Banana Island Resort Doha by Anantara

With its 141 units (11 of which are overwater villas that look like they've been airlifted from the South Pacific), seven restaurants, four pools, and hoards of other amenities, Banana Island is reminiscent of a luxe Polynesian resort. Guests step off the ferry to welcoming drums and cups of rosewater, then head to the entrance: a palapa-roofed, yet thoroughly modern wood-and-glass structure that perfectly captures the Banana Island's mix of modernism, tropical Southeast Asian style, and classic Qatari over-the-top opulence. Inside the entrance building -- which looks like a scaled-down, island-style version of the Sydney Opera House -- a cavernous vaulted wood-beam ceiling stretches over the airy lobby, where white-donned employees mollify guests during the reportedly slow check-in processes with bottled water and tea. This resort is clearly well-suited to romantic couples (see: private above-water pool villas), but Banana Island goes above and beyond to appeal to families, too, with a two-person wave pool; an eight-lane bowling alley; a massive, multi-level playpen; and a children's pool area with large, colorful statues of crabs, walruses, seahorses, turtles, frogs, dolphins, and other aquatic creatures. Oh, and a teens' club that looks like somewhere teenagers would actually want to hang out.

The hotel occupies its own island, a 32-acre C-shaped stretch of land that's a 25-minute boat ride from Doha and Hamad International Airport (but, this being an Anantara, no regular ferry will do -- the resort provides luxury car and catamaran airport transfer service). There is also a helicopter landing pad, for those who need that sort of thing. The island setting is isolated (as one would expect), but the resort provides plenty of activities to ensure that guests will never be for loss for entertainment. If they want to see Doha, though, they can always take advantage of the aforementioned catamaran resource, plus book limousine service to city sights -- like the Museum of Islamic Art, Doha Zoo, and Al Shaqab, an Arabian horse farm  -- through the resort. The island can be walked from end to end in around 30 minutes, but guests can also rent Segways or electric bikes.

Though rooms, suites, and villas range in size and location on the resort, they share a modern seaside aesthetic that's upscale, but not unnecessarily grand. Expect hardwood floors with beige berber area rugs, white walls displaying just a few pieces of requisite beach-themed art, recessed wood-beam ceilings with palapa fans, and simple yet luxe furnishings. All rooms come with free bowls of fruit and bottled water, flat-screen TVs, espresso makers, electric tea kettles, phones, Philips clock radios, and walk-in closets (which contain a safe, iron, ironing board, hangers with clips, and a tie rack). Every room features a balcony or terrace, and splendid pieces of Middle Eastern decor, like filigree pendant lamps. Bathrooms come with Acqua di Parma shampoo, conditioner and shower gel, as well as bar soaps (cedarwood, patchouli, and ginger), and individually wrapped dental kits, shower caps, combs, emery boards, and nail buffers.Premier Rooms have ample seating and big stone balconies overlooking the pool (with the sea beyond). Deluxe Rooms have glass doors that open onto stone terraces with a wicker table and two cushioned chairs and direct sea views. In the shockingly large bathrooms, an iridescent-tiled shower, enclosed dual-flush toilet, freestanding soaking tub, and two sink counters fan out around a central, cushion-topped ottoman. Gauzy curtains allow privacy, but also let in lots of natural light.Suites offer lots of sitting areas; Anantara Sea View Suites feature a four-seat dining table as well as a living area with a low white couch and two chairs, while the Junior Suites have a cushy cream-colored L-shaped couch and two chairs (separated from the bed area with an intricate black lattice screen).The overwater villas are the crowning glory of Banana Island's room types. There are eight two-bedroom overwater villas (2,400 square feet) and three three-bedroom ones (3,900 square feet). Their light wide-plank flooring and white and wood walls let the Moorish design touches and water views shine. The overwater villas come with spacious living areas, dining tables that seat eight, kitchenettes with Samsung refrigerators and microwaves, and truly gigantic decks, with six-person tables, seating areas for five, daybeds, chaise lounges, and private infinity pools.

Appropriately, this island resort provides tons of water sports and activities, such as kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, diving, and snorkeling, plus four pools (including the Splash Surfpool, a two-lane wave pool). For those who don't want a wet workout, there are a tennis court, nine-hole golf course, beach volleyball court, yoga studio, and sizable fitness center with loads of natural light. There's also, of course, the broad, uncrowded beach, which stretches for half a mile. The Hamad International Airport is visible, so the beach might not deliver a true escapist experience, but its excellent service (water and cold towel delivery) helps compensate.The Anantara Signature Spa checks all the spa-amenity boxes -- saunas, yes; steam rooms, yes; whirlpools, yes -- and goes beyond the usual expectations. It has ice wells, an indoor pool under a large glass dome, separate Moroccan and Turkish Hammams for men and women, eight overwater treatment rooms (four double, four single), and an overwater lounge. For guests wanting to take their well-being to the next level, the holistic Balance Wellness Center offers programs focusing on fitness, detox, weight loss, and yoga. Programs typically include healthy cuisine, floatation therapies, and nutritional consultations, as well as access to the center's an indoor garden and stone-floored reflexology pool.Seven on-site eateries (all of them pricey) include Zest, an organic cafe, and Ted's, an American diner with black-and-white-checkered floors, formica-style tables, and Route 66-inspired decor. The Middle Eastern-Mediterranean Al Nahham has a terrace on the water and prepares freshly caught fish and lobster. A long pier leads Q Lounge & Restaurant's overwater cabanas and lounge areas.The children's pool area, covered with umbrella sprinklers and big, bright statues of sea creatures, is anchored by a play ship with portholes and two small slides. There are also three longer water-park-worthy slides. The kids' club has Disney-movie-themed napping beds, several game tables, educational toys and books, and an outdoor area. The game room has eight bowling lanes; a snack bar with chips, candy bars, and baked goods; an RS Formula V2 Racing Simulator; foosball; an air hockey table; a pool table; and large flat-screen TVs with PlayStations. Its massive, multi-level playpen features four wavy slides and a spiral slide.There are two free on-site movie theaters (one geared towards kids, one towards adults); each shows five movies a day.