You will be expecting something remarkable from the resort as soon as you arrive at Sharq Village and Spa. One is welcomed by a comfy chair and deliciously mild and aromatic coffee. Hospitality to the fore, and you haven’t even reached your room!
The reception area is large and furnished with sumptuous sofas, huge urns, coffee tables and almost constant service of hot drinks while guests relax before or after their sun-kissed day. Off the reception we find the main restaurant. Al Liwan is an all-day dining experience with a spread of both Arab and Western breakfast goods along with fresh juices and the usual complement of breads and pastries.
Across the hall from the restaurant there is a cosy corner, ‘Al Jalsa’. This is a bar space and is the perfect place to unwind in its typical Arabic seating area. This is a truly pampering experience away from the activities of the rest of the hotel.
There is also a trending Cigar Lounge where guests can enjoy a light snack menu and a glass of something reviving in the intimate setting of the smoking room. I don’t smoke but I do love the aroma, and a glass of fizz in this environment is decadent. There are also smoking opportunities outside on the terrace for those who want to try the iconic Arab shisha.
The public spaces are stylish but what of the rooms? This isn’t a conventional hotel but rather a collection of multi-room villas. One does indeed have the impression of a village but a very clean and spacious one with Moorish architecture and huge swathes of pools and palms. There is also a private beach if you can bear to step away from the enticing pool fringed by shading parasols.
Comfortable and luxurious rooms
The villas have their own private courtyards, presenting a cool and tranquil space for just sitting and reading, or even, perhaps, dozing. The rooms are spacious, with heavy wood furniture and soft furnishings in classic style. The bathrooms are modern and well-appointed. These are comfortable and luxurious rooms displaying local art and contemporary technology.
One can stroll through the shrub-lined lanes to the on-site restaurant called Parisa and it’s well worth a visit. Parisa, which means “angel”, is the newest purveyor of Persian cuisine in Doha. The sea-view restaurant here overlooks Doha Bay and is the perfect space for intimate meals for couples or for groups. Parisa has a menu of kebabs for which to die. They are freshly grilled and are mouth-watering – come hungry!
The same advice goes for Parisa’s sister venue at Souq Waqif. Here you will be stunned by dazzling decor, hand-painted Persian artwork, traditional mosaics, ornate chandeliers and thousands of tiny mirrors that twinkle, creating a magical and romantic ambiance.
Parisa at Sharq Village and Spa
Dinner: 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Fridays and Saturdays: Lunch: 12.30 p.m. – 4 p.m. Dinner: 6:30 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Sharq Village and Spa enjoys a location close to Doha city and all its amenities, along with its celebrated Souq Waqif with its shopping opportunities. There are Dhows allowing one to enjoy a cooling boat-ride, and the best views of the modern architecture, and there are cultural attractions aplenty. It’s a conveniently short ride from the hotel to the airport, with its connections to international locations via Qatar Airways. It’s an attractive resort that will delight couples and families as well as business travellers, and it’s beautiful at any time of day or night.
Sharq Village and Spa
Ras Abu Abboud Street,
PO Box 26662
Doha, 26662 Qatar
Phone: +97444256666
Visit Sharq Village and Spa here
Kuoni (www.kuoni.co.uk) offers a three-night, half-board stay at Sharq Village & Spa in a Deluxe Resort Room including flights on Qatar Airways from London Heathrow, and private transfers to the resort. The price for selected dates in August and September 2018 based on two adults sharing is from £979 per person with a saving of up to £447 per couple. Sharq Village & Spa is a luxury waterfront Doha resort located 15 minutes from the Hamad International Airport, on 350m of private coastline. Featuring 174 luxury hotel accommodations, an award-winning spa, world-class dining and impeccable service, this distinctive five-star hotel in Doha is an idyllic coastal retreat.
For more information on Qatar please visit: www.visitqatar.qa
Transfers, tours and activities can be booked through Travel Designer: www.traveldesigner.qa
For information on Qatar Airways please visit: www.qatarairways.com