It's crazy to me that this property was built as a Shangri-La but feels so much like all of the other properties in the JW Marriott Marquis sub-brand (especially Miami and Dubai). It really was a perfect fit for the brand. As my first hotel in Doha (on my first trip to Doha), I quite enjoyed it. Here are my pros, cons, and photos:

Pros:

• Upgraded the day before arrival to an Executive Suite, which was a large suite with full living room, corner bedroom, and large windowed bathroom
• The decor is very JW Marriott Marquis - think executive business office - I did really like the artwork throughout
• Rooms are on floors 20 to 41 of the tower, so you'll always be high up
• Living room furniture was quite comfortable - plush and nice to lounge in
• Bed was comfortable - I slept for 8 hours straight - plush pillows, mattress was just-right (a bit on the firmer side, but in a good way), the covers weren't plush but were fine for Qatar (though, it's 60 degrees Fahrenheit right now)
• Shower pressure from the rainfall head was great
• Just like Dubai, a bowl with way too much fruit was waiting in my room upon arrival
• Elite F&B is great
  • Griffin Lounge on the 42nd floor is massive and open 24 hours
  • Evening lounge service had some delicious lemon salmon that I used as my dinner as well as some nice desserts
  • No breakfast in the lounge - lounge guests eat breakfast in the restaurant on the 2nd floor
• Restaurant breakfast is delicious - full buffet plus made-to-order eggs
  • Lovely made-to-order eggs Benedict with salmon
  • Really yummy pancakes
  • Delicious dish that was like cheese pizza
  • Yummy banana smoothie
  • Tasty pastries
  • Nice service - "let me bring that to your table", "another cappuccino?"
• Front desk service was nice - good check-in from Mohammad and Bernadine (the Assistant Manager) who came out to greet me
• Offered late checkout - I asked for 2 PM, which worked
• Easy billing - offered to pay in full at check-in or take an authorization with hold for incidentals
• Great value - I paid $175 USD in total
• Lots of international outlets
• Room came with 6 bottles of "low sodium" water - lol

Cons:

• The privacy hook/latch fell off from its metal bracket when I tried to engage it - this was replaced quickly while I was out for breakfast, though
• Some wear-and-tear apparent
• So many drapes and blinds - all manual, and some hard to reach behind furniture
• Exterior windows were dirty, but this looks to be the case with every building in West Bay

Note: I was a bit surprised to find a metal detector and luggage security screening at the entrance, but this appears to be a thing throughout Doha.

Overall, I would absolutely return to this property.

Photos: