Doha Archives - The Brief Review

La Spiga by Paper Moon Review | Doha, Qatar

AB — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 10:27:07 +0000

Looking for authentic Italian in the heart of Doha? Check out La Spiga by Paper Moon in the W Hotel Doha!

Review of La Spiga by Paper Moon – Details

Address: W Doha Hotel & Residences, Diplomatic St, Doha, Qatar (Google pin)
Tel: +974 4453 5135
Website: Paper Moon Restaurants

Review of La Spiga by Paper Moon – Video Tour

A picture video walk through of a typical business lunch at La Spiga featured below:

Review of La Spiga by Papermoon – Highlights

The restaurant is located inside the W Hotel Doha in West Bay. When you enter the hotel it is on the ground floor on the left side of the lobby. Upon entering the restaurant you are immediately greeted with their large pizza oven, which is also used to make fresh focaccia bread.
The menu is classically Italian with starters such as burrata and pan fried octopus, mains including risottos, fresh home made pasta and fresh pizza. The restaurant is famous for its pizza dishes with their chewy crusts. You can get a sample with the focaccia bread which comes along with a bread plate for the table.
If you have room for dessert try the tiramisu – it is the house speciality!

Review of La Spiga by Paper Moon – Things to Note

Flys can be a nuisance especially if seated near the doors as they tend to come in and out. The restaurant places lemon scented candles on your table to keep them away.

Review of La Spiga by Paper Moon – Tips

The business lunch which includes a starter, main and dessert is a fantastic deal at 108 QAR (approx 35 USD). There are a variety of options to choose from as well as some premium main options that you can select such as the handmade pappardelle which is a 25 QAR (approx 8 USD) supplement in addition. The business lunch is offered daily from 12 noon to 4pm.
To see the full menu of La Spiga click here.

Review of La Spiga by Paper Moon – Photos

La Spiga table setting

Fresh baked focaccia

Red pepper soup

Homemade pappardelle with tomato
cream sauce & smoked beef bacon

Pappardelle Paper Moon

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W Hotel Doha Review | Doha, Qatar

AB — Thu, 25 Nov 2021 07:22:45 +0000

Discover the trendy W Hotel in Doha known for locals for its excellent restaurant offerings such as La Spiga by Papermoon, Jean George Market, Spice Market and most recently Coya.

Review of W Hotel Doha – Details

Address: West Bay, Zone 61 Street 831, Building 262, Doha, Qatar (Google pin)
Tel: +974 4453 5000

Review of W Hotel Doha – Video Tour

A full video tour walk through of a fantastic ‘standard’ room tour at the W Hotel Doha below:

Review of W Hotel Doha – Highlights

The hotel is located in West Bay also known as the Diplomatic Quarter of Doha which is centrally located, near to the convention center, embassies and government buildings, as well as the beach and just 15 min drive to the Pearl.
The hotel lobby is small and hip with plenty of staff on hand to welcome you from the moment you step onto the property. On the left side is JG Market by famous chef Jean Georges – which is open daily for breakfast, lunch and dinner. On the right side is W Cafe and La Spiga by Papermoon.
There are two more restaurants on the floor above: Spice Market which is also by Jean George with Thai and Asian influences and world famous Coya which recently opened in 2021. The W Doha is certainly known in Qatar for having the best restaurants in the city.
Check in at the hotel is quick and seamless, with little juice offered as you hand over your passport and credit card. Likewise at check out cookies are offered.
On the 3rd floor there is a spa, gym as well as small outdoor pool and lounge. Above the pool is a long thin lap pool, which is wide enough just for one person to use at a time.
The standard rooms at the hotel are large and spacious complete with a large desk work area with sufficient plugs to power all your devices.
The bathroom is also quite large with excellent amenities, in the shower there are natural Momo shampoo, shower gel and conditioner. Another highlight are the super plush and cushioned W hotel slippers.
Breakfast is in the JG Market restaurant on the ground floor and is assisted buffet style. There is the standard american breakfast set up with some additional rotating items such as fresh juice shots of the day as well as daily rotation of fruits for example in addition to the standard melon, pineapple etc there were strawberries one day and then lychees the next.

Review of W Hotel Doha – Things to Note

This is very much a leisure hotel as evidenced by the funky signature W decor and intimate common areas. If you are looking for a business hotel with an executive lounge try the JW Marriott Doha or Marriott Marquis Doha, which are 5 min drive away.
The pool does not really have any lounge or deck chairs to sit and get sun, nor does the pool itself get much sun due as the building covers it. The pool itself is quite small and not really suitable for swimming more used for taking a dip to cool off.
The hotel is on the first 15 floors of the building with the residences on top. There is a bit of construction and traffic around the hotel so noise can be hear at times through the glass.

Review of W Hotel Doha – Tips

There are plenty of benefits for Marriott Bonvoy members from upgrades, early check in, late check out, free high speed internet and more. As a Marriott elite member you can choose either 1,000 welcome points, a welcome amenity or daily breakfast. If you are staying more than one night, the best value would be the free daily breakfast for two.
Try out the restaurants in the hotel especially La Spiga by Papermoon, Spice Market and Coya – all of which have excellent business lunch deals ranging from 100 to 130 QAR (approx. 35 USD).
If you have any questions, ask in the comment section below!

