I’m the first to admit I am a bit of a late adopter. Maybe it’s my inner stubborness. Maybe it’s my refusal to join any type of bandwagon. But when I do join the party, it’s like a lightbulb moment. When we entered Isla Mexican Kitchen on The Pearl Qatar, it was as if I was entering a party I was either late to or hadn’t been invited to. It was a mid-week and the place was busy. I thought, “hang onnnnn….how did I not know about this place?”. Clearly I was living under the foodie equivalent of a large rock. And to be fair, I generally have an aversion…
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10 Things That Will Surprise First Time Visitors to Qatar
When I am traveling I regularly get asked “What is Qatar REALLY like”. Whether it be from the media coverage of recent events or already preconceived ideas about what the country is like, people are fascinated by this tiny peninsula. My answer to this question is always the same – Qatar will truly surprise you. Now, with Qatar Airways offering free stopovers until the end of the year and with visa free entry for 80 countries (not to mention some highly competitive fares from Asia, Australia, the United States and Europe), it’s never been more attractive to visit Qatar and see what the fuss is about. Here are the top…
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Six Places in Doha to Go for a Girl’s Night Out
Let me be clear do about this – by “girl’s night out” I don’t mean “ladies night”. In fact, what I really mean is a list of places you can go with your “squad” (although I also hate that term) or tribe (much better). I mean a place to go with drinks (or maybe not), decent food and yes, maybe, some musical stylings (preferably of the retro persuasion). And, of course, this isn’t just limited to after 6pm fun or places with Happy Hours. So…because, sometimes, you just need to be with your tribe, here are my go-to places for a girls night out/afternoon gathering (alert the authorities!). Break out…
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The Best Room in a Hotel – Why Booking a Club Room Ensures a Great Stay
Here’s a tip – in my view the best room in a hotel isn’t the suite with sweeping views or the one with the stand alone bath tub. It’s the Club Lounge. Travel is about the experience and there’s nothing that will de-stress the experience—or make it feel more memorable—than a little extra pampering. Whether it be a glass of champagne, a breakfast cooked to order, or a comfy couch and a bite to eat after a loooong day, we all want to feel a little special. And when you are staying in a five star hotel, all you need is that special key – to the club floor. When…
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Your Blockade Busting Guide to Getting the Best Dining and Drinking Deals in Doha
Let’s face it – we all love to live large but for as little outlay as possible. With the current “situation” we find ourselves in, we all know that costs are rising in some quarters. As I noted around the same time last year, this comes after a fairly rugged period for many in Qatar where people tightened their belts and bunkered down. Where a couple might go out for dinner one night and then attend a brunch in the same week, it’s now one or the other. Having a family – school fees etc – ups the financial stakes further. Mix in increased fuel charges and the mugging we…
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Doha’s Hidden Restaurant Gems – D’Chopstix at Holiday Villa
If you are like me, you have your “go-to” restaurants where, (mostly) for want of a better idea, you always end up at. There is a lot to be said for the Cheers approach to eating out – you like to go where everyone knows your name…and how you like your Diet Coke. But sometimes I like to veer wildly off my usual programming. This led me to thinking, why not shine a light on some of these places, that perhaps aren’t as widely known as they should be. Maybe they are located where you least expect them. Or perhaps they are literally off the beaten track. Doha and Qatar…
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Do Doha’s Restaurants Have a Service Problem?
Thank you to comedian, businessman and all round good guy Hamad Al Amari for raising this issue and inspiring this blog post. At Qatar Social, an event organized by I Love Qatar last month bringing together bloggers, influencers and content creators in July, he made a very pointed quip during a panel discussion about the future of content. He highlighted the discrepancy between many reviews on foodie websites like Zomato Qatar and actual experience when it comes to service at restaurants in Doha. He implored people not to “sugar coat” reviews and when sharing experiences online. His beef was “service in this town” and the reality versus the online perception. As a blogger who…
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Five Places in Doha to For an After Work Drink That Also Serve Great Food
Most days at work (yes, I DO have a day job), around 1pm-ish, my office colleague Penny and I have an important and in depth conversation about what we will be eating for dinner that night…or where we will be eating. Often we trade advice and experiences about where to eat after work, when we just can’t bring ourselves to create another kitchen masterpiece. Whether it’s catching up with co-workers, friends or your significant other, an afterwork drink is great to take the edge off. But nothing beats a great meal to go with it. So, I searched the city for some of the best options for after work sustenance.…
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Doha Stopover Essentials – An Insider’s Guide
Doha is now well and truly on the map for travelers around the world thanks to Qatar Airways’ expanding global route map and an innovative new stopover program. I am often asked by readers for tips and advice for visitors to Qatar, so by popular demand, I have compiled the “ultimate” Insider’s Guide to Doha. From visas through to hotels, what to buy and of course where to eat, its all here in one place. My only advice? Just come – you will love it. Visa Details: Travelers can now enjoy the new Transit Visa free of cost when you add a short transit or stopover between five and 96 hours…
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Seven Places You Should Be Eating in Right Now – Summer 2017 Edition
Don’t be alarmed…but it’s nearly August. Hard to believe we have survived nearly two months of the #QatarBlockade 2017 (although there appears to be a lucrative black market in Diet Coke hoarding and coriander swapping) and one of the swampiest Summers on record. But…here we are. Stronger. Sense of humor intact. And still HUNGRY. I thought it was time to revisit my now regular twice yearly look at places you should be eating at right now. To be fair, many of these places are old favorites that have maybe fallen off the radar (well mine anyway) but have returned with a new vigor and one out of left field. All are…
