Little Maldives in Doha - Banana Island by Anantara in Doha Qatar

Finally, we were able to visit the newest resort in Doha - the Banana Island.

Since December 2014, I started to think of how we will gonna celebrate my birthday, our wedding anniversary and our annual leave - all in one at the same time - sometime in March. That time my passport was still under process of changing name (3 months processing), therefore, I thought I might not able to go out the country when March comes. The least thing we could do is to have a local leave instead. Places to visit and activities (that suit to us) available in Doha are very limited. Me and Bhabha are bit stingy, so staying in a hotel even in one night is a no, no. For us, its better to stay at home. But three weeks vacation will be wasted if we will just stay at home. We should at least visit one place - somewhere unusual for us - that will not break our pocket.

That's how it led me to consider the Banana Island. This resort just officially opened to public sometime in January.  I searched for the reviews of first time visitors to get idea of what its like: the service was not good, unorganized staff, delayed delivery of baggage/in-room dining order, etc. etc. I think they're given for a newly opened establishment. But their comments for the place itself were good. Some said that it is like a paradise, some said it is like Maldives (this is what really pushed me to visit, I would like to go to Maldives, but heck... its pricey! :P).

Another reason is the rate. I compared their advanced rate (15% off when you book at least 14 days ahead) to the other 5* hotel here and not much difference, some are even higher to that.

Ok. let me take you to Banana Island (sakay na! hahahah!)

1. How to go to Banana Island

Banana island is a 20 minute away from corniche port. If you will take taxi, just tell to taxi driver to bring you to port in corniche, near Islamic Museum. If you have car, you have two option: 1) you can park your car near to the port but if you want to secure your car from heat/danger or whatever, 2) you can park it at newly opened underground car park of souk waqif - QAR 3 riyals for first three hours plus QAR 1/hr on succeeding hours. We chose the second option. - we paid QAR 26.

Souq Waqif Underground Car Park

Pedestrian Underpass (hallway) from Car Park to Port (Corniche side)

Underpass wallscape

This is not off topic. Hahahah! 

Turn left at the end of this hallway to take the lift! :)

Banana Island Resort Port Terminal

BIR port terminal is posh inside out. Don't let the guard near the arch gate notice you taking off the photo. He'll chase you. lolz. Yes, its true. I can't get why he's restricting it. I took one anyways. Hahahah!

Arch gate - Don't let the guard notice you taking off photo, he'll chase you. lolz

Frontage of Banana Island Terminal

There are two receptions area where they'll verify your booking (whether its room booking or just restaurant). Once confirmed, the receptionist will lead you to the lounge. Boat is leaving every an hour. We waited 30 mins before boarding. The boat ride is free, I am not sure though if its free for diners/day visitors only.

I wanted to take photos inside the lounge (its nice, hotel like lounge, they have miniatures model of banana island as well) but most of the visitors are locals. You/I can't just take photos around locals, they may not like it...  so I just concentrated on us. :D

Free arabic coffee (and dates too) whilst waiting

Boat Boarding

The wait is over. We're ready to board.

Banana Island luxury Boat

Seatings inside the boat - just like you're in the plane

Panoramic view whilst on sailing

We're almost there!

Just a little bit more and we're there:)

Premier Sea View Room

I booked the premier sea view room. It has 55 square meter - bigger than deluxe sea view room. We were amazed coz it's really huge and very nice! I think I can skate (if I know how to! hehehe) inside the room :). If you're a couple or even has kid, I highly recommend this room... this is the cheapest as well! The masharabiya wall screen (Arab architecture) will say that you're in Arab gulf and not in Maldives. :)

We're here at last!

This flat screen TV has a welcome message for the guest. It has guide map of the island as well.

We've got personalised greeting card. How thoughful. :)

Bath tub outside the bathroom?

The CR is huge as well. Toilet, bath and walk-in closet are separate

Balcony and the view

Lagoon pool + sea view

Comfy Couch

Premier Sea View Room with us is empty! :)

Kuyakoy mode

Amenities

Kids Pool

Nyaaahhh!

Ted's American Style Diner

Overview Deck

Surf Pool

Other pool are still under construction

Bowling 

Tennis Court

Beach

The water is cold... promise!

Kuyakoy at bean bags 

The sun will set soon.

Q Lounge and Restaurant 

way to Q Lounge and Restaurant

 Anantara Spa 

Over Water Villas

Over water villa has own security guards (they're two!). If you're not a guest of one of the villa, you can't roam around within the vicinity. Luckily the guards allowed us to take some photos. It reminded me the stilts in Calatagan Batangas Resort that we visited a week before our wedding ( 'twas two years ago).

Stilts Calatagan Batangas

Sun Dial Prototype

Kuyakoy

Lagoon Pool

No mercy! Elevator Twofie!

Good Morning!

Wellness Centre

Ferns, ferns, ferns. Wellness centre is almost ok for me because of its greenery, I regret to say that I don't like the smell. Am not sure if its smell of fertilizer or what. I hope they will improve it.

Banana tree in Banana Island! It justify the name! Hahahaha!

Too tired to walk back.. club car to the rescue!

Let's call it a day.. we're going back to the City!

Overall Review:

The Island: Its fabulous. I think its ok to be branded as little Maldives.  Its not crowded yet so we enjoyed the serenity of the island. I felt like we rented the whole place! Hahaha! Its good for honeymooners, wedding anniversary celeb, and for families too. Though some of its amenities are still under improvements, in time the future guests will enjoy them.

Room: As I said, its huge! whatever they described on their website were there. They have complimentary coffees, teas and water on the mini bar.

Service: They improved a lot if I will compare it with the other guest reviews. The staffs are polite and ask you if you need help. From the port terminal, if you have heavy luggage, you can check them in and will deliver to your room once you're in the resort, same thing when you check out from your room. In our case, we just have one bag so we didn't avail it. If your room is farther from the reception lounge, there are club cars that you can ride. In our case again, its just a stone throw so no need.

Wifi: Its everywhere even you are in the beach area!

Food: Breakfast is included. Its a buffet breakfast at Azraq Restaurant. The foods are nice, they have a lot of variety to choose from.

Cons: Foods are extremely expensive. What to expect, you're in an island. What can you do? Bring some snacks/foods with you. (I should bring adobo with rice! hahaha!)

All in all, its a wonderful experience. We're so blessed to celebrate my birthday and our wedding anniversary in a sophisticated sanctuary island. We thank God for all of it.

Are we going back? If budget permits. :)