Originally Posted by
IAN-UK
Then you can't be all that interested in lounges
I, too, found the Al Bustan crazily expensive. Nice enough, but NOT for the faint hearted when it comes to paying the bill !
It's the choice for official shindigs, so if they have a delegation in, the better rooms get squeezed. You've probably tried the IC in Shatti al Qurm, but if not you might give a go. I like it for many reasons (yes, it has a lounge, and, yes, you do get access as RA), including the pool complex, the beach, and the restaurants and life in the commecial areas around the hotel. Al Bustan is way too isolated for my tastes.
Since the lounge is not an automatic benefit for RA, I didn't pay that much attention. Normally when at an IC I will at least go check it out, but I didn't ask here.
I have been to the other IC (and did get lounge access). It's nice enough, but a bit run-down. I agree about the area, too; you can walk or take a short drive to a couple of restaurants, etc. And I like Trader Vic's; kitschy as it is, I often enjoy a drink and appetizer that I cannot get in Doha.
Originally Posted by
nicolas75
Was it a stay on points?
If not, why didn't you complain?
Upgrade to an executive room, Club InterContinental room or a suite for Royal Ambassadors at check-in. In circumstances where an executive room, Club InterContinental room or a suite is not available at 8:00 am, the Royal Ambassador will be checked into an available room until the executive room, Club InterContinental room or the suite is available later on the day of arrival.
No, it was a paid stay, scheduled for two nights. I arrived at nearly midnight, and when I got to the room, I didn't feel like complaining -- figuring that I would maybe follow-up the next morning. Then after the breakfast experience (I mentioned in my previous post that it was OK, but not for the price, and inferior to, for example, the Grand Hyatt breakfast across town) and some poor service at the pool, I just decided to check out instead and spend the next night at the Crowne Plaza Sohar (another mild mistake, but that's for another thread).