I receive compensation for content and many links on this blog. Citibank is an advertising partner of this site, as is American Express, Chase, Barclays and Capital One. Any opinions expressed in this post are my own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by my advertising partners. I do not write about all credit cards that are available -- instead focusing on miles, points, and cash back (and currencies that can be converted into the same). Terms apply to the offers and benefits listed on this page.
Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card
Earlier in the year I arranged a brief stopover in Doha. I’ve always wanted to visit the Museum of Islamic Art but never took the opportunity.
Doha is a really convenient stopover, as the home airport for Qatar Airways, a top world carrier and member of oneworld. Their first class lounge in Doha is amazing, and even features pieces from the Museum of Islamic Art’s collection.
I found just two days in Doha to be perfect, but if I had it to do over again I’d do four nights… two dedicated to a museum visit and two for The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa.
Follow my lead, and stat two nights here, because I’m giving away a 2 night stay with breakfast to a blog reader.
A TripAdvisor ‘Certificate of Excellence’ hotel, it’s one of the top rated properties in Doha. It’s conveniently located but a retreat on the Gulf. And it garners comments like “Best anniversary ever!” “Magic” and “Awesome architecture.” The resort looks fantastic.
Here’s how they describe the property:
A luxury Doha resort that exemplifies the perfect fusion of contemporary and traditional, Sharq Village & Spa places guests in the heart of the Qatar capital, yet within the tranquil confines of an idyllic coastal retreat on the Gulf Bay. Featuring an exceptional spa, world-class dining, including the only Persian fine dining restaurant in Qatar, and 300 meters of private beach, our luxury resort in Doha Qatar is perfect for families of all ages, and envelops guests in a world of time-honored hospitality in surroundings that embrace Doha’s newer opulent vision.
This is a very special giveaway, thanks to my good friends at Luxury Travel Diary. Regular readers know them as a high-end travel blog with great reviews. They’re based in the UK and run travel auctions with real bargains.
As I’ve said before, folks who already know about these auctions don’t like this added attention, because there don’t seem to be enough bidders for many of their best offerings relative to the value available. Some of their items go way too cheap.
- Here are their auctions. The auctions in Asia are super deals.
- Here are their auctions in North America for those who prefer to stay on this continent.
- And here are the auctions ending soon which are probably the best to check out right now – to get an idea of just how good a deal you’re likely to get.
Seriously, these deals about to end are insane
Let me just underscore this. Current bidding on 3 nights in a beachfront villa for 8 people in Turks and Caicos is running just over $900. And 2 nights at the Washington Duke Inn — a lovely property, I stayed there last year when visiting a Duke law school class to talk about DOT regulation of mistake fares, is going for about $80 total.
This Ritz-Carlton prize is being given away by the hotel and Luxury Travel Diary, I’m just helping to highlight it and randomly select the winner.
To enter: leave a comment on this post with your favorite item up for auction at Luxury Travel Diary, or why you would choose to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa. You may enter two times if you wish and answer those two questions one time each in separate comments.
Contest deadline and drawing winner: Entries close Sunday, October 16 at Noon eastern. I will draw winner with the assistance of random.org.
The fine print: Advance booking is required and it’s subject to availability. Terms and conditions apply. Winner will have one week to respond to email notifying of the prize, otherwise the prize will be forfeit and made available to another reader. Free stay certificate expires March 26, 2017.
For avoidance of doubt, I have no affiliation with Luxury Travel Diary or The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa. I am not getting anything in exchange for running this giveaway other than an opportunity to share the place with readers.
Of course you know I’m loving the benefits of the new Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card Visa Infinite, including a signup bonus of 3 complimentary nights and elite status in Ritz-Carlton’s frequent guest program (that’s honored as Marriott status as well).
The hotel is solely responsible for providing prize to winner. All decisions made in the course of running this giveaway are final and unappealable and your entry signifies your acceptance. The goal here is to make readers aware of a pretty cool auction opportunity, and to give away a stay. So please don’t make it hard on me for doing so!
Ritz-Carlton Rewards® Credit Card
Alpine Plaza, Vienna
I would visit the SHARQ for the 6th senses spa and breath taking coastline
My favorite item up for auction is the Washington Duke INN. You can’t beat the price.
