The Grand Heritage Hotel and our Stay!
Trip Start
Oct 25, 2012
1
16
22
Trip End
Nov 07, 2012
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Where I stayed
Doha, Qatar
Saturday, November 3, 2012
See my Comments on the Hotel…They are already published on TripAdvisor.
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We spent 4 memorable days at this amazing new Hotel which is standing out against Aspire Zone's skyline, perfectly placed in a park-like setting on well manicured garden.
It is so distinctly different from any other hotel in Doha or others we are used to, with a unique Victorian ambiance and architecture. It is amazing how it travelled me to the Old Days of Britain. It resembles a Victorian home with fine work of art, rich in colours, brown wood panelling to add to is glamour.
Our stay here started with a warm welcome, a welcoming cool drink and a refreshing towel while luggage was carried to the suite.
Room: We had the double Victorian suite #302 the one above the Blue Terrace, spacious and comfortable. Stylish classic with nothing extreme …just as we expected it to be. The terrace door leads to an extremely huge balcony facing the Sport complex which is beautiful any time of day. With the lights on it is something I cannot easily describe. It is as if you are in front of a huge TV screen watching hundreds of players playing at the same time in different fields. We had several complimentary treats brought to us in our room throughout our stay. Besides the 2 bottles of still water that we had daily, there was a beautiful flower arrangement, a platter of fresh fruit, a snack platter and a dainty morsel crystal stand which was renewed daily and it came as a pleasant surprise to accompany our afternoon coffee. What a treat indeed!
The bed was comfortable with several pillows. My favourite spot was the corner desk with the classic lamp. I spent much time working on my laptop out there. Wireless Internet connection is free, and there was also a Nespresso and Coffee machine which was highly appreciated. The suit had it all. I cannot imagine of anything else one might want!
Bathroom: Our bathroom was like 3 rooms in one, impressive with mirrors around with the rainfall style shower and the Penhaligon's Bathroom toiletries which I loved.
Staff and Management: I have travelled so much in my life, stayed in so many hotels all over the world but never before not even once did I come across such an unparalleled level of excellent service. At the beginning I felt that we were the only people treated like this but I was wrong. I noticed that each individual enjoyed this personalized service and the best of all we could feel that it was authentic and true care. We felt so special, as if we were their VIP guests. The staff is professional and multilingual and nothing is too much trouble for them. Individuals are served in the most unique way –something unbelievable! We met a couple who are repeaters and they were telling us that the hotel management and the staff work on the least detail for the comfort, preference, taste and style of each and every guest. I can say that I have made friends here and I won’t point out names not because I am afraid that I might miss somebody but because my list includes 12 of them!
Breakfast: Breakfast at Flavours restaurant had a variety of different things to choose from, both Arabic and International dishes, croissant, a variety of cakes, cereal, yoghurt, fruit and omelettes, coffee and tea. I did not see any fresh orange juice though!
Dinning: Buffet was not the predictable. It was inspired by exceptional rich and varied dishes with a choice of the a la carte seafood menu. (Grilled prawns, lobster, fish and squid) I am not fond of buffets myself but I found this one great. Mr. Koyuncu the Executive Chef and Emre Gok are both professionals by far, and they work miracles in their kitchen. Mr. Rupool the f&b director was telling me of the fresh products they use. Each dish was nicely presented and of excellent taste.
The Blue Restaurant on the open terrace serves East Asian sushis and makis, western steaks and everything in between.
The Spa: The 6 treatment rooms are fully equipped with separate male and female saunas and a steam room. Although the indoor swimming pool is not the highlight of the Spa, yet the Spa Treatment Professionals are surely outstanding! Nina and Tadi will do their best to achieve the best result for their guests. If you want to recover energy, tranquillity and balance just indulge in the hands of these two. I had the Grand Signature 60’ massage and the next day the Hot Stone 90’ massage. I was amazed how Nina traced pain and tension areas and she knew exactly how to deal with it. Thank you Nina!
Victoria Tea Lounge resembles an old English parlour where tea and cakes are traditionally savoured…a charm by a bygone era! Try the Oriental High tea by all means. Yoyo from China the head Tea Mistress is an expert. She knows everything about the history of each tea, from its homeopathic benefits to its origin. We had the "Des Songes Blanc –a recipe of white tea, flowers and fruit. It costs Qr,55, and on another day we tried the other most popular –Perles de Jasmin for Qr 50. I surely go for the first one.
Whether you are in Doha for the Sport Activities or just to relax, I highly recommend staying here. Have in mind that it is more than a 50 minute drive -depending on traffic to the city centre.
Taxis are quite expensive and buses in this country are used mostly for workers but you can always be transferred by the hotel’s limo if money is not your problem.
The area is popular to sportsmen and the hotel has several of them. It is possible that you come across famous sport stars. There is no dressing code in the Flower Restaurant even at dinner time. Sportsmen drop by with their gym suite on to have a nimble and get back to their rooms, but dress smartly if you visit the Blue Restaurant by all means!
The Villagio Mall is within walking distance -a unique concept of Venetian shopping experience complete with gondolas and balcony interior settings.
I thank you all guys starting from the management, the concierge desk, reception, Spa, Kitchen, Restaurant and waiters. You are exceptional guys and the very best. Continue to be yourselves! A Huge thanks from us.
Comments
It looks a really nice place to stay (and a lot warmer and drier than the UK, at the moment)
Believe me Derrick it is the perfect place to stay. I have already missed it and the people out there as well.
Wow! What an amazing place. I accessed the website but couldn't find a room rate. I suppose guests of this hotel just check in, then pay the bill, whatever it is, on checking out. I noticed the the local currency is around AED 1 = USD 0.27, so your AED 55 tea ceremony was around USD 15 (€ 11.35).
No the tea ceremony was much more but I cannot exactly remember the cost. If it had been only 11 and something I would have had this ceremony each afternoon! I am going back to this hotel again in November. I have good friends out there and it is indeed a Gem and an oasis just opposite Aspire park. In fact I will stay at the Torch Hotel as well this time and not only dine there!