WONDERS OF WESTIN

FLYING THE HOSPITALITY FLAG HIGH AND PROUD, THE 5-STAR WESTIN DOHA HOTEL & SPA TAKES STAYCATION ENVY TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL THIS SUMMER. MADE UP OF A BEAUTIFUL SPRAWLING PROPERTY IN THE HEART OF CENTRAL DOHA, FACT TOOK A MUCH NEEDED MOMENT TO RELAX AND UNWIND ONLY TO BE PLEASANTLY SURPRISED AT EVERY TURN.

When your karwa driver says: “oh, it’s a very popular hotel, many people say nice things about it” on the ride to your destination, there’s a sense of relief and excitement in one. This is exactly how we felt on our way to The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa. Not only were we going to reside in the bustling centre of the city, there are so many benefits that come with staying here. Location is, of course, key. For those who may want to venture out for a leisurely culture fix, Souq Waqif and even the Corniche are minutes away. The Westin brand is already renowned for its warm hospitality and this is no exception here.
Set in stunning landscaped gardens, the 364 guest rooms, suites and private pool villas are designed to help guests leave feeling better than when they arrived, each accommodation type features the plush Heavenly Bed and the invigorating Heavenly Shower. Guests can enjoy a variety of dining options from six restaurants ranging from award-winning Thai cuisine to a modern steakhouse experience. If you’re looking to relax and unwind, a visit to the serene Heavenly Spa by Westin, or the spacious WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio and extensive recreation facilities including classes, should all tick the right boxes for your staycation needs.

DELUXE LIVING

The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa is special and recognised because of its diverse accommodation options. From practical and spacious Deluxe Rooms to higher floor Executive Rooms with extra benefits, and incredible suite and villa options for those who want the utmost privacy and added touch. The low rise building is a breath of fresh air in today’s skyscraper-dominated market. It’s so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. We begin to appreciate the architecture and beautifully modern yet cosy design of the hotel when we exit the lift. It’s amazing how there’s a desired level of wellbeing balanced with a contemporary ambiance – more boxes ticked. This feeling runs right into the lovely Deluxe Room that we’ll call home for a couple of nights. And as far as design and good use of space goes, this is one great set up. Think snug meets fresh, meets minimalism with a dash of artistic flair. There’s an extensive mini-bar and it’s kitted out with plenty of bottled water, complimentary tea and coffee making facilities and all your usual drinks and snacks.


The clever use of a dressing area (ideal for ladies to get their make up on and gents to groom immaculately) to separate the flow of bedroom to bathroom is an especially unique design which we haven’t seen before in any other Doha hotel. There’s, of course, a flat screen TV and all the mod-cons you would expect from a hotel of this calibre. The bathroom doubles as a wash area and a walk-in closet, with a place to keep your suitcase but also to indulge in a hot soak or much-needed shower, after a day by the pool or out exploring Doha. Two words: BATHROOM GOALS. There’s a double vanity too, which always helps if you’re a couple and need that extra space! If there’s one thing you need to do here, it’s taking the longest soak in the deep, oversized tub – we would have happily slept in it!


The bedroom is bigger than most standard accommodation we’ve stayed in and carries an airy atmosphere with neutral décor. It’s the practical use of space and effortless layout that we loved most about the room everything from the number of plug sockets to discreet yet visible amenity boxes was all very well thought out. Bravo for attention to detail. And if the modern furnishings, warm colour schemes and understated decorative accents don’t already help to soothe your mind, body and soul, sink into the lush signature Westin Heavenly Bed for the best night’s sleep. We can vouch for it!

FOOD GOALS

As we had expected, The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa delivered flawlessly when it came to culinary options. Our first foray into the hotel’s epicurean offerings was at the awardwinning Sabai Thai. The traditional textures and rich flavours of Sabai Thai offer authentic Royal Thai cuisine whilst modern twists and a creative bar experience make for a deliciously dynamic dining affair. Take a mouthwatering tour of the Southeast with the signature spicy papaya salad followed by a fragrant curry or wok-tossed classics infused with hints of ginger and lemongrass. Live kitchen, airy conservatory, and bustling lounge area allows you to be transported to the atmospheric dining scene of Thailand.


We were there to try the restaurant’s special Asian Menu which takes on a whole new life in terms of flavours and dishes. Standouts included the rich and tasty Seafood Laksa (Malaysian spicy coconut curry seafood noodle soup, prawns, squid, tofu); the tender Five-Spices Duck (Chinese roasted duck with five spices, Bok choi, pickle ginger); the juicy and aromatic Beef Rendang – Jampha’s Secret Recipe (Indonesian beef curry with ground spices and coconut milk); and the top-notch Crab Dumpling (Singapore chilli crab dumpling, garlic chives, water chestnuts, chilli vinegar sauce). Their mocktails were also impressive, as was the friendly and attentive service of the staff. It was great to see the restaurant so full and lively on a week day – a real testament to how good the food is.
Breakfast is served at Seasonal Tastes, and it’s a pretty yummy way to start your day, with all the usual culprits; eggs, pancakes, Arabic delicacies, cereal, fresh juices and so much more. There’s also a carnivorous haven; Hunter’s Room & Grill; the social vibes at MIX Bar, Lounge and Terrace; the atmospheric Luxe Lounge and Waves Pool Café. Dining is abundant so you don’t really have to leave the hotel!

RELAXATION REFINED

Extensive recreational facilities await you during your staycation including four pools, signature Heavenly Spa, 24-hour gym and fitness classes. Create your own personal wellness retreat with a morning gym session followed by detox massage, a healthy lunch in Seasonal Tastes and an evening yoga class with a personal instructor.


We, of course, had only one place on our minds; The Heavenly Spa. It’s the perfect space for those seeking physical and mental renewal to escape and unwind from demanding city life. Every element of your spa visit is designed to help you feel your best as you retreat into the tranquillity of one of the nine treatment rooms. Each treatment room features a Heavenly bath and rain shower as well as private changing facilities. Start your journey to relaxation in the extensive wet areas with Jacuzzi,

Hydrotherapy pool, Sauna, Steam room, Hammam and Cold room. Unwind with a signature Heavenly Spa treatment by one of the expertly trained therapists (just as we did) and leave your worries at the door. What we loved about the spa was the actual space – it’s a labyrinth of serenity. One of the newest and most recommended treatments we had here was the mani/pedi, for which you’ll be escorted into a special room that is set up for nail services. Our therapist from Kyrgyzstan was an absolute sweetheart – and she was super professional too. She used the latest in technology and technique to clean, buff, shape and polish our nails – it was actually an obsession to watch! We highly commend the treatment as a must try.
The Westin Doha Hotel & Spa has really focussed on bringing the calmness of a resort into an urban surrounding. Inside, you’ll also find a trickling water feature as well as greenery – get ready to capture it all for the ‘gram – but also to unwind to the max. ✤

THE WESTIN DOHA EXPERIENCE PACKAGE
Experience a stay of wellness at The Westin Doha. Eat well with a nutritious and complimentary breakfast in the comfort of your room or at Seasonal Tastes. Move well and join WestinWORKOUT Fitness Studio at Heavenly Spa to keep active on travel. Extend your stay and feel well with a late check-out until 4pm upon availability. Valid seven days a week.

GO: VISIT WWW.MARRIOTT.COM/HOTELS/HOTEL-INFORMATION/DOHWI-THEWESTIN-DOHA-HOTEL-AND-SPA/ OR CALL 4492 1555 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MORE INFORMATION.