McFly...

It seems all beach clubs are not taking new membership applications until after Eid.

The only exception is the Diplomatic Club. I have just joined for 3 months. I was there last week and there were dozens of expats there. Where did you hear they were all leaving?

The Diplomatic Club is also used by Qataris but I view that in a positive light. It's nice to mix with the local people and not exist in an expat ghetto.

If you want to have somewhere to go before you can join a club, you can pay to get into the pool and beach at the Oasis Hotel. The pool is very nice and they also have a kids' pool. The beach is ok - but not the best you will have ever seen.

We used the Oasis when we arrived during Ramadan last year. We enjoyed it a lot.

Stork