When you think about Qatar, your mind might drift first to the glittering urban skyline of Doha or the vast desert stretching beyond it. But perched on its own vibrant island destination along the coast of Lusail—Qatar’s ‘Future City’— is a property that’s redefining what a Gulf resort can be. More than just a hotel, Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North is a sprawling, one-stop island retreat that balances the adrenaline of a waterpark with the luxury of a five-star sanctuary.
Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North
Inspired by Qatar’s oil and gas heritage, Meryal Waterpark is the crown jewel of the resort and the largest waterpark in Qatar. Spanning an impressive 280,000 square metres, the park has 53 slides and 69 attractions. At its centre stands the Icon Tower, a staggering 85 metres high, and officially recognised by Guinness World Records for both the tallest waterslide in the world and the most waterslides from a single tower.
Guests staying at Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North on an all-inclusive basis get complimentary access to this huge playground, which allows for both convenience and flexibility. There’s no transport to organise, no separate tickets to buy, and no pressure to stay all day. You can head in for a few hours, return to the hotel for lunch or a rest, then head back again later. Older children and teenagers will be impressed with the thrilling rides while younger children will have fun with the gentler slides and play areas.
Hotel Entrance Lounge
Beyond the excitement, the resort has plenty of other ways to slow the pace and unwind. Multiple swimming pools, a private white-sand beach, and the Azure Beach Club are perfect for long, lazy days in the sun and sea. For those in need of more relaxation, the Anjana Spa features a steam room, hammam, and a variety of spa treatments. Evenings bring live entertainment to the lobby while the supervised activities at the Rixy Kids Club will keep the young ones entertained.
Swimming Pools
If the waterpark is the heart of the island's adrenaline, Turquoise Restaurant is the heart of its culinary soul. As the resort’s signature dining venue, it serves lavish buffets three times a day that take you on gastronomic adventures around the world. The real challenge here isn’t what to eat, but how to try everything. Despite our best intentions, the spread proved far too tempting to resist, and we probably left the hotel somewhat heavier than when we arrived.
Turquoise Restaurant
Apart from Turquoise, the resort offers three à la carte dining experiences—the Parisian-inspired Brasserie de la Mer, the Greek-styled Ammos and Diego Jun Steakhouse, a world-class steakhouse—as well as the Lobby Lounge which serves a decadent selection of desserts.
Premium King View Corner Suite
With 345 rooms, suites, and villas, the accommodation at Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North is designed to feel like a high-end coastal residence. Rooms and suites are designed around expansive views of the waterpark or sea, through floor-to-ceiling windows. We stayed in the Premium King View Corner Suite. The highlight of the suite was the massive wraparound balcony, which was like a private observation deck. Morning coffees, quiet moments while the rest of the family slept, and evenings watching the sunset over the water while the city lit up in the distance all happened out there.
View from our balcony
Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North gives new meaning to the term ‘all-inclusive’, seamlessly blending not only food, drinks and accommodation but also entertainment, into one memorable experience. The resort’s location places you minutes from luxury shopping, waterfront promenades, and cultural attractions, but it also acts as its own little world, with enough to keep guests occupied for days without feeling the need to leave.
For more information, visit Rixos Premium Qetaifan Island North or book here.
See more about Meryal Waterpark here:
Sara Essop is a travel blogger and writer based in South Africa. She writes about family travel and experiences around the world on her blog "In Africa and Beyond". Although she has been to 53 countries thus far, she especially loves showcasing her beautiful country and is a certified South Africa Specialist.
My kids would have definitely loved a hotel with an attached water park! It looks like a great family resort for spring breaks.
It's the ideal place to stay. There's no need to go out!
The Rixos resort looks like fun for the whole family. While we'd prefer the quiet sand beaches and sparkling pools, the kids would enjoy the many rides in the water park.
That's the beauty of this resort. Everyone is catered for!