Hello readers! We realize that we’ve lately been focusing on worth-a-visit hot places in Doha so much that we sort of overlooked an equally important matter – how to get in and around Doha. As we’re all aware, Doha, the capital of Qatar, is a modern and rapidly developing city. Given the money being poured into construction, Doha is poised to become one of the most important cities in the Gulf within a few years. Since such an important world city Doha is, let’s have a cursory look at the ways you can get in and around the city.
GETTING IN
By Plane
Doha International Airport, the largest in the country, is becoming increasingly important in the Persian Gulf Region. Local carrier Qatar Airways is building a global network from there and already connects the city with places in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Indian Sub-continent and North and South America.
The cheapest way to fly to Doha is with Air Arabia or with FlyDubai if you’re already in or around the Persian Gulf region; however, you will almost certainly have to break your journey in Sharjah or Dubai, the airlines’ hub in the United Arab Emirates.
GETTING AROUND
By Bus
As the city’s first mode of public transport, a public bus service, with two different routes, was introduced in late 2005. There were six routes running by 2006, and these days there is a wide network of bus routes encompassing the whole city as well as other cities. Buses as well as some bus stands are fully air-conditioned.
By Taxi
Taxi, besides your own vehicle, is another effective mode of transportation in Doha. Mowasalat transport company, known as ‘Karwa’ taxis, operate the air-conditioned green taxis. ‘Limousine’ taxis may well be your only choice when staying at an international hotel. More expensive than the Karwas, they may not feature a meter and you may negotiate the price up front.
There’s a huge demand of taxis and sometimes demand exceeds the supply, creating untold misery for the passengers. You can get a taxi during morning business hours at 24 hours’ notice. In other situations, it may take 90 minutes or more to get an on-call taxi, and stopping one is very difficult in many places. The only places where you can definitely find a taxi (normal or limousine) are at major malls, the airport and international hotels.
A local driver will offer you a ride if they see you on the side of the road—but only occasionally. It is normal to offer some money at the end; however sometimes they refuse to take it.
Car Hire
There are many car-rental agencies located at the Doha International Airport where tourists can hire a car. It is appropriate if you get a vehicle reserved before touching down at the airport, otherwise it will be difficult for the tourists to get the best price and/or encounter endless waits while vehicles are brought into the temporary parking area from outside lots. Some rental agencies will require you to have an international drivers’ license as well.
Although we have added many new categories to Yadig.com database in an effort to cover all important places in your life, and will continue adding more categories as the time passes, we (and thousands of global Yadig.com members, users and fans) still adore our classic five categories namely Hotels, Restaurants, Coffee Shops, Bars and Nightclubs. These are the five categories that we began our journey with and are focusing on in today’s post. We’ve picked Top 3 in all five classic categories from a location that has the immense potential of becoming the Middle East’s financial and cultural capital, as well as the region’s tourism center. Say hi to Qatar’s heartthrob Doha and its Top 3 hotels, restaurants, coffee shops, bars and nightclubs.
TOP 3 DOHA HOTELS
Al Sadd Suites Hotel Doha
Al Sadd Suites is a Luxurious Furnished Apartment complex located in Doha’s vibrant retail heartland, at the center of the fashionable.The Athletes Village for 15th Asian Games is just five minutes away and all Games venues are very accessible. Al Sadd Street is the major shopping district of Doha and nearby shopping malls, boutiques and designer stores offers a full range of clothes, jewellery, electronic, household and gift items.
To write a review for Al Sadd Suites or learn more about this place, visit the Al Sadd Suites Business Page on Yadig.com.
Ramada Encore Doha
Ramada Encore Doha’s rooms include free wired internet and an LCD TV with satellite channels. Each room has a mini bar, as well as a private bathroom stocked with free amenities. On-site recreation options include a sauna and fitness center.
To write a review for Ramada Encore Doha or learn more about this place, visit the Ramada Encore Doha Business Page on Yadig.com.
Al Bustan Hotel Doha
The Al Bustan Hotel Doha is located in the center of the city, near the Corniche. Visitors to the hotel will also enjoy convenient access to a variety of other attractions, including the exhibition center as well as a host of restaurants and shopping opportunities. Golf is available within the nearby area around the hotel as well.
