Stay away from the French rest. on the first floor its awful, I had duck that was RUBBER and the asparagus was straw, the rest. was empty and the service was horrible. Apparently they are not part of the hotel but rent the space they should get rid of them bringing the hotel down. Chef came out and smoked at the bar with a Manager lovely, very professional.
The Market restaurant was okay, but the Spice Market was underwhelming. Average food, poor service and no value. As for the bars... wow... they bring a whole level of bad to Doha. Wham is especially bad - over priced drinks, uncomfortable seating and terrible, terrible, terrible service. There's no way I'll be going back to the W.
I don't know where the management there are from, but they don't seem to have much hotel experience.
The quality was not good for the price you pay and the service was awful my husband ordered and never got his food. Even the new Grand Hyatt the food is horrible, I am finding in the last few years the restaurants are going down and the price is going up.
Definitely not the place to go for value for money.
Went to Wahab lounge the other night - I thought the size of the glasses was a joke. Do not order anything other than the bottled beer, the cocktails are so small its laughable. No kidding 4 sips and my Mojito was finished. Small glass and all ice. Sorry, W hotel food & beverage manager dropped the ball with regards to cocktail serving size. Dont mind spending money but why spend full price for a half-size drink?
Argueably still the best place for cocktails is Ritz cigar bar. Best Margarita and Mojitos in town. la Cigale piano bar good as well. And Movenpick Corniche piano bar round out my top 3.
What I do miss are the casual bars you would get back in the UK. none of this Shirt/shoes BS, just wear whatever you're comfortable in, sit back and enjoy a cold beer with mates. I guess you could refer to them as typical student pubs.
There were a couple of great places where I used to live, one playing plenty of good rock at a sensible volume, the other being a little more upmarket with a range of worldwide brews and a shed load of cocktails, playing triphop and chillout in the background.
Those places were stress free, as going out should be.
This new ID thing is becomming a major pain in the ass though.
Between the over priced alcohol, poor service, and hassle with IDs etc, it's no wonder the house party is the way to go!
I'm with you, Su - I don't go to places to be in the room. I go there to have fun and enjoy the experience, and this is impossible in places with crap service, door bitches and over priced drinks.
Anyway... as pretty much most of the palces I have been here in Doha, no matter how expensive... it is still not really good service. Food and drink wise, it is ok. But really... you would expect more than ok.
Maybe for the lebanese "ego boosters" it is a place they will love to be seen. But for the ones who are used to good service and food... it is not all you expect.
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. We went last Thursday night to Crystal lounge and it was pretty impressive. The pricing was fairly high, but the crowd was better than any other I have seen in Doha. (Many Europeans and other Westerners without the Lebanese invasion). The music was done by a DJ from St. Tropez and it was executed perfectly. He had some great sets and mixed incredibly keeping the place dancing all night.
My one HUGE complaint was the volume. The music was so loud, I had to cup my hands over my wife's ear and practically yell for her to hear me. We couldnt have conversation with people at our table at all. My ears were physically ringing for the next day and a half. I imagine the staff will have real hearing loss in short time at those levels.
Aside from that, it was a nice breath of fresh air for Doha. It seems like the first true "club" the city has got.
Welllll the rooms are bloody nice, much bigger than the exec rooms in the marriot and the bathrooms are fairly comfortable.
Still a bit pricey, approaching Hilton costs.
Going to the bar is a pain in the backside, being turned away due to not having the correct dress is not fun, especially when you call beforehand to double check before leaving home.
Queing up for the ID faff is *so much fun!* honest :s
Oh and drinks are pricey.
As a novelty, it was nice for an evening, but it didn't leave a "must stay there again" feeling.
agree, emgee, B-52 in Irish is QR38, in this crystall is over 50...they don't have basic drinks, they don't have the ingredients for some coomn coctails either... music is so bad, it would be better not to turn it on at all..no live band either..
I have been to couple of other places in W.. it was nice.. but this Crystall... no way i will ever go back there..
