Just stayed at The Ritz-Carlton Doha for a one-night trip. Some feedback:

• This was my first-ever stay at a Ritz-Carlton, and I had high expectations. Booked a club twin room for three guests as this was a meet-up trip for friends getting together from the US. At first, I tried e-mailing the hotel to inquire about upgrade chances, and was told that they're very busy this time of year so it'd have to wait come check-in. Wrote my Ambassador, and she wrote back notifying the hotel of this.
• Was pre-upgraded to an Executive Suite a few days before arrival, and was excited for that.
• Took an Uber from the airport which took about twenty-five minutes and upon arrival at the lobby, a few clicks at the reception and the staff realized that I should be checked in at the lounge, and my friend and I were escorted up. Check-in at the lounge was friendly and sit-down, but took an unusually long time... and was mildly frustrating. At first, the agent said my reservation was for two. I mentioned that it was for three and asked about the extra bed I requested on my reservation. Turns out that the extra bed wasn't pre-arranged, and I was then told that my third guest would have to be charged for using the lounge. I again showed him the reservation for three people in one club room, and only then did he realize that we were all covered.
• The suite I was given was lovely - newly renovated and felt like a nice apartment in a major North American city more than an anonymous hotel room. There was a welcome amenity with a personalized card from the GM, some dates and - not to look a gift horse in the mouth - a half-bottle of wine. I've stayed at lesser hotels and was gifted full bottles, and this was the first time I was given a halfie. Hmm.
• The club lounge itself was a lovely space with great views, but I thought the culinary presentations were somewhat weak with regards to vegetarian offerings [i.e. on the one night we were there, the live dinner station offered a beef stew and no alternative]. Coming from an utterly delightful stay at the JW Marriott Hanoi where the staff went out of their way to accommodate guest requests and cook up veggie options not on the buffet, the Ritz-Carlton's staff were always inclined to say no and apologize rather than do anything. I also had issues with their wine selection; while they offer wine from noon until 9:30 PM, their premier bottle was an Italian Chardonnay that retails for 6.69 USD. I sampled both whites and reds, and they were BARELY drinkable at best. They advertised having champagne, and trying it, it turned out to be a mid-tier sparkling wine. Their 'chocolates and cordials' is also inappropriately labeled, as the cordials they offer are... Bailey's. One of my friends asked if he could order a cocktail and was given the in-room dining menu, and when asking about more imaginative cocktails offered at STK or the other hotel venues, we were told we needed to go consume them there 'to enjoy the ambience in the venues.'
• I found the service mixed: staff ranged from being nice to surly, and unfortunately the 'nice' part meant the staff were borderline obsequious. The club lounge staff were particularly hit-or-miss: I noticed some staff regaling familiar guests with kisses and jubilant greeting, but when dealing with us, we'd get grunted at. My prior requests for an extra bed were not met, it took twenty minutes to get extra pillows and interactions in general were somewhat strained and didn't feel natural.
• The renovations to the property are partial, so the hotel has a Jekyll-and-Hyde personality where some parts are contemporary and modern, and others decked in gold, brocade and chandeliers caked in stale smoke; the ballroom, indoor pool and changing areas are particularly old and could use some time under the hammer. In the renovated parts, there are some iffy bits: some finishing is off, and in my suite's bathroom, the desire to fit two pedestal sinks on a small countertop meant no counter space, while the poor division of the shower stall and toilet meant the toilet cubicle was exceptionally tight [I'm 5'10" and leaning forward meant my head was on the glass door, and my knees touched the door while using the facilities] and the shower stall overly spacious.

All in all, I would not return to the Ritz-Carlton Doha as there are far better options in the city with regards to overall value, location, food and beverage options and service levels; I had many issues with the Sheraton's service, but it is far and away the best Marriott option in the city as the hotel's food is stunning, the hotel itself an icon, the facilities in good shape and the location central - even when it's identically priced to the Ritz, which often happens as the Sheraton gets frequently booked up for events. I would take the Ritz's hardware, but the Sheraton wins out for everything else.

khabah