A Weekend at Al Gassar Resort

What do you look for when searching for a place to call home?

As a travel blogger, I'm no stranger to nosing around hotels (including dozens of other travel bloggers' hotel rooms on a daily basis on their Insta Stories!) and making decisions about what makes a perfect holiday, but it is not often that I get the opportunity to have a snoop into someone else's living accommodation and decide on the perfect combination of ingredients to make a place a home. So when Alfardan Properties approached me to ask whether our family would like to leave our apartment behind for a weekend to find out what it would be like to be a resident of Al Gassar Resort, I was intrigued about what I would discover.

Al Gassar Resort is a luxury and exclusive sea-front residence set within the grounds of the iconic St Regis Doha (one of our favourite places in Doha for a staycation), and the luxurious and elite look and feel of the five star hotel extends to the three towers of executive apartments.

Despite already being privy to the exclusive service provided by the resort, I was still taken aback as our taxi pulled into the forecourt, and we were greeted warmly by name, firstly by security, and then by the staff at the front desk. The receptionist, Lovely, genuinely lives up to her name and turned out to be a friendly breath of fresh air throughout our entire stay.

The Apartment

We were staying in a two bedroom sea-view apartment, which looked out across The Corniche to the city skyline beyond.  There aren't many clearer, uninterrupted views of the city anywhere else in Doha.

When I managed to tear myself away from the window, I found myself in a well-appointed, fully-furnished apartment, with contemporary decor and exemplary attention to detail. The rooms were all large and family-friendly, with plenty of seating and soft furnishings, and spaces for socialising and lounging alike.

Much like the furniture and layout, the interior design was elegant and well-considered. Monochrome prints and fabrics were punctuated by splashes of colour in the artwork and ornamentation.

The kitchen included all of the white goods that you would expect, and was fully kitted out with pots, pans, crockery and cutlery. I couldn't stop thinking about how easy this place would have been to move into when we first arrived in Qatar with nothing but a couple of suitcases of belongings to our name.

I was excited to discover that the apartment also housed not one, not two but THREE bathrooms (one each!): a guest closet off the living room and two others with walk-in rain showers. 

My favourite rooms, however, were the bedrooms - the smaller of the two contained twin beds and the master had floor to ceiling windows which looked out over 'that view',  as well as comfy armchairs, a flat screen TV, and a huge, comfy yet luxurious leather king sized bed. 

 

By the time we'd finished exploring, it was well past Sophia's bed time, and when she refused to go down in the cot that they had kindly set up for us in the master bedroom, we allowed her to climb beneath the sheets of the king sized bed in between us, which she much preferred (let's face it, with a mattress as comfy as that, who could blame her?!) and she soon drifted off into peaceful slumbers.
 

The Services and Facilities

 

The next two days were spent exploring all that Al Gassar has to offer, and making the most of every moment. We had decided to treat the weekend as we would any staycation, and the free internet, concierge and housekeeping service certainly helped us to feel as though we were staying in a five star hotel rather than a normal place of residence. Satish and his team who came to clean our room each day were incredibly efficient and accommodating, and graciously accepted us adjusting the time that we'd asked them to come and clean the room on several occasions because we juuuust needed an extra half an hour in bed.

The communal pool on the second floor was top of our list of facilities to make use of during our stay. We met a group of friends down there and for a few blissful hours, Sophia enjoyed splashing around with the other toddlers in the children's pool, while I enjoyed a few rare moments soaking up the rays from one of the many loungers that were dotted about.

 

 

The pool area is spacious, and designed around relaxation and family life, with two pools, a jacuzzi, a BBQ area and picnic tables. Next to the pool terrace is the Terrace Restaurant, which has a pub-like feel and serves excellent bar food and alcoholic beverages - a handy place to grab a poolside snack or to meet friends for a game of pool.

Outside Tower 1, there is also a fun, animal-themed children's playground which Sophia loved! Bar the swings at nursery, it was actually her first experience of a proper little park and once we'd introduced her to it, it was rather difficult to tear her away! Of course, we had to return at least two more times over the weekend to visit the 'baa baa!' again!

 

Besides the pool and playground, there are several other facilities which we weren't able to take advantage of during our stay, including:

• Private tennis courts
• Fully-equipped gym and changing rooms, with personal trainer and regular yoga and fitness classes
• Steam room 
• Limousine and golf cart services 

The Icing on the Cake  

 

Probably the most exciting thing about Al Gassar Resort is the exclusive, FREE access that tenants receive to the facilities of the St Regis. We headed over there to lounge beside the huge, luxury swimming pool and ordered snacks...

 

We sat and watched the sun go down from the white, sandy beach..

