Resorts and hotels offer the perfect antidote to summer temperatures with their swimming pools and beach facilities. Equipped with a day pass, not only can you enjoy lounging by the pool or splashing in the sea, but you only need to bring the essentials.
They also offer a myriad of cafés and restaurants to choose from, an array of chairs and loungers to relax in (shaded and unshaded), and clean and well-equipped changing and showering facilities. You don’t even need to bring your own towel.
Some hotels and resorts also offer fantastic bonus features for kids, such as play parks, kids’ clubs, beach games, indoor play areas and water sports.
So grab your sunscreen and read on for some cool, kid-friendly summer fun that will leave you feeling refreshed and relaxed.
Banana Island Resort
Offering a little bit of island paradise near the shores of Doha, Banana Island is a wonderful escape from city life. The standout feature, for a day pass holder with kids, is the dedicated children’s swimming area. Upon seeing the three huge water slides, which can only be entered by passing through a giant model shark’s jaws, you know that your offspring will have a splashtastic time. The pool itself is temperature-controlled and partially covered mostly around the shallower areas, and goes up to 1.1 metres deep.
Next to the kids’ pool is a smaller, covered baby pool up to 45 centimetres deep. A climb-on pirate ship with two small slides ensures that even the littlest adventurer can zip into the water. A water fountain and giant climb-on sea characters add to the fun. Next to the kids’ swimming area is a 100-metre-long lagoon pool. Surrounding the pools are loungers and
umbrellas, tables and chairs and comfy cabanas. In addition, the Q Lounge and Restaurant along the beach provides access to an 18-metre swimming pool with hot tubs.
The 800-metre beach is set in the curve of the island and is perfectly picturesque. Natural palm leaf umbrellas shade loungers along the length of the beach and a beach volleyball court is marked out for visitors. For an additional fee, you can go surfing in the state-of-the-art surf pool or book a diving tour.
Contact: +975 4040-5050, doha.anantara.com
Location: Banana Island, Doha. Boats leave from Al Shyoukh on the Corniche every hour during the week and every half an hour on the weekends from midday until 8pm
Hours: 08:00–19:00, the beach and lagoon pool close at sunset
Fees: A weekday pass to the island is QR 350 per person from five years and older. A weekend day pass is QR 500 for adults and QR 350 for kids. Children under four cost QR 50, which covers boat transfers. In addition to pool and beach access, the day pass also entitles each visitor to QR 200 credit to spend in any resort restaurant and QR 50 credit towards any resort activity
Doha Family Tip: The play equipment on the beach is not covered. It would be wise to check the temperature of the plastic before you let your kids play on it, and make sure they are slathered in sunscreen while they play.
Ezdan Hotel
Ezdan Hotel is a hidden treasure found in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city. The fourth floor of Tower 1 is a beautiful oasis of calm with a whole host of amenities for day pass holders to enjoy.
A walkway of natural stone and terracotta tiles, lined with huge plant pots full of trees and flowers, draws you to the main 42-metre-long swimming pool. One end is sectioned off for children and includes a small slide. The pool area also includes a shaded hot tub and water fountains that splash into the main pool. Surrounding the pool are loungers and umbrellas, covered lounging decks with daybeds, and rattan tables and chairs.
Off to the side of the pool is the entrance to a separate, temperature-controlled kids’ pool. Shaded by brightly coloured awning, the large kidney-shaped pool is 1 metre at its deepest. A splash pad provides extra fun, and mums and dads can relax in any number of daybed loungers surrounding the pool.
Contact: +974 4496-9111, ezdanhotels.qa
Location: West Bay, Al Dafna
Hours: 07:00–22:00
Fees: QR 50 for adults and QR 25 for kids on weekdays, QR 100 for adults and QR 50 for kids on weekends. Children five and under are free. Towels are provided for a deposit of QR 50
Doha Family Tip: There is no convenient parking at the hotel, so catch a taxi to get there.
InterContinental Doha
With its backdrop of palm trees, golden sands, beach umbrellas, bars and cafés, the huge pool and beach at the InterContinental Doha will instantly put you in a holiday mood. A bridge, leading from the hotel to the beach and a large grassy area with loungers, crosses over the centre of the 1.5-metres-deep pool. A swim-up bar serving soft drinks is located on the right half of the pool, and off to the left is a 50-centimetre-deep, covered baby pool. Surrounding the temperature-controlled pools are loungers and umbrellas, a number of tables and chairs, and covered lounging areas.
