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…
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?
Membership is free and takes no more information than commenting as a guest. Earn status points for good contributions, and see fewer ads as your status grows.