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I agree demarco.. we spent like about 15-20 minutes to get in! They are tougher than the custom at the airport! First the girl collected our ID's ( Driver License is not accepted, even though i the whole world driver License = ID), then she was scanning it for ever, then she was making some endless records in her books (Do I care about it?? Why i have to wait?), then she was writing out some passes for us with our manes in full, and all other information from our ID.. and guess what, when her telephone rang, she just dropped all these cards, records and passes, including our ID’s somewhere on her desk, LEFT her desk and started talking on the phone!!! How rude and unprofessional!
Let alone their ugly black shapeless uniform... they look like if they were dressed Witches in Halloween...
when we finally got inside, it was no any better impression.. thanks my hub made my night, otherwise, I would hate this Crystal for ever..
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
The door staff are rather unfriendly and impolite to the people whom they don’t know. I asked the girl at the entrance what was the dress code and she told me ‘I must like it!‘ What a load of bollocks! Set some reasonable rules and then explain them nicely to your customers!
Customer service has no value in the Middle East and it’s seriously undermined by the corrupt culture of connection!
I've been twice (I'm a slow learner!). the first time wsa great, good food, good company, good ambiance etc and reasonably priced though I'm still waiting for them to explain the reason for the difference in my credit card receipt and what was actually processed!
Second time, went with customers and BE VERY AWARE- in the Crystal Lounge, the lighting is dim, the music loud. My associate ordered a Cognac, the waitress mumbled something about a Hennesey which was served. When I got the bill, HOLY S**T, QR390 for one cognac. Still fighting that one....................
I've been to the Spice Market twice and The Market once. It was nice, as expensive as I expected.
It's worth it to go anywhere nice now and then for something different, but for me the W wasn't the type of place I felt comfortable in.
It's not the price that put me off, it was a bunch of other things. I don't like an extra order of attitude dished up with my food and drinks. I'd rather dine at the Hyatt or Al Sharq rather than the W.
To be honest, I just find it very tacky and a little crass.
habid is wrong, I don't think he has been there :)
There are three restaurants at W;
- Spice Market
- The Market
- La Maison du Caviar
Then there are several bars serving snacks and light fare.
Check the website; http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/dining/index.html?propertyID=3057
We went to Spice Market the other week. Food is pretty good. Prices as you'd expect for a 5* hotel. Ambience very nice. But as with many restaurants here, it's let down by having too many staff who are overly attentive. It's not nice being watched while you eat!
The W hotel is a very nice hotel it has two resturant and two bars. One of the resurant called Spice Market and it serve Asian food. The second is french cusine and it is nice.
Went there last week, we went to the Market. The place is beautiful and the service was ok. The food was a let down though. The chips were the frozen kind. My steak was cold as was my husbands prawns in garlic butter.
I also have heard in the Crystal lounge you have to order a bottle of something at 100 QR. It was very average; but may get better.
I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!
i have seen it, NFH.. :) it is impressive.. but on the other hand.. can you imagine.. you wake up in the middle of the night, and see a horse in your room... :):)
but these suites are really nice though..
BTW, all the Hotel is built in a "W" shape...
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I think it's gorgeous. They manage to make it chick and trendy without getting tacky, like La Cigale. The horse sized lamp in the president suite is totally awesome!
The only worry is that it will become the new Lebanese hang out and the rest of us won't be welcome. :(
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.W hotel interior reminds of the Hotel i had stayed in HK.
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.Anyways the ambiance is cozy contemporary.
.Caviar at Maison is tempting.
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.FS, it's location is on that road facing the entrance of City Center.
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.
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Talk to my crown......
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★
Stay away from the French rest. on the first floor its awful, I had duck that was RUBBER and the asparagus was straw, the rest. was empty and the service was horrible. Apparently they are not part of the hotel but rent the space they should get rid of them bringing the hotel down. Chef came out and smoked at the bar with a Manager lovely, very professional.
