Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Doha, Qatar
Sep 30, 2024 | 11:43 pm
#331
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Dubai
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Accor Diamond, BA Gold, QR Plat
Posts: 434
Hoping to get some feedback from those that are more familiar with the city.
First time visiting for 3 nights. Looking to do mostly touristy stuff (souq, museum, desert activities etc.) Trying to determine whether there's an property with "optimal" location, with easy transit/access.
A few that I was considering: Marriott Marquis, JW Marriott Marquis (talk about confusing), Le Meridien, W
The St. Regis looks pretty neat, but seems like it's a bit out of the city. How much does this location affect ease of access to touristy activities?
First time visiting for 3 nights. Looking to do mostly touristy stuff (souq, museum, desert activities etc.) Trying to determine whether there's an property with "optimal" location, with easy transit/access.
A few that I was considering: Marriott Marquis, JW Marriott Marquis (talk about confusing), Le Meridien, W
The St. Regis looks pretty neat, but seems like it's a bit out of the city. How much does this location affect ease of access to touristy activities?
st regis is not that far away, Doha traffic is pretty OK most of the time. It would take you 15-20 minutes to reach Mshreib or Museum of Islamic Art in normal conditions
if you going in winter time, you can even walk from st regis to AL QASSAR metro station. The metro will take you to West Bay in 18 minutes and Mshreib in 25 minutes
St regis has the advantage of beach access and the pool is quite big too
Oct 1, 2024 | 12:33 am
#332
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), IHG Plat (CC), UA (*G) Gold, AA Plat (OWS)
Posts: 10,085
Hoping to get some feedback from those that are more familiar with the city.
First time visiting for 3 nights. Looking to do mostly touristy stuff (souq, museum, desert activities etc.) Trying to determine whether there's an property with "optimal" location, with easy transit/access.
A few that I was considering: Marriott Marquis, JW Marriott Marquis (talk about confusing), Le Meridien, W
The St. Regis looks pretty neat, but seems like it's a bit out of the city. How much does this location affect ease of access to touristy activities?
First time visiting for 3 nights. Looking to do mostly touristy stuff (souq, museum, desert activities etc.) Trying to determine whether there's an property with "optimal" location, with easy transit/access.
A few that I was considering: Marriott Marquis, JW Marriott Marquis (talk about confusing), Le Meridien, W
The St. Regis looks pretty neat, but seems like it's a bit out of the city. How much does this location affect ease of access to touristy activities?
The beds at the JW are too firm.
Oct 1, 2024 | 3:28 am
#333
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DUB / AUH / TPE
Posts: 798
Hoping to get some feedback from those that are more familiar with the city.
First time visiting for 3 nights. Looking to do mostly touristy stuff (souq, museum, desert activities etc.) Trying to determine whether there's an property with "optimal" location, with easy transit/access.
A few that I was considering: Marriott Marquis, JW Marriott Marquis (talk about confusing), Le Meridien, W
The St. Regis looks pretty neat, but seems like it's a bit out of the city. How much does this location affect ease of access to touristy activities?
First time visiting for 3 nights. Looking to do mostly touristy stuff (souq, museum, desert activities etc.) Trying to determine whether there's an property with "optimal" location, with easy transit/access.
A few that I was considering: Marriott Marquis, JW Marriott Marquis (talk about confusing), Le Meridien, W
The St. Regis looks pretty neat, but seems like it's a bit out of the city. How much does this location affect ease of access to touristy activities?
Marriott Marquis design inside is insanely dated. Location is good, but that's really about all that it has going for it.
As others said, The St. Regis is probably the best option. Don't look at Doha like you would other cities, as it is quite spread out. The StR is a quick Uber ride from almost everywhere. It's location is good as you are close to West Bay, Lusail, and also not particularly far from the rest of Doha. It's the one I would go for.
Haven't stayed in the JW, so can't comment on it.
