Gulf and / or the illuminated skyline of Doha.
In addition to the wonderful Crescent Suites, the luxury hotel offers other multifaceted suites:
- With 78 square meters, the Urban Suite is the smallest accommodation unit. However, it is in no way inferior to the other suites! It also offers guests elaborate wall decorations, fine textiles and, of course, the latest technology under the high stucco ceilings.
- The Gulf Suite measures 85 square meters and impresses with its multifaceted decorations and an opulent, separate living and dining area.
- I have already presented the 79 square meter Crescent Suite (2007) with its ornately carved high ceilings and spacious furnished terraces with views of the half moon and the Persian Gulf.
- The Urban Signature Suite covers 100 square meters and is a real feast for the eyes. Let yourself be enchanted by the elaborate wall carvings and luxurious carpets.
- The 104 square meters Crescent Signature Suite with its open-plan concept is a retreat from the stresses of everyday life.
- The open-plan Gulf Signature Suite exudes a unique sophistication across 110 square meters. It also skillfully combines traditional Arabian elements with modern technical achievements.
- The Parisian Suite, a two-bedroom residence, boasts a private gym and a cinema, among other things. It reflects French savoir-vivre to perfection and extends over the entire 30th floor.
- The stylish two-bedroom Designer Suite with its 378 square meters looks like an art gallery.
- The two-bedroom Raffles Suite is enthroned on the 32nd floor with a unique panoramic view over the sparkling turquoise Arabian Gulf.
RAFFLES DOHA – CULINARY DELIGHTS
The bistro-style all-day dining restaurant L’Artisan on the second floor serves creative and exquisite dishes from all over the world with European highlights. I was impressed by the look and taste of the breakfast buffet. You will find more photos in the Raffles Doha slideshow at the end of the article. But there is also a large à la carte selection. I recommend the waffles in Katara Tower form. They are a visual and culinary delight.
Alba, the first foreign branch of the renowned three-star chef Enrico Crippa, creatively indulges the Italian palate with first-class ingredients from the famous northern Italian region of Alba. The new chef Cristhian Serraino enchanted us with his culinary skills on two evenings. We can hardly wait to be pampered there again. Don´t forget to have a drink at the fantastic bar and visit the mosaic wall. Ultimately, a positive Romeo and Juliet feeling is present. It consists neither of hatred nor regret, but of pure love. Alba offers a private “Romeo and Juliet balcony” with a 3-course menu. Dear readers, whisk you loved one away to Alba and let yourself by seduced by the multifaced Italian passion. Glide up to the love balcony via a spiral staircase with red roses strewn across the steps and candles.
The Blue Cigar Writer’s Bar in Art Deco style is not just a dream for all cigar and literature lovers. Here you can sit in a leather armchair like Hemingway and browse through more than 6.000 literary classics with a glass of exquisite whisky and a decades-old Cuban cigar. Some of them are even first editions. Or you can enjoy the voice of the fantastic singer over a great aperitif before dinner and get in the musical mood for an exquisite dinner in the multifaceted restaurants.
The Malaki Lounge extends over the first floor and is the perfect place to enjoy a bespoke afternoon tea or feast on oriental specialties.
The Silk Road-style Acoustic Music Penthouse on the 36th floor, accompanied by live music every evening, scores with a unique view. What could be better than being enchanted by the gentle beats of live music with a top-class cocktail and tasty snacks? Of course, you can also end the evening there – as we did – after a culinary treat in the hotel restaurants.
The Aqua Urban Deck serves Greek delicacies against the backdrop of the pool.
As the Raffles and Fairmont brands work together, you can also visit the three restaurants located in the neighboring hotel. Unfortunately, the Latin American Vaya was only open for breakfast in April 2025. I would have loved to dine there.
RAFFLES DOHA – PURE RELAXATION
Wellness enthusiasts can enjoy three different pools, a diverse range of spa facilities and a beach club right by the sea.
On the second floor in the before mentioned Aqua, hotel guests are greeted by an infinity pool over 20 meters long with a jacuzzi. It opens at 12 noon and closes at midnight. Extremely successful plant growth and a perfectly coordinated color concept create a special ambience, especially at sunset, and bathers in the jacuzzi have a direct view of the sparkling skyline of Lusail.
On the first floor, the 56-metre-long freshwater pool is perfectly embedded in the well-tended gardens. It opens at 8.00 am. Among other things, it offers two cabanas for families of several people, stylish loungers and much more. Finally, direct access to the pool is available from almost every lounger.
Raffles hotel guests have access to the inviting pool in the neighboring Fairmont, too.
And finally, Raffles guests can visit Bagatelle Beach Club on Al Maha Island free of charge. It opens every day at 11.00 a.m. and can be easily reached in five minutes by hotel limousine (Mercedes S-Class). As one of the employees told our driver that I not only love Italian food, but also Italian music. Italian songs always accompanied me during the journey. That’s what I call perfect service.
I didn’t visit the spa due to time constraints. But it offers changing rooms for women and men, massages, Ayurveda, body treatments, facial and beauty treatments, steam bath, sauna, plunge pool, gym (with personalized training program). It also works with internationally renowned partners such as Dr. Burger Switzerland, Subtle Energies, marocMaroc and Bastien Gonzalez.
RAFFLES DOHA – KATARA HALL
Finally, I would like to mention the unique and avant-garde Katara Hall. The largest ballroom in the city is perfect for events of all kinds. With soaring vaulted ceilings 22 meters high, this luxurious space can accommodate 2.500 guests. It is very popular for galas and weddings. As Raffles Doha itself writes, “(Katara Hall) exudes Arabian elegance and modern sophistication in a harmonious combination of ancient traditions and contemporary décor”.
RAFFLES DOHA
RAFFLES DOHA – SIGHTSEEING
