What’s it like?
A functional business hotel, which is also airy, bright and spacious with a large, tranquil lobby where small clusters of business travellers hold quiet meetings. The main building was renovated in mid-February and has a different, more luxurious and modern feel than the tower, which now seems a little dated.
Where is it?
At the southern end of the Corniche near the old town and national museum, and very convenient for the airport, a five-minute drive away.
How many rooms?
362 in total, with 54 suites. The best are the 150 rooms in the new building, all newly renovated with balconies overlooking the beach and marina. Staying in a standard room does not include access to the executive lounge area on the top floor of the main building,
Room facilities
The new rooms have plasma TVs, balconies, walk-in showers with dinner plate-sized showerheads and Neutrogena toiletries, and are modern and stylish with dark wood and decorated in reds and beiges. All rooms have TVs with 51 channels and internet access.
A cable is supplied for high-speed internet access and wifi is available in public areas. Rooms also have UK adaptors, minibar and 24-hour room service. Once my room was cleaned a member of staff came to check that I was satisfied. I ordered breakfast from room service which arrived promptly, though my croissant was a little soggy.
Business centre
Open daily from 0700 to 2300, the centre has computers with high-speed internet access and offers secretarial services including typing and photocopying, flight reconfirmation, faxing, and translation. You can hire a laptop for a day for QR500 (£76). A two-hour wifi access card is available from the business centre or executive lounge (QR50; £7.60). The hotel has 1,266sqm of meeting space including a room that can seat up to 500 theatre-style and is used for social events and larger meetings.
Restaurants and bars
Dining options included Salsa for Mexican, Taj Rasoi for Indian, and Asia Live, the most popular restaurant at the hotel, offering a fusion of Thai, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian. My meal here was quite enjoyable. The chic, moody Pearl Lounge bar (1900-0200) opened in April and is the current hot spot among expats.
Leisure facilities
The hotel has a private beach (with a fairly sharp drop-off when you enter the sea), outdoor pool and a spa with Turkish bath, hydro-bath, plunge pool, spa bath, steam room and treatment rooms.
Verdict
More business-like than other Doha hotels but a slightly cheaper option, and with better leisure facilities than I expected.
Price
Standard room QR795 (£121), executive room QR945 (£144), executive suite QR1,495 (£227), plus 17 per cent tax and service fee.
Contact
Doha Marriott, Ras Abu Aboud Street, tel +974 429 8888.
Sarah Maxwell
