US President Donald Trump’s brief visit to Saudi Arabia comes to an end today, and he is moving on to Doha, Qatar, where he is expected to stay at The St Regis Doha. This comes after a stay at The Ritz-Carlton, Riyadh. Both brands are owned by Marriott International, the largest hotel company in the world, with headquarters in Bethesda, Maryland.
While US Presidents generally favour American hotels on their international visits, there are many reasons he might have chosen this particular property in the city. It’s one of the most popular five-star hotels and one that’s been there since 2012, long before many of the other big brands moved into the Qatari capital ahead of the 2022 Fifa World Cup, and has helped shape the city’s now well-known luxury hospitality landscape.
It’s also centrally located in West Bay, close to the Diplomatic District, but outside of the city’s main hustle, making it ideal for the tight security and complex logistics that come with a presidential visit.
History
The St Regis Doha opened in 2012, about a decade after the last presidential visit to Qatar in 2003, when former US president George W Bush met with then Emir Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, and only two years after Qatar had won the bid to host the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
The American hotel brand was one of the first major five-star properties to set up in the city, as part of Qatar’s broader expansion of high-end tourism infrastructure in the lead-up to the major international event.
The brand itself dates back to 1904, when the first St Regis was established in New York by John Jacob Astor IV. The Doha property incorporates elements of this legacy while integrating aspects of local culture through its design and service approach.
Since its launch, The St Regis Doha has hosted numerous international delegations, cultural events and high-profile guests.
Location
The hotel is situated in the Al Qassar area of West Bay, near to the well-known cultural attraction Katara Cultural Village and the upmarket residential and leisure development, The Pearl Island. It offers easy access to Doha’s business districts and is a 20-minute drive from Hamad International Airport.
Its location makes it a practical option for both business and leisure travellers.
Rooms
The hotel has 336 guest rooms and suites, including the three-bedroom Presidential Suite. Most of the accommodation offers views over the Arabian Gulf, and all come with marble bathrooms, walk-in wardrobes and modern entertainment systems. Some suites offer additional features such as private terraces and separate living areas.
Guests also have access to The St Regis’s signature butler service, including assistance with unpacking, garment pressing and other concierge services.
Room sizes range from standard deluxe options to larger suites with separate living areas. Interiors incorporate a mix of classic and regional design elements, such as dark wood furnishings, soft neutral tones and Arabian-inspired accents.
Amenities
The hotel is home to a private beach, a padel court, an Olympic-size outdoor pool and a fully equipped fitness centre. The Guerlain Spa, located within the property, offers a wide range of treatments with 19 treatment rooms, two VIP suites, a sauna, hammam and two indoor pools.
Dining options are varied, with several restaurants and lounges on-site, including two featured in the first Michelin Guide Doha, which was released last year. These are contemporary Cantonese favourite Hakkasan and elevated Indian spot, Rivaaj. Other options include Vine, which offers international cuisine; Astor Grill, focused on grilled meats and seafood; a branch of Opa, the Greek hotspot with venues also in Dubai, Bahrain and Saint-Tropez; London-born upscale Italian Scalini; and Novikov Restaurant & Beach Club, where Far Eastern flavours are merged with Mediterranean flair.
For families, there is a children’s club and a shallow pool area, while for business travellers, there are numerous meeting rooms and event spaces, including a ballroom suitable for larger functions.
Rates
Room rates at The St Regis Doha vary depending on the season, room type and availability. As of recent checks, standard rooms typically start at around 1,100 Qatari riyals ($302) per night, up to 41,000 Qatari riyals per night for the Presidential Suite.
Special packages and discounts may apply during off-peak months or promotional periods, and rates usually include access to the pool, beach and fitness facilities.
Scoreline:
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Manchester United 0
Man of the match:Â Gylfi Sigurdsson (Everton)
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.Â
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
2025 Fifa Club World Cup groups
Group A: Palmeiras, Porto, Al Ahly, Inter Miami.
Group B: Paris Saint-Germain, Atletico Madrid, Botafogo, Seattle.
Group C: Bayern Munich, Auckland City, Boca Juniors, Benfica.
Group D: Flamengo, ES Tunis, Chelsea, Leon.
Group E: River Plate, Urawa, Monterrey, Inter Milan.
