All will depend on where QR puts you. There are a clutch of hotels handy for the souq, others close to the metro (which will get you quickly and cheaply to the souq and the airport). Some in West Bay ,( malls, metro and access to the corniche from the other end), and others a little more awkwardly located.

I've never had to use QR's transit service, so I've no idea if you can influence the hotel decision. But I reckon your wishes will not be central to arrangements..

As others have said, the central souq, the commercial area round it, and the corniche, are the mainstream options. But if you like malls, thete are malls: and if you want bars, plenty of hotels have them.