From shaded walking paths to a resident peacock, Liz O’Reilly discovered a haven of unexpected tranquillity just minutes from the city centre, on a visit to Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha.
The sense of overall care started before I’d even left the plane in Qatar, with a message from driver Ronald telling me he was waiting for me in arrivals. It might not sound overly impressive, but when you’ve been up since before 5am to sort the myriad tasks at home before heading to the airport, knowing you’re about to relax in the back of a comfortable, air-conditioned Mercedes-Benz as someone else negotiates the city’s morning traffic is the perfect welcome.
As we drove up to the exterior walls of Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha, I have to admit, I was a little underwhelmed – an impression that was soon dispelled. The resort is in a fairly urban area, so I was not expecting the gorgeous green oasis hidden inside its impressive gates.
Entering the lobby, my breath was genuinely taken away. Soaring ceilings draw the eyes up and up and up! Hints of gold on the pale walls, intricate chandeliers providing the lighting and gently rhythmic water features transform the cavernous space into a welcoming introduction to a property that’s every bit as impressive as this first impression suggests.
A quick golf buggy ride with lovely guest relations lady Miat – no cars are allowed on the resort – and I was shown to my one-bed pool villa, my home for the next few days.
Built For Relaxation
Large and bright, the quality of the furniture and fittings told a story of its own. Solid deep-red wood combined with marble tiling on walls and floors while little extra touches, like mashrabiya patterned metallic décor on columns separating the dining area from the lounge, showed the abundance of thought that had gone into the space.
A red wood breakfast bar bordered the fully equipped kitchen, where amenities, including a fridge and freezer as well as a washing machine and dishwasher, made this the ideal spot for a longer stay – oh how I wish!
The lounge area featured a TV and comfortable seating with tall windows and a sliding door leading to the garden – for me, the piece de resistance.
Completely private and calm, with mature trees outside the walls (of which more later), it was the perfect place to relax and unwind with a full-size dining table, two comfortably cushioned chaise day beds and a small seating area. My eyes were immediately drawn to the infinity-edged plunge pool and I could barely wait to jump right in.
Bird song and an occasional ‘whoop’ from something I didn’t yet recognise added to the air of tranquillity, making it hard to believe I was still so close to the city, while a wall of cascading water at the end of the garden added a gentle, rhythmic background – utterly relaxing and clearly intended to quiet the mind and senses.
The pool itself was temperature controlled so, even on a blistering Doha day, the sparkling, clear water provided cool relief and an open invitation to linger. I will confess, I was supposed to be working but the temptation was just too great and I spent far too long just lounging around, dipping in and out of the refreshing waters and letting the world pass by – not something any of us get the chance to do very often.
Back inside and I went to check out the bedroom before heading out to dinner and, honestly, if I hadn’t been so hungry, I probably would have tucked myself in for the night right then.
A full king-size bed boasted those crisp, white, high-thread-count linens that seem impossible to replicate at home. Sliding doors gave a garden view while arched windows allowed in abundant natural light. Lights and curtains were conveniently controlled by bedside panels and everything was just designed for rest. Not overly fussy, gentle neutral colours with a striking, dimmed metallic mashrabiya screen adding interest above the bed and a thick taupe-coloured rug ensuring that deep-pile comfort is the first and last thing your feet encounter each day.
The en-suite bathroom offering a gleaming deep tub as well as a separate shower with water jets (which I didn’t work out) and a rain-shower style head, was everything you would expect and just that little bit more. Amenities from Byredo, lightly scented and deeply satisfying to slather on, were coupled with an abundance of fluffy, pristine white towels and every kind of extra you could wish for, from shower caps to a shaving kit and loofah.
Dining Delights
Al Messila, A Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha boasts an array of dining options and I was lucky enough to try several of them. As you might expect, there was abundance aplenty, so I shall highlight my favourite experiences – there were many.
At Parisa, I found stunning Persian-style décor and a warm welcome – even when I asked to sit on the terrace, almost unheard of in Doha at this time of year. I was served the house speciality of Shivid Polow Ba Mahiche – braised lamb shank with sautéed onions and dill rice. It’s easy to see why this is a best-seller and a dish of which the restaurant is rightly proud. The meat is slow cooked for seven hours and you can taste every minute of that indulgence in the texture of the flesh, which literally melts from the bone, and the deliciously gooey, gelatinous fat. My mouth is watering just writing about it.
