THE SUITE LIFE

THE RADISSON BLU HOTEL, DOHA HOSTS FACT FOR AN INTIMATE CELEBRATION, WELCOMING LINDSEY STEENKAMP LIKE FAMILY.


If you think a staycation is no longer an option during the new restrictions, think again. If you figured your favourite restaurants would be closed inside the Radisson Blu Hotel, you figured wrong. And, if you’re missing something familiar and feeling a tad nostalgic at this time of year, then you’re not alone.

The right answers and the perfect solution to your lost summer vacation blues lie at the door of The Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha. When Radisson Blu invited us to experience one of their staycations, we were there like a bear.

Radisson Blu is turning 42 in July this year. As luck would have it, one of my closest friends was turning 40 at the time of this review. The timing was serendipitous and I invited her to join me for the two-day staycation.

A good reputation is earned through time and commitment. After 41 years of delivering consistent quality experiences to Qatar residents and foreign visitors alike, the Radisson Blu’s track-record is impeccable, and that sense of history permeates throughout our stay.

From door-front greeting, to seamless check-in and entering your personal suite, the overriding sense is friendliness. On arrival, we are greeted graciously and escorted to our superb suite with lounge access. As we open the door a bouquet of coloured balloons escapes from the room!

Courtesy of the very cool staff, a surprise festive scene has been set up in the suite’s dining area, with all the celebratory dressings: a birthday cake, mini-cupcakes, flowers and a ‘Happy Birthday’ bunting draped across the curtains.

We are set to see in this landmark birthday in true Radisson Blu style. My friend can’t contain her delight at this gesture. Due to Covid restrictions she had not been able to arrange anything for her milestone birthday. The hotel and its people had changed all that and she was over the moon.

Now to the suite life. The layout of the room is cleverly planned. As you enter, the dining room sits neatly on the left and a centre bookshelf separates the room’s two television screens, each installed on opposite sides to keep you in the picture at all times. The layout allows you to get your media fix while eating at the dining table or leisurely lounging on the opposite side of the L-Shape suite.

The bed is adorned with a cuddly little teddy bear to warm even the coldest of hearts, and an adorable yellow rubber ducky is waiting to waddle straight into the bathtub with you. It’s these little personal touches that make the stay feel like a home from home, just with a lot more pampering.

With smiles all round, it dawns on us that we have worked up quite an appetite. Just as well, since this first night features a scheduled stop at a landmark eatery in the Radisson Blu – or at least for its delicious menu offerings to be served in our suite, as required by the current restrictions. This evening our hosts are planning a heist on our taste buds and we are willing players. We’re sampling from the famed restaurant, The Italian Job. Named after the seriously cool British movie classic of the late ‘60s, when it comes to getting an Italian food fix nothing much can match. A firm favourite for food lovers in Qatar, it’s a rustic space, offering genuine Italian cuisine just like mama would make back in Old Napoli. And yes, that’s amore. For this occasion we’re trying a selection of the restaurant’s spread. As one of 21 outlets in the hotel, The Italian Job offers variety and it’s tough to choose our indulgence.

After much deliberation the order is in and we relax on massive three-seater couches. Before we know it, the food arrives, and we take our seats at the beautifully prepared table. My fondness for pears is satiated with a salad comprised of baby rocket, radicchio, pears and provolone cheese. I can’t remember when last I had a salad with pears as one of the ingredients. We both tuck into the much-anticipated rack of lamb with the perfumed fricassee sauce filling the air like a herby dream. I enjoy pineapple on my pizza (don’t judge), so The Italian Job pizza was right up my lane. The fresh, quality ingredients are definitely the secret behind this flavour sensation. Portion sizes are more than generous and there is plenty left over. In the movie they were “only supposed to blow the doors off” but, in this case, The Italian Job blew our minds In my opinion there are very few good bath experiences in Qatar, and this is something I usually focus on.

It’s time to indulge in my opulent bathroom and my critical eye is pleased to discover it stocked with a wide selection of toiletries. In addition, the tub is massive. The little rubber ducky joins me, adding to the ambience. As a perfect celebration concludes, and filled as we are with La Dolce Vita, we retire to rest in our comfortable beds. The mattress is just the right firmness and these two party princesses drift to dreamland on cloudlike pillows. The next morning breakfast is served, and we are spoiled with a wide range of options. After a morning walk in the garden, I catch up with one of the friendly staff members. I am told that they started their career in hospitality with Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha and have been working there for many years. With a low staff turnover, guests love seeing familiar faces, even when they have not visited the property in some time. I can easily understand where this warm homely atmosphere is borne from.

The hotel can also proudly say that they retained all their staff right through the pandemic. It’s not common word on the street, but it’s good to know that this hotel boasts themed rooms in the East Wing, with options including Japanese, Chinese, Arabic and Indian concepts. They even have an English Country Garden, Scottish Baronial and a James Bond-themed room! This night’s dinner is ordered from the Chinese outlet, Ruby Wu’s. I usually go for the Dim Sum and once again I am not disappointed by this delicious dish. Alongside that, the tender Roast Duck is cooked to perfection. Everything is so good that you don’t even need to dip into the irresistible sauces on offer. After dinner, duty calls, in the form of some review notes. It’s time to capitalise on the spacious office setup. Feeling a little like The Wolf of Wall Street, I fully enjoy this executive setting with the coffee machine getting my back and the television in plain view.

It’s a pleasure to work in this productive space. After two nights of restful sleep and round-theclock service, it’s unfortunately time to leave this 40-something city icon, for now. They say life begins at 40, and that is definitely the case with this special property. When the hotel is in full operation, the fitness centre offers tennis and ballet lessons as well as yoga, hip hop and salsa dancing to stretch your imagination, keep you on your toes and help you stay in the swing of things. The Radisson Blu Hotel, Doha continues to capture hearts with the above-and-beyond level of service and the quality of the outlets and amenities. I will most certainly return and would highly recommend this staycation to all ages and particularly to families.✤

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