Where to Stay in Qatar for FIFA World Cup 2022

Heading to the FIFA World Cup this year? Well, let me be the first to say congratulations. If you’re a ticket holder, I’m sure you know all about the event being held in and around Doha–the capital city of Qatar. But you might not know where the heck to stay!

In this article, we’ll explore some of the great accommodation options Doha, Qatar, has to offer. I should warn you that prices get jacked through the roof during the World Cup, but, hey, attending the event is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, so why not splurge?

Let’s go!

Can you drink alcohol in Qatar hotels?

Let’s get the important question out of the way first. You can drink alcohol in Qatar hotels if you’re over 21 years old. Phew! You can breathe a sigh of relief now. Qatar does implement a sin tax on alcoholic drinks, which means you may be looking at higher prices than you’re used to at home, but who’s complaining, right?

Over at the eight designated stadiums for the tournament, there will be alcoholic drink vendors outside. Get ready for a lot of Budweiser, as it’s the official beer sponsor of FIFA. Once inside the arenas, you’ll be stuck drinking non-alcoholic beers, which will really be an option because no alcohol will be served.

If you do choose to drink, do so responsibly. Qatar isn’t the place to stumble around drunk, and you could find yourself paying hefty fines–or worse.

Okay, let’s check out where to stay in Qatar for FIFA World Cup 2022.

Millennium Hotel Doha

Millennium Hotel Doha is a 5-star luxury hotel close to central Doha. The facility is an easy 25-minute drive from the airport, and once you’re there, you’ll be within reach of all the sites, attractions, and stadiums. Depending on which matches you’re attending, the arenas shouldn’t be more than a 15 to 20-minute drive away. Since the stadiums are spread out throughout the city, staying somewhere in the middle of all of them is ideal, and the Millennium Hotel Doha gives you exactly that.

Room rates during the time of the World Cup are about $1,000 a night. Expensive, I know. But this isn’t the priciest option out there, and, for what it’s worth, the hotel is pretty snazzy. It offers a full-on spa and fitness center, including a sauna, multiple restaurants and cafes, and excellent rooms. Make sure to book fast before it sells out!

Apartment in Central Doha (“Budget” Option)

Your best bet to save a few bucks on accommodation will be to book a private apartment since there won’t be any cheap hotels in Qatar. You’ll still have to cough up an absurd amount of dough, but it’ll be about half the price of a hotel room. This private apartment is going for about $450 a night. It includes a king-size bed, a fully equipped kitchen, a washer and dryer, and–dare I say–free parking. The kitchen will be a nice feature that most hotel rooms don’t offer, and cooking your meals is a great way to save a few bucks while traveling. Every penny counts!

The apartment is in the Al Sadd part of Doha, which will put you just a stone’s throw away from the stadiums. So, for those looking to beat the system and book an affordable accommodation option, this is it.

 

Dusit Doha Hotel

Dusit Doha is a swanky hotel in the West Bay of the city. The property won’t put you right next to any of the stadiums, but you’ll only be about a 20-to-25-minute drive to each one. Staying in West Bay is a wonderful location to soak up some of the city’s top attractions, like the Qatar National Theatre, Msheireb Enrichment Centre, and City Center Mall. Not to mention, you can start or end each day with a walk along the seafront pathways–count me in. 

The hotel facility is a beautiful modern building with a touch of Thai influence. Don’t worry about finding food and drinks because you’ll have your choice between multiple top-notch restaurants and lounges, including a poolside bar–need I say more? Room rates for the World Cup are running between $950 and $1,500 and will only go up more as the event nears. So, book here before that happens.

The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village

When it comes to luxurious accommodation options, it’s hard to beat the Ritz-Carlton, and it’s no different in Qatar. The Ritz is just down the street from the Ras Abu Aboud Stadium–one of the eight designated World Cup venues–and right along the stunning coastline. Take one step onto the property, and you’ll be blown away by the elegant designs, unbelievable indoor and outdoor pools, and relaxation areas on the beachfront property.

A room–granted, every room at the Ritz is incredible–will cost around $3,400. It’s a large sum of money, but let me just say, you’ll feel like you’re getting your money’s worth at this hotel. If you have some cash to blow and are looking for a one-of-a-kind lodging experience for the World Cup, then, The Ritz-Carlton is for you!

How Many Days Should I Stay in Qatar?

Qatar is a lovely country, and you should try to stay about a week there to fully experience it. Doha is a great jump-off point to other nearby cities, such as Al Wakrah, Al Khor, and Mesaieed. Of course, during the World Cup, you can expect to find hiked-up prices around the country, which could determine how many days you’re willing to stay.

Don’t forget that other fascinating countries are easily accessible from Qatar. You can hop over to the United Arab Emirates to check out Dubai or fly over to Oman to experience its gorgeous coastlines.

However long you plan to stay in the area, it’s a wonderful opportunity to experience Middle Eastern culture that not everyone gets to have. So, live it up! 

Final Thoughts

The World Cup seems to get bigger and bigger every four years. Qatar is the first country in the Middle East to hold the event, and it’s expected to be a massive event. Accommodation options for the World Cup tend to be a bit tricky as rates are astronomically high, and rooms book up quickly. I hope the various options we covered helped you decide where to stay in Qatar. Enjoy your trip!

If you are interested in the camera gear and equipment we use to create beautiful pictures, videos and memories, all are listed below. Each product has its own use for the different type of content we create. PS: we highly recommend the Sandisk SSD drives - game changers for transferring content from the camera to our laptops.

CAMERAS & LENSES

Canon EOS R (Camera body) (Professional) 

Canon RF 35mm lens (Good for close up videos and photos)

Canon RF 70-200 (Crystal clear images from a distance)

Canon RF 15-35mm (Versatile lens, amazing for wide angle shots)

Go Pro Hero 10 (Under water shots)

iPhone 13 PRO (Quick videos and for vlogging)

DJI Mavic Air 2 (Aerial drone photography and videos) 

LAPTOP & HARDWARE 

MacBook Pro (16-inch, 2021), Apple M1 Max chip with 10‑core CPU and 32‑core GPU, 32GB RAM, 1TB SSD

Sandisk SSD (Small, compact, super fast transfer speed)

WATERPROOF BACKPACK

Yeti Panga 100% Waterproof bag (Submersible backpack)