Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli

Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli in Doha, Qatar, offers a distinctive luxury experience within the heart of the historic Souq Waqif. This Michelin Key Selected property is a collection of eight (or sometimes noted as nine) unique historic buildings, each with its own charm, blending traditional Qatari heritage with modern comfort and personalized five-star service.

1. Overall Rating & Sentiment

The general consensus for Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli is overwhelmingly positive, with guests consistently rating it highly. Review platforms show ratings such as 8.8 "Excellent" from over 654 reviews on Agoda and 8.4 "Very Good" from over 2,400 reviews on Booking.com. Travelers praise its excellent location, beautiful rooms, and exceptional staff, often describing their stays as unforgettable and a blend of modern comfort with authentic Arabian hospitality.

2. Key Highlights

Guests consistently laud the hotel's:

• Location: Directly within the vibrant Souq Waqif, offering immediate access to shops, restaurants, and cultural experiences.
• Service: Personalized five-star service with staff frequently described as amazing, friendly, courteous, helpful, and attentive, often exceeding expectations.
• Design & Ambiance: The hotel's unique aesthetic comes from its collection of restored historic buildings, each with intricate décor and architecture reflecting Qatari culture and heritage. The overall vibe is often described as stunning and charming.
• Amenities: Facilities include a spa with a traditional Moroccan Hammam, an outdoor swimming pool (located at Al Mirqab Hotel, accessible to all guests), a fitness center, and golf cart transport between the various hotel buildings.

3. Room Quality

The hotel offers 160 exquisitely designed rooms and suites spread across its boutique properties. Rooms feature fresh and contemporary interiors, often with bold colors, rich materials, and modern amenities. Guests highlight spacious rooms with comfortable beds, modern and bright bathrooms (some with walk-in showers and bidets), flat-screen TVs, seating areas, desks, and tea/coffee making facilities. Selected suites offer private balconies with city or Souq views. While generally praised for comfort and design, some reviews mention rooms looking "tired and dated" or lacking windows, which should be confirmed prior to booking.

4. Dining Experience

Souq Waqif Boutique Hotels by Tivoli boasts a diverse culinary experience with multiple on-site restaurants, sometimes noted as 3, 4 or 6 depending on the source, offering a range of cuisines from authentic Qatari and Middle Eastern dishes to French, American, Moroccan, and European.

• Breakfast: Guests frequently praise the breakfast for its variety and quality, often served as a buffet and continental option. It includes a wide array of Arabic cuisine. Breakfast may incur an additional charge if not included in the room rate.
• Notable Restaurants: Argan is highlighted for its authentic Moroccan flavors, while La Patisserie offers French pastries and espresso. Al Shurfa Arabic Restaurant is also mentioned. There's also 24-hour room service and a coffee shop/cafe.

5. Service & Staff

Exceptional service is a recurring theme in guest feedback. Staff members are consistently described as friendly, courteous, helpful, attentive, and going above and beyond to make guests feel welcome and valued. Many reviews specifically mention individuals by name, highlighting their positive impact on the guest experience. Efficient check-in and check-out processes are also noted.

6. Location & Accessibility

The hotel's prime location directly within the historic Souq Waqif is a major draw. This allows guests unparalleled access to the vibrant marketplace, cultural sites, and numerous dining options right outside their doors.

• Attractions Nearby: It's within walking distance of the Museum of Islamic Art (10 minutes), the Corniche (5 minutes), Al Koot Fort (5 minutes), and the Souq Waqif Art Center (adjacent).
• Transportation: The hotel is approximately 15-20 minutes from Hamad International Airport. The Souq Waqif Metro Station - Gold Line is a 2,297 ft (5-minute) walk away. Taxis are readily available, and the hotel offers airport transfer services and car hire. Parking is available, though it might be a common parking area within the souq, requiring golf cart transport to the hotel.

7. Value & Pricing

Guests generally find the hotel to offer good value for money, despite some complaints about rooms not matching the price. Prices can vary significantly based on room type and booking platform, with some deals starting from around $70-$79 per night, but can go up to $2887 for more luxurious options. The average rating for "Value for money" is around 8.4 out of 10.

8. Common Complaints

While largely positive, some recurring issues or criticisms include:

• Room Condition: A few guests reported rooms looking "tired and dated" or having stained carpets.
• Lack of Windows: Some rooms were noted to lack windows, which was a disappointment for certain guests and not always advised prior to booking.
• Pool Cleanliness: One review mentioned bird droppings around and in the pool at Al Mirqab Hotel, leading them to avoid using it.
• Noise: A buzzing sound, possibly from the spa whirlpool, was reported in some rooms during the middle of the day.
• Parking Inconvenience: The necessity of parking in a common souq parking lot and relying on golf cart transport, coupled with potential issues of full parking lots, was a minor inconvenience for some.
• Service Inefficiencies: Despite overall excellent service, isolated incidents of staff being less knowledgeable or needing to double-check information were noted.
• Light Switches: One guest reported difficulty finding a way to switch off the lights at night.

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