Doha’s newest hotel has opened its doors just in time for the World Cup Qatar 2022.
The Waldorf Astoria Lusail, Doha, is designed for guests seeking a luxury escape, great dining options and the Middle East's first Espa Life spa.
Located 20 minutes from Hamad International Airport, in Lusail, the Hilton-owned hotel has three swimming pools, a surf club and its very own water park, complete with slides, rides and a water adventure trail.
One of Dubai’s most popular restaurants, SushiSamba, is now open at the hotel and the popular Peruvian-Brazilian-Japanese eatery also sports the brand’s first beach club, with a boho design inspired by nature.
With 429 rooms, suites and apartments, the beachfront property has its own 200-metre stretch of private shoreline in Lusail’s Entertainment City. Travellers can expect Waldorf Astoria's renowned service, including a personal concierge for every guest.
Entirely family-friendly, there's a children’s swimming pool and another pool for families. Kunuz Kids and Teens Club offers supervised entertainment, experiences and activities for younger travellers, while grown ups can soak in the adults-only pool, or unwind at Espa Life. The wellness retreat offers a range of treatments, holistic therapies, hydrothermal facilities, advanced fitness and nutrition programmes, and grooming facilities.
While the hotel is already fully booked for the duration of the World Cup, its restaurants and entertainment options are open to both in-house guests and visitors. In addition to celebrity favourite SuishiSamba, there’s also hip New York-born Italian restaurant Scarpetta, which serves up tailor-made food experiences in a sophisticated setting.
ByWater is a contemporary brasserie concept inspired by the historical French Quarter in New Orleans; and there's also poolside eatery Praia. The wellness-focused Wyld Erth serves organic, wholesome options, while those seeking exclusivity can head to The Highmore, inspired by London’s members-only clubs.
Peacock Alley — the renowned meeting spot found in all Waldorf Astoria hotels around the world — is also worth a visit with views over the Arabian Gulf and a wonderful afternoon tea service.
Extending over 38 square kilometres, Lusail is known as Qatar’s Entertainment City and incorporates the Qetaifan Islands. It's filled with greenery, parks, event spaces, a marina and a promenade, and is also where visitors will find Lusail Stadium, where the World Cup final will take place on December 18.
Labour dispute
The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.
- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Key facilities
- Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
- Premier League-standard football pitch
- 400m Olympic running track
- NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
Financial considerations before buying a property
Buyers should try to pay as much in cash as possible for a property, limiting the mortgage value to as little as they can afford. This means they not only pay less in interest but their monthly costs are also reduced. Ideally, the monthly mortgage payment should not exceed 20 per cent of the purchaser’s total household income, says Carol Glynn, founder of Conscious Finance Coaching.
“If it’s a rental property, plan for the property to have periods when it does not have a tenant. Ensure you have enough cash set aside to pay the mortgage and other costs during these periods, ideally at least six months,” she says.
Also, shop around for the best mortgage interest rate. Understand the terms and conditions, especially what happens after any introductory periods, Ms Glynn adds.
Using a good mortgage broker is worth the investment to obtain the best rate available for a buyer’s needs and circumstances. A good mortgage broker will help the buyer understand the terms and conditions of the mortgage and make the purchasing process efficient and easier.
Iftar programme at the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding
Established in 1998, the Sheikh Mohammed Centre for Cultural Understanding was created with a vision to teach residents about the traditions and customs of the UAE. Its motto is ‘open doors, open minds’. All year-round, visitors can sign up for a traditional Emirati breakfast, lunch or dinner meal, as well as a range of walking tours, including ones to sites such as the Jumeirah Mosque or Al Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood.
Every year during Ramadan, an iftar programme is rolled out. This allows guests to break their fast with the centre’s presenters, visit a nearby mosque and observe their guides while they pray. These events last for about two hours and are open to the public, or can be booked for a private event.
Until the end of Ramadan, the iftar events take place from 7pm until 9pm, from Saturday to Thursday. Advanced booking is required.
For more details, email openminds@cultures.ae or visit www.cultures.ae
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A Cat, A Man, and Two Women
Junichiro Tamizaki
Translated by Paul McCarthy
Daunt Books
How to apply for a drone permit
- Individuals must register on UAE Drone app or website using their UAE Pass
- Add all their personal details, including name, nationality, passport number, Emiratis ID, email and phone number
- Upload the training certificate from a centre accredited by the GCAA
- Submit their request
What are the regulations?
- Fly it within visual line of sight
- Never over populated areas
- Ensure maximum flying height of 400 feet (122 metres) above ground level is not crossed
- Users must avoid flying over restricted areas listed on the UAE Drone app
- Only fly the drone during the day, and never at night
- Should have a live feed of the drone flight
- Drones must weigh 5 kg or less
Company profile
Company: Verity
Date started: May 2021
Founders: Kamal Al-Samarrai, Dina Shoman and Omar Al Sharif
Based: Dubai
Sector: FinTech
Size: four team members
Stage: Intially bootstrapped but recently closed its first pre-seed round of $800,000
Investors: Wamda, VentureSouq, Beyond Capital and regional angel investors
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
