Hotel Review
We had taken advantage of the Discover Qatar Programme which is available to passengers who have booked flights with Qatar Airways and can be taken in either direction of travel. After booking flights it was very easy to add the Discover Qatar programme to our itinerary, with visa free entry being available for over 80 countries. Included are a range of 4 and 5 star hotels located in three distinctive districts. These are:
West Bay – Doha’s modern business district facing the corniche.
The Pearl Qatar – a chain of man-made islands located a few miles north of the city centre.
Souq Waqif – an authentic experience in the heart of the standing market in Old Doha where we chose to stay.
Location
The Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel is located 15 minutes from Hamad International Airport and can be accessed by taxi or bus 777 from the airport. At the time of our visit the metro had not yet opened but once it is operational guests will be able to take the metro directly from the airport to the Souq Waqif district in old Doha. The souq has a lively atmosphere especially in the evenings when one can explore the maze of narrow alleyways.
Arrival and Check-in
The five star Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel comprises 9 individually styled small hotels located around the souq. Guests who have made reservations through the Discover Qatar Programme cannot pre-select a particular hotel in the souq but as each of them are individually styled and luxurious I don’t see this as a problem.
We called in at the first hotel we came across and received a warm welcome from the reception staff. Check-in was quick and efficient and we were soon being escorted out to an electric club car. It was fascinating driving through the souq and it only took a few minutes to reach the Musheireb Boutique Hotel where we would be staying.
The Room
We were shown to our beautifully appointed deluxe room on the first floor which was the epitome of luxury with its Arabian inspired decor. The concierge set up wi-fi connections on each of our electronic devices and explained that these would work in any of the other Souq Waqif hotels. On one side of the room we found an espresso machine, kettle and a fridge containing complimentary bottles of water. The bed had an extremely comfortable mattress and high thread count Egyptian bedlinen.
The room had a spacious bathroom with marble tiling and a large walk-in rain shower. Towels and bathrobes were luxuriously thick and fluffy and these were replaced twice daily. There was also a large work desk with British three pin sockets and a deep padded armchair. Views from the large windows overlooked the edge of the souq which was quiet at all times.
The Food
Breakfast can be taken in either the Al Bidda La Piazza restaurant or in the Al Mirqab Al Terrace restaurant where we dined both mornings. This hotel was located at the opposite end of the souq to the one we were staying in and so we enjoyed a complimentary ride in the club car which arrived shortly after we requested it. Breakfast was not included in the stopover room rate but at QR 50 (£10.50) each it was very good value with a large buffet selection and kept us going all day.
La Terrace has a large outdoor terrace and we found it pleasant to sit and eat breakfast there so we could watch the comings and goings of daily life in the souq whilst we dined. We started the day with fresh fruit and yoghurt and then ordered freshly prepared omelettes and waffles which tasted delicious.
The Facilities
Guests are able to make use of facilities in any of the 9 hotels and can access these either on foot or by requesting one of the club cars. We used the roof top swimming pool at the Al Mirqab hotel and the luxurious spa at the Al Jasra where I relaxed in the sumptuous sauna suite one evening before dinner. A fully equipped fitness centre is also available.
The hotel arranges a complimentary walking tour around the souq at 8.00 p.m. each evening and we decided to go along. The tour lasts one hour and takes guests to the camel, falcon, spice and textile souqs along narrow, winding passageways and into buildings that most visitors to Doha would be unlikely to come across. The tour even includes refreshments and I would highly recommend participating.
Overall
We absolutely loved our two night stay at the Souq Waqif Boutique Hotel and it was a perfect start to our Asian holiday. Discover Qatar guests are able to keep their room as late in the day as they wish which was very helpful as we didn’t check-out until 10.30 p.m. giving us two full days to relax.
