One of the newest addresses in Qatar, Andaz Doha, offers more than just hotel accommodation, as Fernanda Langhammer had the pleasure of experiencing during her staycation at this edgy property.

Andaz is a luxury lifestyle hotel brand, owned by Hyatt Hotels Corporation, that opened its first property in Qatar this year. Its name derives from the Hindi word for personal style, which aligns perfectly with the hotel’s motto: integrating local culture and aesthetics with a touch of contemporary luxury.

This vibe can be felt as soon as you step into the lobby. The décor is a mix of Arabic textiles and visuals with modern, colourful art. On the ceiling, an eye-catching canopy with a design that alludes to Qatar’s traditional craft of Sadu weaving. The colour palette incorporates gold, red, purple, bronze and maroon, showcasing the region’s wealth and the Qatari flag. Art pieces can be spotted everywhere, and one could spend several minutes simply absorbing the authenticity of the place.

My check-in went smoothly, but before heading to my room, I peeked at the Andaz Lounge, located across from the reception area. The space is open to everyone and offers comfortable seating, from sofas to stools, as well as a large dining table at the centre of the lounge for impromptu meetings. Coffee, tea, water and biscuits are available. How great is it to have a concept like that? I loved it.

Where Dreams Happen

My Andaz Suite was located on the 18th floor. As you can probably imagine, it had fantastic views of the sea and the busy city below. With floor-to-ceiling windows, the suite was divided into a living area and a bedroom – I felt like a very spoilt girl – with plenty of space to place my belongings and enjoy peaceful moments.

The corridor wall leading to the living space was covered in black-and-white photographs of local people, with a twist: their clothes were covered in a collage of vibrant patterns, creating unique portraits – local, fun and aesthetically appealing. The red coffee table was filled with sweet treats and fruits and matched the burgundy sofa for a funky look, while a grey carpet and dark tiled floors added balance to the vibrant décor.

The bedroom had a comfortable king bed with an attached bathroom that was massive with an imposing freestanding tub. There was a rain shower that blinked red, blue and green colours for one of the best showers I have ever experienced – a fluffy robe afterwards made it even better. The two-sink cabinet was spacious, a feature that I loved. Lots of space for my many vanity bags and beauty products.

Where Relaxation and Fun Meet

During my stay, I had the chance to embark on a signature treatment at Alara Spa: the Elemental Alara Journey. The sensorial experience involves the four elements: Earth, Air, Water and Fire. The journey started with 10 minutes in the steam room, followed by mud covering my body (Earth), an inhalation of aromatic vapour infused with lemongrass oil (Air), warm compresses and wave sounds (Water), which my therapist recreated by placing a cloth on my head and rhythmically moving her arms and hands over it, and ended with a hot stone massage (Fire). The whole journey was extremely relaxing, and after the 120-minute therapy, all I wanted was to keep the calming vibe going, so I headed to the pool.

The outdoor pool has a vibrant setup. The walls are covered with abstract paintings of men and women in local attire, set against colourful backgrounds. The loungers surrounding the pool are incredibly comfortable, and there’s a separate area after the pool filled with sofas if you just want to sit and chill. A bar at the centre of the outdoor area serves drinks and snacks, and the upbeat music complements the space’s good vibe. I was in the company of my book and didn’t see the time pass, such an enjoyable moment with myself. The pool water is temperature-controlled, so I went for a couple of dips to refresh my soul. After a few hours, I was really having a good time, but the day was ending, so I headed back to my room. But before, I stopped at the Fitness Center, which is fully set up with Technogym equipment, ranging from cardiovascular machinery to weight training and best of all? Guests have access to it 24 hours a day – great for those suffering from jet lag or who wake up in the middle of the night, eager for a walk.

Where Food is Delish

Breakfast is at Mr. & Mrs Hawker, which also serves a Singaporean-inspired lunch and dinner. The space is beautifully decorated with Asian features and decorative items that transport you to that rich region. The buffet offers an array of items, from pastries and cold cuts to Arabic staples. But if you want something freshly made, there is a menu offering all sorts of egg preparations, as well as signature dishes such as Hummus Royale, creamy hummus with poached eggs, and Shakshuka, which is very popular in the Middle East. I stuck to the fluffy egg-white omelette, but tried something new: Kunafa Croissant. It was absolutely delicious! I had never seen a croissant with this kind of twist; it was soft and crunchy, and I really loved it, all accompanied by freshly brewed black coffee. Couldn’t ask for a better start to my day.

Dinner was at The Salt Road, a restaurant dedicated to internationally inspired dishes crafted with South African techniques, where grills and a Josper oven are at the centre of the eatery. Founded by Craig Cormack and Beau du Toit, each creation is elevated by selected salts. At the entrance of the restaurant, salts from all over the world welcome you. Samples from places such as Mozambique, Germany, Scotland and France, among many others, comprise the collection. I had the pleasure of meeting Craig at a culinary event last year where he presented his passion for this simple ingredient and educated me about the variety of this mineral – I had thought salt was the same everywhere.

The dining journey started with a beautiful, warm loaf of bread that we topped with butter and received three types of salt to eat it with: Nala Namak (known for its sulfur note, with an eggy flavour), Black Salt from Hawaii and Baleni Salt (hand-harvested salt from a geothermal spring in South Africa). How many times has salt been at the centre of your meal experience? My dining companion and I were delighted. We then tried grilled asparagus and leeks, which were smoky and delicious. For mains, I had the grilled prawns in seaweed reduction, and my colleague opted for the USA tenderloin, bathed in an interesting twist: slaphakskeentjies sauce. This dish (with a tongue-twister name) is a traditional South African staple made with baby onions cooked until soft and served in a tangy, sweet-sour mustard sauce. Both mains were cooked to perfection and had their unique flavours. Chef Calum, in charge of The Salt Road Doha kitchen, knows precisely what he’s doing – thank you, chef!

As if my stay couldn’t get any better, I enjoyed a Liquid Brunch at Mumble Jungle, a stunning rooftop spot with Afro-Cuban décor and vibes. I enjoyed refreshing drinks accompanied by crunchy Chips de Mandioca, fried yuca with guacamole dip, and Croquettes de Marisco, delicious fried balls with aioli dip, how fab is that? The inviting atmosphere, views of the city below and the sea on the horizon made this end of the day memorable. It is definitely the place to be in the cooler season – a destination that I am sure will win the hearts of many people living in Doha.

Where Coming Back is a Must

Andaz Doha offers an exciting break to escape your routine and embark on an extraordinary staycation – you will feel like you are unplugging from everyday worries while enjoying marvellous food. A pampering session at Alara Spa and relaxing moments by the pool will recharge your energy in this scenario where heritage is enhanced by contemporary touches. I left with a feeling of renewed vitality in all senses. It’s your turn to try it out now. ✤

GO: CALL 4452 1234 OR VISIT WWW.HYATT.COM/ANDAZ/DOHAZ-ANDAZ-DOHAZ FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING.