Hotel Insider: Shangri-La Doha

The Horizon Deluxe King Room at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha in Qatar. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

The Horizon Club at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha in Qatar. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

The pool at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha in Qatar. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

The Shangri-La Hotel, Doha in Qatar. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

Chi, The Spa at the Shangri-La, Doha. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

The Lobby Lounge at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha in Qatar. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

Sridan at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha in Qatar. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

Fuego at Shangri-La Hotel, Doha in Qatar. Courtesy Shangri-La Hotel, Doha

The welcome

After a short flight from the UAE, the ride to the hotel takes about 20 minutes. On arrival at the hotel, I’m whisked through the lobby, where my eye catches a beautiful chandelier. I’m told it weighs 780 kilograms. I’m taken to the Horizon Lounge on the 42nd floor for a private check-in and a green tea while I wait for my room key.

The neighbourhood

The Shangri-La is in West Bay, Doha’s modern business district, where the skyline is dominated by funky, futuristic high-rises. It’s close to the Qatar National Convention Centre and connected by walkway to City Center mall. I’m visiting during a weekend, so the area is fairly quiet and traffic-free.

The room

I’m staying in a Horizon deluxe king room. These are 46 square metres and on floors 36 to 40, with access to the Horizon Club. The room is filled with light, thanks to floor-to-ceiling windows, and overlooks the water towards The Pearl. Although the decor is distinctly business it’s also comfortable, with two lounge chairs.

The service

Warm and personal. Staff greet me by name and are quick to offer assistance when needed.

The scene

People of all nationalities are staying at the hotel while I’m there, despite it being predominantly a business hotel in a business district, and at the weekend, it’s crowded with families. The 2,000-square-metre outdoor leisure area, with a lagoon-shaped pool and children’s splash pool, is a huge draw for younger families, while adults of all ages can be found enjoying afternoon tea in the Lobby Lounge and various brunches at the restaurants. The hotel’s proximity to the mall also makes it popular with shoppers.

The food

There are a number of good restaurants at the Shangri-La, including Yabby, which has a lobster brunch on Fridays (from 320 Qatari rials [Dh323], including soft drinks), and Argentine restaurant Fuego, which serves certified Argentine Kobe tenderloin steak with yucca chips (280 rials [Dh282] for 160 grams). The Den, which is bursting at the seams after a meal at Fuego, is the first non-smoking bar in Doha. All-day dining restaurant Sridan has a souq-style theme and resident oud player, and it’s also popular for brunch, with 10 cooking stations. Shanghai Club, on the 43rd and 44th floors, is Doha’s highest restaurant and serves Chinese food with great views.

Loved

Horizon Lounge and Chi, The Spa. Horizon Lounge is 800 square metres, taking up the entire 42nd floor, and has floor-to-ceiling glass offering 360-degree views of the city. The lounge has classic decor with areas for relaxing and reading, as well as dining. At the spa, I thoroughly enjoy the one-hour Kundalini back treatment massage (380 rials [Dh383]) from the men’s treatment menu and the one-hour rainforest rejuvenation facial (600 rials [Dh605]).

Hated

The signage from the hotel to the City Center mall isn’t great and the pool was crowded during my visit.

The verdict

A convenient hotel for anyone doing business in West Bay or those wanting to get away for a relaxing weekend.

The bottom line

Deluxe rooms at the Shangri-La (www.shangri-la.com/doha) cost from 795 rials (Dh802), with access to the Horizon Club lounge for an additional 150 rials (Dh151), which includes buffet breakfast at the lounge or in Sridan, high-speed internet, one suit pressing, tea, coffee and light snacks throughout the day and daily two-hour cocktail reception.