 

We ate supper at Astor Bar & Grill, one of our favourite St Regis restaurants, where the staff are super friendly, the steaks juicy and soft as butter and, like all of the St Regis' restaurants, all Al Gassar residents receive 10% off their bill. 

The Concierge App which I downloaded on my phone kept me up to date with exclusive entertainment and wellness offers such as spa day discounts and cut price meals, and I could even reserve a table at one of several restaurants around Doha using the App. I tried it out and received a call back from the restaurant within two minutes, asking for my table requirements. I was blown away by the efficiency of it all!   

In summary, the whole package was perfect. A weekend that started off as an opportunity to snoop into the life of someone else became so much more to us - a retreat; a holiday; a couple of days of pure luxury and pampering.

This video summarises the kinds of things that all three of us will be looking from now on in any future home:

I have a feeling that Al Gassar will be difficult to beat.

The Details:

Al Gassar Resort, West Bay, 2999 Doha
For enquiries & viewings, call: (+974) 4440 8908, or email: afpleasing@alfardan.com.qa

We were guests of Al Fardan Properties this time, but as always all views are my own.

24 Hours at Home on The Pearl Qatar

Today marked the first day that the UCI World Road Championships came to Qatar, and more specifically to our little island home of The Pearl, and people have been discussing the upheaval that the associated road closures would cause for weeks. It got me thinking about how this actually wouldn't be the worst place in the world to be stranded.

So today (even though our entry to and exit from the island was closed for a matter of hours, and there were water shuttles ferrying people backwards and forwards to the mainland during this time anyway), Mr Sunshine and I decided to stay put and spend a full 24 hours making the most of the 400 hectares of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities that we have right here on our doorstep.

I'm glad we did, because it was one of the best Saturdays we have spent as a family for a long time.

MORNING

7:45am: Wake up to Sophia clambering from her Chicco Next2Me into our bed, climbing on top of me and dribbling on my face. Place her in between Mr Sunshine and me, and try to get a bit more shut eye until she becomes too wriggly and I'm forced to get up.

9:00am: Mr Sunshine tidies up the apartment while I take a 'turbo shower' (one which lasts no more than the 3 minutes it takes for Sophia to realise that she's playing with her toys alone and starts crawling to find us), and then we all sit round the dining table for our pre-breakfast, Mr S and I with a cup of tea and Sophia with some lumps of banana and blueberries (nearly all of which end up on the floor).

10:00am: After cleaning Sophia up, packing our bags, leaving the house, remembering we've forgotten at least five vital items, going back to the apartment, misplacing the keys, unpacking and repacking the bags again, finding the keys and eventually getting back outside, we head to our favourite place on The Pearl for breakfast: Eggspectation.

11:30am: Sophia falls asleep in her pushchair so we enjoy a bit of adult time by...ahem, wandering through Megapolis and playing on a couple of the arcades, before grabbing an icecream at Camille's.

AFTERNOON

12:00pm: As we wander back towards home, we have the usual argument debate about where to go for lunch. Run through our usual list of favourite restaurants, ponder whether to go to Shakespeare & Co so that we can stay close to home in case Sophia wakes up and needs a feed, remember that there's a whole host of restaurants offering discounts during the cycling, and finally alight on an old-time favourite: Megu.

2:00pm: Leave Megu feeling like we could probably never eat another morsel, torment myself by popping into Elie Saab to have another look at a dress I am lusting over but will never be able to afford and then head home for what we hope will be a full family food-induced nap, which really turns into Sophia clambering all over us in bed for the second time that day.

2:45pm: Leave the house once more and take one of the golf buggies by Tower Eleven into pretty Qanat Quartier.

3:00pm: Grab two fresh coconuts from Evergreen Organics and discuss how drinking coconut water definitely cancels out the double portions of eggs and pancakes we had for breakfast.

3:30pm: Arrive at Qanat Quartier beach. Spend half the time trying to prevent Sophia from putting fistfuls of sand into her mouth and half the time laughing at her delighted face as we splash in the sea. Watch the sun set over the pastel houses.

5:00pm: Slowly amble home while Sophia sleeps in the baby carrier.

EVENING

6:00pm: I start Sophia's bed time routine while Mr Sunshine orders takeaway from Dean & David. We reason that when you have a day filled with as much food as we've had, you might as well continue as you started.

7:45pm: Finally collapse on the sofa with two (slightly cold) green curries. Consider putting a film on but our eyelids are already beginning to droop.

8:30pm: Step out onto the balcony and look at the view before us. Think about how lucky we are to live where we do.

9:10pm: Go to check on the baby and trip over a stray hair dryer en-route to her cot, making a terrible racket in the process and waking her up. Curse under my breath. Instantly forget all feelings of peace and goodwill. Tell Mr Sunshine that it's his turn, and head to my laptop to reply to some emails.

