Hotel/Accommodation, Middle East, Qatar, Travel

Staycation at the Westin Doha

May 22, 2017

Staycation at the Westin DohaBack in December, I won a free night stay at the Westin Doha. The Westin Doha is a newish hotel in Doha and it is not in the area where most of the hotels have been built. In the past few weeks, I have read a few negative reviews regarding events and a few of the restaurants. Since the voucher was going to expire and I am about to leave, I thought I would give it a try and have a staycation for one night.

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The Room

When you enter the room, you are greeted with a panoramic view of the whole room, including some of the bathroom. After I noticed the open layout of the room, the next thing I noticed was the soaker tub that looks out over the room. I couldn’t wait to get it and soak for a while. It seemed like you could see the television from the tub. Watching a movie from the tub sounded like a great idea. Unfortunately, I couldn’t see the tv from the tub. This was due to the divide between the room and the bathroom. Seems like a huge design flaw.

Staycation at Westin Doha

Staycation at the Westin Doha

However, the rest of the room was pretty great. My room was a deluxe room with a pool view. The room was quite large and had a king sized bed. The Westin Hotel is known for its beds and it did not disappoint! Thick carpet with a beautiful design extends throughout. Heavy blackout curtains block out the Middle Eastern sun perfectly.

Staycation at the Westin Doha

Staycation at the Westin Doha

The usual amenities are present, such as a desk and a beautiful cabinet with the mini fridge and coffee and tea. For all the Brits out there, yes, there is evaporated milk for your tea! What was great was there were plenty of international plugs for all your devices. One complaint was that my room was right by the elevator and everyone is loud getting off the elevator. Not really the hotel’s fault, but the door could have been sound proofed. The other issue was that they had lights on sensors so when you get out of bed at night, you can see. Great idea, but they took forever to go off and one time it went off when I was moving around in the bed.

The Food

The restaurant I had heard good things about was Sabai Thai. It is a small restaurant set back from the hotel. Unfortunately, you have to go outside to reach Sabai Thai, which during the summer in Qatar it could be an issue. When entering there was a Thai woman playing a traditional Thai instrument that had a lovely sound and was so much better than the loud music some place blast in restaurants.

I did not order a starter as I wanted dessert. For the main course, I ordered, Gai Phad Med Mamuang. This is a stir fried chicken dish with cashew nuts, spring onions and chili paste. It was served with steamed rice. The dish was light and flavorful and they asked how spicy I wanted it. I said light since I wasn’t sure how spicy light would be. I could have gone with the medium. For dessert, I ordered my favorite Thai dessert of Mango Sticky Rice. Theirs was probably the best I have ever had! The mango was really ripe and the coconut sauce was not too sweet.

Staycation at the Westin Doha

Staycation at the Westin Doha

In addition to good food and atmosphere, the service was great and never had to wait for anything.

The Service

When I called to make the reservation, I had to email them the voucher, which seemed odd, but I went with it. After I emailed it, everything went smoothly. They even asked if I want to book any spa treatments and asked for my SPG number for points. This service was the same when I arrived. Someone greeted me when I entered and escorted me to the check-in desk. While checking in, I was brought a hot towel and a juice.

About 15 minutes after I arrived in my room, the front desk called to make sure I was happy with my room. While I didn’t call them for anything during my stay, I am sure it would have been quick and efficient. Upon checking out, I was also given great service. There was only one person checking people in and out. Another staff person saw me waiting and quickly went to a desk to check me out.

Overall, I really enjoyed my stay and if I was in Doha longer, I would be going back for another staycation. The pools are huge and look amazing. I also wish I had more time to explore the menu of Sabai Thai.

Have you stayed at a Westin? What was your experience?

 

 

 

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40 Comments

  • Reply Sarah Faheem May 22, 2017 at 11:36 am

    I loved the idea of staycation so much, we booked one last weekend at the Pearl Kempinski. It was amazing! I am absolutely addicted to it now- to experience a luxurious stay without having to travel is fabulous. Thanks for the inspiration 🙂

    • Reply Tiffany May 22, 2017 at 11:38 am

      I love them as well! I may be doing another if I have to cancel my internet way before I go. Do you have the entertainer? Lots of hotels have a 2 for 1 deal in them for Qatar.

  • Reply Sarah Faheem May 22, 2017 at 11:40 am

    I have the Entertainer Book. Does it really have the hotel deals in there? Sorry I don’t remember seeing them…
    If yes, I wouldn’t mind sharing some with you!

    • Reply Tiffany May 22, 2017 at 11:42 am

      Not sure about the book. I have the app and they are in there.

  • Reply vinneve May 22, 2017 at 4:58 pm

    Beautiful room and bathroom!

    • Reply Tiffany May 22, 2017 at 5:01 pm

      It is! I didn’t want to leave!

  • Reply Ritu May 27, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    This looks seriously amazing! One day I’ll get out there!