Oct 1, 2024 | 3:39 am
#334
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London (mostly) & Wernstein am Inn
Programs: LH SEN, Marriott LT Platinum, BA Pleb
Posts: 3,041
I was not a fan of the W at all. We got upgraded to a Wow Suite, but it felt very run down, and felt like what I imagine a seedy nightclub feels like in the daytime. Service and breakfast were also very poor.
Marriott Marquis design inside is insanely dated. Location is good, but that's really about all that it has going for it.
As others said, The St. Regis is probably the best option. Don't look at Doha like you would other cities, as it is quite spread out. The StR is a quick Uber ride from almost everywhere. It's location is good as you are close to West Bay, Lusail, and also not particularly far from the rest of Doha. It's the one I would go for.
Haven't stayed in the JW, so can't comment on it.
Marriott Marquis design inside is insanely dated. Location is good, but that's really about all that it has going for it.
As others said, The St. Regis is probably the best option. Don't look at Doha like you would other cities, as it is quite spread out. The StR is a quick Uber ride from almost everywhere. It's location is good as you are close to West Bay, Lusail, and also not particularly far from the rest of Doha. It's the one I would go for.
Haven't stayed in the JW, so can't comment on it.
The W was already in 2015 a seedy nightclub, plenty of escorts etc.
Marquis opened around 2013 without any reno since then.
StR or the Westin should work for you, I also do like the Sharq Village.
Oct 1, 2024 | 4:24 am
#335
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,940
Agree with everyone above. STR all the way.
Great location. Great elite treatment with nice upgrades. Fantastic breakfast spread. Plenty of fantastic restaurants and late night jazz club (Sax). Beach is small, but great and quiet. Giant pool.
Great location. Great elite treatment with nice upgrades. Fantastic breakfast spread. Plenty of fantastic restaurants and late night jazz club (Sax). Beach is small, but great and quiet. Giant pool.
Oct 1, 2024 | 7:58 am
#336
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Kuwait (KW)
Programs: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Qatar Airways
Posts: 3,657
I’ve stayed in a lot of these hotels as a frequent visitor to Doha.
khabah
- Marriott Marquis is a hard pass - unappealing, woefully dated interiors, mediocre club lounge and so-so service.
- Le Méridien City Center is a missed opportunity in that the owners cheaped out, maintaining the old interiors of the ten-year-old hotel that never opened before slapping the LM name on the building. Club lounge was decent in offerings [sickly sweet, cheap sparkling wine though], but the outdoor pool is tiny and the indoor one, will nice at the top of the building, is still an indoor pool so it lacks the breathing room of an outdoor space.
- I used to love the Westin even if the location is t the greatest, but I used to experience a lot of consistency issues with the service and many facilities were often breaking/out of order [steam room, hot tub, sauna, bathroom sewage smells and drainage issues, etc.], and elite treatment always dwindled with each visit as I was upgraded into smaller and smaller rooms with increasingly less generous welcome amenities.
- The Sheraton Grand is an institution with its iconic architecture and extensive grounds [gardens, beach, pool], but the vintage interiors and oftentimes high pricing aren’t for everyone. Their breakfast is great though, as is their very generous club lounge; service is generally good too. Location is solid right in the West Bay with easy access by car to Souq Waqif and the National Museum.
- St. Regis Doha [not Porta Arabia] is about ten minutes by car from the West Bay and 15-20 to Souq Waqif, but transport around Doha is easy; you can even walk to Al Qassar metro station from the hotel and get around. The hotel was recently renovated and is quite lovely, plus their beach and huge pool, plus good F&B make it a solid bet.
- I heard the Qabila West Bay will soon be renovated and eventually rebrand as a Marriott, so I wouldn’t stay there yet as it needs to be redone.
khabah
Oct 1, 2024 | 10:35 am
#337
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,217
Thanks for all the replies. Seems like the St. Regis is the clear winner amongst the group.
