There are a seemingly endless number of hotels opening in Qatar. Presumably much of this construction was motivated by Qatar having recently hosted the World Cup, though one has to wonder where exactly the long term demand will come from for these properties.
For example, in early 2022, Hilton had zero luxury hotels in Qatar. By 2023, the country will have two Waldorf Astoria and two Hilton LXR properties. In this post I wanted to talk about the two Hilton LXR properties that have recently opened in Qatar, as I think they might just be the two most expensive hotels in Hilton’s portfolio… at least as of now.
I recognize Qatar is an incredibly rich country, though I question where exactly the demand is supposed to come from for this, especially given the price point…
In this post:
Katara Hills Doha, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Katara Hills Doha just recently opened. The property consists of 15 villas, each featuring a private pool. Entry level rooms are 1,765 square feet (164 square meters). The hotel is located in Katara Cultural Village, described by the hotel as “the most prestigious destination in Qatar.” Specifically, the hotel has been built in the Katara Hills, which seems to be… a manmade grassy hill in Qatar?
The hotel’s website suggests that there’s one restaurant, Gymkhana, described as serving classic and contemporary cuisine, and being “inspired by the elite clubs of India where members of high society socialise, eat, drink, and play sport.”
You can find renderings of the hotel below.
Rates at this property start at nearly $3,000 per night, including in the peak of summer, when it is painfully hot. It’s also possible to redeem Hilton Honors points for stays here, as the hotel will run you 120,000 Hilton Honors points per night. That’s an exceptional deal compared to the cash rate, when you consider that Hilton Honors points are worth around 0.5 cents each.
Maysan Doha, LXR Hotels & Resorts
Maysan Doha also just recently opened. As it’s described, the “opulent urban resort” is just 13 kilometers from town, and is “rooted in royal Qatari tradition yet reimagined for modern-day living.” The property “boasts palatial rooms with private pools, 5-star cuisine, bespoke concierge services and immersive local experiences.” The hotel has 33 rooms, and entry level accommodations are 785 square feet (73 square meters).
The hotel offers a spa, a cigar lounge, a signature restaurant, and a shisha lounge.
You can find renderings of the hotel below.
Rates at this property start at well over $2,000 per night, including in the peak of summer. It’s also possible to redeem Hilton Honors points for stays here, as the hotel will run you 110,000 Hilton Honors points per night. Much like at the other property, this is a great deal given the value of Hilton Honors points.
Bottom line
Hilton has recently opened two LXR properties in Qatar, which are currently the most expensive properties in the Hilton portfolio, in terms of the rates for base rooms. Both hotels cost $2,000+ per night, which seems outrageous to me.
Best of all, these properties are now bookable with points. I have no clue what to expect here, though I think it might be time to check these out, purely out of curiosity.
What do you make of these two new LXR properties?
Ben. You have to go and give them a try for us ( on points ) I wonder how much a bottle of Krug will set you back at lunch ?
If the restaurants and amenities are priced in line with the room rates, then getting in for 120k point would still tend to leave one with a very large bill.
Qatar is not worth visiting given how boring it is on top of its government that is unpredictable. They suspended the visa until dec 23 but will only let you know the new visa on Dec 24...two weeks after the world cup, no one can apply for a visa unless they have a visa free entry on arrival, yet they sold stop over packages without visa and their transit visa system is still down. I...
Qatar is not worth visiting given how boring it is on top of its government that is unpredictable. They suspended the visa until dec 23 but will only let you know the new visa on Dec 24...two weeks after the world cup, no one can apply for a visa unless they have a visa free entry on arrival, yet they sold stop over packages without visa and their transit visa system is still down. I guess they didn't think about planning things ahead when they knew the hayya card thing would end on Dec 23. Qatar airways is the least helpful airline in the world when it comes to customer service. No sir, you cannot. No sore not possible. No sir blah blah even when it is their responsibility...I guess lucky wouldn't know the real Qatar airways and government since he didn't experience them well enough. The locals would book these expensive hotels because they are bored and need vacation when they get sick of stupidity that goes on in that country
Definitely time for a visit
I guess if I was ever stuck in doha for some reason it's good to know this overpriced property is an option
Not surprisingly, I view things differently. I have been to the Maldives, to Koh Samui, to Phuket, to Bali, to both French and Spanish Riviera, to Antalya (so-called Turkish "Riviera"), etc.... etc...., but never to counties in the Middle East. It's time for a change of pace ("sand ocean" instead of Indian...
