Properties advertised as semi-furnished or partly furnished come with a few furnishings. In Qatar when a property is advertised as semi-furnished or partly furnished this usually means that there are some appliances in the kitchen and sometimes fitted air conditioning units or fitted wardrobes in the bedrooms. This type of home is useful for those not wishing to spend on large kitchen appliances or "white goods" as they are otherwise known. These are typically, items that are somewhat costly to buy and also may require maintenance or a warranty, so it is definitely an added convenience to have peace of mind knowing that if your kitchen appliances ever have a problem, they will be taken care of by the landlord. This convenience is factored in the monthly rental price and semi-furnished or partly furnished homes do cost more to rent, which is expected for the reasons explained.
A villa is a property/house that is usually set out over two or more floors. A standalone villa is defined as a villa that has boundary walls and stands on its own private land. It is not attached to any other building so it is detached, private and literally "stands alone". Standalone villas are not commonly found in Central Doha including most of the districts within the C-Ring Road as they mainly contain residential and office blocks. However, as you travel further out of Doha and beyond the C-Ring Road it become increasingly common to find standalone villas.
The amenities offered by standalone villas vary depending on the price, size and location. It is much more common to find a standalone villa with a private swimming pool in West Bay Lagoon than it is in Al Khor. Standalone villas are good for large families wanting their own private grounds or for companies looking to house their staff. It is quite common to see standalone villas advertised as suitable for bachelor accommodation. If you are specifically looking for a standalone villa, check the details advertised with the agent as sometimes compound villas are advertised as being standalone when they are in fact not standalone but instead the agent refers to the villa being detached from its neighbouring villa as such.
West Bay Lagoon also known as "Leqtaifiya" (spelled as Legtaifiyah or Al Qutaifiya) is a district in the municipality of Doha. It forms part of Zone 66 of Qatar together with Onaiza and Al Qassar. The district is well known for its luxurious waterfront villas which are some of the most expensive in the country. It is one of the few areas in Doha where properties are available for purchase by non-Qataris. It is an area highly favoured by both locals and the expatriate population and one of the most searched for areas when it comes to high-end property in Qatar.
West Bay Lagoon has over 10 local and international schools making it a popular area for families when moving to Doha. It is also very conveniently located for easy access to the Pearl and the business and diplomatic centres of Doha. The Corniche, multiple museums and historical Souq Waqif are all nearby. The area has excellent road links and its own Metro station, Legtaifiya on the Red Line. There are several large International Hotels in the area and extensive retail facilities including the popular Lagoona Mall with its designer boutiques offering the best brands, modern eateries and artisan cafes to enjoy some of the best cuisine in Doha. There are plenty of beautiful apartments and luxurious villas available to rent in West Bay Lagoon, some with their own private beaches and many other enviable features.