The Andaz Doha is one of the newest additions to Hyatt’s design-forward luxury brand, soft-opening just months ago in the heart of Qatar’s capital. Located conveniently in the central business district and only about 20 minutes and $10 by taxi from Hamad International Airport, the property offers an appealing mix of stylish interiors, modern tech, and strong visual identity. But while the hard product is impressive, our recent stay exposed serious service deficiencies that are impossible to ignore.

If you prefer a video review, check out our video below:

Location & First Impressions

The Andaz Doha enjoys a central, walkable location with easy access to the Corniche promenade and many of Doha’s key attractions. Housed in a repurposed and renovated older building, it blends well into its surroundings, though some features—like limited floor-to-ceiling windows or the odd, hidden pool entrance—reflect the limitations of a retrofit rather than a purpose-built luxury hotel.

The Andaz Doha from the outside (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The lobby delivers the signature Andaz aesthetic with bold red accents, art installations, and architectural flair. A ceiling feature resembling a red umbrella immediately sets a dramatic tone. It’s beautifully done, and the interiors from lobby to rooms certainly make a strong first impression.

Lobby at the Andaz Doha (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Rooms: Gorgeous, But Inconsistent Details

We stayed in a King Room with Sea View on the 15th floor. The decor was both elegant and modern, with tasteful touches like red textiles echoing the Qatari flag, large windows, and mood lighting. A massive wall-mounted TV, generous seating area, and well-labeled universal power outlets (including USB-A and USB-C) make it feel tech-savvy and comfortable.

A highlight is the bathroom: Villeroy & Boch matte black fixtures create a striking contrast against soft whites and beiges, and the Japanese-style toilet adds a premium touch. However, the lack of a window by the bathtub and stray hairs in the shower (missed by housekeeping) dampened the experience.

Bathroom at the Andaz Doha (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Bathtub at the Andaz Doha (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The minibar is included but laughably sparse—just a small packet of potato chips and cookies, oddly stored in a refrigerator. These items are supposed to be replenished daily, but weren’t unless we called—repeatedly. More on that later.

The sad state of a ‘fully filled’ minibar at the Andaz Doha (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Dining: Hits and Misses

Breakfast at Salt Road Restaurant offered a solid if limited buffet with an à la carte menu. Savory options were good, but the fruit selection was minimal and frequently empty. French toast and lemon cake looked promising but were disappointingly dry. Service in the morning was smoother than at dinner, likely because fewer staff were on duty.

Dinner, also at Salt Road, started with promise. We used our $75 Hyatt Privé hotel credit and ordered two chicken breast entrees. Despite confirming twice with our waiter, only one arrived. To their credit, staff offered complimentary dessert to apologize, but the oversight speaks to broader service breakdowns.

Dinner at the Andaz Doha - the taste was great, at least (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

There was no drink menu at dinner—surprising for a five-star property—and the only beverage options we were ever offered throughout the hotel were water, coffee, and tea. No juices, soft drinks, or cocktails. In fact, the minibar, lounge, and restaurant all seemed equally mystified by the idea of offering a beverage selection.

Lounge, Pool, and Amenities

While most Andaz properties feature a complimentary evening “Social Hour,” Andaz Doha offers only a makeshift lounge with tea, coffee, and cookies. Two small canapés appeared at 5pm, but it’s a far cry from what the brand typically offers. No drinks beyond water. No explanation at check-in. No signage. Just silence.

The pool is hidden down a long, nondescript corridor and partially shaded by surrounding towers—an unexpected plus in Doha’s brutal summer heat. There’s no service at the pool, no menus, and bafflingly, no side tables beside the loungers. We were promised bottled water poolside but it never came.

Swimming Pool at the Andaz Doha (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

The spa shares the same colorful aesthetic as the rest of the property, and while we didn’t indulge in treatments, it appeared well-maintained and stylish.

The Service Situation: A Case Study in Chaos

Here’s where the experience fell off a cliff.

From the moment we arrived, the service was riddled with confusion. Our suitcase was scanned at check-in, and we were called down because a tiny bottle of perfume was mistakenly flagged as alcohol—an understandable policy in Qatar, but executed poorly.

We received no orientation about breakfast hours, hotel credit, the minibar, or the lounge. There was no upgrade despite our Hyatt Globalist status, low occupancy (we were told under 50%, possibly under 30%), and a Guest of Honor booking. We were upgraded only from a King Room to a King Room with sea view—a stingy gesture, especially considering the near-empty hotel.

Then came the saga of the potato chips.

After finishing the sole snack in the minibar, we asked for a refill. This simple request required six calls, three hours, and several miscommunications. We received water and Nespresso capsules (which we never requested), were awakened by staff with more coffee pods, and finally—at midnight—received the potato chips. It was almost comedic, if it hadn’t been so exhausting.

Another day of randomly receiving Nespresso capsules… (Source: Unmatched Voyages)

Even on the second night, the minibar was not replenished, despite daily service being promised. We had to call again, were again delivered espresso capsules (why?), and finally got some chips—but never any new water.

Other service lapses include:

Repeated failure to deliver lemon when requested at dinner.
Stray hairs left in the shower cabin by housekeeping.
A lack of engagement from front desk staff, who never asked how our stay was—even at checkout.

Conclusion

The Andaz Doha is a stunning hotel with real design flair and excellent bones. The rooms are modern, the location convenient, and the public spaces stylish. But the service is an unmitigated disaster, at least during this soft-opening phase.

We hope the hotel addresses these issues over the coming months. For now, we strongly recommend waiting at least 6–12 months before considering a stay here. In the meantime, if you’re looking for a Hyatt stay in Doha, the Park Hyatt Doha offers a much more polished and professional experience.

Book wisely—and always through Unmatched Voyages to receive VIP benefits, upgrades, and hotel credit. Just don’t expect your minibar chips to arrive anytime soon.