I can't find a master thread for this hotel.

Does anyone have any comments?

I am a Platinum. Any experience on how that level of SPG is treated?

Best way from airport to hotel?

Thanks!

I haven't stayed at the hotel, but can tell you it is relatively close to the center compared to several other hotels. If you are looking for SPG properties, FWIW, there's also a relatively new W in Doha.

In terms of the best way from the airport to the hotel, there's always a long line of taxis outside the airport. If you need QAR, there's an ATM as you exit the building to your left (do a u-turn as you exit the airport from arrivals and you'll see the ATM against the outside wall of the airport). Most hotels also have car service if you prefer to go that route.

Good rooms but horrible service in my opinion. Staff is not friendly, drinks/room service by nighttime had to be paid for in cash (??), plus had to pay for an airport transfer which I never took as my luggage got lost and I had to wait inside the arrival terminal. After a harsh discussion didn't even receive a suggestion to pay 50% or anything, crazy. And their prices are as well - decent taxi from Sheraton to Airport about 10 Riyal, Sheraton airport transfer 135 Riyal.

Think I'll take the Marriot next time, in any case not the Sheraton in Doha anymore.

I stayed at this hotel twice, in Sept 2006 and Nov 2007. The architecture of the hotel is atrium-style and makes an impression of luxury. From the outside, it has seems to have the shape of a pyramid from certain angles. It is located on the seaside and has extensive beach and pool facilities, both with very warm water. On both occasions I was offered a Platinum SPG upgrade to a suite (one with two bedrooms) and received breakfast and cocktails in the lounge. My accommodations were nicely furnished, spotlessly clean, and well maintained. The staff is very international with good knowledge of English. Nearly everyone seemed friendly and helpful, even if not very happy to be working in Qatar. I arranged for several tours at the concierge desk and was quite satisfied with the service, although again, the tour guides are all foreigners and not very pleased to be in Qatar. My overall impression of the hotel was positive and I would return there again.

My impressions were very different. Got a very nice upgrade as a Platinum and received excellent service.
The hotel has very nice rooms and typically for middle east hotels is designed to impress when you walk in.
Location is okay, towards the end of the corniche, close to some major shopping centres.
They have a free shuttle which takes you to the Shouk area which I used and they also dropped me off at the airport for free.

That may have something to do with it

I stayed there a lot as a Platinum. Most of the time the only upgrade was to club floor; a few times got a suite (I think they call it a junior suite but it's a bedroom with separate living room). They seemed to have the attitude that one step up (regular to club floor) was enough of an upgrade. The food throughout the hotel is not great in my opinion (except the Italian restaurant which is fine).

I've since moved to the W for my stays and enjoy it better in most regards.

The Sheraton and most of the older hotels are government owned. The newer hotels like the W are privately owned and I think there is a better service culture on average at the privately owned hotels. But with that said, I found the service at the Sheraton to be fine.

Generally it's easy and inexpensive to get a taxi from the airport to any major hotel (maybe except if you arrive at a really busy holiday time). You can pre-book a hotel car but it will cost more.

Also a downside of booking the hotel car is that you have to pay even if you can't use it (e.g, flight change). But if you are merely delayed in the airport you should still get your car transfer.

The Sheraton Doha will close for two years for renovations, according to an article in the local press. The hotel is a Qatar icon -- it has been around for something like 30 years, and it was for a long time the tallest building, and the only place to get a drink, in downtown -- and is certainly dated. Although the rooms are comfortable, treatment of elites good, and service very solid overall. The outdoor common areas -- pool, beach, restaurant -- are really the worst aspects in my opinion, so I hope that the refresh covers those. Also the F&B is mediocre, with some rather tired concepts.

Interestingly, the article says that the hotel will be "rebranded" -- "but the operator will continue to be the same." The operator is Starwood; I guess that Westin is the most likely new brand. Luxury Collection doesn't seem a great fit for the site (though the Sheraton/Luxury Collection in Kuwait is a similar property), and I don't see the point of making it Le Meridien.

If it is re-branded, then maybe the good news is that we can look forward to a new Sheraton sometime down the line, perhaps in the Lusail district.

Does it take two years for reno and why would a hotel decide to close down completely rather than complete reno in stages?

My understanding was the new emir was driving around and decided the Sheraton does not fit with the new skyline and ordered it closed the next day. Don't know if this is true but it would be sad as the Sheraton was Doha before Doha was Doha.

Doha was always Doha.

Not uncommon in the industry, e.g., Mamounia, Savoy.

Here now and from what I can see from initial impressions, I'm not too keen.

