Mastering a long layover is an art. I really wanted to check Doha out before the 2022 World Cup and check another country off the list! The time I spent in Doha I was completely alone and couldn’t have felt safer as a solo female traveler. The people are super hospitable and friendly!

Days OOO: 1… but I was already going to Dubai and took 2 for that

Budget Style: Ranges from budget friendly to ball out status depending on where you stay… or if you stay over night!

What I Did:

Islamic Museum of Art. Designed by I.M. Pei, this is one of the most beautiful museums I have ever visited. If you love mosaic tiling, calligraphy, and bright colors and designs, this place has insanely old artifacts from all over the world. The cafe had yummy shawarma too!

Souq Waqif. I felt way better in this souq than I did in Dubai. Nobody harassed me with offers of fake handbags, and the architecture was gorgeous. Wish I got to sit and have some food; this is a good spot for shisha.

La Corniche. The view of the skyline next to ridiculously blue water is very photogenic. A nice walk if you have time!

Sloth Time. I went to the W’s Bliss Spa and had a facial so great that my face looked like a barbie doll’s afterward! The highlight here wasn’t the spa treatment as much as the social dynamic of the spa. Since the spa is split into a female and male zone (down to the spa professional who delivers your service!) the loungey area before you go in had several local women who gossiped without their headscarves. It was fascinating being a fly on the wall when the locals aren’t in public to say the least.

What I Ate:

The hotel had a Jean Georges restaurant that had pretty amazing sushi, after all Qatar is on the water. I felt like the only westerner in the entire place– it was kind of cool to wish I was in a more traditional garb to fit in a bit more. Still, nobody looked at me funny for being the random westerner. Another thing I noticed while abroad is that there are some women who cover their entire face except for their eyes, while others still show their face. The jovial, fun group who sat next to me included a woman who showed her entire face and another who only showed her eyes. I was curious to see how the one with the full face covering planned on eating a meal! She simply redid her headscarf in about 5 seconds to still be modest but eat more easily. So fascinating.

Where I Stayed:

My brother got me a night at the W for Christmas, and the hotel was so cool. My room was more like a suite than a regular room, and had a full array of Bliss products. This was definitely the big expense of my day other than food and the spa, but this hotel really had it all. It also has a nightclub– one of those places you never really have to leave. The locals seemed to love hanging out here which is always a nice stamp of approval. It was interesting that I had to go through security to even get in, but made me feel very safe. The front desk told me that of everyone who had checked in, I was only the 3rd person all week traveling for leisure! Makes sense, so many businesspeople and locals alike.

How I Got There:

Qatar Airways has a direct flight from DC. It’s about 12.5 hours there and 15 hours coming back. With the new electronics ban it kind of stinks that you can only have your smartphone on the flight because I know my friends brought laptops jam packed with movies. QR censors their movies and only had a few of the brand new ones; still a good selection! Flight was super cheap but I expect during the world cup it will be crazy. The one thing I disliked most is that their 777 fleet doesn’t have wifi… this is where Emirates beats QR!

Taxis from the airport are really easy. Look for “Karwa” — they are pretty seafoam blue colored cars everywhere and very safe!