I would be bidding on “The Residences” in Cape Town but it looks like its just a link to the hotel’s website so instead I’d bid on Full day Sian Ka’an Express Tour in Playa del Carmen Mexico.
I would stay at the Sharq for a family vacation and to see the museum
Those rooms look amazing!
Would love to go to The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa to just unwind away from it all
I would bid on the Tigertops Nepal package- always wanted a reason to visit again
On the Luxury Travel Auctions, the hotel in Rajasthan looks great – with a really great price!
3 nights at the Monaci Della Terre Nere looks fantastic!
I would bid on the Turks and Caicos villa or the Washington duke inn if it worked with my schedule
I would stay at fort rajwada in India or plaza Athenee if the stay package was longer
The “2 Nights At The Beautiful Hotel Sahrai In Fez, Morocco” looks fabulous. I’ve never been to Morocco but it’s on the LIST!
I hadn’t known about that museum in Doha but the Sharq would be the idyllic home base to explore the city from!
I’d go to the Sharq Village to combo in a visit to Doha!
I’d go to the Sharq Village Resort so I can also visit Doha!!
I’d like to win 6 Nights At Crown Lanta Resort & Spa In Koh Lanta, Thailand
My last vacation was a marathon, so I would visit the Sharq to relax.
Palazzo Belmonte In Salerno, Italy!
The Sharq pools and buildings look amazing!
Hotel Sahrai In Fez, Morocco also looks beautiful to visit.
I’d stay at the Sharq Village & Spa so I can dip my toes in the pool.
My favorite auction item is the 6 nights at the Crown Lanta Resort & Spa In Koh Lanta, Thailand
I would stay at the Sharq as it looks like it retains a lot of the local character in addition to being a modern hotel
I havent bid on anything from luxury travel, but it seems like you can get a fantastic deal.
I would bid on 2 Nights At Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge In Tasmania because it is insanely cheap!
The ritz sharq seems like the best place to stay in morocco
My favorite item for sure is the 2 nights at Makakatana Bay Lodge in South Africa! It looks amazing and for so cheap!
I’d stay at the Ritz Sharq for the view!
2 NIGHTS AT WASHINGTON DUKE INN & GOLF CLUB, NORTH CAROLINA – Only $166 us and less than 4 hours to go!
I would pick the 3 Nights At Monaci Delle Terre Nere In Italy, since I have never been to Italy.
I would stay at the Sharq Village & Spa because it looks amazing and I would love to visit Doha.
The auction for the Hotel Sahrai in Fez looks great, I haven’t managed to get to Morocco yet, definitely on the list!
I would love to stay at the Sharq and emjoy the view!
Both the pool area and the beach look amazing at the Sharq, a great way to escape Chicago winter!
The pictures for Hotel Sahrai are stunning, I want to go!
I’ve been through Doha, but I’ve never left the airport. It would be nice to see what the city has to offer, and do it in style with my wife
I would bid on Tigertops, Nepal. I’ve never been, and would love to go.
I would stay at fort rajwada in India or plaza Athenee if the stay package was longer
I like the coolmore manor house in Ireland.
Doha actually looks appealing though.
“3 nights at the stunning Palazzo Belmonte in Salerno, Italy” would be a fabulous way to spend a few days on an Italian vacation, I think I will place a bid on that and see what happens.
I have always wanted to actually leave the Doha airport and see the city. The Museum of Islamic Art looks fantastic so I would love to stay at The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa and end an amazing day by having dinner at the beach front Gazebo.
Tigertops, Nepal sounds great.
I’d stay at the Sharq Village & Spa so that I could finally see Doha from somewhere other than an office building.
I actually am planning on bidding on 1 NIGHT IN A SUITE AT PLAZA ATHÉNÉE BANGKOK IN THAILAND as I am going to Thailand for NYE this year.
I would like to stay at the Crown Hotel in Koh Lanta, Thailand because of the private beaches and beautiful grounds.
I would love to bid on and win 6 Nights At Crown Lanta Resort & Spa In Koh Lanta, Thailand.
This past July, my travel partner inadvertently booked the OTHER Ritz in Doha so when I win a stay at the AWESOME Ritz in Doha, I’ll make him beg me to take him and then make him beg some more.
I would spend a lot of time in that magical pool at The Ritz-Carlton Sharq Village & Spa!