There's a big school holiday in Qatar that I walked into so the country's hotels are booked to the gills with large families with their screaming offspring. I showed up to the hotel just before 4:30 PM and eventually got to the trainee reception associate just before 5 PM since he was dealing with a difficult, argumentative Qatari female guest. I was informed that, despite being upgraded, the hotel was full and the room was still occupied... something I thought was strange at 5 PM. Of note: no dedicated check-in area for SPG elites.

Anyway, I asked to wait for the room and went up to the club lounge where I'm waiting now [it's now 5:30 PM and counting]. The lounge is nice and spacious but from what I've gleaned from the property so far, the only 'Grand' thing about it is the fact that the building is physically large and has vast spaces. Other than that, it's a total blast from the 80s with lurid carpets, stodgy furnishings and dated design all around. How the Hell is this place fully renovated?

More soon. Hopefully this situation picks up.

khabah

Back again for the first time since my last stay in the post above. Feedback:

• Now that Sheraton migrated to the Marriott platform, I noticed a pre-arrival two-category upgrade in the Marriott app from a Deluxe City-View Room to a Club Sea-View Room. Upon arrival at the hotel, I was told that I was upgraded to a Club Room and when I asked about any suites being available, I was told that none were. I checked the app when up in my room and guess what... every room category is available for the duration of my stay. Side note: my colleague, who is a Platinum Premier Elite, was bumped up to a Junior Suite.
• Wi-fi is very fast. Plat benefits at check-in are 1000 welcome points OR breakfast at the main restaurant, Al Hubara.
• 80s design is still firmly in place; I've found out that the renovation was in fact designed to restore the 80s feel so this is very much intentional. Hope you like time travel!
• My room is decent - spacious enough with a split-level design with the sleeping area above and a two-seat seating area down two steps. King-sized bed, strong A/C, balcony furnished with two chairs and a bathroom with tub, separate shower, toilet and bidet. Toiletries are, surprisingly, the icky Shine stuff; surprised they're still here, especially when considering the hotel's 'Grand' designation.
• Executive Lounge is excellent - very spacious with plenty of seating. Food at happy hour [6-8 PM] is very extensive - salads, hors d'oeuvres, sushi, hot dishes [with a few vegetarian-friendly options - yay!] and dessert. You can effortlessly build yourself a full meal here. Alcohol consists of a few liquors and red/white wine.

So far, so good aside from the sneaky upgrade thing at check-in. While it can be argued that an upgrade is an upgrade, I can't stand it when hotel staff tell you something erroneous/that can so easily be proven otherwise. Sigh.

khabah

I stay here regularly and i am a massive fan of Sheraton Doha, the club lounge is excellent and staff on the whole are excellent. The facilities and F+B options are great on site and you do not need to leave the hotel if you didnt want to. For me one of the best SPG/Marriott options in Doha and in terms of points its a steal at 25K per night.

Back again after a relatively good stay last time. This time, however, got off on the very wrong foot:

• About a week before arriving, I applied SNAs on my stay through the app and when presented with the selection of rooms, I chose the Diplomatic Head-of-State Suite only. A few days later, I received a confirmation that my upgrade was confirmed. Happy days.
• For a relatively large hotel, check-in is woefully understaffed, staff take forever to perform check-in tasks and there is no dedicated check-in for Elites. Two agents were handling the process and the Director of Rooms was roaming around, but nothing was done to expedite things, even when we asked if we could check-in at the lounge [which the lounge can do].
• During check-in, I was informed that 'the hotel had upgraded me to a lovely junior suite.' Aside from the fact that I had used SNAs and that my upgrade was actually not an act of kindness from the hotel, I inquired as to why I had the junior suite instead of the Diplomatic Suite I requested and received a confirmation for. Confused, the agent got the Director of Rooms out again and after much discussion and description of the situation, he said he'd look into it and that nothing could be done about it. Instead, when requesting upgrades, he told me that the hotel receives notification of an upgrade to a 'luxury room,' and that their definition of the term is 'junior suite.' A short apology later, I was on my way to the junior suite. No other form of guest reconciliation. In any case, I forwarded the confirmation to him and we shall see what gets done. Given the way things have been lately, I have a feeling it'll be TS.
• Just like last time, no MAGC card in the room - had to call down and request one. Iron isn't working. Bathroom an awkward layout with a tub only and a tight entry way through a glass screen and a towel rack that hangs close to the opening.

I've never been 'downgraded' from a confirmed upgrade, and the staff - some exceptions aside - are generally on the lower-end of mediocre. Let's see what happens.

khabah