Mar 7, 2018, 4:46 am
Last edit by: escape4
Thought it would be worthwhile setting up a Wiki for this so all the information needed is in a single place:
The offer is being able to book 1 night in a 4 Star hotel in Doha for 23 USD or 5 Star hotel for 28 USD
The tickets need to be on 157-xxxx stock (QR) and the layover has to be for a minimum of 12 hours.
Confirmed by QR:
Offer valid for Qatar Airways confirmed ticket holders only.
Offer is available on Qatar Airways flights transiting through Doha during on-ward or return journey. (E.g.
London –Doha – Bangkok).
For two (or more) people travelling together both outward and return hotels can be booked on separate tickets.
A minimum transiting time of 12 hours is required to be eligible for this offer.
Not applicable on codeshare flights.
Other terms and conditions apply. Please review at the time of booking.
A valid visa is required to enter the country.Nationals from a total of 80 countries can now take advantage
of visa-free entry into Qatar. Entry into Qatar will be at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
Discover Qatar is not responsible for the decision taken by the immigration authorities.
Link with full information is : https://www.qatarairways.com/en/offers/plus-qatar.html
Booking page is : https://discoverqatar.qatarairways.com/us-en/plusqatar
Hotels:
To be completed think it would be useful to mention advantages / Distances from attractions here but mine is:
Warwick Doha
Transport:
By far Uber is the best option in Qatar and is easy to book using the Airport and the hotel wifi.
The offer is being able to book 1 night in a 4 Star hotel in Doha for 23 USD or 5 Star hotel for 28 USD
The tickets need to be on 157-xxxx stock (QR) and the layover has to be for a minimum of 12 hours.
Confirmed by QR:
Offer valid for Qatar Airways confirmed ticket holders only.
Offer is available on Qatar Airways flights transiting through Doha during on-ward or return journey. (E.g.
London –Doha – Bangkok).
For two (or more) people travelling together both outward and return hotels can be booked on separate tickets.
A minimum transiting time of 12 hours is required to be eligible for this offer.
Not applicable on codeshare flights.
Other terms and conditions apply. Please review at the time of booking.
A valid visa is required to enter the country.Nationals from a total of 80 countries can now take advantage
of visa-free entry into Qatar. Entry into Qatar will be at the discretion of the immigration authorities.
Discover Qatar is not responsible for the decision taken by the immigration authorities.
Link with full information is : https://www.qatarairways.com/en/offers/plus-qatar.html
Booking page is : https://discoverqatar.qatarairways.com/us-en/plusqatar
Hotels:
To be completed think it would be useful to mention advantages / Distances from attractions here but mine is:
Warwick Doha
Transport:
By far Uber is the best option in Qatar and is easy to book using the Airport and the hotel wifi.
+Qatar - Doha Hotel stopovers no longer free
Aug 11, 2018, 2:57 am
#706
Join Date: Aug 2018
Posts: 71
I typed the address from the confirmation email into UBER and the driver brought me right outside the door. I still did not know for sure where the hotel was as signage is pretty discreet, but as soon as we got out of the car the hotel doorman was over beside us to escort us in
I think they actively watch out for any cars disgorging lost looking tourists outside the premises.
We stayed at that particular location, but I saw a golf cart and I assume they would shuttle you over to the other properties if that is where you needed to be.
I think they actively watch out for any cars disgorging lost looking tourists outside the premises.
We stayed at that particular location, but I saw a golf cart and I assume they would shuttle you over to the other properties if that is where you needed to be.
Aug 23, 2018, 3:18 am
#707
Join Date: Nov 2017
Location: Berlin
Programs: BAEC Gold
Posts: 509
stayed at the Al Aziziyah boutique hotel recently. had the feeling I was the ONLY guest there.
It's nice, it's quiet and in walking distance to the equally crazy Villagio Mall (Think Vegas "Venecitian")
Would stay there again, but maybe not walk in 48+ degrees heat outside :-)
It's nice, it's quiet and in walking distance to the equally crazy Villagio Mall (Think Vegas "Venecitian")
Would stay there again, but maybe not walk in 48+ degrees heat outside :-)
Aug 24, 2018, 1:23 pm
#708
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC - Silver, Virgin Flying Club, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 229
We are stopping in DOH for one full day, two nights en route home from Thailand in November. Thought it would be nice to chill by a giant pool or something and maybe see the souk. Not interested in malls or fine dining particularly, but I would like (relative) quiet before we re-enter "the West" to spend five days in rural Sweden with my parents and in-laws before heading home to London.
Any suggestions for: cheap(ish) Uber to the souk/airport but still with a very nice pool area? If its near a mall we may go walk around but not critical. The Souk Waqif looks different but doesn't look like it has any sort of pool?
Any suggestions for: cheap(ish) Uber to the souk/airport but still with a very nice pool area? If its near a mall we may go walk around but not critical. The Souk Waqif looks different but doesn't look like it has any sort of pool?
Aug 25, 2018, 12:13 am
#710
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,510
it does, but it’s small, patronised by endless pigeons,and in no way the highlight of the hotel. If one wants to refresh after a walk in the heat it’s great but if op sees the swimming pool as a key part of the hotel (he mentions a giant swimming pool!) that’s definitely not the right choice of establishment.
Aug 26, 2018, 11:56 pm
#712
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: LON
Programs: BAEC - Silver, Virgin Flying Club, Delta Skymiles
Posts: 229
Thanks for the input guys - I did see a photo of a pool for the souk hotel, and it looked like an afterthought someone crammed in, but for refreshment purposes would work. However, the point of the layover is to also see some of the Middle East too, so staying in a Westin may defeat the purpose.