Not surprisingly, I view things differently. I have been to the Maldives, to Koh Samui, to Phuket, to Bali, to both French and Spanish Riviera, to Antalya (so-called Turkish "Riviera"), etc.... etc...., but never to counties in the Middle East. It's time for a change of pace ("sand ocean" instead of Indian Ocean!), especially while these stupendously looking properties still have awards galore -- currently, there is availability of standard awards @110K or 120K HH points per night every singe night between now and Dec 2023.
It would, in fact, be interesting to document how quickly standard awards at these two properties become spotty, like they are at other uber-aspirational properties.
Can't help but think of the striking Shelly poem, Ozymandias (look it up), being a metaphore for ostentatious resorts such as these in Middle East sandpits after oil runs out and gas fizzles.
Gymkhana is a Michelin-starred restaurant in Central London (using the same Indian Sports Club inspired theme). I suspect this being a branch - which would be a huge bonus.
Qatar is a strange place. Not sure why you’d ever go except to connect.
Don’t expect a lot of Greek visitors. “Katara” is the Greek word for curse.
I’m going to guess that these properties aren’t really targeted at international guests. Plenty of money in the Middle East and if these are the best hotels around in Qatar they might not struggle to fill them. People pay ludicrous amounts of money for high end champagne which isn’t “worth” (subjective I know) the price but it will still be bought if it’s the best available in the high-end bar/restaurant.
Based on the fact that these properties have a high percentage of villas, I think the target audience are local and regional (extended) families.
Did a tour os Katara about a month ago. Only 15 room property…or the 15 only 7 are standard rooms. Hotel looks nice but surroundings are meh. Not an hotel that I would travel as a destination. If already in Doha and able to use cert…sure…but no planning to go there just for this hotel.
The deal is indeed exception, but that's got nothing to do with a Hilton point being "worth" 0.5cpp.
A Hilton honors point is "worth" 0.5cpp only nominally (i.e., 0.5cpp is simply the "face value" that Hilton Honors assigns its points currency. It is, thus, fixed and objective).
By contrast, the redemption...
The deal is indeed exception, but that's got nothing to do with a Hilton point being "worth" 0.5cpp.
A Hilton honors point is "worth" 0.5cpp only nominally (i.e., 0.5cpp is simply the "face value" that Hilton Honors assigns its points currency. It is, thus, fixed and objective).
By contrast, the redemption values for standard awards at the two featured properties will almost invariably be several times greater than the nominal value of 0.5cpp.
For the two LXR hotels, the redemption values, not including taxes and fees, would be
$2,763/120,000 = $0.023/point = 2.3cpp
$2,321/110,000 = $0.021/point = 2.1cpp
i.e., both are more 4x the nominal of value of 0.5cpp. Those redemption values are equivalent to getting 6-7cents/Hyatt point.
Book a 5-night award stay to get the 5th night free , include taxes and fees, and you get oversized and almost unbeatable redemption values on award stays at both properties.
The preceding, yet again, shows why the universal focus on "face" values of points currencies (e.g., "when you consider that Hilton Honors points are worth around 0.5 cents each") reflects a general misunderstanding. Everyone obsesses with "face" values of points currencies, when it's only their redemption values, which do not exist until after points have been redeemed, that matter in the end.
We need a DCS guest post. Actually maybe a joint podcast?
Not necessary as, despite being universally misunderstood by self-anointed "travel gurus" and their kool-aid drinkers, the concepts are rather trivial.
I promised to "demystify" them thoroughly and will, as soon as I have the time...
Dude, sir or Dr I'm sure you prefer,
You're obsessed with your hard-on for Hilton and clearly delusional if you're trying to convince any points savvy people that this is a good deal. But clearly writing posts like this fill you with a weird, me against the world joy l, or why would you constantly write them with their long absurd logic defences of a 2nd rate points program??
You be you @DCS, rock on and happy new year!!
Utterly stupid. Really.
I write authoritatively about Hilton Honors because I know more about the program than any self-anointed "travel guru" out there, as well as most Hilton employees. And, you and others are obsessed with your hard-on for me, @ClosetDCSFan. Your moniker, in fact, says it all.
Any "points...
Utterly stupid. Really.
I write authoritatively about Hilton Honors because I know more about the program than any self-anointed "travel guru" out there, as well as most Hilton employees. And, you and others are obsessed with your hard-on for me, @ClosetDCSFan. Your moniker, in fact, says it all.
