Mercyadis M.
Google
The cigar lounge at Raffles Doha may look luxurious, but the hospitality was disgraceful for a hotel of this caliber.
On August 23, 2025 at 12:05 AM, I first presented my official Saudi digital national ID, which the receptionist, Ahmed, refused. He told me to bring my physical Saudi national ID. I left, wasted over 40 minutes, and returned with it, only for him to reject it again and claim that only Qatari resident IDs are accepted, and that I can only enter with a passport. Never once did he mention that a passport was required when I came the first time. Then he brought in Gabriella, who said exactly the same, but said something conflicting with the “policy”. She said, if you were staying I would not need a passport. So, basically she is saying there is a way and we use it for guests. As if she is saying we don’t want you here.
I was finally admitted only because the night manager intervened, but by then the damage was done. Neither Ahmed nor Gabriella offered so much as an apology, let alone the level of hospitality one expects at Raffles. Instead, I was treated like an unwanted intruder.
This is not just poor service, it is unprofessional, unwelcoming, and embarrassing for the Raffles brand. A stunning lounge ruined by staff incompetence and a complete lack of hospitality.
