Rave Stays: Andaz Doha, A Design-Led Address in West Bay Lagoon

Forget the soaring atriums and silent, marble-clad lobbies. In Doha, a city defined by audacious architecture, Andaz makes its entrance with restraint and intent. This is not a hotel that announces itself loudly; its confidence is woven into detail. The geometric language of Sadu weaving appears as a dramatic canopy, door handles echo Bedouin walking sticks, and a palette of maroon and gold mirrors the glow of the Qatari sunset. Set within West Bay Lagoon, Andaz Doha marks Hyatt’s lifestyle debut in Qatar, offering not just a place to stay, but a design-led interpretation of contemporary Qatari life. It feels less like an import and more like a discovery, proving that the most lasting impressions are often the quietest ones.

Location

Positioned in one of the city’s most polished neighbourhoods, within West Bay Lagoon, Andaz Doha sits approximately 20 minutes from Hamad International Airport and a short cab ride from the city’s cultural anchors and business districts, including Souq Waqif, Katara Cultural Village, and The Pearl. Doha is not a walking city, particularly when temperatures climb past 40°C, so the hotel’s location works equally well for first-time visitors and repeat travellers, making navigation across the capital effortless.

The transition from city to hotel is subtle. As guests arrive, the pace slows, light softens, and the outside world begins to recede.

Design

Architecturally, Andaz Doha makes an immediate impression. The building’s sculptural form is sleek, wrapped in vertical and horizontal panels, creating an illuminated façade that reflects light throughout the day.

The arrival sequence is understated but assured. The lobby does not rely on scale to command attention; instead, it draws guests in through detail. Interiors lean into storytelling, using pattern, material, and art to reflect local culture without slipping into pastiche. Warm, diffused lighting, layered textures, and carefully curated artworks establish the hotel’s visual language from the outset. Traditional references appear throughout in contemporary form, from geometric motifs to subtle interpretations of regional craft. Expressive patterns, saturated colours, and statement lighting set the tone for what the hotel represents.

Designed by Brime Robbins, a palette of maroon, gold, rose gold, and bronze runs throughout the hotel, referencing the Qatari flag and the country’s enduring relationship with art and craftsmanship. In the lobby, a dramatic canopy inspired by traditional Sadu weaving anchors the space, while a replica Katara pigeon tower pays tribute to Qatar’s historic use of messenger birds. Ornate wooden doorways with custom handles shaped like Arab walking sticks nod to Bedouin culture, while geometric mosaic tiles, woven textiles, and calligraphy appear throughout the property. Here, design does not overwhelm; it reveals itself gradually.

Drawing deeply from regional heritage while maintaining a modern sensibility, Andaz Doha introduces a more youthful, design-led energy to Doha’s hospitality landscape. It is a space conceived for both relaxation and socialising, where bold statements sit comfortably alongside moments of calm.

The Rooms

The hotel’s rooms, suites, and residences span 26 floors and are designed as modern interpretations of Qatari heritage, offering both sea and city views. Interiors are dressed in hues of cream, gold, and amber, with patterned cushions inspired by the traditional Qatari weaving technique, Al Sadu, alongside iridescent orbs, locally sourced stone, and kaleidoscopic forms. These elements add cultural texture without excess. The rooms function seamlessly throughout the day, supporting both rest and work with equal ease.

Art plays a quiet but consistent role, with modernist elements, monochrome photography, and graphic patterns lending character without overwhelming the space. The aesthetic is cohesive, calm, and distinctly grown-up. Technology is seamlessly integrated: automated curtains and lighting systems allow the room to shift mood at the touch of a button, while energy-efficient features operate discreetly in the background.

Residences for Longer Stays

For guests seeking extended stays, Andaz Doha’s 56 private residences offer a distinct experience within the hotel. Available in one-, two-, and three-bedroom layouts, the residences range from 100 to 300 square metres and are finished in warm tones of cream, amber, and gold. Walk-in wardrobes, resident-only elevators, and dedicated parking ensure privacy, while full access to the hotel’s amenities maintains a sense of connection. These residences are designed for those who want to live in the city rather than simply visit it, blending the comfort of home with the structure and service of a hotel.

Dining

The hotel offers a collection of dining venues that cater to different moods throughout the day. Three distinctive culinary concepts anchor the experience. The Salt Road Doha, located in the lobby, serves as the hotel’s culinary anchor. Inspired by historic global trade routes and South African cooking traditions, it naturally draws guests together from morning through evening.

Mr. & Mrs. Hawker bring a more casual, social energy, channelling the vibrancy of Asian street food culture through a refined lens. Mumble Jungle, meanwhile, offers a playful counterpoint, leaning into colour, character, and late-running appeal. Together, the venues reinforce the hotel’s globally influenced yet locally aware approach to food and hospitality.

Wellness & Leisure

Alara Spa, named after the Arabic word for a water fairy, is inspired by traditional Hammam bathing practices. The spa features six treatment rooms, separate male and female areas, a herbal sauna, steam rooms, and multi-sensory showers. A fully equipped, 24-hour fitness centre supports varied routines, while an outdoor pool framed by a relaxed, beach club-inspired setting completes the hotel’s leisure facilities.

Work, Meetings, and Creative Spaces

Andaz Doha is equally attuned to modern work needs. The Andaz Lounge on the ground floor provides a flexible environment for focused work or informal meetings, while 1,600 square metres of event space includes a ballroom designed to host gatherings without feeling corporate.

The hotel features four studios, each inspired by a different aspect of Doha’s cultural heritage, elevating the hotel’s meeting offering. The Calligrapher Studio blends traditional and contemporary scripts through design. The Weaving Studio references the ancient Al Sadu technique, while the Architecture Studio uses neutral tones and elegant artefacts to create a sense of focus. The Navigator Studio draws from maritime traditions, with wooden floors evoking the Jalboot boats once used to navigate the seas in search of pearls. Together, these spaces elevate functional meeting rooms into culturally rooted environments.

Service & Experience

The hotel’s multinational team brings a breadth of knowledge and perspective that enhances the overall experience. Whether offering considered spa recommendations, assisting with travel arrangements, or confidently guiding guests through tasting notes and menu selections, service is delivered with clarity and assurance. What stands out most is the energy of the staff: smart, observant, and quietly professional. There is a palpable sense of pride in how the hotel is run, with many team members appearing genuinely invested in shaping the identity of a relatively new address in the city. This balance of attentiveness and authenticity elevates the stay, reinforcing hospitality as a lived experience rather than a scripted one.

Who It’s For

Andaz Doha appeals to a broad audience: couples, business travellers blending work with leisure, long-stay guests seeking comfort and discretion, design-led travellers, and creatives who value atmosphere as much as ease.

The hotel has also become a draw for regional visitors, with Qataris and Saudis crossing over for weekend stays, forming a visible part of the crowd. Government delegations and visiting VIPs add to the lobby’s constant hum, creating a setting that lends itself to effortless people-watching and a sense of being plugged into the city’s social flow.

Closing Reflection

As Hyatt’s lifestyle brand, Andaz has long positioned itself around local narratives rather than uniform expressions of luxury. Its debut in Qatar marks the brand’s first presence in the country and the third Andaz property in the Middle East, yet the hotel feels grounded rather than imported. Here, the brand’s ethos aligns naturally with Doha’s evolving identity. Andaz Doha positions itself not as a landmark, but as a cultural lens, offering guests a contemporary interpretation of Qatari life through design, art, and experience.

All images courtesy of Andaz Doha