Banana Island Resort opens doors

Nestled in the Arabian Gulf off the coast of Doha, the resort offers a paradise island setting with extensive facilities for everyone from honeymooners to families and unlimited opportunities for relaxation and adventure, wellness, romance and indulgence. The crescent shape of the island provides a natural harbour framed by an 800 metre long private beach where guests can relax and swim in the calm, safe waters of the sea.

Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara feels a world away from bustling Doha but is only a 20 minute journey by luxury ferry from Al Shyoukh Terminal located in the city's downtown area or a 10 minute helicopter ride directly from the airport with bird's eye views of the spectacular coastline.

Arabian style

The 141 luxury guest rooms, suites and villas are designed in Arabian style with signature Anantara touches including 54 Premier Sea View Rooms, 16 Deluxe Sea View Rooms, eight Sea View Suites, 18 Anantara Suites and 34 spacious Sea View Pool Villas featuring a personal pool and poolside cabana. The eight two-bedroom Over Water Villas and trio of prestigious three-bedroom Anantara Over Water Villas offer 360m² of space and a 62² personal pool, ideal for families and groups of friends.

Activities offered

The resort boasts its own marina with 30 berths and a fully equipped dive centre with a practice pool, ideal for beginners. Water sports range from the relaxing pace of kayaking, pedalos and stand up paddle boarding, the thrills of wakeboarding, banana boat, triple tube and donut rides, water skiing and jet skiing, to fishing trips and luxury yacht cruises. In the resort's two lane surf pool the waves can be controlled to suit different skill levels, making it easier to master surfing techniques than out at sea. Guests can energise themselves with laps or a leisurely dip in the 100 metre long lagoon pool or enjoy the fun at the children's pool complete with water slides.

Guests looking for recreation options on dry land are also spoilt for choice, from tennis, beach volleyball and a fitness centre, to an entertainment centre with a nine-hole putting golf course, eight pin bowling alley and VIP cinema theatre. With dedicated facilities and fully qualified professional child minders, families are welcome at the Cool Mint Kids' Club and Pepper Mint Teens' Club, where they can make new friends and socialise, play games and get active on the obstacle course and in the adventure zone.

Holistic wellness programmes

The resort's dedicated Balance Wellness Centre is the first and only facility of its kind in the Middle East within a resort, offering holistic programmes for relaxation, detox, de-stress and radiance, fitness, weight management, yoga and alternative therapy, as well as pre- and post-natal and anti-ageing journeys. Unique facilities include an indoor botanical garden, oxygen fern room, and female only hydro pool, along with nutritional wellness cuisine with menus crafted by specialist chefs. Wellbeing goes hand in hand with expert pampering at Anantara Spa's tranquil over water sanctuary, featuring separate male and female Turkish hammams and Jacuzzis and a treatment menu that pays tribute to Doha's ancient tribal traditions and rich cultural heritage.

Dining options

Eight dining options offer a choice of Middle Eastern, Italian and international cuisines at locations all around the island from the marina, poolside, by the shoreline and on over water decks with tranquil views and soft sea breezes. Al Nahham, offering a blend of Arabic Mediterranean cuisine, is the flagship restaurant of the resort. Guests can enjoy signature creative juices and mocktails at sunset, shisha with ambient soundtracks, and fine dining under the stars overlooking Doha's dramatic skyline.

Specialty dining outlets include an American style diner and an organic café to complement the Balance wellness offering. Dining by Design's selection of specially crafted menus and intimate settings, enhanced by the services of a personal chef and butler, will make any occasion special. Offering a richly interactive culinary experience, guests can learn to recreate traditional Qatari cuisine with a master chef in a Spice Spoons cooking class showcasing the Middle East's coveted spices and exotic ingredients.

For more, go to doha.anantara.com