The Saraya Corniche Hotel – ‘A Real 5 Star Hotel at Value Prices’ for those on a budget.
If you are looking for 5 Star luxury but on a budget, the Saraya Corniche hotel ticks all the box’s. At just QR 236 (GBP 48.00 USD 64.83 EUR 54.49) it’s an absolute bargain.
![We have visited and paid for our breakfast at the SMBC. Our review is first hand informed and independant](https://i0.wp.com/qatarquick.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/Visited-and-Recommended.png?resize=300%2C38&ssl=1)
I booked on Agoda for a one-night stay, checking in on Thursday 10th May 2018. The QR 236 I paid was for a ‘Superior King Room’ but on arrival I was upgraded to a ‘Junior Suite’ at no extra charge. There was someone else checking in at the same time as me, and they got upgraded as well. I commented to the receptionist “Wow everyone is getting an upgrade” and she replied, “It’s Thursday Evening Sir”. So my advice is, if you want a Junior Suit for fifty bucks make sure you check in on a Thursday evening.
I shouldn’t complain, because my room upgrade was a massive bonus, but I wasn’t lucky enough to get a Corniche facing room. And that’s a shame because I have seen images taken from that side, and the view is breathtaking. But hey ho, I still had an amazing suite.
The interior decorators brought a real feel of elegance to the rooms, with bright vibrant colours. Even the furniture and bedding was errrr… shall we say ‘popping’. I loved it! Completely different to anything else I have seen in Qatar at any price.
I can’t tell you anything about the ‘Superior King’ room I booked, but my ‘Junior Suite’ was super spacious. And for a solo traveler a bit over indulgent. But if staying more than one night, I would have made a lot more use of the living area.
After checking in, I spent just a few minuets settling in, before I got a call from my ‘Sand Dunes’ tour guide, telling me he was waiting for me in reception (I will tell you more about Sand Dunes in another item I’m going to write later). So I was back in the elevator and off for my 4 hour ‘City Tour’.
Once back from my superb City Tour, I headed to the 1st floor for dinner in the ‘East West Restaurant’. Had a fabulous meal there and then back down to the ground floor for a quick visit to the ‘Bamboo Asian Restaurant’ for an equally quick beer there, before heading off to bed. The Bamboo has the smallest bar I have come across in Doha. But it had a lovely friendly feel and very reasonably priced beer, so I was very happy.
In the morning I returned to the ‘East West Restaurant’ for breakfast. This is a buffet breakfast at an additional cost of QR 30 (GBP 6.09 USD 8.24 EUR 6.92) which needs to be paid for during check in. With plenty to choose from, you will not leave hungry.
After breakfast I went for a walk around the building. Checked out the pool, spa and gym areas. Popped outside to grab a couple of shots of the exterior, then back to the East West to sit down and write this account of my stay in the Saraya Corniche.
Something I have not mentioned yet, is the excellent location of the Saraya. I haven’t timed it, but I am sure you would be here in around 10 to 15 minuets by taxi from the airport. And if you like walking, you could easily make your own way to Souq Waqif, the Museum of Islamic Art, Museum Park, and the soon to open ‘The National Museum of Qatar’. Plus so much more I can’t even think of mentioning at the moment. Location is a really good reason for choosing the Saraya.
In fact just as I am finishing writing this, I started talking to Sue. Sue was sat on the table next to me during breakfast. She was traveling solo. Although no stranger to the gulf region, she had never been to Qatar. She arrived early yesterday morning, bought a QR 20 all day bus card at the airport bus terminal and used it to ride to the Saraya. Checked in, and then walked to Souq Waqif and the Museum of Islamic Art. I asked her how long it had taken to walk to Souq Waqif and she said she walks fast, and it had only taken her 10 minutes. She continued to use her QR 20, 24 hour bus card to ride into the City Centre and wander around there.
Sue was proof that Qatar can be explored and enjoyed for very little indeed. And the Saraya Corniche is a perfect location to have as a base.
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