Any "points savvy" person would know that this is a great deal. Just read the site host's take on it, moron!
I notice that other than bitching that I wrote a "post like this", you provided no evidence that there is anything wrong in it. That being the case, you have revealed yourself as a clueless troll.
Get lost.
How to suck the fun out of a redemption.......
Au contraire...
Except that unless you would otherwise pay the cash rate, cash rate/point is not a value of point value.
That is the myth, and it is nonsensical. Think about: what difference does make whether or not one would be willing pay given cash rate? In fact, I would argue that the subjective "value" of a redemption increases if one can use points to book a room that one would not be willing to pay or even be able to afford with cash !!! Isn't being able to use points to book a room that...
That is the myth, and it is nonsensical. Think about: what difference does make whether or not one would be willing pay given cash rate? In fact, I would argue that the subjective "value" of a redemption increases if one can use points to book a room that one would not be willing to pay or even be able to afford with cash !!! Isn't being able to use points to book a room that one would not be willing to pay cash for one of the most compelling the reasons for playing the limes/points game? The fact that one won a lotto jackpot or got a free Mercedes won't change the "value" of that jackpot or Mercedes.
No matter how you observe this so called Artificial oasis It’s man made . One is in a dessert oppressively warm. To be surrounded by Air conditioning twenty four hours at a time .
I assume all produce and staples etc are flown in . Thinking there are Places in USA that would give them a run with competition. Not envious to each his own .
Meh. Stayed in Dubai for a week at a great resort with 3 pools. Beach was terrible mostly because the water was too hot. Otherwise fun enough stopover. Pools, kids meals and beers. Wouldn’t go out of my way to get there.
We stayed in multiple air bnbs on the coast of vietnam with private pools, four bedrooms, chef cooked meals which looked way better than this for $250 a night.
I don't see anything odd with top tier Hilton Hotels in Qatar and their rates during World Cup. Competition does exactly the same. Where is high demand there is an opportunity to sell and generate very high ADR. Dream opportunity for every Revenue Manager.
Seems out of whack on pricing considering the surrounding area does not have much to offer when traveling there purely for leisure. I say give the 2 to 3 more quarters of lost revenue due to 12 to 15٪ vacancies and the prices will be lowered to a standard rate that you see in comparable properties owned by hilton and others..... time will tell!
In a new economic environment when even the rich are...
Seems out of whack on pricing considering the surrounding area does not have much to offer when traveling there purely for leisure. I say give the 2 to 3 more quarters of lost revenue due to 12 to 15٪ vacancies and the prices will be lowered to a standard rate that you see in comparable properties owned by hilton and others..... time will tell!
In a new economic environment when even the rich are beginning to struggle and are holding back on oppulent amenities and experiences, why are some corporations (especialy in the high end hospitality market) not yet realizing that people are just getting turned off by such prices and turned off by the brands for even suggesting these type of prices. Advertise for a decent price and book the hotel at 85% vs 15%?
Your article or seems a bit biased. There are Airbnb's in the US that go for the same price and same size and are sold out constantly. This location is spectacular, in Katara which is a cultural center with a lot of shopping, activities, parks and a giant beach with water sports. They are definitely targeting a more elite market. Also take into consideration many Arab's will host family events in villas like this, so...
Your article or seems a bit biased. There are Airbnb's in the US that go for the same price and same size and are sold out constantly. This location is spectacular, in Katara which is a cultural center with a lot of shopping, activities, parks and a giant beach with water sports. They are definitely targeting a more elite market. Also take into consideration many Arab's will host family events in villas like this, so it's not like a regular hotel stay. There are a few hotels nearby with similar accommodations and they are sold out all the time... especially October to March when the weather is amazing. To people that comment about being in the middle of the desert have obviously never been to a Middle East city, the Persian gulf is wonderful. I've seen these accommodations and they are really well done.
