Exceptional, old-style service coupled with stunning surroundings greeted Liz O’Reilly on a visit to Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay.
The original Waldorf Astoria is a property of legends. Not just for its iconic art deco façade and décor but also for the sheer glamour of its storied history. I have to admit, I’m a bit of a sucker for all things 1920s and ‘30s, it was such a romantic era, so a trip to Doha’s own art deco gem was a topic of much anticipation. From the moment I stepped from the car into that luxuriant entryway, beneath the hotel’s faithful interpretation of the original’s art deco exterior, it did not disappoint.
The lobby is impressive, to say the very least. Black and white floors edged in elegant solid black lines impart a distinct sense of occasion. An oversized Tiffany clock, an homage to the New York City original, is a striking focal point with velvet seating in softest Tiffany blue adding to the overall ambience.
To the side of the lobby, the entrance to the oh-so-elegant Peacock Alley – named for the alley that joined the two original hotels – peeks out, the white baby grand piano that provides gentle accompaniment to a scrumptious afternoon tea, offering a glimpse of joys to come.
The Suite Life
Check-in was quick and efficient and I was soon headed up to my King One-Bedroom Suite – regal by name and regal by nature. Again, black and white décor with antiqued mirrored surfaces evoked an art deco feel. A generous living room featured a plush sofa, which pulls out to form an extra bed, along with deep, comfortable velvet chairs. A desk was useful for work that really couldn’t wait and a dining table meant I could feast on room service in comfort. Rounded furnishings and abstract artworks imbued an ambience of golden-age elegance and tea- and coffee-making facilities added to a space clearly designed for relaxing.
The spacious bedroom featured a speckled floor, velvet tub chairs in palest blue and floor-to-ceiling windows offering views over the city. An An enormous walk-in wardrobe spoke of visitors heading out to high-class events in their finery. While, for me, the bathroom was the ultimate pièce de résistance. A wide, trough-style sink was served by jazz-age taps, walls and floors were in richly veined grey marble and black surfaces and mirrors picked up the bedroom’s décor. A walk-in shower and deep soaking tub completed the setup which almost felt like having my own private spa.
The whole space was deeply peaceful and, with 400-thread-count sheets, I could easily have hopped into bed right then and settled in for the night but there was exploring to be done and I wanted to discover if the rest of the property could possibly be as gorgeous as the lobby and my rather splendid room.
Destination Dining
I headed down to Peacock Alley, where I was just in time for afternoon tea. The surroundings here are gorgeous, stunning multilevel chandeliers glitter above soft, rounded sofas and chairs with stools in the ever-present Tiffany blue velvet. I could imagine Truman Capote’s ‘Swans’ hanging out in the New York original and felt somewhat under dressed as I took my seat among groups of elegant ladies and gentlemen chatting and conducting business.
Delicious crustless sandwiches soon arrived with plenty of variety served, of course, on a cute three-tiered stand. My favourite was the classic cucumber which boasted a delightful combination of sharp labneh and very fresh, crunchy cucumber topped by earth roasted beetroot chips which stood out against the nutty bread and made the sandwiches look even prettier.
A selection of little cakes followed, which I greedily took to my room so I would have space for the scones – served warm, straight from the oven. The almond flavour was a particular hit, dollops of fresh cream and rich jam adding the perfect accompaniment the lightly, fluffy bun. Heavenly.
During my stay, I also visited Yun, which serves modern Chinese cuisine. Found on the 44th floor, up in that very impressive roof space you can spot from below. The outlet, with its incredible panoramic views, functions as both restaurant and lounge with a contemporary feel.
The deep crimson furnishings were elevated by touches of burnished gold making for a truly luxe atmosphere and the menu certainly lived up to the high-class feel. We sampled chicken potstickers – deeply savoury and satisfying with their piquant mix of minced chicken, garlic and crispy greens – and the Cantonese dim sum favourite, shrimp dumplings, pillowy, glossy and oh so flavourful.
I had breakfast throughout my stay at MURU – and was immediately sad I wouldn’t be there to experience brunch. The place is amazing! Swathes of blooms hang from the ceiling, lighting takes on sculptural forms and an abundance of South American artefacts, books and masks imparts a distinct sense of place. I can imagine that, with a touch of brunch-style sass, this spot would be really hopping.
For breakfast though, the feeling was somewhat calmer and the buffet selection super impressive. I went for poached eggs – perfectly cooked, soft and runny – and avocado toast with a light dusting of chilli flakes. I must admit, I was tempted to over indulge, just the sight of a full honey comb is enough for me to lose all sense of reason, but, knowing a trip to the gym and a massage were on the cards, I contented myself with the deeply nutty sourdough and made a note to return after the summer when breakfast will be back in its regular spot at Tribeca, which I am assured puts on an equally sumptuous spread.
The Wellness Factor
After a little post-brekkie lie down – rude not to make the most of the superbly comfortable bed – I headed up to the four-floor wellness area, one of the largest I’ve ever encountered. The gym and indoor pool feature floor to ceiling windows, the incredible views out over the city making a workout, with virtually every piece of kit you can imagine, seem somehow less painful. But I was really there for the spa, where the black, cream and brass of the art deco era carried over into a space of quietly elegant tranquillity.
My therapist led me to a massage suite where I settled in for a deeply relaxing treatment with gentle stretching, aromatic oils and some muchneeded silence.
The spa also offers an amazing range of options from the Alphasphere sensory room to a Lemi quartz crystal bed for warm sand therapy and a rain walk and ice fountain – the latter, along with MURU’s brunch, is definitely in my future.
All too soon, it was time to bid farewell to both the spa and to Waldorf Astoria Doha West Bay but I can safely say the whole experience was one that made quite an impression. From the welcome to the amenities and from the excellent food to the overall art deco elegance, this is a property I will surely return to – as you can see above, I’ve even been making notes for my next visit.
Please visit Hilton.com or call +974 4008 9000 for more information.
@waldorfwestbay