Overwater villas, golden sands, and beautiful turquoise water do not necessarily come to mind when picturing a vacation in Doha.
But just off the coast of Doha’s capital lies a top destination that allows a person to get everything they want and more.
The luxury resort island of Banana Island, which opened in 2015, is a top destination for vacationers seeking their ideal getaway. Operated by Thailand-based Anantara, the luxury resort island has become one of Qatar’s only overwater bungalow resorts, featuring some of the Gulf region’s only such accommodations. The island’s 36 overwater bungalows are fully equipped with lounging decks and private infinity pools, as well as one of just two overwater bungalow resorts in the Gulf region — the second is the Palm Resort in Dubai.
World of relaxation
Banana Island, a luxury resort near Dhow Harbour and the Museum of Islamic Arts, is the place to go for those looking for opulence in the Maldives. Private yachts can also reach the island from Dhow Harbour. Guests will receive a warm smile from staff members as they board the ferry and can enjoy Arabian coffee, dates and water during the ferry ride.
Guests at Banana Island are welcomed by the sound of beating drums. The 141 rooms and villas here are decorated with Arabic designs and feature deluxe mosaic-adorned bathrooms, all of which are stocked up with automatically controlled curtains, flat-screen TVs, mini-bars and coffee machines. “What impressed me the most was how large a basic room was,” Alexander Köhler, a 26-year-old Doha resident from South Africa who makes the short ferry trip to Banana Island every few months, said in 2019. “I had a comfortable recliner on my porch with a beautiful view of the ocean,” he added. “The bathrooms were very impressive, as was the restaurant on the ocean — you could see fish swimming right underneath you.”
Beach escapades
For those who prefer to enjoy the resort’s other offerings, there is a long list of activities to keep guests busy. Guests can scuba dive and kayak, snorkel and stand-up paddle board or conquer the waves on a surfing simulator. Those looking for something more relaxing may prefer jumping onto the Instagram-friendly sea swing that swings above the ocean shallows. The resort also provides experiences including an afternoon tea tour and a private “dining by design” experience for special occasions as well as spa treatments for guests.
Guests wishing to bring their own alcohol must do so by plane. Drinking is allowed at the beach, pool and golf course, but not in private. Visitors may find a wide range of dining options, from traditional Middle Eastern and Asian delicacies to American diner classics and Italian fine dining. Guests can order food and drinks at one of the restaurants or visit the island’s single convenience store for supplies. A fleet of electric golf carts is always at hand to ferry you around the island.
Family favorites
If you get tired of the hot Gulf sun, there are plenty of indoor activities to choose from. Guests can relax at the island’s spa and wellness center, test their bowling skills in a multi-lane alley, play pool or foosball or curl up under a big pile of cushions while watching blockbusters inside an exclusive 20-seat movie theater. A big hit with families, there’s also a children’s cinema as well as kids’ clubs, including a pool with slides. Apart from overnight guests from Qatar itself as well as Germany and Russia, the resort is also popular with day-trippers seeking fun and calm away from Doha’s traffic-clogged streets before taking the ferry back to this vibrant Gulf metropolis