All of the staff who we came into contact with were extremely friendly and helpful going the extra mile to make our stay one to remember. The individual hotels are scattered through the souq each of them small, intimate and luxurious and I don’t think it matters which one you are allocated as they are all beautiful. We thought it was fun to ring for the club car to take us to breakfast and the swimming pool and although it wasn’t far to walk, we couldn’t resist riding through the streets in the hotel’s electric cars. We can’t wait to arrange another stopover package with Qatar Airways and enjoy staying at this luxurious hotel again.
To read in more detail about how we spent our time in Doha, you might enjoy the following:
Our Doha stopover with Qatar Airways
Love Travelling Blog 
I really like your blog. I’m going to do this as well, and reading your blog makes me want to do this even more. Do you have any tips on how to get from the airport to the hotel? Many thanks again!
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Thank you for taking an interest in my blog Talitha. I’m certain you will love the Qatar Airways Stopover program and especially the gorgeous Souq Waqif Hotel. If you find time to read my other three posts on our Doha visit, I have detailed how we got too and from the airport. The metro may have started operating by the time you visit but if not I suggest using a taxi as they are extremely cheap and efficient. Have a wonderful time, I can’t wait to repeat the experience too!
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Love the tile floor of your room, the pool, the souk…! These photos are so travel-inspiring!
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Thanks Snow, it really was luxurious and it only worked out at £50 per room per night as the first night was free. Doha was so clean, safe and the locals so polite and friendly too!
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Sounds and looks like a fantastic place to stay, I’ll definitely keep this in mind when I visit. I think I’d definitely make use of the cars too rather than walk haha.
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I really recommend it Jason and the stopover package is so reasonable too,! It’s good to read that you’d also call the club car to get around – it was one of the highlights of the visit!
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Doha is looking better and better and that hotel looks amazingly luxurious. Sounds wonderful.
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Everything was gorgeous and the hotel absolutely amazing and such a good value stopover package, can’t wait to travel Qatar Airways again!
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Great write up. Loved it!
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Thank you, it really was a splendid experience!
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The Gulf States are absolutely amazing. They are smart money managers and strategic planners too.
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Doha was so much nicer than we imagined and the local people were so courteous and welcoming Ian.
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I was wondering about this package offer by QA. Thanks for the review!
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I can highly recommend it, we would certainly like to experience it once more.
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I married someone who spent years of his childhood here as a son of a SHELL expat. Your photos of the Souk remains the same as the photos we have in our albums and those were a long time ago 🙂 Nice!
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Thank you Jane for your lovely comments. It’s so nice to read that the souq does not seem to have changed over the years.
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Thanks for sharing. I have nominated you for the Blogger Recognition Award. Here is the link to my post. https://blographytoo.photo.blog/2019/07/04/blogger-recognition-award/
Please feel free to take part or not as your time and inclination permits. I do enjoy your posts. Allan
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Thank you so much for your kind words Allan and for the nomination for the recognition award. I’ll certainly take a look at it as soon as I have time. Marion
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It is so interesting to “travel” with you, what an amazing place, everything looks brand new.
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I think it is neatly all new, but the souq has been beautifully recreated to how it used to be. I really enjoyed our stopover there and would love to return sometime Kristina.
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Beautiful photos as always.
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Thank you so much for your kind words.
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It is a very luxurious hotel. Interesting place to visit, I like the fact that they organise a visit to the souk.
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Thank you. The hotel is very luxurious but very reasonably priced as part of the stopover package and the complimentary tour around the souk was wonderful.
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An amazing review about our hotels. Looking forward to welcome you back.
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Thank you so much, can’t wait to return!
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I’ve enjoyed reading all about this trip, though for both personal and political reasons I’ll not be going to Qatar any time soon. Thanks for your as ever interesting blog though!
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Thank you Stella for taking the time to comment and it’s good to read you found this series of posts interesting. Marion
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This is a great initiative by Qatar and Qatar Airways! I love who well organised it is 🙂
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It really is a great initiative and is reasonably priced to attract passengers to take advantage of the stopover package. Thank you for your welcome thoughts.
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