10:15pm: Return to the bedroom to find Sophia on Mr Sunshine's chest on the edge of the bed and both of them fast asleep. Try to take a few photos without the flash on, but eventually give up and climb in next to them, taking advantage of having a full three quarters of the bed in which to starfish. Remember that feeling I had on the balcony earlier this evening. It's good to be home.

Home Is Where Your Sunshine Is

Back in October 2013 when I was a sprightly twenty eight year old residing in London, I was getting ready to move home. Not down the road, or across town, or even to a new county. Nope, I was 'following my sunshine' half way around the world to the Middle East to be closer to the man I loved.

At this point in time, as I was saying goodbye to all that was comfortable and familiar to me, the concept of home and what it meant was really important - so much so that it inspired me to start this blog. The second post I ever wrote talked about the places and feelings that I associated with home and it was pretty clear to anyone reading that the only place I was willing to call home at that point in time was where Mr Sunshine was. I was so in love that I would probably have moved to anywhere in the world if it meant waking up with him by my side every day.

But over two and a half years as an expat, one marriage and a baby later, the way I think about home has become far more complex - and it's got me a little confused.

Home is where my friends are. London and Essex is where the oldest and closest of them live. They're the steadfast ones that I stayed up until the early hours with, snuggled in sleeping bags and chatting about boys; the ones that I snuck into clubs with underage using fake IDs and passports pinched from older siblings; the ones that I picked up the phone to first after Mr S got down on one knee. They have seen me at my very best, and have seen me at my godawful worst. Some were bridesmaids at my wedding and will be 'aunties' and godmothers to my children, and I miss them every day.

But not long after I moved I began to make new friendships in Qatar and these friends became my lifelines out here. They've celebrated some of life's biggest milestones with me. They have provided me with the support I've needed when I've felt far from home. They've baked, shopped and changed nappies for me. And they are at the centre of some of my most amusing and precious memories.

Home is where my family are. When I was new to Qatar, I missed my family terribly. I pined for all of the things that I associate with family time at home. Sunday roasts, chats over breakfast, watching films by a roaring fire, cuddles and Christmas and days out and debates. These days I still miss those things, but I miss my family for additional, and bigger reasons - for the little things they are missing out on as Sophia grows up, for the relationships that she is missing out on on a daily basis and for the support I am missing out on when I need it the most!

Now we have our own family, and Qatar is the only place we've called home. I know that when the time comes for us to leave, we will miss things associated with here too. The weather and food, days at the beach, walks around the marina. Nostalgia is the quickest way to forge a feeling of home.

Home is where I feel safe. England used to be that place for me, where everyone I met was polite, friendly and welcoming. Where neighbours were concerned with each others' welfare and whoever you were you were able to walk the streets safe from judgement or harm.

Then Sophia was born and it wasn't just about me any more. I had a mini human to keep safe. Politicians became embroiled in campaigns of hatred, Brexit happened and then we started to receive reports of racially-targetted attacks. All of a sudden, the muti-ethnic, accepting and largely crime-free society of Qatar felt a far more safe and homely place for us to raise a child.

Home is where I feel fulfilled. This has always been England for me. It has all of the things that make me feel alive. History, culture, greenery and countryside, excitement and entertainment, variety and life.

But there are of course, new things that make me feel fulfilled these days and Qatar provides them all. Having a job that challenges and excites me, and helps me to feel like I'm giving something back; being in a place which allows me to save money and to provide for our family; blogging, traveling and opening myself and my family up to opportunities that we could only have dreamed of before.

Basically I think I've come to the conclusion that home doesn't have to be just in one place, and nowhere on earth will tick all of your perfect home ideals, but instead there are opportunities to build a home wherever you are, and whatever your circumstances. Home is where your sunshine is. And even on the gloomiest of days it is possible to create your own sunshine!

An InLinkz Link-up

Sophia's Nursery Reveal

This post, much like the nursery itself, has been a bit of a labour of love. For months before Sophia's arrival, Mr Sunshine and I were quite excited about furnishing and decorating this special room and as soon as we found out that we were having a girl, we rushed out to start buying the bits and pieces that we would need. Then almost as soon as I got home, I set about noting it all down.

Six months and one baby later, and we've only just gotten the room into a state that I would consider 'complete'. Of course, Sophia isn't sleeping in here yet, but we still use the room on a daily basis, for nappy changes, playtime and to start her bedtime routine before we put her down at night. And it's by far my favourite space in our home.

Hanging from the door handle is a cushion which reads 'Shhh! Baby is sleeping...' by Ralph Lauren. I'm sure we will use this for its intended purpose during nap times when the nursery is in full use, but for now it hangs permanently on the door to mark the entrance to Sophia's room.