Market Restaurant is the Best....Gr8 staff....and their manager Yassin is really cool.....must visit
The Market restaurant was okay, but the Spice Market was underwhelming. Average food, poor service and no value. As for the bars... wow... they bring a whole level of bad to Doha. Wham is especially bad - over priced drinks, uncomfortable seating and terrible, terrible, terrible service. There's no way I'll be going back to the W.
I don't know where the management there are from, but they don't seem to have much hotel experience.
The quality was not good for the price you pay and the service was awful my husband ordered and never got his food. Even the new Grand Hyatt the food is horrible, I am finding in the last few years the restaurants are going down and the price is going up.
Definitely not the place to go for value for money.
Went to Wahab lounge the other night - I thought the size of the glasses was a joke. Do not order anything other than the bottled beer, the cocktails are so small its laughable. No kidding 4 sips and my Mojito was finished. Small glass and all ice. Sorry, W hotel food & beverage manager dropped the ball with regards to cocktail serving size. Dont mind spending money but why spend full price for a half-size drink?
Argueably still the best place for cocktails is Ritz cigar bar. Best Margarita and Mojitos in town. la Cigale piano bar good as well. And Movenpick Corniche piano bar round out my top 3.
Is there a champagne bar inside the W hotel?
And is it very pricey?
What I do miss are the casual bars you would get back in the UK. none of this Shirt/shoes BS, just wear whatever you're comfortable in, sit back and enjoy a cold beer with mates. I guess you could refer to them as typical student pubs.
There were a couple of great places where I used to live, one playing plenty of good rock at a sensible volume, the other being a little more upmarket with a range of worldwide brews and a shed load of cocktails, playing triphop and chillout in the background.
Those places were stress free, as going out should be.
This new ID thing is becomming a major pain in the ass though.
Between the over priced alcohol, poor service, and hassle with IDs etc, it's no wonder the house party is the way to go!
I'm with you, Su - I don't go to places to be in the room. I go there to have fun and enjoy the experience, and this is impossible in places with crap service, door bitches and over priced drinks.
It just isn't up to par.
Gypsy... do you do any sort of work there???
Anyway... as pretty much most of the palces I have been here in Doha, no matter how expensive... it is still not really good service. Food and drink wise, it is ok. But really... you would expect more than ok.
Maybe for the lebanese "ego boosters" it is a place they will love to be seen. But for the ones who are used to good service and food... it is not all you expect.
actually tried the champagne at the Champagne Bar (Crystal)?
Show me the bubbles!
Different strokes for different folks, I guess. We went last Thursday night to Crystal lounge and it was pretty impressive. The pricing was fairly high, but the crowd was better than any other I have seen in Doha. (Many Europeans and other Westerners without the Lebanese invasion). The music was done by a DJ from St. Tropez and it was executed perfectly. He had some great sets and mixed incredibly keeping the place dancing all night.
My one HUGE complaint was the volume. The music was so loud, I had to cup my hands over my wife's ear and practically yell for her to hear me. We couldnt have conversation with people at our table at all. My ears were physically ringing for the next day and a half. I imagine the staff will have real hearing loss in short time at those levels.
Aside from that, it was a nice breath of fresh air for Doha. It seems like the first true "club" the city has got.
Welllll the rooms are bloody nice, much bigger than the exec rooms in the marriot and the bathrooms are fairly comfortable.
Still a bit pricey, approaching Hilton costs.
Going to the bar is a pain in the backside, being turned away due to not having the correct dress is not fun, especially when you call beforehand to double check before leaving home.
Queing up for the ID faff is *so much fun!* honest :s
Oh and drinks are pricey.
As a novelty, it was nice for an evening, but it didn't leave a "must stay there again" feeling.
agree, emgee, B-52 in Irish is QR38, in this crystall is over 50...they don't have basic drinks, they don't have the ingredients for some coomn coctails either... music is so bad, it would be better not to turn it on at all..no live band either..
I have been to couple of other places in W.. it was nice.. but this Crystall... no way i will ever go back there..
