Last Updated on February 8, 2026 by Home in the World
When looking to book my most recent trip to Doha for the F1 grand prix, I noticed a few new hotels had popped up in the city since my last visit. One of those was the Andaz Doha by Hyatt, which opened in early 2025. Boasting the vibrant, edgy décor the Andaz brand is known for, coupled with decent rates and a pleasant location near the waters of West Bay, it looked like a wonderful option that ticked a lot of boxes for me.
Read on to find out my impressions of the Andaz Doha, and what you can expect as it continues to establish itself on Doha’s ever-growing luxury hotel scene.
And if you are serious about planning a trip to this part of the world, you can also download my free quick guide to Doha, which concisely summarises everything you need to know before you go.
First impressions
My first impressions of the Andaz Doha (apart from my initial dealings by email with the reservations team) came when we pulled up at the brightly lit entrance and were greeted by friendly porters.
After stepping through the obligatory X-ray machine at the entrance and having our bags scanned (this is common practice at many hotel properties in Doha, so don’t let it bother you; I actually think it’s good to keep the property safe, and wish more places around the world did it), we entered the lobby, which is packed full of WOW factor.
A large, bright red canopy structure hangs from the ceiling – a nod to Qatar’s traditional ‘Sadu’ weaving technique – above equally funky, vivid furniture. And surrounding you on all four sides are high, kaleidoscopic-like walls to reflect Doha’s multi-faceted landscape. At the far end by the elevators is a striking piece of abstract, mirrored artwork that added to the whole effect. Definitely some fine work by designers Brime Robbins.
Check-in itself was completed by friendly, smiling staff who proved to be very helpful and reassuring when my credit card had an issue during the payment process.
Andaz properties are labelled as Hyatt’s ‘lifestyle’ hotels, so there’s a slightly different vibe compared to Hyatt’s more traditional brands. I’ve already alluded to the edgy design, but even the staff have a slightly more casual, relaxed vibe in terms of their demeanour and dress.
The unique design journey continues as you make your way up to the room; because even the landings are laid out in a circular, mezzanine style (perhaps inspired by Qatar’s pigeon towers?), making for quite an interesting view the higher you go.
In general, arriving at the hotel definitely had me feeling like I had entered a different world – and I wasn’t sad about it!
Rooms
The WOW factor continues in the room, which, in our case, was an Andaz Suite with sea view.
The first thing that struck me was how big and airy it was. An art-lined hallway led from the front door into a large, bright living area with floor-to-ceiling windows (and, let me tell you, the ceilings in this entire suite are pretty high!), a three-seater couch plus arm chair, nested coffee tables and a dining table – and still plenty of space all around. Also running off this living area was a small powder room with toilet and basin (which is always so handy to have).
Stepping into the master bedroom (an entirely separate room from the living area), you once again notice the sense of space and brightness. A plush king bed, sweeping views of the Arabian Gulf and a walk-in wardrobe providing excellent storage space all made for a comfortable and convenient experience, though I would have liked to have at least one drawer in the bedside tables. I also appreciated the fact that there were ample power outlets throughout the suite – and universal, to boot! So no need for adapters.
The pièce de résistance for me was the ensuite bathroom. Accessed via sliding door from the master bedroom, it was absolutely massive. Double washbasins and mirrors, more than adequate vanity space, an ottoman (!), a standalone bathtub, and separate shower and toilet cubicles – all this with expansive floor space in between.
It all felt very luxurious, and this feeling of luxury was further enhanced by the fabulous toiletries: a collaboration between The Different Company and Andaz Doha. The Oud Shamash hand cream and body wash was amazing!
But the Andaz Suite’s WOW factor wasn’t just its vast size; the trademark funky Andaz decor I had already seen in the lobby was also on display in the suite.
While the base colour scheme is monochrome in the form of charcoal floors and white walls, this serves as the perfect canvas for the many pops of vibrant colour, texture and general sass throughout: the bright red nested coffee tables, the vivid ‘disruptive’ artworks, the backlit shelving, the luscious maroon (a colour featuring heavily in the Qatari flag) sofa and bedhead, the traditional Qatari-style wall tiles above the bed, and the asymmetrical pendant bedside lamps.
I personally loved Andaz Doha’s ultra modern takes on Qatari culture and heritage that had been thoughtfully infused into the design. And you can expect it in every single one of its rooms, suites and residences.
Dining
In terms of dining, I did not get to try a lot, because I was at the F1 most nights, and ate dinner there. We did, however, make use of the room service for continental breakfast every morning (alternatively you can enjoy a buffet at the Mr & Mrs Hawker restaurant on the 3rd floor), and found it to be a perfectly adequate spread of cereal, fruit, toast, pastries, coffee and juice.
And speaking of Mr & Mrs Hawker, it’s also open for lunch and dinner, serving Singapore-style hawkers’ market food in an impressive room with open kitchen and semi-outdoor terrace (by semi I mean that sometimes they are able to open the roof, but it depends on how many birds are around!).
