Recently, we had the pleasure of staying at the Hilston Salwa Resort and Beach in Qatar. Surprisingly, we felt right at home.
The hotel’s interiors are beautifully inspired by Moroccan designs, making every corner of the hotel a visual delight.
In this post, we’ll dive deep into our experience at the Hilton Salwa resort, giving you all the details you need to decide whether this destination is the perfect choice for your next getaway.
For us, it was absolutely worth it. Let’s get into the review!
Check Hilton Salwa Beach Resort prices here
First Impressions
When we arrived at Salwa Beach Resort, we were immediately taken by its beauty.
The resort looked like a charming little blue town, with buildings painted in blue and white, surrounded by lush green plants.
It reminded me of Chefchaouen, a city in Morocco known for its blue and white houses.
At the main entrance, there was a statue of the Arabian Oryx, an important symbol of the Arabian Peninsula’s wildlife.
The reception area was especially impressive, decorated with traditional Moroccan green Zellij tiles, much like those you’d find in a Moroccan Riads.
It felt like we had walked into a small piece of Morocco, giving our stay a wonderful cultural start.
Checking in was also quick and easy, thanks to the friendly staff.
Our Room
We chose the standard king room, although the hotel offers a variety of other options like rooms with ocean views, suites, beach-access villas, and townhouses styled after an Arabian village.
Check the hotel’s room options and prices here.
Our room was quite large and opened directly onto the north bay pool. The interior combined Arabian and Moroccan touches, creating an elegant and comfortable space.
The room had a large balcony and a well-equipped bathroom with a bathtub, which we really appreciated.
They stocked the room with everything we needed—there was a coffee machine with pods, tea, and plenty of water, and they even welcomed us with fruits and sweets.
The bed, however, was firmer than what we are used to. but we slept alright.
The resort has two parts: North Bay and South Bay, each with its own set of pools and beaches.
From our room, we could easily get to the pool and the nearby North Bay beach. Getting to the restaurants and South Bay, however, required a bit of a walk.
We liked South Bay better because it had more energy and plan to stay there next time.
Initially, both the pool and beach at North Bay were open, but by the next day, they had removed many of the loungers and umbrellas, pushing guests towards South Bay.
We still swam at North Beach, enjoying the quiet since we had it all to ourselves.
If you’re looking for a peaceful spot, North Bay is perfect. But if you prefer being around more people, South Bay is the place to be.
Food and Restaurants
Our reservation included breakfast, but since we visited during Ramadan, we missed it on the first day and instead had Suhur at the Levantine restaurant, which specializes in Middle Eastern cuisine.
The next day we had breakfast at the Souk Kitchen and I think it was decent. I was hoping for a bit more, but overall, it was good with a variety of options and cuisines.
Breakfast is served from 7 to 11 AM, and it’s less crowded if you go early.
The resort features five dining spots: Miss Wong offers Asian cuisine, The Souk Kitchen provides a mix of Arabian and international dishes, Dante specializes in Italian food, Laventine continues with Middle Eastern flavors, and Nessma is a café and restaurant with lighter meals.
Our package was breakfast-only, but we did try the dinner buffet at The Souk for 200 QAR per person.
Check Hilton Salwa Beach Resort prices here
It was impressive with a large variety of meats and dishes from different cuisines. I particularly enjoyed the Asian stir-fries and soups, the smoked meat, and a wide selection of salads.
We also visited Dante, an Italian restaurant. To be honest, it was just average. The pizza wasn’t great, and the lasagna was somewhat dry. The prices were reasonable, which might explain the food quality.
Our experience at Laventine for the Suhur meal wasn’t great. They only offered rice and chicken with a few salads. However, I think they might offer better food under normal circumstances with a reservation.
Unfortunately, we didn’t get to try Miss Wong, but judging from the menu, it seems like they offer high-quality food. It’s located by the beach and is a bit pricier than Dante and Levantine.
Pools and Beaches
The hotel’s recreational facilities are a highlight of our stay, especially the pools, spa, gym, and other amenities.
The resort is divided into South Bay and North Bay. South Bay tends to be busier, likely because it’s closer to the water park.
Yes, there’s a water park right next to the resort, and staying at the hotel gets you free access to it.
Both South and North Bay have their own beaches and pools, but the ones at South Bay are a bit larger and more appealing.
I personally preferred the swim at South Bay beach.
South Bay also hosts a daily barbecue party by the pool, complete with a cafe that serves drinks and plays music, but I found the music a bit too loud for my liking.
There’s also an indoor pool located in the sports center.
All the pools and the beach close around 5 or 6 PM, which feels a bit early. However, it does provide a perfect opportunity to enjoy the sunset before heading indoors for dinner.
Check Hilton Salwa Beach Resort prices here
The Water Park
We had a great time at the water park, which we could enter for free since we were staying at the hotel.
To get in, you pick up an access bracelet from an office inside the hotel, and a buggy takes you right to the entrance. Once there, you can get free towels, but if you bring any personal items, you’ll need to rent a locker for 40 QAR for a medium-sized one.
The park had several fun slides. Our favorites were the Cobra slide and the spinning slide. There’s also a wave pool, which was fantastic.
Inside the park, you can order drinks and food. Since we left our cards and cash in the lockers, we couldn’t buy anything.
However, we learned that you can deposit money at the hotel to charge purchases to your room while in the park. It’s a good tip to remember if you’re staying at the hotel.
Spa and Other Facilities
The hotel has a spa where you can enjoy massages, hammams, and facials—perfect for relaxing on vacation.
Remember to ask at the reception about any special discounts. They might have offers that aren’t immediately mentioned.
The hotel also provides separate gyms for men and women, which is very convenient.
One of the best features of this hotel is the mosque. Celebrating Eid prayer there was a memorable experience.
It’s not often that we find a hotel like this that accommodates our religious practices so well, complete with a full-functioning mosque and an Imam.
It made us feel at home, even though we were far from it.
Overall Experience
We were looking for a relaxing spot, and this hotel was perfect.
It’s definitely worth the price for a 5-star experience.
If you have questions about this hotel, drop us a comment or message us on Instagram. We’ll respond quickly.
If you plan to stay here, consider booking through our links. It helps us review more places and doesn’t cost you extra.
Great and informative! Will be sure to definitely check it out during the next vacation.