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
I agree demarco.. we spent like about 15-20 minutes to get in! They are tougher than the custom at the airport! First the girl collected our ID's ( Driver License is not accepted, even though i the whole world driver License = ID), then she was scanning it for ever, then she was making some endless records in her books (Do I care about it?? Why i have to wait?), then she was writing out some passes for us with our manes in full, and all other information from our ID.. and guess what, when her telephone rang, she just dropped all these cards, records and passes, including our ID’s somewhere on her desk, LEFT her desk and started talking on the phone!!! How rude and unprofessional!
Let alone their ugly black shapeless uniform... they look like if they were dressed Witches in Halloween...
when we finally got inside, it was no any better impression.. thanks my hub made my night, otherwise, I would hate this Crystal for ever..
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Admit your points.We can enjoy the coolness in out side and inside when taking Beer.
But chick where can get here to go "W"???????
The door staff are rather unfriendly and impolite to the people whom they don’t know. I asked the girl at the entrance what was the dress code and she told me ‘I must like it!‘ What a load of bollocks! Set some reasonable rules and then explain them nicely to your customers!
Customer service has no value in the Middle East and it’s seriously undermined by the corrupt culture of connection!
I had dinner at La Maison du Caviar and thought it was absolutely fab. Great ambience, great food and not too expensive really for what you get.
love, life, laughter
bar was cool and prices pretty much the norm (only drank beer).
best to go with a chick though.
btw - the ice cream at the Spice Market is a HUGE sized serving - you can easily share one between two.
I've been twice (I'm a slow learner!). the first time wsa great, good food, good company, good ambiance etc and reasonably priced though I'm still waiting for them to explain the reason for the difference in my credit card receipt and what was actually processed!
Second time, went with customers and BE VERY AWARE- in the Crystal Lounge, the lighting is dim, the music loud. My associate ordered a Cognac, the waitress mumbled something about a Hennesey which was served. When I got the bill, HOLY S**T, QR390 for one cognac. Still fighting that one....................
The W hotel was name after George W. Bush JR.
I've been to the Spice Market twice and The Market once. It was nice, as expensive as I expected.
It's worth it to go anywhere nice now and then for something different, but for me the W wasn't the type of place I felt comfortable in.
It's not the price that put me off, it was a bunch of other things. I don't like an extra order of attitude dished up with my food and drinks. I'd rather dine at the Hyatt or Al Sharq rather than the W.
To be honest, I just find it very tacky and a little crass.
seems to me i was averaging about 40 QAR for pint at the hotels. i haven't been hitting that scene too much since my daughter arrived.
have things gone up that much?
next you'll be telling me that my music isn't cool anymore.
___________________________________________
"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I
I found the food and alcohol in the Spice Market restaurant to be in-line with, if not cheaper than, other 5* hotel restaurants.
QR35 is pretty standard these days for a bottle or half pint of beer.
more so than the other hotels.
a half pint is about 35 QAR - that's beyond ridiculous.
order a pizza in one of the restaurants then compare the price to diameter ratio and see if it makes sense to you.
they are cashing in on the fact that certain people here will pay whatever for something new, or to be seen in the next big thing.
there is expensive, then there is soooo expensive that you feel like you're being abused.
the atmosphere is nice, but i think it will be dated soon enough.
___________________________________________
"Even a stopped clock gives the right time twice a day." Withnail & I
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art design kitsch ...
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Nothing is more relaxing than flying like an Eagle in Heaven !!
where is the location of the W tower? i have heard they have a good night club !!
"Gypsy is wrong I dont think he hasnt been their!It is one resturant."
Why would someone post that rather than just going to the hotel's website to check?
An apology to Gypsy would be polite.
tallg, i have been to the "fourth" one, which is "Waham" (?) on the second floor..
:)
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
habid is wrong, I don't think he has been there :)
There are three restaurants at W;
- Spice Market
- The Market
- La Maison du Caviar
Then there are several bars serving snacks and light fare.
