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Doha, Hotels, Hotels - Design, Hotels - Luxury

Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel Qatar

January 6, 2012 by cheriecity

A fabulous poolside party marked the debut of Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel, the hotly anticipated new arrival to Doha’s cosmopolitan West Bay area.

An international design-led lifestyle brand by Marriott, Renaissance’s philosophy is to offer guests a sensory experience with individual touches that make all the difference. Renaissance Doha City Center is part of the Marriott Doha complex, also comprising Courtyard by Marriott and Marriott Executive Apartments, within two 48-storey towers connected to the Doha City Center Mall.

The Room

During my visit to Doha, I stayed at Renaissance Doha City Center for two nights in a deluxe room with spectacular floor to ceiling views over the Doha skyline and the Persian Gulf.

My room was exceptionally spacious, elegant and contemporary, designed in a colour palette of royal blue, pale yellow, black and matte silver. Doha’s local culture and heritage is referenced with black and white photographs depicting the beautiful Middle Eastern architecture, giving the room character.

My room was equipped with enough facilities for both business and leisure stays. It featured a large desk with an ergonomic chair and international plug sockets, a 32 inch LCD TV with cable satellite, Bose iPod dock, comfy seating areas and an iron with ironing board.

One of my favourite amenities was the tea and coffee-making set with three cute crushed ceramic coffee cups on a long oval saucer.

Like all Marriott hotels, the bed was exceptionally comfortable, with crisp linen, six pillows and plump cushions to prop you up when relaxing. This is something that I really love about the Marriott group, as there is nothing more pleasing than a luxurious hotel bed and knowing that a good night’s sleep is guaranteed.

The Bathroom

The marble bathroom was spacious and ornate, with gilt mirrors and pale gold patterned wallpaper. It featured a separate bathtub and shower, bidet, bathroom amenities by Brighton-based fragrance house Pecksniff’s and lots of fluffy towels. The navy embroidered bathrobe and slippers offered an extra luxurious touch.

A Welcome Treat

On arrival, I was welcomed with a box of baklava in a traditional decorative box and bottles of complimentary mineral water. After a long but very comfortable flight with Qatar Airways, I was ready to recline on the chaise-longue and refuel with more than a few pieces of delicious baklava before heading down to meet the group of international journalists over dinner at New York Steakhouse, one of the hotel’s fine dining restaurants.

Breakfast

The next day, it was an early start to go on a desert safari, just 30 minutes outside of Doha, so I ordered Eggs Benedict from the in-room menu. My breakfast was served perfectly on time and came beautifully presented, kept hot under a silver dome. As previously experienced in Beirut earlier in the year, Eggs Benedict in the Middle East are made slightly different to the UK, as ham is made from either chicken or beef and hollandaise sauce has a sharper, tangy taste.

The following morning, I went down for breakfast at Crossroads Kitchen at enjoyed a hearty breakfast of poached eggs on toast, mini pastries and made-to-order French Toast with red berry compote. It really was breakfast heaven and offered everything you could possibly want to start the day.

The Swimming Pool

One of the best things about staying at Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel is the number of leisure facilities in the West End part of the complex, available to all guests. Amenities include a heated outdoor pool and Aqua Lounge, children’s pool, whirlpool, sauna and vitality zone gym. Also worth a visit is the luxurious Saray Spa, where I enjoyed a relaxing facial, complete with its own sauna, steam room and hammam.

The Restaurants

There is an impressive selection of international restaurants and bars in the complex, including rustic Italian restaurant Cucina, New York Steakhouse, Ipanema Brazilian Churrascaria, Brasserie Centre-Ville, Glo Cocktail Bar. Alternatively, if you just want to crash out for the evening, order from the 24-hour in-room dining menu.

In place of a traditional Concierge is Navigator, a signature Renaissance service that connects guests with the coolest places and hidden gems in the city.

The Club Lounge

Club Level rooms offer access to the Club Lounge, where you can enjoy complimentary food, drinks and cocktails, business services and free WiFi. Having experienced the Club Lounge at London Marriott Grosvenor Square, if you have the option, it is certainly worth it! Another special feature is the rooftop helipad with an exclusive helipad lounge and bar, which makes for a glamorous or discreet arrival.

Impressions

Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel excels with its fine attention to detail and exceptionally welcoming and efficient staff. The contemporary luxury surroundings are complimented by a warm, friendly atmosphere. It’s an ideal base for exploring the cultural delights of Doha while recharging in ultimate comfort.

