The Pearl is quite close to all the hotels and of course the Diplomatic Club. I'm sure you will be allowed to test the facilities at all of them before putting your money down to join one.
As for living at the Pearl - that place makes me nervous because there is only one way onto and off the Pearl (regular traffic is one concern, an emergency situation is another). There have been a few fires there in the past few months as well - and while officially there have been no injuries or deaths reported as a result, given the poor quality construction and materials used (in contravention of government codes) in most construction throughout Qatar - I choose to live in a place on the first floor so that if necessary I risk a broken leg at most if I find myself trapped in my apartment.
Is it likely there will be a serious fire? Probably not. But I choose not to take chances based on my experiences in the past 12 years.
The Pearl is quite close to all the hotels and of course the Diplomatic Club. I'm sure you will be allowed to test the facilities at all of them before putting your money down to join one.
As for living at the Pearl - that place makes me nervous because there is only one way onto and off the Pearl (regular traffic is one concern, an emergency situation is another). There have been a few fires there in the past few months as well - and while officially there have been no injuries or deaths reported as a result, given the poor quality construction and materials used (in contravention of government codes) in most construction throughout Qatar - I choose to live in a place on the first floor so that if necessary I risk a broken leg at most if I find myself trapped in my apartment.
Is it likely there will be a serious fire? Probably not. But I choose not to take chances based on my experiences in the past 12 years.