There's a few videos from TikTok - it seems that the hotels were completed literally just a couple of weeks ago. For a luxury hotel, the view of a road and a roundabout from your infinity pool is more laughable than luxurious.
https://www.tiktok.com/@mi___ch___el/video/7164698845920726273?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7164698845920726273&lang=fr
https://www.tiktok.com/@msinusmk/video/7136969303781362946?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7136969303781362946&lang=fr
There's a few videos from TikTok - it seems that the hotels were completed literally just a couple of weeks ago. For a luxury hotel, the view of a road and a roundabout from your infinity pool is more laughable than luxurious.
https://www.tiktok.com/@mi___ch___el/video/7164698845920726273?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7164698845920726273&lang=fr
https://www.tiktok.com/@msinusmk/video/7136969303781362946?is_from_webapp=v1&item_id=7136969303781362946&lang=fr
My take away from travelling in 2022 is, that hotel yield management has gone crazy. Especially two to five month out, rates are often sky high. An example: I needed to go to Berlin in late September, and tried to book in July. Five star properties were all above 2000 EUR for the standard room, four stars 1200-1500 EUR and even the two star Ibis hotels asked 850 EUR per night!
As a consequence, we moved our meetings to nearby Cottbus …
How does this compare to other luxury properties with other brands? If it is not much more or around the same price then it is competitive. It also depends what you're getting.
Could someone explain to me what the attraction of Doha/Qatar is. Why would anyone consider traveling there?
These properties are prob where the ruling family will organise organise government retreats, host anybody they need to butter up (re gas or the new Hamad Port) etc. Otherwise they can only really be targeting the top tier Gulf tourist market who like shopping in the smart malls (although even they don’t sit outside in the summer, they go to Europe or the US).
There is not much to see or do in Qatar generally or Doha specifically. Dune bashing, average restaurants, some beaches and malls. Time and money is better spent elsewhere.
There's a video on the Maysan's instagram page. If I had to guess most of these new hotels are most likely occupied by FIFA and World Cup sponsors for this month, but yeah, Doha is no Dubai (or Abu Dhabi for that matter). Fair to say that we could see some very good offers from 2023 onwards
Andrea Pirlo has been telling me that Qatar Tourism is booming. Is that not the case? ;)
Hmmm....from the photos in the post, this place looks more luxurious and "nicer" to than WA Maldives, which cost about the same.
Maldives is an aspirational destination. Qatar is not.
The accommodation itself, perhaps. But the surrounding area? Between a nice oversea villa on top of the pacific and some nice reefs and beaches vs the middle of the desert (owned by a corrupt, extremely conservative government), I know where I’d much rather be.
Who said the government of Qatar is corrupt?
They are using the money rightfully obtained through the sale of their gas and use it to make all Qatari citizens enjoy a life most other Countries' citizens would only dream of.
Who said they were extremely conservative?
It is one of the most progressive country in the region, with laws expatriate workers from other neighboring countries would be very envious of (among other things:...
Who said the government of Qatar is corrupt?
They are using the money rightfully obtained through the sale of their gas and use it to make all Qatari citizens enjoy a life most other Countries' citizens would only dream of.
Who said they were extremely conservative?
It is one of the most progressive country in the region, with laws expatriate workers from other neighboring countries would be very envious of (among other things: freedom to change employers; freedom to leave the country any time one wants, with no need for exit visa application...).
STOP talking about things you do know nothing about. Unless you are doing so by pure jealousy.
Obviously, Qatar, like ALL countries in the world, is not perfect and could improve things in many areas. But it is not the monster that many are trying to portray it to be. It is better - by far - than many other countries in the world.
Envious of the 15,000 migrants who died?
I suspect he might have meant morally corrupt. You know, cos of the casual racism and indifference to suffering. This article is a good example of what many people object to: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/world-cup-qatar-2022-fifa-nasser-al-khater-worker-death-comment/
Umm Indian Ocean
Corrupt government? Why you not consider your government corrupt evil largest genocidal government in the history of humanity?
David, fully agree with your comment but as far as my geographical knowledge goes, the Maldives are not in the Pacific but yes in the Indian Ocean.
They’re not corrupt. Different morals than Western governments but I’d argue a lot of the US is more corrupt than Qatar…
I’m guessing that post-WC there will be some good deals on Qatari hotels given how many have been built.
Is there any possibility to book this via Hilton Impressario via any preffered partner TA?
Or ar LxR excluded?
That could take the sting out of the cost, as the TA could arrange some attractive deal + bennies
I was able to secure the standard room 1 King Bed Sea View at 95k for 1 night, but it seems they changed all rooms to Premium now. Unsure if my reservation is honored by the time of check-in.
Archie
Will be curious too.
I have been following both these properties for about a month. Going through there on my way back from Seychelles. A few days ago you had wide-open 95K standard nights for both resorts. Kicking myself for not booking them
TD
Why wouldn't they honor it?