Our Habitas Ras Abrouq Near+Far review: 9/10

Why book Our Habitas Ras Abrouq

Our Habitas Ras Abrouq opened in January 2024 on Qatar’s peaceful west coast – marking a new era for the untrammelled area and its nearby UNESCO-protected Al-Reem Biosphere Reserve. One hour outside of Doha, people largely visit to see the famous East Meets West, but now, there’s one of the country[’s most fabulous resorts – sitting between the white landscape and Arabian Gulf and posing as one of the most relaxing and rejuvenating escapes in the region. Typical of Our Habitas, the resort feels like a chic eco retreat, with tented villas – seamlessly blending with nature – dotted across the cream-hued sands and cosy communal spaces – plus a stunning outdoor swimming pool, fantastic gym and spa. It has become one of the most popular weekend getaway spots, but with an hour’s drive from Doha, it’s set to welcome more and more international travellers. We spend the day in our villa, with its private pool, looking onto the white sands, pottering to the restaurant and beach, enjoying its daily activities and the food – which is colourful, flavorful and fresh with lots of local seafood and Latin American and Arabic influences. This is the hotel for a joyous getaway with friends or a romantic retreat – and we can’t wait to return.

Location

The otherworldy experience begins miles before arriving – as you pass through gates into a protected landscape of the historical Zekreet Peninsula – a white, chalky, lunar-like landscape. Our Habitas Ras Abrouq sits here in a bay, sandwiched between the desert and beach, which makes an appeal to all travellers, whatever your solace is. While seemingly remote and secluded, Our Habitas Ras Abrouq is set just 1km from one of Qatar’s most popular attractions, Richard Serra’s iconic sculpture, East Meets West, and the property aims to use the surrounding desert as a place to stage art exhibits, one of a kind pop-up dining experiences, film screenings, concerts and more. The new resort will bring travellers to a largely unexplored side of Qatar away from the capital – one steeped in natural beauty and teeming with wildlife.

Villas

The 42 tented villas blend wonderfully in with the sandy-hued landscape, subtly becoming one with the land. There are seven on offer, most sleeping two, but rising to four, six and eight in the opulent Lulu Royal Villa (the latter is the only one not in the typical cosy Bedouin style). Villas are earthy, with tawny hues and pops of red from sadu weaving, wall decorations, and more – plus cosy seating areas, a plush bed with four posters and a modern bathroom with a soaking tub, double vanity and rainfall shower – plus an outdoor shower. Our Habitas’ backbone is social living, so you won’t find TVs in the room, and in-room dining isn’t readily available – making you all come together in the main restaurant and creating a homely hub. Villas back onto the beach or rows of other villas, but all have private pools and terraces – two can be considered to be a four-bedroom, that’s still private and closed off (great for families with teens or friends travelling together)

The rustic-lux Bedouin theme goes out the window for one villa, however, the Lulu Royal – a glamorous four-bedroom escape with regal modern furnishings, lots of tea, gold and cream, butler’s pantry/kitchen and huge swimming pool and decking with winding Hamptons-style wooden stairs taking out onto the coast.

Vibe

Peaceful, private and laid-back, this is a hotel where people go to switch off and hide away. That said, there’s also an air of conviviality, thanks to the daily roster of activities such as sundowners in a communal beachside majlis-style setting. We travel solo, and find pure bliss in reading our book and walking on the beach, but we also spot families and couples. The spot gets particularly busy on weekends, with local Qataris driving in from Doha for some R&R.

Food and drink

There’s one restaurant, Quissa, which is the setting for breakfast, lunch and dinner – with a large, friendly and warm indoor dining room and a large terrace with sea views. Out Habitas’ focus on fresh, homemade and local is in check here. Despite its remote surroundings and no real hospitality neighbours around, the menu is full of fresh and colourful ingredients, such as tomatoes, pressed watermelon and feta salads, mango and acai bowls, matcha, and more. Breakfast is a treat: homemade granola, smoothie bowls, and hot dishes like labneh eggs and paratha omelette. Lunch and dinner are salads, grills, fresh fish and meat – and it’s lovely to order bowls overflowing with colourful fruits and veggies, grains a side of juicy local white fish – plus a big bowl of warm breads and paratha. Homemade ice cream is a real treat, too.

Spa and facilities

There are three main hubs – the reception (where we arrive to a charming welcome ceremony), Quissa and the health and wellness hub – home to a huge and incredibly equipped gym with the latest Technogym equipment. The spa itself is a real treat, with cosy private therapy rooms with private bathrooms and changing areas and a menu of treatments that go beyond the traditional massage and facial. A” Recalibration Frequency Journey’ exposes the body to frequencies and vibrations, relaxing and soothing with sound, while a Vital Energy Awakening uses pranayama (breath-work) techniques to improve physical and emotional well-being and a Tunning Fork Massage – using vibration therapy and tuning forks. There are also rituals rooted in native remedies using ingredients like Qatari clay, camel milk (for a regenerative facial), frankincense and myrrh. We enjoy a soothing massage one day, a breathwork and medication session with sound healing in our room one night, before bed, and drift into a deep slumber. There are also two padel courts – showing the brand’s commitment to social activities and trends.

Anything to add?

Make sure to check the chalkboard each morning for daily activities – most complimentary and welcoming to all guests. Over two nights, we enjoy the daily sunset ritual – sitting and watching the blood-orange Arabian sunset slip beneath the waves from traditional majlis set up on the decks – complete with complimentary homemade mocktails. The Arabic coffee workshop, complete with snacks and a movement class, was also a highlight.

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