The other main restaurant is the South African-inspired Salt Road. While I didn’t try it, the menu and interior looked really appealing. I’d definitely consider trying it next time.
Finally, there is the eye-popping Mumble Jungle rooftop bar, which had only just opened. Wow, what a place! Vividly coloured and patterned furnishings accentuated with lush greenery and laid out in various configurations from booths to bar tables – all in the open air and surrounded by the lights of Doha’s stunning skyline (I think there is also provision to close the roof and windows in the event of bad weather).
I loved the Afro-Cuban vibes, both in terms of the drinks and food, but also the music. I have no doubt this Andaz Doha gem will become one of the city’s ‘in’ bars as it establishes itself further.
Other facilities
Other facilities at the Andaz Doha included the Andaz Lounge that runs off the lobby. This was yet another stunningly designed space, providing complimentary self-serve coffee, tea and snacks, and a chilled place to relax or meet friends.
Despite how new the property still was at the time of my visit, it had already appeared to have established itself as a popular venue for conferences, meetings and weddings. During my stay, there were major medical and tech conventions on almost every day, not to mention a number of weddings that even featured some beautifully costumed dancers and singers. It was a total vibe and a hive of activity – not to mention a good indicator of the Andaz Doha’s competence in hosting such events.
There is also an on-site spa and valet parking available, but I did not use either of these services.
Location
The Andaz Doha is located in the financial and diplomatic area of West Bay (those iconic shots you see of Doha’s modern skyline? That’s West Bay), which is just a short drive (approx. 10-15 minutes) around the Corniche from the downtown city area, putting you within great access of Doha’s fabulous museums and the bustling Souq Waqif. The hotel is only one block away from the water – hence the great sea views from many of its rooms).
Equidistant in the other direction (northwards of West Bay) is the arts hub of Katara Cultural Village and the picturesque Pearl area. These, too, are about a 15-minute drive away.
Hamad International Airport, where you will more than likely be flying in and out of, is about a 20-minute drive away – it’s located quite close to downtown Doha.
Meanwhile, the satellite city of Lusail further north, with its luxury hotels, football stadiums and Al Maha Island, is only about 20 minutes from the Andaz Doha. And if you are heading to the Lusail International Circuit (like I was), it’s about a 30 to 40-minute drive on the expressway.
While Doha does have a metro system, it is quite limited, and I recommend using taxis or Ubers to get around (for Uber, consider using this eSIM while you’re on the road). In light of this, the Andaz Doha’s location is attractive indeed, as it is equidistant from most parts of the city you will potentially want to visit.
How to book the Andaz Doha
You can book your stay at the Andaz Doha via its official website or using your preferred booking platform:
Getting to Doha
Doha is one of the world’s largest aviation hubs, with direct flights from all 6 inhabited continents. Its main airport is Hamad International Airport (DOH), which, in my opinion, is one of the best in the world.
Hamad International Airport Airport is serviced primarily by Qatar Airways, one of the world’s premium airlines with a vast global network. Several other major airlines also fly to Doha. I recommend using Skyscanner or Trip.com to find and compare the best fares.
Why choose the Andaz Doha
This was my first time trying the Andaz chain by Hyatt, and I wasn’t sure what to expect from this edgy ‘lifestyle’ brand. Turns out the Andaz Doha is a perfect ambassador for it.
It’s not just a pretty face (though the aesthetics truly are exquisite, and I defy anyone not to feel immediately compelled to photograph every angle of it). The Andaz Doha also delivers on quality, value and hospitality.
Indeed, one of the most memorable parts of my stay was the warmth and friendliness of every single staff member I interacted with, from reservations agents to porters to the reception team to room attendants to in-room dining agents. One night, we came back to our suite to find a big chocolate racecar sprinkled with gold dust had been left for us, getting in on the F1 spirit. It was such a lovely, unexpected touch.
I believe this very important aspect, coupled with amazing spaciousness, immaculate cleanliness, a central location, solid dining options and the aforementioned visual appeal, makes the Andaz Doha an excellent choice for business and leisure travellers alike.
This is a five-star property without any stuffiness or fawning. It also feels very decently priced compared to other similar hotels. In short, the Andaz Doha really packs a punch, and I can certainly recommend it to anyone planning to visit the Qatari capital. I know I will be definitely considering it for my next trip there!
| ANDAZ DOHA |
| Diplomatic Street 23 Doha, Qatar |
** This is a genuine, non-biased review based on my own personal experience **
** This post, like everything else on this website, has been written entirely by me. No ChatGPT or any other AI tool has been used. It takes longer to create, but I value 100% human-generated content and I hope you do too! **
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And for more luxury hotel content, visit my Hotels section, where you will find my reviews of other properties in the Middle East region, as well as further afield.
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That decor is certainly WOW! And, judging by your top notch review, so is everything else at this hotel
Yes, the decor was amazing! A fabulous stay in general.