Review of W Hotel Doha – Photos

Bedroom at W Doha

Arrival amenities of fruits and homemade arabic sweets

Coffee and tea

Twin bed fantastic room at W Doha

View from room

Tea and coffee machine

Mini bar and snacks for sale in room

Momo shower toiletries

Bed tub

Bath room amenities

Bathroom at W Doha

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Marriott Marquis City Center Doha Review | Doha, Qatar

AB — Wed, 21 Jul 2021 10:18:17 +0000

A business hotel in the heart of the financial and administrative center of Doha, check out our review of the Marriott Marquis hotel below.

Review of Marriott Marquis Doha – Details

Address: Omar Al Mukhtar Street, Area 61, Street #850, Doha (Google pin)
Tel: +974 441 95000
Website: Marriott Marquis Doha Hotel

Review of Marriott Marquis Doha – Video Tour

A full video tour walk through of a superior executive club level room and a junior suite at the Marriott hotel Doha below:

Review of Marriott Marquis Doha – Highlights

Centrally located in downtown area of Doha the Marriott hotel is a stone throw away from the beach (ocean) as well as right across the street from the Doha Convention Center. The hotel situated within West Bay which is the financial and governmental hub of the city with all the ministries and main corporate offices so is an excellent business base.
The hotel is also connected via the second floor to the Doha City Center mall. On the other end of the mall is the Rotana hotel Doha and the JW Marriott Marquis hotel Doha, which is a more upscale version of the Marriott Marquis brand. Interestingly both are given the ‘Marquis’ branding which is reserved for very select Marriott properties that are flagships usually larger, with vast f&b and banqueting offerings such as the JW Marriott Marquis Dubai (click for review).
The hotel has a large open lobby as the hotel is spread across two towers one as the hotel side for short term stay and the other side with apartments targeted more towards longer term stay guests. The hotel side starts at the 25th floor all the way up to the 42nd floor which acts as the executive floor with lounge.
The design and decor is very typical Marriott look and feel with the dark wood and bright carpets. The rooms in general are very well equipped, far more than standard for example the Nespresso machines with Nespresso capsules (not compatible ones), as well as TWG tea bags and the bathroom amenities include branded Thann products. In general the rooms both the superior room and the junior suite are very spacious.
On the 7th floor there is a large Saray spa, large outdoor lap pool with shaded loungers (as soon as you sit down you are greeted with cold water bottles) and a huge gym. There is gym equipment I have never seen before they have a very expansive range which is well suited to a property of this size.
The food and beverage options at the hotel really stand out. The property has all the classic Marriott branded outlets like Champions bar, NY Steakhouse and Cucina. The breakfast at the hotel is phenomenal, way above standard and has a large a la carte menu to order from such as brisket poached eggs and Indian dosas complimented with a large assisted buffet with chia pudding, yogurts, slice fruit, home made pastries and more. See pictures below.

Review of Marriott Marquis Doha – Things to Note

As of July 2021 the lounge at the hotel is closed on the 42nd floor however the hotel has made alternative arrangements in the Crossroads restaurant on the 3rd floor. From 2-4pm coffee and tea are serve with no light snacks but a selection of whole fruit such as banana or apple. From 5-8pm the executive lounge offers a full table service dinner with alcoholic beverages. The service starts with a soup, salad and light bite, which changes daily and then you have a choice of three main courses with one vegetarian option, again rotating daily. This is followed with either a cheese plate or dessert. Likewise breakfast is also included with lounge access in the same Crossroads restaurant. The food here exceeds traditional standards and is almost equivalent to having half board option.
While the breakfast at the hotel is excellent, it can get very busy and due to most of the main courses being prepared as a la carte options (which is much better from a quality point of view) this takes much longer to prepare so sometimes you can wait up to 30 minutes to receive your order.

Review of Marriott Marquis Doha – Tips

There are plenty of benefits for Marriott Bonvoy members from upgrades, early check in, late check out, free high speed internet and more. As a Marriott elite member you can choose either 1,000 welcome points, a welcome amenity or daily breakfast. If you are staying more than one night, the best value would be the free daily breakfast for two.
Ask for a room facing the ocean as there is nothing more beautiful than waking up and seeing vast ocean within view. About 60% of the rooms will have ocean view but if you are on the other side of the tower it will be more likely with city view.
If you have any questions, ask in the comment section below!

Review of Marriott Marquis Doha – Photos

Superior room king size bed

Superior room and view

Chaise long and view of Doha

Desk in superior room on executive level

In room connectivity and plugs

In room amenities: tea maker, water and Nespresso coffee

Superior room bathroom

Bathroom amenities and products

Junior suite entrance

View of junior suite room

Junior suite bedroom

Junior suite living area and desk

View of Doha and second tower of Marriott Marquis hotel

Dining table overlooking West Bay in Doha

Poached eggs with homemade hash brown at breakfast

Butter chicken at the executive lounge

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