Group F: Fluminense, Borussia Dortmund, Ulsan, Mamelodi Sundowns.
Group G: Manchester City, Wydad, Al Ain, Juventus.
Group H: Real Madrid, Al Hilal, Pachuca, Salzburg.
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Engine: Electric motor generating 54.2kWh (Cooper SE and Aceman SE), 64.6kW (Countryman All4 SE)
Power: 218hp (Cooper and Aceman), 313hp (Countryman)
Torque: 330Nm (Cooper and Aceman), 494Nm (Countryman)
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GAC GS8 Specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo
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Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm
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Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km
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Lexus LX700h specs
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor
Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm
Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km
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Always check the weather forecast before setting off
Make sure you have plenty of water
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The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
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The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
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Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
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SERIE A FIXTURES
Friday Sassuolo v Torino (Kick-off 10.45pm UAE)
Saturday Atalanta v Sampdoria (5pm),
Genoa v Inter Milan (8pm),
Lazio v Bologna (10.45pm)
Sunday Cagliari v Crotone (3.30pm)Â
Benevento v Napoli (6pm)Â
Parma v Spezia (6pm)
 Fiorentina v Udinese (9pm)
Juventus v Hellas Verona (11.45pm)
Monday AC Milan v AS Roma (11.45pm)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
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THE LOWDOWN
Romeo Akbar Walter
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Essentials
The flights
Emirates, Etihad and Malaysia Airlines all fly direct from the UAE to Kuala Lumpur and on to Penang from about Dh2,300 return, including taxes.Â
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Where to stay
In Kuala Lumpur, Element is a recently opened, futuristic hotel high up in a Norman Foster-designed skyscraper. Rooms cost from Dh400 per night, including taxes. Hotel Stripes, also in KL, is a great value design hotel, with an infinity rooftop pool. Rooms cost from Dh310, including taxes.Â
In Penang, Ren i Tang is a boutique b&b in what was once an ancient Chinese Medicine Hall in the centre of Little India. Rooms cost from Dh220, including taxes.
23 Love Lane in Penang is a luxury boutique heritage hotel in a converted mansion, with private tropical gardens. Rooms cost from Dh400, including taxes.Â
In Langkawi, Temple Tree is a unique architectural villa hotel consisting of antique houses from all across Malaysia. Rooms cost from Dh350, including taxes.
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
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There are numerous success stories of teen businesses that were created in college dorm rooms and other modest circumstances. Below are some of the most recognisable names in the industry:
- Facebook: Mark Zuckerberg and his friends started Facebook when he was a 19-year-old Harvard undergraduate.Â
- Dell: When Michael Dell was an undergraduate student at Texas University in 1984, he started upgrading computers for profit. He starting working full-time on his business when he was 19. Eventually, his company became the Dell Computer Corporation and then Dell Inc.Â
- Subway: Fred DeLuca opened the first Subway restaurant when he was 17. In 1965, Mr DeLuca needed extra money for college, so he decided to open his own business. Peter Buck, a family friend, lent him $1,000 and together, they opened Pete’s Super Submarines. A few years later, the company was rebranded and called Subway.Â
- Mashable: In 2005, Pete Cashmore created Mashable in Scotland when he was a teenager. The site was then a technology blog. Over the next few decades, Mr Cashmore has turned Mashable into a global media company.
- Oculus VR: Palmer Luckey founded Oculus VR in June 2012, when he was 19. In August that year, Oculus launched its Kickstarter campaign and raised more than $1 million in three days. Facebook bought Oculus for $2 billion two years later.
Why your domicile status is important
Your UK residence status is assessed using the statutory residence test. While your residence status – ie where you live - is assessed every year, your domicile status is assessed over your lifetime.
Your domicile of origin generally comes from your parents and if your parents were not married, then it is decided by your father. Your domicile is generally the country your father considered his permanent home when you were born.Â
UK residents who have their permanent home ("domicile") outside the UK may not have to pay UK tax on foreign income. For example, they do not pay tax on foreign income or gains if they are less than £2,000 in the tax year and do not transfer that gain to a UK bank account.
A UK-domiciled person, however, is liable for UK tax on their worldwide income and gains when they are resident in the UK.
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Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
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Available: Now