Check the website; http://www.starwoodhotels.com/whotels/property/dining/index.html?propertyID=3057
We went to Spice Market the other week. Food is pretty good. Prices as you'd expect for a 5* hotel. Ambience very nice. But as with many restaurants here, it's let down by having too many staff who are overly attentive. It's not nice being watched while you eat!
Gypsy is wrong I dont think he hasnt been their!It is one resturant.
The W hotel is a very nice hotel it has two resturant and two bars. One of the resurant called Spice Market and it serve Asian food. The second is french cusine and it is nice.
I would like to meet a new people and try to have some outdoor activites, like lunch or watching a movie or traveilling.
What about the shisha place? is it outdoors? is it cozy?
If you want to drink do not count the glasses?aFTER ALL IT IS A 5 STAR HOTEL AND THAT IS WHY IT IS EXPENSIVE.
Went there last week, we went to the Market. The place is beautiful and the service was ok. The food was a let down though. The chips were the frozen kind. My steak was cold as was my husbands prawns in garlic butter.
I also have heard in the Crystal lounge you have to order a bottle of something at 100 QR. It was very average; but may get better.
I will hoist that up the flag pole and see who salutes it!!
What next an X Hotel? X rated for all the bachelors in Doha with strip clubs etc?? Ha ha. No chance.
good things :)
Does the horse have other bits that light up ?
Would be more interesting if he's Greek...lol
lol you guys are cracking. GM: General Manager. So he is turkish? hmmmm.... not sure will like the turkish delight. yikkkeeesssss...
Everybody is right everybody is wrong, it depend where you stand
GM = General Motors, and they file for bancrupcy.
their GM is TURKISH
all their meals are ALA CARTE
What is the GM....."Grand Master?"
i heard the GM there is a good looking. :P
Everybody is right everybody is wrong, it depend where you stand
Yeah going there tonight for dinner at Spice Market, my good friend is the Chef in charge there ... heard alot of great reviews about it ..
Saw in newspaper AC Milan stayed there. Must be really nice then!
There's a restaurant called Spice and one called the Market. :) Both are pretty good. Spice is the nicer of the two.
Gypsy I am not sure...we got a informal gathering there..Is there a restaurant called Spice market?
now you've got a strong reason to come back here, dragonnie.. :)
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Champagne bar? Nice!
oh thanks gypsy, will try to check it out in few days time when am in town.
Everybody is right everybody is wrong, it depend where you stand
There's two, there's Crystal the champagne bar and there's a sheisha terrace/bar.
is there a club there? bar?
Everybody is right everybody is wrong, it depend where you stand
It's a bit difficult to find the right road as it changes everyday. Which restaurant are you going to?
Thanks.....good..not very far from my place.
It's in West Bay, behind Somerset towers.
Where is the exact location? cant find it on the net.. I have a lunch next week there.
I've seen it, it's really cool, it's a full sized black horse with a lamp on it's head. It's only in the presidential suite though.
i have seen it, NFH.. :) it is impressive.. but on the other hand.. can you imagine.. you wake up in the middle of the night, and see a horse in your room... :):)
but these suites are really nice though..
BTW, all the Hotel is built in a "W" shape...
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Horse sized lamp? I guess you have to see it to appreciate it, lol, sounds scary.
I think it's gorgeous. They manage to make it chick and trendy without getting tacky, like La Cigale. The horse sized lamp in the president suite is totally awesome!
The only worry is that it will become the new Lebanese hang out and the rest of us won't be welcome. :(
and it was rather pricey QR40 minimum for one drink. But a nice vibe and the staff is so friendly
why? all names are taken and they are left with the letter W?
===================================== http://www.qatarliving.com/node/58409
Ask Liligator, she is an insider.
It is always the lost that need my guidance
there are lamps in a shape of the real size horse in the rooms..
*********************
“You become responsible forever for what you have tamed”. Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
Any idea how much dinner costs? Thanks Leigh!
It is really very very smart and the service is great but rather pricey