Very trendy hotel - nice stay.

Check In

So here we go. I got a phone call from the hotel the night before welcoming me to the hotel - and the lady was practically giddy when she told me I was one of the first Globalist to stay since it opened. Asked what time I was arriving etc etc and that was that.

Getting the hotel was easy - the 1 Bus from the airport stops very close by and costs very little. As approached the hotel I was filled with dread - it is in a really ugly 1960s building and had quite a few homeless folks sitting around outside in the park next door. However, the minute I walked in I realised the style guy had been given a free reign and that it was obviously going to be a quirky stay.

As I checked in, I was sent to the self serve check in desks, with the check in lady hovering to make sure I managed. It was all a bit fiddly as it didnt pull all my details from my Hyatt account and felt a little awkward. I can see the utility when it is busy but feels very impersonal and slightly low end.

The highlight is a massive bear in reception - no need to go to Doha anymore to get a photo with one if that is your thing!

Room

I got to look at two rooms. I had been upgraded to a suite as I was Globalist and had done an online check in to that room. When I arrived, the receptionist said it was a lovely room, but that they had a function on at the speakeasy bar along the corridor and she expected the room to be bother by quite a bit of noise. She took me to look at that room, and the other quieter one she had picked out. 

The first suite was beautiful and had a sauna on the balcony, a roll top bath and was really nice. I was very tempted but concerned about the noise aspect so we went to look at the other room. Again a nice corner room - not quite as nice as the suite but I took it as I wanted a good nights sleep. I thought the fact she told me about the possible noise was a real plus - however the designer that has put the best rooms in the hotel next to a noisy function room may come to regret that!

My room had a huge bed and boy was it comfy! That linen were high quality and I slept for hours. Now the room has a bit of a Scandinavian feel too it and the hotel prides itself with a environmentally friendly outlook. So there is no fridge in the room - but there is a little kitchenette in the hallway with a microwave and fridge full of soft drinks that were free to guests. I nice touch. 

The issue I had was with the bathroom - first off the toilet is separate form the rest of the bathroom - no real issue with that other than its location. Right next to the bed - whereas the bath/shower is down a corridor and very private. I just dont see the logic - especially as there was plenty of room in the bathroom to put the toilet. The other issue is that is was very difficult to turn the shower on with an immovable plastic side divider - I really struggled without getting in the bath or turn the shower on!

The aminities were high end big bottles - although no separate shampoo/conditioner - it was an all in one thing which felt a little cheap. The hairdryer was very powerful and there was plenty of places in the bathroom to spread out.

The bedroom was a little style over substance but I cannot fault the sleep quality - amazing bed!

Service

This is where the hotel excelled - all the staff I encountered throughout my stay were super friendly - almost too delighted to see me as I could not get away!

Dining

So dinning is where it goes a little aray. I was told the restaurant was full on the night I was there - so I went to sit in the bar - which is a bit like a coffee shop or seats at the bar itself. Not too much space to lounge out. I had a few glasses of wine which were very reasonably priced and decided to eat something off the bar snack menu. I was told there were small plates - I have no issue with this - but I order the burger which was a canapé with a bowl full of chips. Proportions were off somewhat between the two parts to the dish! I also had the honey ice cream desert (can't remember the name) and it was delicious. 

Breakfast was on another strange level though. YOu could order fruit juice and coffee, so far so goo - then you have to order a plate.  The plate came with cake, and a crepe (the one I chose) and it was like a selection of things from the kitchen, and a bowl of scrambled eggs. Nothing to go with them - very odd. The bread basket with croissant etc was very high quality. No option for a continental - or cheese and bread as per every other french breakfast. I cannot see this appealing to an American audience and it was quite pricey for what you got. Luckily Globalist took care of it!

Location

The hotel is easy to get to from the airport -there was a shopping centre across the way but not a great deal around it. I wasn't sold on the location but maybe I missed the 'good bit'!

Overall

Overall this hotel is very nice - but a little style over substance - particularly in the food area. That said it was a popular site for locals in the evenings and the cocktails looked really good.

The staff were super friendly too and so service was excellent.

I am not sure where this hotel is putting itelf - young and trendy, environmentally aware clients I think. I would definately stay again if I was in the area - I much preferred it to the Intercontinental which is far too 'old fashioned' for my taste! 

If anyone has any particular questions I will try to answer them. Happy to dish out more info if what you want to know is not in this review.

Regards

aks120