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 12:22 pm

      It was! I didn’t want to leave. You should. But wait till the winter.

  • Reply Suzie May 27, 2017 at 12:21 pm

    This looks amazing! I’ve never stayed anywhere where I can watch the TV from the bath, so this probably wouldn’t have been something to think of, but now I’ve got a goal – stay in a room that’s luxurious enough where I can do that!

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 12:23 pm

      It was pretty luxurious. Made even more so because it was free! Lol

  • Reply Maja Asgautsen May 27, 2017 at 12:34 pm

    Looks like a really nice place to stay. Great posts and lovely photos.

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 12:36 pm

      It was. I really enjoyed it. Thanks!

  • Reply Hayley May 27, 2017 at 12:41 pm

    This looks lovely and that shower looks ace! Bloody annoying about the tub & the TV though. You’d think they’d make sure you can actually see it!

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 12:43 pm

      Oh yes the shower was great. Yeah seemed a bit odd. Could have been so great!

  • Reply Lucy May 27, 2017 at 1:19 pm

    Love your reviews! You bring the place to life

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 1:24 pm

      Thank so much! I am so glad.

  • Reply Emma Pearson May 27, 2017 at 2:22 pm

    That room looks so nice! I would be afraid to unpack and make it look untidy! I love the look of that bath, I’d fill it with bubbles ?.. I like the look of the food you picked ?

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 2:23 pm

      Haha. I was able to limit my mess to the hug closet. I did fill it with bubbles.

  • Reply Em Linthorpe May 27, 2017 at 2:31 pm

    It looks like a great place for an overnight stay, the bathroom is really lovely. You can’t knock back a freebie, that’s for sure!

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 2:32 pm

      Definitely. I could have spent several days in this room.

  • Reply Diam May 27, 2017 at 4:43 pm

    The rooms are BEAUTIFUL! I need to get there like asap

    http://www.fromdiamwithlove.com

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 5:59 pm

      You do!!! Highly recommend.

  • Reply Jemma May 27, 2017 at 5:56 pm

    That looks lovely, wouldn’t mind a staycation right now and if I could, I would!

    • Reply Tiffany May 27, 2017 at 5:59 pm

      They are great! I could do with another one.

  • Reply Gabe May 27, 2017 at 6:20 pm

    Isn’t it a lot of fun to “get away” from our routine by settling into a hotel for a night or two, even if we don’t leave the city? Something about not having to make the bed or do the dishes just feels great.
    Thanks for taking us on the virtual staycation!

    • Reply Tiffany May 28, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      It is so fun to get away even in your own town! You’re welcome.

  • Reply Jennifer May 27, 2017 at 7:11 pm

    I love staycations. Sometimes, you just need to get away from the everyday routine. I had to laugh because the first time I looked at the picture of the room, I saw the yellow circle on the rug and thought it was a trick of the light, not a rug pattern.

    • Reply Tiffany May 28, 2017 at 2:39 pm

      It is the best! Haha. I loved the carpet pattern, but could totally see why you would think that.

  • Reply Cher May 27, 2017 at 10:42 pm

    This is a gorgeous place, Tiffany! I’ve stayed at Westin hotels a few times and generally they’ve been good. This room is spectacular! Thanks for sharing this with us! Cher xo

    • Reply Tiffany May 28, 2017 at 2:41 pm

      Isn’t it! Their beds are so amazing.

  • Reply Mel May 28, 2017 at 12:24 pm

    Looks like an amazing place. I watched the video of this place on your Facebook page such a fabulous room!

    • Reply Tiffany May 28, 2017 at 2:42 pm

      Oh yay! Someone watched the video. I do Snapchat, but the Facebook videos make me nervous.

  • Reply Hot Mess May 28, 2017 at 3:27 pm

    Great post! That room looks pretty awesome. I’ve stayed at several Westins (nothing overseas) and really have never been disappointed. The Heavenly bed obviously has been named perfectly as it is HEAVENLY! I once looked online to see how much a Heavenly bed would cost and it was well out of my reach, price wise. I really enjoy the W as part of the SPG family, especially the one on Bourbon Street in New Orleans. That one was my favorite.

    • Reply Tiffany May 28, 2017 at 3:36 pm

      Thank you! That bed is heavenly. I love the W as well but have only been to the one here.

  • Reply Noelle May 28, 2017 at 3:51 pm

    I’ve never stayed at a Westin, but I want to now 🙂

    • Reply Tiffany May 28, 2017 at 3:53 pm

      I now want to stay in more of them!!

  • Reply Parul Thakur May 28, 2017 at 4:23 pm

    Never stayed at Westin but once stayed in an Indian 5 star where too, the lights were tied to the sensor and moving in the bed – they lit up. Funny it was!
    I liked your honest review.

    • Reply Tiffany May 28, 2017 at 4:25 pm

      It was good and bad. Thank you!

  • Reply Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine May 28, 2017 at 10:49 pm

    O my, what a beautiful place to get to stay at!

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