To write a review for Al Bustan Hotel Doha or learn more about this place, visit the Al Bustan Hotel Doha Business Page on Yadig.com.
TOP 3 DOHA RESTAURANTS
Wok Of Fame
It’s the location rather than the food that makes this restaurant. To get there walk along the canal that runs through Villagio. You enter the restaurant, walk upstairs and sit on one of the bridges that crosses the canals, watching the gondolas pass below you.
To write a review for Wok of Fame or learn more about this place, visit the Wok of Fame Business Page on Yadig.com.
Maxim
Oozing elegance and sophistication, one of Doha’s oldest and best fine dining restaurants welcomes you into a world of Parisian charm. Classic silverware and piano music cast a canvas on to which your waiters paint dashes of majestically colour with their art of Flambé service. Open: – daily from 6.00pm
To write a review for Maxim or learn more about this place, visit the Maxim Business Page on Yadig.com.
Moon Palace
Moon Palace is a popular Japanese/Korean restaurant that has been around for some time. I am sure many would agree that it is one of the best places to go for the occassional (because prices ain’t cheap and its recession time) indulgence in Japanese/Korean food in Doha.
To write a review for Moon Palace or learn more about this place, visit the Moon Palace Business Page on Yadig.com.
TOP 3 DOHA BARS
La Villa Bar
Set on the twelfth floor of the Mercure Grand Hotel in the centre of Old Doha, the views of the bay and the skyline take your breath away. When you get it back, you can enjoy some truly superb Mediterranean food. When you have finished take a walk to The Old Manor for a drink – we recommend their Franziskaner beer.
To write a review for La Villa Bar or learn more about this place, visit the La Villa Bar Business Page on Yadig.com.
Crystal Lounge
With impossibly cool, black decor, smooth tunes and French champagne flowing freely; it didn’t take long for Crystal Lounge to net itself the reputation as Doha’s hippest venue. Throughout the week, the stylish front bar serves cocktails to the high rollers and the chic, and when there’s a big DJ in town the spacious club at the rear opens up so Doha’s beautiful people have somewhere to boogie.
To write a review for Crystal Lounge or learn more about this place, visit the Crystal Lounge Business Page on Yadig.com.
Qube
The largest and best night spot in Doha. Qube offers you a daily changing offering of bands, DJ’s and specialty events from 7.00 pm until 2.00am daily. Whether it’s a late drink or a night of dancing then Qube is the place to see or be seen. Open: – daily from 7.00pm.
To write a review for Qube or learn more about this place, visit the Qube Business Page on Yadig.com.
TOP 3 DOHA COFFEE SHOPS
Starbucks – El Emadi Center
The Starbucks is an elegant and trendy coffee shop that serves up a variety of hot and cold coffee based beverages alongside light snacks, pastries and juices. Service is always prompt & courteous and their frappuccinos are out of this world.
To write a review for Starbucks or learn more about this place, visit the Starbucks Business Page on Yadig.com.
Tea Time
The Tea time is an elegant and trendy coffee shop that serves up a variety of hot and cold coffee based beverages alongside light snacks, pastries and juices. Service is always prompt & courteous and their frappuccinos are out of this world.
To write a review for Tea Time or learn more about this place, visit Tea Time Business Page on Yadig.com.
Cafe Ceramique – The Mall
Welcome to Café Céramique, much more than a sophisticated café: it’s a place to be inspired, where the artist in all of us is given free rein to paint beautiful , individual works of art.
To write a review for Café Céramique or learn more about this place, visit the Café Céramique Business Page on Yadig.com.
TOP 3 DOHA NIGHTCLUBS
CloudNyn
Good bar, good music, good crowd and nice staff translate into awesome night time in a small yet warm atmosphere. Strict dress code is the one and only obligation: No sport shoes ware allowed: Jeans and T-shirts are all welcome. Couples enjoy free entrance.
To write a review for CloudNyn or learn more about this place, visit the CloudNyn Business Page on Yadig.com.
Dunes Cocktail Lounge
Truly one of the best bars and nightclubs in Doha. Customers can choose from an extensive menu. The bar offers good quality food that is reasonably priced. The mouth-watering delicacies are accompanied by live and entertaining music.