At Deli Kitchen, the breakfast buffet is famed citywide – I cannot think of a taste or wish that’s not available from fresh fruit to smoked meats, pastries and breads, eggs to order and even an intact honey comb with a selection of different honeys. But, for me, a highlight of my stay was the early morning arrival of a floating breakfast, served in my private pool. Eggs and bacon, pancakes topped with fresh fruit, salad, fresh orange juice and more. It was truly both generous and excellent. There’s something so thoroughly indulgent about sipping hot tea with pancakes while the sun beats down and you float in cool water.
The award-winning Taj Rasoi is the resort’s excellent Indian eatery where stunning décor and dark, intricate chandeliers set the scene for intimate fine-dining. Here I was delighted by the intricate flavours of the Champaran Murgh Tikka – tender, juicy chicken thighs marinated with yoghurt, basil and coriander and cooked in the tandoor oven. The mix of herbs and spices – I picked up ginger, garlic and cumin – rendered the meat deeply flavourful, lingering on the tongue and enticing just one more bite.
Spa Indulgence
There is so much to be said about the wellness facilities at Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha, the first being that just the thought of entering that tranquil oasis actually caused me to get my trainers out of my bag, for the first time in more than 15 years of writing about exceptional properties, and head to the gym. I chose the ladies-only section where machines, weights, floor mats and more were arranged in a space that’s the largest in Doha. On the next level, the mixed facilities are equally as impressive with every piece of Technogym equipment you could possibly want – and some I didn’t even recognise!
I returned later in the day to visit Al Messila Spa which, at more than 14,000sq/m is the largest in the region and offers everything from complete wellness therapies to facial and body treatments.
Walking in through a darkened corridor with black and white patterned flooring, I immediately experienced a sense of calm before my therapist Eva escorted me to one of the massage suites, complete with private bathroom facilities, where a deeply padded table awaited. I had booked an aromatherapy massage with lavender oil for relaxation. It did not disappoint. Eva worked with deliberate strokes and gentle stretches to ease my shoulders and lower legs, as requested. And though her techniques proved effective, there was none of the aching that sometimes accompanies a good massage, just a feeling of being gently nurtured.
Next, I moved on to Susy, who conducted a very thorough facial using Biologique Recherche products, a brand which has long been a favourite. Through cleansing and toning to exfoliation, which I did not enjoy but could see the benefit of, to a gentle peel to address pigmentation, she talked me through every step, constantly checking that I was OK before finishing with a deeply nourishing mask, moisturiser and sun protection. I can honestly say, the results surprised me. I left with my skin feeling plumped and renewed and my evening’s dinner companion even remarked on how well I was looking.
Part of the Ladies Retreat, the spa is also home to The Worlds – four wellness spaces delivering services and facilities inspired by the elements with the themes of Oriental, Floral, Mystic and Mineral. Here you’ll find the traditional Hammam, a salt room, an oxygen tank, flotation pools and much more. With stunning décor and excellent facilities, this area is worth a visit just on its own.
The Crowning Glory
Honestly, I could wax lyrical about Al Messila, a Luxury Collection Resort & Spa, Doha’s facilities all day. But the absolute best part for me was the location itself, set on 33 acres of land that was once an arboricultural station where specialists studied tree species to gauge their resilience to Doha’s harsh climate. When the site was developed, the owners managed to preserve 76% of the trees, many of which are now individually insured. The result is a massive space, with jogging tracks ranging up to 2.5km where old-growth woodland shades your path and birds are all around – at least 15 different species, some of them rare, have been recorded on the site, including a peacock, whose joyous ‘whoops’ I couldn’t identify on my first day. Ideal for walking in the early morning and evening, when soft, inconspicuous lighting reminds you of the almost sanctity of the space, the feeling of being in nature is what makes this place so very special.
An extra mention should also go to the team whose welcome was warm and genuine, nothing was too much trouble – they even brought sun screen when I realised I’d forgotten mine and extra teabags, without which I couldn’t have enjoyed my stay nearly so much.
Safe to say, I will be booking a return visit. I would love to see this amazing place in the spring time.
Please visit https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/dohla-al-messila-a-luxury-collection-resort-and-spa-doha/spa/ for more information.
@almessilaresortdoha