It is my opinion that there are more mansions in Doha than Beverley Hills, California - without a doubt. Qataris enjoy the highest average income in the world, they have a seemingly endless supply of gas under the desert sand, and with a low national population of about 350,000, they have plenty of money and room on the peninsula to build whatever their hearts desire.
And so, driving around Doha is an eye opener - we have a cornucopia of styles - Italian Baroque, French Versaille, Roman Columns, St.Paul type cathedrals or, I suppose, huge mosque type domes. The houses are upwards of 10,000 to 30,000 square feet, on average. Besides the sprawling main house, most of them have a building in the front of the property that is called a majilis - a vast reception room for males and their male visitors - an exclusive domain. In addition, there are the servants quarters for the various gardeners, chauffeurs, security guards, maids and nannies. And last, but not least, are the parking garages, usually under tent-like tarpaulins for a half-dozen suv's and sports cars.
Some months ago I attended a presentation by an interior design company that described some of the houses they decorate - artists are flown in to paint murals on walls, wallpaper is decorated with handglued zwarofski chrystals, and goldleaf filament is everywhere. Marble is imported from Italy, the taps are made of gold, the chandeliers of finest chrystal. Of course, Persian rugs are everywhere. The furniture is large, richly textured and very ornate.
For those men with four wives, the cost is quadrupled. According to my sources, the Qu'ran states that a man can take four wives, but he must treat each one exactly the same - same material goods, same amount of time devoted to them , etc. In some cases, you will see an estate consisting of four homes within, or sometimes four homes on separate lots, but beside each other. Other homes are just vast mansions, with everyone gathered within the same building.
I would love to be a fly on the wall in those homes, to observe the comings and goings and doings of a real live Qatari family. Unfortunately, that will never be - we just don't move in the right circles.
Insha'Allah.
And so, driving around Doha is an eye opener - we have a cornucopia of styles - Italian Baroque, French Versaille, Roman Columns, St.Paul type cathedrals or, I suppose, huge mosque type domes. The houses are upwards of 10,000 to 30,000 square feet, on average. Besides the sprawling main house, most of them have a building in the front of the property that is called a majilis - a vast reception room for males and their male visitors - an exclusive domain. In addition, there are the servants quarters for the various gardeners, chauffeurs, security guards, maids and nannies. And last, but not least, are the parking garages, usually under tent-like tarpaulins for a half-dozen suv's and sports cars. 
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