Doha Transit Hotel Master Thread
 

Decided to start this after consulting with Zol. Due to the odd hours that the Doha airport operates, there are often plenty of connections that require a hotel and the vast majority of transit passengers cannot get the free STPC hotel option. The thread's wiki should be about various hotel options, pros and cons of each (such as if they will accomodate odd check-in/check-out hours, price of the shuttle if there is one, and any basic tips for the day traveler). Also feel free to ask questions or provide more detailed feedback below.

So to start off the questions, I want to know if anyone can compare the Marriott and Marriott Marquis. I'm looking for a hotel during an 18 hour layover in Doha in January and can stay at either of those hotels (Marriott free night cert). The Marquis definitely looks nicer and has better reviews, but it appears to be quite a bit farther away from the souks (which I'd like to see) and most importantly, the airport.

Thoughts on which hotel would be better?

Another Question. [I have searched the forum and haven't found exactly what I am I looking for - at least not recent]
We are booking flights ORD-DOH-JRO round trip for next year using AA miles. Arv ~6 PM and leave at 8 the next day. Qatar Airways confirmed on the phone that there will be no free transit hotel and no possibility of paying for one through them. We are totally on our own. I am a little concerned about getting a visa ahead of time or once there and where is a good place to stay that is close to the airport but a nice place to spend the evening, walk, views, or whatever.
Questions: What is the step by step process we need to go through? Do we get off the plane, go through immigration and get a visa at that time? Will our luggage be through checked?
AJ

Talk about look for a short cut.
Every question you have asked has been covered in the most recent threads. You just need to read. 6 hours a night for the next 2 nights will get your questions answered (even TA adds some insight).
Oh, you could then summarise, and drop results of your review into this thread.

You get a Transit Visa at immigration, assuming you are US citizens (based on your ORD origin). Luggage will be checked through will (usually) no possibility of getting it.

For hotel locations, it's easiest to go to Google Maps and just search for 'hotels in doha qatar' as that should pop up all of their locations. There are hotels throughout the range of 2-5 stars within a 10-15 minute taxi ride from the airport.

I am not sure if this is a permanent/generic change, but at the latest quote I got, there is no 3-4hr plan.

Available packages: 5-8hr, 9-12hr, 13-14hr and 15-24hr.