Mandarin Oriental, Doha

It was great! We arrived very early ( before 7:30am ) and never expected our room ( superior room double queen ) to be ready. But indeed the night manager was there to extend a very warm welcome and served us drinks and damp towels to freshen up , then proposed to show us another room if we were interested so we had a choice. So he brought us to view both---the one we originally booked and a one bedroom apartment in another building that he thought we might want to see. We found the latter more spacious and brighter and the affable manager immediately offered us a complimentary upgrade even before we made our decision. So we eventually went for the apartment and within minutes all our suitcases were brought up. The nice apartment has a living room cum a dining area , and a small balcony. There is an open kitchen with complimentary snacks and drinks in the fridge, plus assorted tea sachets and coffee capsules. Fresh bottled water replenished daily and it were the little things they put after housekeeping left that made the stay extra comfy e.g. the little book mark placed on one of our books, or extra velcro ties for our cables and chargers casually lying around the desk. The main bathroom is spacious with all the toiletries daily replenished while there is a separate toilet at one end. In the living room there is a nook with a desk and stationery, plus all the cables and cords for any type of phones and gadgets. We never had to ask for iron and ironing board because they were already provided, placed inside the wardrobe. The safe was not functioning properly ---failed to lock when we first checked in, but soon they sent some technician up and got it fixed the next day. Bedding is starched white , very clean and very white. Air con is at a comfy temperature although it was over 44C when we were there it was never too uncomfortably chilly. Concierge is pleasant and helpful and UBER taxis are convenient. There is a Harrods cafe just down the hotel pathway, a rough 3-4 minutes walk , plus other restaurants, cafes and ice cream parlours in the area. There is a Chinese restaurant that is under MO that boasts the best Chinese cuisine in Doha. The Souq Waqif is within walking distance, but the place only comes alive after 5pm when the sun is less scorching. In the day time hardly a soul is found on the streets. People just flock to malls. There in the souq you can find rows and rows of shops selling herbs and perfumes, clothes and shoes, as well as restaurants, cafes , grocery stores and souvenir shops. MO Doha is in a safe area even after midnight because at night there are security guards stationed at almost all street corners where the streets all link up and lead you back to the hotel. Doha people are friendly and nice , and Doha is a very disciplined and safe place so there is no problem for anyone , or specifically women , to venture out on their own any time of the day or night. MO Doha certainly has top security at every entrance and exit , the hotel is very clean and comfortable albeit the shower could be a bit more powerful. All in all, I would not hesitate to stay there again.