Sharq Village & Spa

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the emir of Qatar, oversaw the construction of this 174-room property. Designed to evoke characteristic local dwellings and a marble royal palace, the resort comes complete with 1,050-count Frette linens and mosaic tiles of 18-karat gold. Handwoven kilims front carved-cedar beds, and courtyards are dotted with fountains—a symbol of wealth in this arid land. The attention to detail extends to the restaurant Al Liwan, where Middle Eastern dishes are made from sumac and halloumi cheese flown in from Lebanon.