Hilton Salwa: A massive luxury resort in the middle of the desert

Qatar’s border with Saudi Arabia is mostly barren, with little more than sunbaked outposts and endless stretches of empty desert in every direction.

Then, earlier this year, something completely unexpected emerged in this desolate place: A sprawling, shimmering luxury hotel complex, complete with its very own theme park.

The Hilton Salwa Beach Resort & Villas is clearly no ordinary hotel.

From above, it resembles an entire seaside town. Two pristine beaches curve around a central harbor. White villas and buildings line up around sparkling blue pools, with lush greenery providing a striking contrast behind them. It’s one of the largest resorts in the Middle East.

What happens when a massive, luxury hotel is built miles from civilization just as a global pandemic halts international travel?

It quickly became a hit, according to Etienne-Charles Gailliez, the resort’s general manager. After opening its doors in February, it turned into a popular staycation spot for locals. More recently, it has become a sought-after destination for regional tourists and business travelers.

The expansive grounds feature over 20 dining and drinking venues, including seven fine-dining restaurants, a luxurious spa with VIP suites, sports courts, swimming pools set within beautifully landscaped gardens, corporate spaces, and a marina.

In addition, Qatar's largest theme park awaits, packed with dozens of attractions, including the exhilarating 'King Cobra' ride, where riders zip through twin tubes into the jaws of a colossal, snake-shaped structure.

Health & Safety

This lavish development spans 320 hectares of sandy terrain, located about 100 kilometers southwest of Doha. It’s strategically positioned to cater to visitors from both Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Construction of the resort began in 2015, with the final phase focusing on adapting the property to meet the enhanced health and safety standards, in line with Qatar’s mobility regulations and hygiene protocols.

Gailliez shared with Dinogo, 'In light of the Covid-19 pandemic, we had to fast-track the resort's opening and focus on new unique selling points, particularly the appeal of staycations.'

This was great news for Sama Jamali, a 21-year-old resident of Doha, and her friends. 'With travel restrictions in place, we opted for a staycation at the resort,' she told Dinogo. 'The room was spacious, comfortable, and equipped with advanced technology, all while being impeccably clean and Covid-19 safe.'

Gailliez explained that the implementation of travel restrictions led to a phased opening strategy, with several attractions and amenities such as a diving center and a cutting-edge sports academy scheduled to open in the upcoming months.

'As a newly established resort, we offer more than just rooms. With our villas and water park, our resort stands out as quite a unique destination,' Gailliez remarked.

In addition to adopting new contactless technology, Gailliez highlighted the importance of logistics and staffing. 'On busy days, we accommodate up to 2,500 guests with a team of about 1,200 staff members,' he shared.

Thrills and excitement await guests looking for adventure.

Guests at the resort can enjoy more than just lounging or taking walks along the resort’s -kilometer stretch of soft, golden sands. There's a wide range of exciting activities to choose from to keep them entertained.

Central to the resort’s offerings is the Desert Falls Water and Adventure Park, an exhilarating attraction for all ages.

The park features a thrilling collection of nearly 30 rides and slides, including a spinning rapids ride. Located at the top of the park's 32-meter mountain, this ride offers stunning panoramic views of the entire resort before plunging down.

Guests can also race side by side on mat-racing slides for a competitive splashdown or test their skills on a surf simulator for a fun challenge.

The park boasts the first-ever man-made canyoning structure in the Middle East. It also features an outdoor go-kart track, complete with spectator stands, and an indoor laser tag arena for added excitement.

With its expansive size, the hotel offers a wide variety of dining options, including flavors from the Middle East, Italy, and China, ensuring there’s something for everyone.

Levantine restaurant delights with its innovative take on traditional Arabic dishes, including The Qattinah, a refreshing mocktail made from a blend of botanical spices, citrus, and 24-karat gold flakes. For the main course, savor sizzling kebabs paired with smoked hummus and roasted garlic puree, followed by a delectable Knafeh nabulsiyeh with pistachio cream.

Golden beverages and foosball games make for a fun-filled experience at the resort.

Miss Wong’s menu features a variety of delicacies, such as a savory chicken and vegetable soup with Enoki mushrooms, shiitake, and turmeric wonton, alongside an array of dumplings and the iconic crispy Peking duck. For a delightful drink, the Orange Sunset mocktail made with fresh orange, watermelon, lemon, grenadine syrup, oolong tea, and egg-white is a must-try.

The Dante Cucina Italiana restaurant at the resort serves exquisite Tuscan wines and pizzas baked in a wood-fired oven. Another popular spot, The League, is a vibrant sports bar where guests can watch live soccer games, play pool, and enjoy foosball. The bar offers cocktail pitchers, beer buckets, and a gastropub menu featuring burgers, steaks, and smoked ribs.

Qatar boasts an abundance of luxurious resort choices, especially following its role as the host of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

The country's prestigious lineup includes the W Doha, Mandarin Doha, Ritz-Carlton’s Sharq Village and Spa, as well as Antara’s luxurious Banana Island Resort, all of which are conveniently located near the city center and the airport.

Is the journey to the desert worth the effort?

Jamali, already eager for a return visit, praised the resort’s dining experience, particularly the exceptional continental buffet. She described the food as top-tier, with impeccable presentation.

Jamali also shared that the stay was full of excitement, with a wide variety of activities ensuring there was never a dull moment.