A Right Royal Knockabout
If the aeroplane is going to crash, one may as well expire in style by being in First Class. Fortunately it arrived safely, so fellow hack Hoffle-Jones and I enjoyed the full benefits of our premium-class seats, menu and service.
Entry to Qatar was in full royal style, whisked off in shiny limos straight from the plane to a special VIP lounge. No clambering on to a crowded cattlebus to stand in line awaiting luggage, and passport control, and immigration in a dingy terminal. Just a quick, cool, easy reception and cups of sweet Arabic tea in a large and beautiful room while invisible elves dealt with passports and baggage claim.
The Ritz Carlton Doha is a god of a hotel. Vast, labyrinthine, splendid beyond imagining. Tucked away indoors in its spacious depths are two full sized tennis courts, a 25-metre swimming pool, huge men's and women's spas, racquetball courts and squash courts, and doubtless a fully turfed cricket pitch, had we looked hard enough. Outside is another sprawling, palm-tree-scattered oasis pool, with a wealth of empty sunloungers. No germans wielding towels at dawn here.
Everyone in Dubai describes Qatar/Doha as "small", "boring", "dull", or roll their eyes with a look of pity. They are either lying or stupid. Doha is beautiful by day, glittering by night. It is an endlessly spacious, growing city, spread along a vast stretch of turquoise water, with palm trees, walkways, and very little traffic. Qataris are outstandingly hospitable and speak excellent English. Desire to ever leave Qatar is currently about nil.
Entry to Qatar was in full royal style, whisked off in shiny limos straight from the plane to a special VIP lounge. No clambering on to a crowded cattlebus to stand in line awaiting luggage, and passport control, and immigration in a dingy terminal. Just a quick, cool, easy reception and cups of sweet Arabic tea in a large and beautiful room while invisible elves dealt with passports and baggage claim.
The Ritz Carlton Doha is a god of a hotel. Vast, labyrinthine, splendid beyond imagining. Tucked away indoors in its spacious depths are two full sized tennis courts, a 25-metre swimming pool, huge men's and women's spas, racquetball courts and squash courts, and doubtless a fully turfed cricket pitch, had we looked hard enough. Outside is another sprawling, palm-tree-scattered oasis pool, with a wealth of empty sunloungers. No germans wielding towels at dawn here.
Everyone in Dubai describes Qatar/Doha as "small", "boring", "dull", or roll their eyes with a look of pity. They are either lying or stupid. Doha is beautiful by day, glittering by night. It is an endlessly spacious, growing city, spread along a vast stretch of turquoise water, with palm trees, walkways, and very little traffic. Qataris are outstandingly hospitable and speak excellent English. Desire to ever leave Qatar is currently about nil.
Labels: hotels, qatar, ritz carlton
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