BALANCE BABY

Our quest for the perfect balance between work and play feels never-ending, but we’ve found a hotel that makes it look effortless. FACT’s Anzish Mirza checks in.

Located in the heart of the city, Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park is the ideal address for stretches of productivity followed by wellearned moments for leisure and relaxation. The hotel is located in the financial district of the city and is moments away from attractions such as Souq Waqif and Museum of Islamic Art, catering to both work and play modes. Everyone loves a quick check-in, and the concierge has me in my room within two shakes of a camel’s tail. The hotel may seem small, but the 288 guest rooms and 90 residence suites are scattered across long hallways and spacious courtyards. Admittedly, the winding halls are tricky to navigate at first – I’d be lying if I didn’t say I took a wrong turn towards the elevators once or twice. But that’s fast forgotten once I arrive at my room.

The Suite Life
Our cosy one-bedroom suite has everything I need. It’s perfect for both short- and long-term stays with its fully equipped kitchen, intimate living area, spacious bedroom, and attached bathroom, yet boasts the convenience and service of a five-star hotel. What’s not to love? Tucked away in one of the busiest districts of the city, the property provides ergonomically designed accommodation that is ideal for the business traveller balancing work and leisure, with work zones and recreation areas that are distinct in personality. Rest assured, I will make use of both. I love rooms with large windows, especially when it’s wall to wall. With a few e-mails to tackle before lunch, I situate myself at the study/dressing table in the bedroom, grab a cup of tea, and start typing away.

And there are definitely moments when I position my laptop right under the rays of the sun whilst sitting inside the windowsill, loving the contrast between its warmth and the air-conditioning in the room. If you’re a longstanding resident of Qatar, you know this feeling well. In order to provide the safest stay possible, the hotel has removed all disposable items such as slippers, but all are available upon request. Basking in the Vitamin D and powering through my inbox, it feels like I’ve now earned room service for a job well done. The kitchen is accessible, compact, and fully equipped, but I don’t get much use of it as room service is just a button away. And its rotating menu is a treat as there’s always something new to try. The crispy Shrimp Wontons start with a satisfying crunch, leading to a soft and flavourful shrimp filling. But if you’re in the mood for a healthier option, the sweet and tangy Thai Chicken Salad comes highly recommended. Choosing from the mains is an easy decision. I order the margherita pizza because, well, pizza is always a good idea.

Food Matters
Speaking of food, a stay at Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park isn’t complete without visiting its restaurants. For dinner, my dining companions and I opt to go big with the Experience It All dinner at Rodizio. A unique dining concept, this Brazilian churrascaria prepares and grills select cuts over an open flame in the open-plan kitchen located in the centre of the restaurant. If you like your meal with a side of theatrics, this one’s for you. Threaded onto giant skewers, succulent selections of beef, lamb, chicken, and even camel are served by passadores, who carve the meat tableside. The smoky aroma at Rodizio alone has our mouths watering, and this is only perpetuated by the somewhat unexpected Avocado & Hummus.

Who knew two creamy textures would pair that well together? Now for the main event: the meat. It arrives on rotation on flashy skewers befitting a samurai, each better than the last. Our favourites? It’s a toss-up between the tender lamb chops and spicy chicken wings. We end the feast – and our night – by indulging in the roast pineapple with cinnamon, and quickly see why it’s such a crowd-pleaser. After such a hearty dinner, we decide to keep it light with a refreshing late lunch at Arguelina Lounge the following day. This bright and contemporary lounge, complete with its retractable roof and relaxed ambiance, is perfect for a mid-day gathering. This time opting for Arabic cuisine, we start with the soft and smoky Grilled Halloumi and tangy Arguelina Rocca salad. For our mains, we can vouch for the Arguelina Mix Grill and Jumbo Prawns Meshwi. A word to the wise: dig into the sweet-spicy prawns while they’re still hot before moving onto the array of grilled meat that is bursting with Middle Eastern spices.

Me Time
Whether it’s reading, meditating, or simply taking a bath, it’s important to take a moment or two out of your busy day for yourself – now more than ever before. Here, it’s undoubtedly heading to Jean Louis David for some much-needed pampering. With my tresses in dire need of some TLC, courtesy of the lockdown, I indulge in the deeply nourishing Kérastase Magistral treatment. And since I’m here, I add on a manicure to treat my digits for all that time spent hovering over the keyboard. Between the two, I lose all track of time. Ever noticed how having your hair washed does wonders to wash away your stress?

One for All
The hotel hosts a beautiful rooftop bar and pool overlooking the metropolis that is customised for ultimate relaxation all year round. The temperature-controlled pool and the openair jacuzzi lay under beautiful canopies, creating an entrancing kaleidoscope of colours that as they bounce off the canopies overhead. It’s easy to see why Crowne Plaza Doha – The Business Park sits so comfortably at the crossroads of business and pleasure. ✤