St Regis Doha
The cold cloth was a welcome relief to our hot faces as we walked into the heat in Doha, Qatar. St. Regis Doha sent a private car to pick us up from the Doha International Airport. Our driver picked up our bags, opened our doors, gave us cold water, and these cold towels to cool us down. Then he did something that I’ve never seen before. He gave us the Wi-Fi details so we had internet while he drove us in the car to the hotel in the West Bay, along the beautiful Arabian Gulf.
St. Regis Doha was our home during our stay in Qatar. Considered the “Finest Address” in Doha, and close to the sites and attractions of Doha City like Katara Cultural Village, and neighboring Pearl Island. Steeped in Middle Eastern mystique, the hotel interiors are styled in modern opulence overlooking the Arabian Gulf’s azure blue sea. Greeted in the hotel lobby, our personal butlers, Dragan Vasic and Norberto Valerio, showed us to our Superior Rooms and helped us move into our Doha home.
There are 336 rooms and 70 suites, and our room was superior in every way – doorframes are influenced by classic Arabic design, high ceilings, a mini-sofa, desk, the St. Regis branded bed with a canopy, Egyptian cotton linens and a plump down duvet, a spacious bathroom with a deep soaking tub, plush golden carpet, and a view of the Arabian Gulf. I was in a trance, my senses bewitched by the fresh flowers, refined Arabian touches – mosaic tiling, marble, dark wood accents…and didn’t hear my butler, so he repeated, “if there’s anything you need pressing or help unpacking?” I graciously thanked him and told him I’d let him know, since he told me he was a “button touch away”.
General Manager, Tareq Derbas, noted, “The key to the finest hotel service is an obsessive concern of attention to detail and a total commitment to guaranteeing a flawless and bespoke guest experience which makes a fine hotel an extraordinary one.” We agreed that the 24-hour personal butler, St. Regis hallmark century-old tradition, helps to deliver this exceptional experience.
The grounds of St Regis Doha
We walked the grounds to get familiar with this grand hotel. The views of the Arabian Gulf from the Olympic-size swimming pool, the Sarab Lounge Terrace, and private white sandy beach are breathtaking! If you are ready for some adventure, you can sign up for Hobby Cat sailing lessons, play tennis, or simply relax on a Sunset Cruise with a stopover to a sand island to snorkel.
Remede Spa
During our stay we checked into the Remède Spa, a peaceful haven with 22 private treatments rooms and relaxation rooms where your body, mind, soul can unwind and find solace. The spa therapists ensure that each treatment is customized to suit each guest’s skin and body type. Serenity, calm and bliss is accentuated with Remède’s touches – signature products and aromas, exotic teas, chilled cocktails, flavored chocolates at the end of each spa session.
We savored dishes from a few of the hotel’s 10 restaurants that celebrate international cuisine of world-renowned chefs.
Al-Sultan Brahim: the finest Lebanese restaurant in Doha. Founded in 1968 in Beirut, famous for the freshest seafood and sacred recipes from Lebanese cuisine. We enjoyed some inMezze, Fatoush (a Levantine salad made from toasted or fried pieces of pita bread and mixed with lettuce, cucumber, onion and other vegetables), Hummous (Arabic dip made from mashed chickpeas blended with ground sesame seeds, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and garlic), and some of the freshest grilled seafood. While sitting on the terrace, many shared the customary Shisha, a flavored water pipe, while listening to Arabic music.
Jazz at Lincoln Center Doha (JLCD): brings the golden era of Jazz to Doha. In fact, JLCD is known as The Home of Jazz in the Middle East, and brings the giants of contemporary jazz world to Doha. Overlooking the Gulf, a multi-tiered dining lounge, where you can listen to live jazz artists programmed by world-renowned Jazz at Lincoln Center New York, and enjoy a menu inspired by the New York and New Orleans culinary traditions.
Gordon Ramsay’s Opal: Headed by Michelin-starred Chef Gilles Bosquet in a relaxed bistro-style atmosphere, where you can order western classics, like crispy chicken wings, gourmet pizza or burgers.
When in Doha, be dazzled by St. Regis Doha! Book a reservation at: www.stregis.com/Doha
