The Marriott Doha is pretty much a city in itself. With five full-service restaurants, a lounge, poolside café, pool, private beach, fitness room and full-service spa--what more do you need? The executive level rooms come complete with breakfast every morning and snacks/cocktails in the evening.
When I checked into my executive level room on the 6th floor, it was dark out--10:30 at night. But when I woke up and opened my drapes, I thought I was in Marina Del Rey, California. I saw open water with a marina, and in the distance, Palm Tree Island. I was right over the pool and hot tub and could see the private beach, past the pool area.

My room was spacious and modern, with a flat screen TV, rainforest showerhead, robe and slippers, hairdryer and iron/ironing board. There is a safe in the closet and plenty of closet space. There’s also a desk with high-speed Internet connection. The only thing lacking is in-room coffee, which is becoming more and more rare in most high end hotels.

The breakfast buffet was nice and included fresh-squeezed juices (mango, orange and grapefruit), a coffee maker with cappuccino option, hot items such as veal bacon and sausage (they don’t eat pork) potatoes, and a made to order omelet bar. There were fresh fruits, muffins, breads, yogurt, hummus, lunch meats and cheeses. The breakfast area is on the 7th floor and has a great view of the marina and beyond, into the city. There’s plenty of seating and a TV in the corner to catch up on the day's news.

One thing that was a little unnerving was the fact that the front of the hotel is blocked off, meaning the shuttle lets you off about a thousand feet away from the front door, due to terrorist threats against American hotels. There is also a metal detector at the front door. All in the name of security, I guess. I never once felt unsafe at all, so I guess the precautions are good.

I had the intention of visiting the spa and getting a massage or salt scrub, but I never had time. Damn shame. I did eat at the buffet restaurant, The Corniche. It’s a Mediterranean concept restaurant and the food was pretty good. There was a pasta and stir fry bar, along with many hot items, salads, breads, soups and dessert. The lamb curry was wonderful.

Unfortunately, due to the cold wind that blew and my schedule, I never got a chance to go to the pool. I really enjoyed the hotel and everyone was very friendly. It was close to the airport and a short drive from shopping. The concierge can arrange for a driver to take you around, at a very reasonable cost. I paid about $25 USD for a driver to take me to the Souq and wait an hour for me.

I am a regular visitor of Marriott hotels, and up to the 25th of January; I had no problems with any of the Marriott hotels in any part of the world, until I arrive at Marriott Doha, in Qatar. My experience in Qatar was a real bad one that will make me think twice now before I make any reservations at any of the Marriott hotels. Here is a simplified story of my horrible experience at Marriott.

I reserved two nights at the Marriott and got only one night. Just few hours prior to my arrival in Qatar, I called the reservation and told them that I will be arriving at 11:30pm on the 25th, and requested for a hotel transport the answer I got from the reservation was quote “That’s not a problem Sir, you have already confirmed your reservation with a credit card, so you can arrive at any time” en-quote. With some unfortunate circumstances, my flight to Doha was delayed and as consequences, I arrived in Doha at 2 am (on 26th early morning), no transport was available (something the Marriott should have known that there is a guest coming on a certain flight but it was delayed, so we will send the transport at a revised time), when I arrived at the hotel, I was shocked to be told that there was no accommodation for that night because a certain VIP wanted rooms and Marriott management decided that I was not that important to them and decided to give away my room, and the most shocking experience is that the Marriott compensated me with a room in a 3 star hotel which is located in a poor area; it was very smelly and did not even get my complimentary break fast. On the next day, they have upgraded me to an executive room as compensation to what they’ve done, but that did not do any good about my opinion of Marriott Doha. The air conditioning was not cooling properly, so I complained and I was told that they will send someone, I never so anyone till I checked out. The room service is terrible; there is no choice of food after midnight. The reception staff were not very pleasant, when I checked out, I asked the reception to provide me a transport to the airport, and I specifically told them to call me when the transportation arrived at 6pm, I fallen asleep and suddenly woke up at 6:15, and when I went to the reception to ask them why they didn’t call me, they were mumbling. So one would expect that the hotel will send you to the airport anyway, I was wrong I arrived at the airport and the taxi driver asked me to pay. This is just some of my bad experience, not to mention the lack of professionalism of some staff and the quality of services at the hotel. I would not recommend to go this hotel at all.

My wife and I have stayed at this hotel a couple of times flying Qatar Airways and having stopovers in Doha. We find it convenient for the airport with a free transfer if booked in advance, although the Marriott has a desk at the airport.

The hotel itself is luxurious and has a pleasant lobby with free tea and coffee facilities up to 09:30 hrs each morning if you don't want or haven't time for a full breakfast.

The hotel has several restaurants but the buffet is outstanding and very good value. We also like the Indian restaurant which we find very good. We have still to try the Japanese, Mexican and outdoor Italian restaurants - so you have an excellent choice and the food is good.

Bedrooms are spacious with all facilities, the more pleasant ones have views of the harbour. Service is excellent and very professional and we think good value when compared to other hotels such as the Ritz Carlton and the Sheraton etc; The Sheraton is closer to the main shopping mall but taxi fares are reasonable so why pay more.

The hotel has its own small beach area, a super swimming pool and the usual leisure complex. None of the International Gulf hotels are cheap but the Marriott always seems to have a reasonable deal available which tempts us back again and again.

I had never been to Qatar before, and had visions of a small bleak country nestled in a harsh Arabian desert environment shrouded by strict tradition. I shuddered at the thought of an 18 hour lay over in a country which I knew nothing about; a country that was a stone’s throw from Saudi Arabia and Iraq. However, my experience at Marriott, Doha shattered this notion. Opulent, luxurious and comfortable are the best ways to describe this elegant hotel. The resort was nothing like any Marriott I had stayed at in America or Europe. The facility was stunning and the lobby was palatial. The customer service was excellent and the whole ambiance at the hotel was one of grandeur and class. We proceeded to the bountiful buffet where a wide variety of dishes awaited us. Chefs in tall hats custom made grilled items like omelets fresh to order. Friendly staff doted on our every need and in short we were treated very well. From the hotel room we had a beautiful view of the surrounding harbor, beach and hotel gardens. Next time, we hope to spend more days in this exciting country and beautiful hotel.