Mario Fittipaldi
Google
We booked a room at the St. Regis Doha for a day of relaxation, fully aware of the premium cost, which we accepted in order to enjoy the facilities — particularly the pool. Since we had an early departure the next morning and wouldn’t be able to take advantage of the included breakfast, we made a very reasonable request: to use the value of the breakfast as a credit for lunch or brunch instead as it was included in the price.
What followed was a frustrating and frankly unprofessional experience. We asked no fewer than five different staff members, including at the reception and concierge. Each one promised to “get back to us” — and then disappeared. Not one of them followed up. It became painfully clear that the supposed customer care is only extended when it’s convenient for the hotel. In the end, we had to pay for lunch out of pocket, despite having already paid for a breakfast we couldn’t use.
As for the room, it was fine — clean and nicely appointed, but nothing extraordinary by Qatar standards. We’ve stayed in better.
Special mention, unfortunately, goes to the staff at the pool area — in particular a gentleman named Ahmed and a Greek lady. We approached them several times to ask about the breakfast-to-lunch credit, and by the end of the day they were walking right past us without even greeting, likely because they had no answer and preferred to avoid the conversation altogether.
For a hotel that markets itself as five-star luxury, this level of service is simply not acceptable. Style without substance, and attentiveness only when it serves them.