Aug 27, 2018, 1:27 pm
#713
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: SFO/SJC
Programs: UA 1K & 2MM, Bonvoy Titanium & LTP, HH Gold, Accor Silver, Hertz PC, Avis PC
Posts: 2,350
Thanks for the input guys - I did see a photo of a pool for the souk hotel, and it looked like an afterthought someone crammed in, but for refreshment purposes would work. However, the point of the layover is to also see some of the Middle East too, so staying in a Westin may defeat the purpose.
Aug 27, 2018, 2:38 pm
#714
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 2,233
Aug 27, 2018, 3:05 pm
#715
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,991
stayed at the Al Aziziyah boutique hotel recently. had the feeling I was the ONLY guest there.
It's nice, it's quiet and in walking distance to the equally crazy Villagio Mall (Think Vegas "Venecitian")
Would stay there again, but maybe not walk in 48+ degrees heat outside :-)
It's nice, it's quiet and in walking distance to the equally crazy Villagio Mall (Think Vegas "Venecitian")
Would stay there again, but maybe not walk in 48+ degrees heat outside :-)
Sep 15, 2018, 4:45 pm
#716
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
Hi there.....
Next week I'll have a 10 hr layover in DOH and have arranged for them to get us a hotel room, etc. etc.
My concern is re: customs/immigration when entering the country. I know that I already can't bring a drone into the country even if it won't be used, but how militant are they about personal camera gear? I'll have about 30-35k USD worth of equipment and don't want to have a hassle when entering qatar, or once again at security when coming back to the airport for my connecting flight. In reading the QR govt website, it suggests you can enter the country with about $800-$900 in 'stuff', but I assume that applies for residents coming home? Also, do they have a cow if I have a few thousand US dollars worth of a foreign currency when entering the country? From what I gather, it may not be worth the scrutiny. What should I expect? Thanks!
Next week I'll have a 10 hr layover in DOH and have arranged for them to get us a hotel room, etc. etc.
My concern is re: customs/immigration when entering the country. I know that I already can't bring a drone into the country even if it won't be used, but how militant are they about personal camera gear? I'll have about 30-35k USD worth of equipment and don't want to have a hassle when entering qatar, or once again at security when coming back to the airport for my connecting flight. In reading the QR govt website, it suggests you can enter the country with about $800-$900 in 'stuff', but I assume that applies for residents coming home? Also, do they have a cow if I have a few thousand US dollars worth of a foreign currency when entering the country? From what I gather, it may not be worth the scrutiny. What should I expect? Thanks!
Sep 16, 2018, 5:17 pm
#717
Join Date: Aug 2004
Programs: AA (EP), Hilton (Diamond), Marriott Bonvoy (Titanium)
Posts: 8,937
With only ten hours, I'd be inclined to stay at the transit hotel anyway, to maximize sleep time.
Sep 16, 2018, 6:46 pm
#718
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
I can't speak to your specific questions regarding gear and currency, but one option you might consider would be to book the transit hotel, which is airside. That avoids clearing immigration/customs. You might need to clear transit security after arriving and before reaching the hotel, but this depends on your arriving flight and the whims of whomever decides it, and would be the same regardless of staying anywhere versus camping out in the airport.
With only ten hours, I'd be inclined to stay at the transit hotel anyway, to maximize sleep time.
With only ten hours, I'd be inclined to stay at the transit hotel anyway, to maximize sleep time.
Sep 16, 2018, 6:58 pm
#719
FlyerTalk Evangelist, Ambassador, British Airways Executive Club
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: Somewhere between 0 and 13,000 metres high
Programs: AF/KL Life Plat, BA GGL+GfL, ALL Plat, Hilton Diam, Marriott Gold, blablablah, etc
Posts: 30,510
Thanks for the advice. I did some digging and did find out that cameras aren't an issue. I'll have to leave my drone locked in the lounge since I would need a permit to enter with a drone. I did find out from the QR consulate website that currencies are not an issue as long at it is not Israeli. I think at this point we'll skip the hotel idea altogether and head to the souk after our 4p arrival in DOH, so it may not be until 5:30-6 before we are at the souk. Visit the souk for a few hours and head back to airport around 9-10p for our 2a flight to jnb. Re: the transit hotel vs. hotel airside, QR was giving us the land-side hotel but did not offer the transit hotel at all and looking at the cost for a brief stay at the transit hotel, it didn't make a lot of economic sense.
Sep 16, 2018, 7:51 pm
#720
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: GRR, USA
Posts: 3,298
this is becoming very ot so maybe worth moving but something doesn’t seem to make sense in the plan unless I’m misunderstanding. You mention wanting out but also wanting to ‘leave your drone locked in the lounge’. That won’t work. I mean to go out you need to exit through arrivals, and you won’t be able to leave anything in the arrivals lounge. If you mean the main lounge you’d need to follow the transfers route and stay airside at which point you won’t be able to exit as there is no exit route from departures. Leaving something in a lounge to then leave the airport for hours would strike me as a pretty bad idea anyway. Plus even if you managed to convince someone to escort you out for airside your bp would then likely become invalid and not enable you to pass security a second time as it would have been scanned already. So i think it’s either a case of leaving your drone where it is, or checking it in the hold or sending it separately, or exiting with it and hoping all goes ok but that may be a very heavy risk or just staying airside and forgetting your sook ideas.