Supercool luxury at The Ned Doha
In a city better known for its shiny extravagance, Sarah Highfield checks into a hotel where retro elegance meets stylish modernity
Located in the vibrant heart of Doha and residing in the former Ministry of Interior building, The Ned Doha welcomes you into a world of palatial luxury and timeless charm. Uniquely housed in a beautifully restored historic building (restored by David Chipperfield Architects Berlin), The Ned Doha will wow you from the outset with its brutalist architecture, stylish interiors, impeccable service, and exclusive amenities. It is the hotel to see and be seen at in Doha, with recent guests such as Macklemore and Maroon 5 solidifying its starry credentials.
Setting the scene
Sitting squarely on the seafront Corniche, The Ned Doha is a polished low-rise mix of smooth concrete and sharp angles. Similar to its London and New York counterparts, it features opulent interiors, old world charm, high-end dining, and its own private members club called Ned’s Club Doha.
On arrival, an imposing grand travertine staircase covered by waffled concrete greets you before you enter the hotel’s triple-height sprawling atrium, complete with a live-music stage and a smattering of swanky restaurants. There is endless marble and dark wood panelling, lavish décor, a baby grand piano, and vast woven artworks hanging on the walls.
Impressively, the hotel hosts a museum-worthy art collection curated by Wadha Al-Aqeedi and Elina Sairanen, the co-founders of Mathqaf, a platform focusing on art and culture from West Asia and North Africa. The art collection boasts some 350 pieces of work scattered throughout the property, which explore the preoccupations and inspirations that drive the work of contemporary artists in Doha and the Arab region. The works span an array of media including textile, painting, and sculpture; lots of them were commissioned specifically for The Ned Doha with many of the artists drawing inspiration from the modernist building and its important location.
Exquisite rooms and suites
The hotel’s 90-rooms and 12-suites all feature design elements inspired by 1970s glamour with deep plush colours, mid-century furniture, custom-made Murano chandeliers, glossy parquet flooring, spacious marble bathrooms, and views over the Corniche waterfront, Al Bidda Park, or neighbouring Doha Palace. Guests can choose from a range of room sizes from Cosy, Medium, Large, through to full-sized Suites.
I stayed in a Large Sea View Room, which was more than generous in size with a huge bathroom. The room offered stunning views across the bay, and featured an emperor bed, dining table for two, a corner sofa, a free-standing bathtub, Cowshed toiletries, soft lighting, and a balcony with outdoor seating. I really loved the old-school touches such as the rotary dial phone, vintage Marshall radio, and traditional tea set. There were also a few pieces of art dotted around the room and in the bathroom, which added to the local feel and retro vibe of the space.
Culinary excellence
The Ned Doha has seven different mouth-wateringly good international restaurants to choose from, ranging from Pan-Asian, to Italian, American, and Middle Eastern. The Ned Hotels dining staples are all there, including: Cecconi’s for hand-made pasta and a taste of Northern Italy; Kaia for Asian-Pacific flavours and sushi; Malibu Kitchen for Californian-inspired healthy plates; and Millie’s Lounge, the all-day brasserie featuring international dishes and a daily classic British Afternoon Tea. Also worth highlighting is Hadika, a picturesque Levantine garden restaurant serving Mezzeh.
I was lucky to visit the hotel during Ramadan so was invited to eat Iftar in the Jalsat Al Ned Ramadan Tent, featuring delicious food from five of the hotel’s restaurants. The Ramadan tent was beautifully set up around the hotel’s 30-metre swimming pool and delivered the most delightful buffet of freshly prepared food and a fantastic ‘dessert village’.
While Ned’s Club Doha is members-only, I did squeeze in there for a dinner too. Like the rest of the hotel’s restaurants, it was brilliant and I can highly recommend the Australian Wagyu Striploin, which melts in your mouth, and the Mille-feuille ‘our way’ dessert, which is the fluffiest, creamiest, and most indulgent mille-feuille that I have ever come across.