The beach stretches from one side of the hotel grounds to the other and has plenty of loungers and umbrellas to choose from. Grassy areas with palm trees intersect the beach area adding a welcome splash of green to the view. A beach volleyball net is set up, and paddle boards can be rented.
Contact: +974 4484-4444, doha.intercontinental.com
Location: Al Isteqlal Road, West Bay Lagoon
Hours: Pool 06:00–21:00, beach 07:00–sunset
Fees: Sundays, Mondays, Thursdays QR 200 for adults and QR 100 for kids; Tuesdays and Wednesdays QR 100 for ladies, QR 200 for men and couples, and QR 80 for kids; Saturdays and public holidays QR 350 for adults, QR 150 for kids; Fridays are for members only. Children under three are free
Doha Family Tip: Doha Mums Deals Cardholders can use the pool and beach on Monday mornings for only QR 50.
Sealine Beach Resort
The resort at Sealine Beach is a marvel in the desert. Surrounded by dunes, it offers sanctuary from the sun, sand and heat of the day. And, what a sanctuary it is—it was just voted the Best Luxury Family Resort in the LUX Global Hotel & Spa Awards 2018.
There is a huge green lawn at the centre of the resort facilities. On either side of the lawn are swimming pools. Directly in front of the lawn, a beach stretches the entire length of the resort. The main swimming pool is an oblong shape, 1.74 metres at its deepest. Next to the main pool is a small, 45-centimetre-deep baby pool. To the right of the lawn are three temperature-controlled, interconnected circular pools. Two of the pools are covered, and one of the covered pools is another 45-centimetre-deep baby pool. Surrounding the pools and across the site are loungers, umbrellas, tables, chairs, benches and covered picnic tables.
The beach is a long, slim strip of sand that widens at one end where you’ll find a volleyball net and other beach activities.
Keep your eyes open for the new kids’ areas coming soon to the resort. The play park is soon to be upgraded, and a new fenced off area with arts and crafts, mini football, mini gym and go-karts will provide kids with hours of fun.
Contact: +974 4021-4000, sealinebeachqatar.com
Location: Sealine Beach Road, Mesaieed
Hours: Pool 06:00–19:00 on weekdays and 06:00–22:00 on weekends, beach 06:00–sunset
Fees: Saturday to Wednesday QR 75 for adults and QR 37.50 for kids, Thursday to Saturday QR 100 for adults and QR 50 for kids. Children under six are free
Doha Family Tip: On the weekends, the resort offers a buffet lunch. A pool and beach day pass plus a buffet lunch can all be enjoyed for just QR 150.
The Sheraton Grand Hotel
The Sheraton Grand Hotel is certainly very grand, with a panoramic view of the Arabian Gulf, a beautiful and lush garden area, and an expansive beach with golden sands.
From the foliage of the gardens, you emerge into the main pool area. The main, circular-shaped pool is temperature controlled, and its shallowest point is sectioned off for children. A large, separate hot tub sits in front of the main pool and overlooks the ocean. Behind the main pool is a covered 45-centimetre-deep baby pool surrounded by trees and greenery. Also surrounding the pools are sun loungers and umbrellas and rattan tables and chairs.
The pool and garden area lead to the beach, a great semi-circle of sand with a pathway offering an array of tree-shaded loungers, hammocks, sun beds and cabanas.
In the warmer weather, an inflatable obstacle course can be reached by a short swim from the beach. Kids and adults will have a ball climbing, sliding, jumping and running its course, trying to not fall off. Admission to the obstacle course is QR 50 for half a day and QR 100 for a whole day. Other water sport activities can be found on the other side of the resort.
Contact: +974 4485 4444, sheratongranddoha.com
Location: Al Corniche Street, West Bay
Hours: Pool 08:00–20:00, beach 08:00–sunset
Fees: Weekdays QR 100 for women, QR 250 for men, QR 250 for couples, QR 350 for families (up to two kids, additional kids QR 100 each); weekends QR 150 for women, QR 350 for men, QR 350 for couples, QR 450 for families (up to two kids, additional kids QR 100 each)
Doha Family Tip: The hotel’s fitness centre offers a plethora of activities for kids throughout the week and the weekend. For an additional QR 75 on weekdays or QR 99 on weekends, they can pick two hour-long activities, including arts and crafts, table games, organised games and active games, such as football, mini bowling, basketball, and more.