There is an en suite bathroom to the left as you enter, which Rich and I currently use, and on the right is a pink IKEA Kallax shelving unit, filled with books, toys and other bits and pieces, with some IKEA toy boxes to the right of them. I wanted to make the room fairly feminine without drowning it in pink, so this is one of the key pieces of furniture which gives the room that girly accent.

On top of the unit, our Gro Egg is very useful for warning us when the room is getting too hot - something that's incredibly important to monitor, especially for babies in a country like Qatar. We like also like to keep fresh flowers here to keep the room feeling and smelling fresh (jug-style vase is also IKEA), and we are currently in the process of getting some professional baby photos printed to go in our Debenhams frame which a friend gave me as a gift at my baby shower.

Hanging above these shelves is a beautiful butterfly print from IKEA, which inspired my theme for the rest of the room. Without wanting to get too deep, I liked the idea of butterflies because to me they signify nature and freedom - two things I'd like Sophia to embrace as she grows up!

These pretty butterfly and dragonfly wall stickers by Koko Kids from Not On The High Street flit and float along the wall above the daybed, and around the corner to the window. In the middle, is a very on-brand 'You Are My Sunshine' sticker by Oakdene Designs (also Not On The High Street) in the same pastel shades as the butterflies. These stickers are the latest addition to the room, and I love how pretty and homely they make the space feel. Plus Sophia could stare and gurgle at them for hours on end!

From the moment we moved into this apartment, I really wanted a day bed for this room and I definitely haven't regretted shelling out for this one from IKEA. Sophia lies on it every day while we dress her, I occasionally feed her here, and best of all it doubles up as a spare bed when we have visitors. It's super comfy, and when pulled out fully, it's quite a large double bed. Sophia isn't the best of sleepers and I can see myself spending a few nights on here when she moves into her own room!

The throw and cushions that adorn the daybed are some of my favourite elements of the room. I love the patchwork of the Zara Home throw, and the 'thrown together' look of the mismatched pillows, which are from IKEA, Zara Home and Home Centre. The gorgeous rag doll was hand made by my very talented mummy!

Under the window lives our gorgeous Moses Basket and stand from Mamas & Papas, which sadly doesn't get too much use these days - she much prefers mummy's and daddy's bed!

On the other side of the window is the piece of furniture which currently gets the most use in this room - Sophia's nappy changing unit from Mamas & Papas. It was important for us to get something that was safe and sturdy, as well as one which had ample storage for all of our baby supplies. I wanted to keep these drawers super organised, so invested in some drawer dividers from IKEA which do the trick beautifully.

The changing mat itself is very practical - wipe clean and comfortable, and from Mothercare. The pink flowers add another hint of girlishness to the room.

Hanging above the changing unit is one of my favourite framed quotes by Old English Company (another Not On The High Street purchase), which sat on a table next to our wedding cake on our wedding day. Mr Sunshine and I love to travel, and we're planning on taking Sophia along with us on our travels from a very early age. Hopefully some of our wanderlust will rub off on her, and she'll be just as excited about exploring the world as we are some day! Hanging from this picture is one of my favourite cards we received when Sophia was born.

My nursing chair from IKEA is another of my favourite items in the room. It's firm but comfortable, and many an hour has been spent lounging in it with Sophia in the crook of my elbow, gazing out over the view of the marina beneath the window. I love the little touches that make this chair even more cozy and inviting: the IKEA faux fur throw; the Zara Home patchwork cushion; the Zara Home colourful rug and the Kartell coffee table for my tea, magazines and never-ending supply of biscuits.

Above the chair are some floating shelves, which hold some special items. Her personalised name bear from Babyblooms; her colour changing dog night light by Ulysses which we got from Amazon; a hand-sewn framed initial from Little Foundry; her latest Milestone Baby Card and some cute dangly ornaments that were gifts from friends.

Finally, we come to Sophia's cot, which is from Mamas & Papas. We chose the most expensive mattress, because you can't put a cost on your baby having a well-supported back or a good night's sleep (something I believe in now more than ever!). The bedding is also Mamas & Papas, and her gorgeous name banner which hangs above it is handmade by the awesome Patt Handcraft who is based out here in Qatar, and who makes some really beautiful things, including my very pretty breast feeding cover.

Along the wall next to the cot are several wardrobes full to the brim with travel cases, baby baths, muslins, blankets and her clothes (and maybe a few of mine!).

The complete look and feel of the nursery is exactly what I had hoped it would be...

Somewhere where we can all happily while away the hours, whether we're playing, washing or softly sleeping.

What are your must-have items in your child's nursery?