Spa and wellness
On the fourth floor of the hotel is Ned’s Club Spa; a calm space to unwind with sauna and steam rooms, three treatment rooms, and a traditional Moroccan hammam. If you have just stepped off a long flight, I can highly recommend the Ned’s Club Spa 60-minute Signature Massage with Cowshed products; it is invigorating yet very relaxing, ensuring you will sleep like a baby afterwards.
Ned’s Club Gym has bright views towards the palace and is open 24-hours. It is fully equipped with various machines, a spacious free weight area, and fitness studio. There is also a fabulous 30-metre outdoor swimming pool with speckled terrazzo floors, which looks like something out of a Hollywood movie – it is perfect for early morning lengths or afternoons lounging around on the huge daybeds.
Also worth mentioning, for anyone who would like to venture out for their fitness, is the expansive and pristine Al Bidda Park that sits directly behind the hotel and has its own running tracks and sports facilities.
The local area
Doha is a fast-emerging and upcoming destination in both the Middle East and globally; it has an abundance of undiscovered experiences and culture for travellers. The Ned Doha is ideally positioned between the Souq Waqif neighbourhood and the skyscrapers of West Bay, with the National Museum, Museum of Islamic Art, and Al Riwaq gallery, a short taxi ride away. The bustling area of Msheireb Downtown with its pretty coffee shops, restaurants, galleries, and shops, is just a 15-minute walk away through Al Bidda Park.
The verdict
A long list of superlatives would not do this hotel justice – it truly is in a class of its own. In a part of the world where newer is often better, The Ned Doha is a rarity, and it is refreshing to see an old building take on a new purpose with so much wit and style. It is a seriously cool hotel; bold and colourful; it caters to a cultured and affluent mix of locals, expats, and visitors. Staying at the hotel feels special and takes you back in time to the glamour of the 1970s, while providing the modern conveniences of today and friendly service. Add The Ned Doha to your list of must-visit hotels, because it is an experience just in itself.
Getting there
Doha’s main airport, Hamad International Airport, is a 20-minute drive away and private transfers can be arranged through the hotel’s concierge.
National carrier and Skytrax’s World’s Best Airline 2024, Qatar Airways, is the most seamless and comfortable way to reach Doha. Serving every continent, Qatar Airways connects over 170 destinations worldwide to Doha and offers passengers an unparallelled travel experience no matter which class they fly in.
Qatar Airways is also proud to deliver a First Class experience in its Q Suite Business Class cabin, which was recently awarded World’s Best Business Class by Skytrax. For travellers seeking privacy, the Business Class suites have doors which close, flat beds, ambient mood lighting and generous storage space. Passengers can also transform the suites into a twin, double (the industry’s first-ever double bed in Business Class), or quad configuration. Additionally, Business Class passengers can expect on-demand a la carte dining, a bespoke turndown service complete with pillows, a quilted mattress and plush blanket, along with The White Company sleepwear and slippers, and Diptyque amenity kits.
Doha packing tips
- Versatile bag: From poolside lounging, to souq trips or afternoons at the museums, the adaptable Laneway Totepack from Bellroy has you covered. The smart looking adjustable bag seamlessly switches from a chic tote into a more practical backpack in seconds.
- Comfy shoes: Archies slides ensure you can travel in casual comfort, they are super soft and mould to your feet. Whether you are exploring the nearby parks or eating brunch by the pool, these unisex, lightweight shoes are a must.
- Eco-luxe luggage: A stylish hotel calls for an equally stylish suitcase – enter the Paravel Aviator Carry-On More with its retro theme and carbon neutral credentials. This slick suitcase comes with multiple sections to keep your belongings organised and a compression panel to squeeze everything in.
Further information – thened.com/doha
About the author
Born in Hong Kong and based in London, Sarah Highfield is a travel and lifestyle writer. Follow her travels on Instagram: @SarahHighfield.