The best places to stay in Doha & Lusail for F1 fans attending the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix on November 29 to December 1
- The 2024 Qatar Grand Prix is from November 29 to December 1
- Reserve accommodation with free cancellation via Booking.com
- The Editor attended the 2023 Qatar Grand Prix & stayed at Hyatt Regency Oryx Doha
- Connect with fellow fans, share tips & get advice in our Facebook group for attending the Qatar GP
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Qatar was in the international spotlight in late 2022 when the small gulf state hosted the FIFA World Cup. The wealthy oil and gas rich country on the Arabian Peninsula invested heavily in the tournament, constructing seven stadiums and a new metro system. This was good news for F1 fans attending the second edition of the Qatar Grand Prix at Lusail Circuit, as the tourist infrastructure in the country was significantly improved as a result of the World Cup.
Best Areas to Stay for the 2024 Qatar Grand Prix
Lusail Circuit is located around 30 minutes’ drive north of Doha, the Qatari capital and largest city. The closest accommodation to the circuit can be found in the rapidly expanding city of Lusail, on the coast about 10 kilometres south. A little further south is the man-made Pearl Island, which has some excellent hotels and offers good access to the circuit.
If you prefer to stay in Doha, there are two main areas worth considering as your base for race weekend; West Bay (also known as the Diplomatic Area) is home to many high-end hotels and malls, whilst Al Jasra – the oldest part of the city, also known as Downtown Doha – is better for access to cultural sights and Souq Waqif, a bustling and historic market. Downtown Doha also offers the cheapest accommodation for fans on a budget, and is closer to Doha Airport.
Where to Stay in Lusail & Pearl Island
Sometimes spelled as Losail, the second largest city in Qatar has undergone rapid growth in recent years and is home to the Lusail stadium that hosted the final of the World Cup 2022, as well as plenty of hotels and shopping malls. The circuit is only 10-15 minutes away by car.
At the top end of the market, Lusail has several beautiful (and expensive) 5-star hotels such as the Mondrian Doha, The Ritz-Carlton, Doha and Le Royal Méridien Doha. It’s also worth mentioning the Fairmont Doha and Raffles Doha, both of which are located in an incredible new building (pictured above) resembling a horseshoe that’s inspired by the seal or coat of arms of Qatar, which features two scimitar swords. More affordable, yet still well-rated places to stay in Lusail include Staybridge Suites – Doha Lusail, an IHG Hotel and the brand-new Velero Hotel Doha.
Nearby Pearl Island is also home to several international brand hotels, such as Hilton Doha The Pearl and Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl. The area around Lusail and Pearl Island also offers a good selection of serviced apartments at reasonable prices on race weekend.
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Where to Stay in West Bay, Doha
Doha’s commercial, financial and diplomatic area is arguably the best place to stay for the Qatar Grand Prix, offering the best mix of quality hotels, shopping, restaurants and nightlife. Traffic in West Bay was a bit of a nightmare during the inaugural Qatar race in 2021, but much of this was due to infrastructure projects which were completed in time for the FIFA World Cup late last year. Travel time via car from West Bay to Lusail Circuit is around 30 minutes.
The Four Seasons Hotel Doha is the best place to stay in West Bay if money is no object, but there are plenty of other hotels from well-known chains that won’t break the bank on race weekend, including the Hilton Doha, Wyndham Grand Doha West Bay Beach, Kempinski Residences & Suites Doha, and Centara West Bay Hotel & Residences Doha. For less than $100 per night, Retaj Al Rayyan is recommended.
Where to Stay in Downtown Doha
Furthest from Lusail Circuit, but still reachable in 30-45 minutes depending on traffic, Downtown Doha is the oldest part of the Qatari capital. Another advantage of staying downtown is easier access to the airport. Some of the city’s best hotels can be found within walking distance of Souq Waqif, the historic market area which also has many good restaurants, and also the beachfront promenade known as the Corniche. If budget is no impediment, the best downtown hotels include the Mandarin Oriental Doha and Park Hyatt Doha.
Cheaper options near downtown Doha are DoubleTree by Hilton Doha Downtown, Embassy Suites By Hilton Doha Old Town, Four Points by Sheraton Doha and dusitD2 Salwa Doha. If you are on a budget, you’ll also find the best selection of cheaper local hotels and even a couple of hostels in downtown Doha.