To write a review for Dunes Cocktail Lounge or learn more about this place, visit the Dunes Cocktail Lounge Business Page on Yadig.com.
The Admirals
Having just gone through some impressive changes Admirals has transformed from an Arabic infused nightclub to a proper yacht club, complete with model boats, anchors, and a comfy pin-striped chairs, the perfect spot for those sea lovers among us.
To write a review for The Admirals or learn more about this place, visit the The Admirals Business Page on Yadig.com.
We always wish, hope and pray that you stay in the best of health and live every single moment of your life to its fullest. But in the life as we know it, sickness can easily get the better of both you and your happy leisure times and plans. Like anywhere else on earth, there’s no reason why you can’t be under the weather in Doha, an amazing tourist hotspot where you wouldn’t want to miss a thing owing to your totally unwelcome illness.
But a hospitable host that Doha is, it features many state-of-the-art medical facilities to ensure that you stay in the best of health so as to explore the city to its best and have all the fun you can possibly have. So if you’re visiting Doha whether for business or for fun, stay confident that the city has highly dependable arrangements and facilities to ensure that you’re healthy and hearty throughout your stay in the city.
YaDig.com also lists dozens of top medical facilities in Doha in its newly added ‘Medical & Health’ category. For the convenience of our readers who are currently in Doha or planning a trip sometime soon, we’re listing here some of Doha’s best hospitals. Go through our list and feel completely free to review these places in case you’ve had a firsthand experience with any of the listed facilities.
Al Ahli Hospital
Al Ahli Hospital is located on Doha’s well known Ahmed bin Ali Street. Initially conceptualized by ten Qatari businessmen in1989, Al-Ahli Hospital was sketched as a 100-bed profit-based hospital to specialize in Pediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynecology. After a year of project envisage, this motivated private group of shareholders approached his highness the Emir Sheikh khalifa Bin Hamad Al-Thani for his assistance; and in 1990 several hectares of land located in Ahmed Bin Ali street (its present location) was awarded to them by the government of Qatar.
To write a review for Al Ahli Hospital or learn more about this place, visit the Al Ahli Hospital Business Page on YaDig.com.
Al Amal Hospital
Located in Al Rumaila, Doha, Al Amal Hospital is managed by Hamad Medical Corporation, the premier non-profit healthcare provider in Doha, Qatar. Established by Emiri decree in 1979, the Corporation manages four highly specialized hospitals: Hamad General Hospital, Rumailah Hospital, Women’s Hospital, Psychiatric Hospital and the Primary Health Care Centers.
To write a review for Al Amal Hospital or learn more about this place, visit the Al Amal Hospital Business Page on YaDig.com.
Al Emadi Hospital
Al Emadi Hospital was established in the year 2004 by a prominent gulf surgeon – Dr Mohamed Al Emadi, as a private, acute care, general (medical/surgical) hospital whose mission is to deliver comprehensive medical services, guided by the highest international standards. The hospital’s healthcare services are designed to meet the needs and exceed the expectations of the patients. This is achieved by combining medical ethics with the latest technology, and is run by specialized personnel.
To write a review for Al Emadi Hospital or learn more about this place, visit the Al Emadi Hospital Business Page on YaDig.com.
American Hospital
Located at Doha’s popular C-Ring Road, the American Hospital has been one of the city’s key acute healthcare providers since 1999. The spacious hospital features state-of-the-art medical facilities and seasoned specialists and consultants. Operating in Doha for over a decade now, the American Hospital has not only won the trust of Doha people, but also of the people coming from other cities of Qatar as well as neighboring countries.
To write a review for American Hospital or learn more about this place, visit the American Hospital Business Page on YaDig.com.
Rumaillah Hospital
Located in Al Rumaila, Doha, the Rumaillah Hospital is Qatar’s oldest health facility. Originally built in 1956, Rumaillah Hospital opened in 1957 as a 200-bed general hospital with ambulance services and a large outpatient facility.
To write a review for Rumaillah Hospital or learn more about this place, visit the Rumaillah Hospital Business Page on YaDig.com.