For more information and booking, visit: www.marriott.co.uk

Cherie City was a guest of Renaissance Doha City Center Hotel.

Doha, Shopping, Stores

A Visit to Souq Waqif in Doha, Qatar

December 29, 2011 by cheriecity

For a glimpse of Qatar’s traditions and cultural heritage, a visit to Doha’s Souq Waqif is an absolute must. Souq Waqif has long been an integral part of life in Doha, but following a period of neglect, it was restored in 2004 to its former glory, now resembling a historical 19th century souq.

Souq Waqif is one of the most popular places to socialise in Doha and it has two contrasting sides – a narrow, maze-like market and the slick, open walkway lined with Asian and North African restaurants, ice cream parlours cafes where you can drink fresh mint tea, smoke flavoured shisha and take in the bustling atmosphere.

Translated as ‘the standing souq’, it was originally the trading place where the Bedouin would bring their cattle and wool. Today, Souq Waqif combines a traditional market place with a strong arts and culture programme and has been used as a filming location for a number of films including ‘Dohard’ and ‘The Haggler’, shown at the annual Doha Tribeca Film Festival.

Souq Waqif offers every emblem of Qatar that you could possibly think of and fragrance lovers will be particularly drawn to the bespoke blended perfumes, pure essential oils, oud, incense and rosewater.

For more sensory delights, browse the spice stores with huge sacks of Basmati rice, pistachios and peanuts and fragrant spices and herbs including whole rosebuds, dried lime, sumac, saffron, star anise, dill, rock salt and turmeric.

One of my favourite spots in the souq was a shop filled with hand-carved decorative wooden boxes, swords, lutes, bow and arrows and nazar jewellery and cute trinkets. In many of the shops, each item is priced, but local sources say that bartering is acceptable and expected.

Traditional Qatari dress can also be bought at the souq. For men, they sell thobes and accessories including the ghutra, the cloth worn on the head and the ogaal, a black or brown braided coil placed on top of the ghutra and sandals. Women can pick up an abaya, pashmina or a beautifully embroidered scarf.

The shop selling Qatar kitsch, including ‘I Love Qatar’ t-shirts, lighters and bunting of the Emir of Qatar were a more amusing discovery! There are plenty of cheap and fun souvenirs to bring back home but this shop also sells useful travelling bits and pieces such as disposable cameras, film and batteries.

Souq Waqif is within walking distance of the Corniche and the spectacular Museum of Islamic Art, which is one of the most inspiring, breathtaking places in Doha. Plan a whole afternoon to explore the museum, take a walk along the Corniche and finish with some shopping (and bartering) and a bite to eat at Souq Waqif.

For more Doha travel ideas, read my reviews of:

Art, Doha

Museum Of Islamic Art – Doha, Qatar

November 24, 2011 by cheriecity

Top of my list of sights to see in Doha was the Museum of Islamic Art – I literally fell in love with the building and just had to make time to experience it.

Designed by Chinese American architect L.M Pei and opened in 2008, the imposing building with beautiful lines and smooth facades lies on an island, just off the Corniche. On my drive from the airport to Renaissance Doha City Center, it was lit up majestically in blue – a breathtaking first impression of the city.

The Museum Of Islamic Art houses an eclectic selection of artworks and artefacts, spanning a huge range of cultures, religions and eras. The impressive artworks date from as far back as the seventh century and originate from all over the Islamic world – Iran, India, North Africa, Egypt, Syria and Spain (when the Iberian peninsula was the Islamic region ‘Al-Andalus’).

The design of the building is inspired by traditional Islamic patterns and exterior arches frame the spectacular Doha harbour and skyline. The focal point of the museum is the central domed atrium, which has an great sense of calm and purpose.

The permanent collections are presented in dimmed, spacious halls that circle around the atrium on two floors. When we visited, there wasn’t a visiting exhibition to see, but there is so much in the main collections to capture your interest – in fact, leave at least two hours to fully explore the museum.

On show were beautifully crafted pages from the Qur’an, certificates of pilgrimage to Mecca, decorative wall hangings, ancient jugs, a ceramic cenotaph, bronze statues, intricate patterned tiles and tiny jewel boxes containing the tiniest excerpts of the Qur’an.

The Museum of Islamic Art really comes to life at night and it becomes a shining beacon on the Doha harbour. It is the true jewel of Doha and an extraordinary homage to Islamic arts. It’s an absolute must for anyone visiting Doha – a memory you’ll keep forever.

For more info, visit: www.mia.org.qa

All photos by Chérie City.