For me, having a pool or beach access isn't high on my list of priorities.
Not sure why I didn't consider the Sheraton Grand, what are other's opinions of this property?
For my dates, the JW and Sheraton are similar in pricing, with the StR being a good 30-40% higher. I don't personally mind the extra cost at the StR, but is it "worth" it?
EDIT: Forgot to mention, I will be Bonvoy Plat when staying, so elite recognition will be a factor as well.
For me, having a pool or beach access isn't high on my list of priorities.
Not sure why I didn't consider the Sheraton Grand, what are other's opinions of this property?
For my dates, the JW and Sheraton are similar in pricing, with the StR being a good 30-40% higher. I don't personally mind the extra cost at the StR, but is it "worth" it?
EDIT: Forgot to mention, I will be Bonvoy Plat when staying, so elite recognition will be a factor as well.
Last edited by pentiumvi; Oct 1, 2024 at 12:26 pm
Oct 1, 2024 | 10:51 am
#338
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: USA
Programs: MB Ambassador, WOH Globalist, HH Diamond (Aspire), IHG Plat (CC), UA (*G) Gold, AA Plat (OWS)
Posts: 10,085
Thanks for all the replies. Seems like the St. Regis is the clear winner amongst the group.
For me, having a pool or beach access isn't high on my list of priorities.
Not sure why I didn't consider the Sheraton Grand, what are other's opinions of this property?
For my dates, the JW and Sheraton are similar in pricing, with the StR being a good 30-40% higher. I don't personally mind the extra cost at the StR, but is it "worth" it?
For me, having a pool or beach access isn't high on my list of priorities.
Not sure why I didn't consider the Sheraton Grand, what are other's opinions of this property?
For my dates, the JW and Sheraton are similar in pricing, with the StR being a good 30-40% higher. I don't personally mind the extra cost at the StR, but is it "worth" it?
Oct 1, 2024 | 11:54 pm
#340
Join Date: Nov 2019
Location: Dubai
Programs: Marriott Ambassador, Hilton Diamond, Accor Diamond, BA Gold, QR Plat
Posts: 434
For me, if a hotel is marketing itself as a Spa Hotel and emphasizes “tranquility” - I would expect that the facilities are for in-house guests only.
Oct 22, 2024 | 12:14 am
#342
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: DUB / AUH / TPE
Posts: 798
It would be the clear winner for me. You will see my earlier comment about the W, I really didn't like it at all.
Oct 22, 2024 | 12:43 am
#343
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: KSA
Programs: Marriott AMB, Skywards Gold
Posts: 3,940
St. Regis Doha is the winner. Great huge pool, breakfast spread is fantastic. Lots and I mean Lots of fantastic restaurants (With one fantastic live music bar/restaurant at SAX). You really don't need to leave the property if spending a day or two.
Oct 22, 2024 | 1:39 am
#344
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London (mostly) & Wernstein am Inn
Programs: LH SEN, Marriott LT Platinum, BA Pleb
Posts: 3,041
Oct 22, 2024 | 1:42 am
#345
Join Date: Feb 2017
Location: London (mostly) & Wernstein am Inn
Programs: LH SEN, Marriott LT Platinum, BA Pleb
Posts: 3,041
I stayed in 2023. I wasn’t that impressed by the service, but the hotel itself was beautiful, particularly the pool. The issue is that the hotel is also selling day passes which means the pool could become crowded on weekends with outside guests.
For me, if a hotel is marketing itself as a Spa Hotel and emphasizes “tranquility” - I would expect that the facilities are for in-house guests only.
For me, if a hotel is marketing itself as a Spa Hotel and emphasizes “tranquility” - I would expect that the facilities are for in-house guests only.
I agree, the weekends can be dreadful - from overrun (W on the Palm Dubai) to very busy (St Regis Saadiyat) to almost no impact though (RC Al Bustan).
Last edited by Duck1981; Oct 22, 2024 at 2:00 am