Not all hotels in Doha offer stunning design, warmth and a commitment to fully cater to all sorts of tastes, like Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers Doha does. Fernanda Langhammer headed there to confirm the truth of this statement.
I find exploring a new hotel super exciting! From brand-new rooms and facilities to avant-garde dining spots and innovative spa treatments. I have yet to meet someone who wouldn’t be delighted at the opportunity. Lucky girl here got to experience one of the newest properties in Qatar: the Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers Doha.
As the name suggests, the new address is located by the Doha Corniche, a seven-kilometre-long waterfront promenade. A detail that I enjoyed in the mornings for a casual stroll and in the evenings for a run. The nice weather allowed me and a big crowd of locals and tourists to enjoy this fantastic part of Doha. I absolutely loved the vibes, the illuminated boats offering short trips around the coast and the incredible art pieces along the path. The hotel’s honeycomb-inspired façade adds to the West Bay skyline, standing out for its stunning architectural design – I saw many people taking photos in front of it, definitely a building that catches the eye.
As soon as I stepped into the lobby, I was welcomed by Sandeepani, the Guest Relations Manager, and a colourful welcome drink. While the exterior focusses on the bees’ sense of community and purpose, the interior reflects a local touch with abstract green mosaics on the walls that represent Qatar’s national tree, the Sidr, a symbol of strength, offering healing qualities. After spending some time appreciating the installation and the beauty of the space, I checked in smoothly and was in my Vitality Room in no time.
SLEEP MEETS MOVEMENT
The hotel features 342 contemporary guest rooms and suites across 38 floors, along with 121 branded residences. My Vitality Room was on the 10th floor and the view of the corniche was beyond spectacular, especially the sunrises. Just like any five-star property, it had the most comfortable bed, automatic curtains, a living area with a sofa and a desk for those wanting to work with a view. However, the ultimate detail in this room was the special fitness wall, accompanied by a screen that lets you select the exercise sequence you would like to follow – absolutely brilliant!
For those who are even slightly enthusiastic about movement, I can’t recommend this room enough. I am not an athlete, but, as mentioned earlier, I do like running and try to go for it at least a few times a week. With the corniche just outside the hotel, I couldn’t resist, and after my run, I would get back to my room and enjoy some stretching or core programmes to complement my cardio. I also enjoyed working while sitting on the stability ball, which was available in my unique room.
The bathroom was filled with all the necessary amenities. For the most delightful shower, the space included dual shower heads, a rain shower head and a detachable handheld unit, as well as a bathtub. But the feature that caught my attention was the smart toilet (with automatic lid opening/ closing via sensors). We are talking about a hotel that is all about comfort with a touch of tech to pamper its guests.
RELAXATION HAS A NAME
For a property that has recently opened, having an operating spa is a remarkable asset. Pürovel Spa & Sport offers a wide menu of pampering experiences with Swiss DNA. The wellness space is quite extensive, incorporating 10 treatment rooms (including ladies’, men’s and unisex areas), a fitness centre, yoga studios and an outdoor infinity pool with views of the sea (I didn’t have time to enjoy it on this visit, but hopefully in the near future).
The Swissôtel brand carries sustainability at its core. With that in mind, there are tones of green and décor inspired by nature everywhere – I believe this enhances the sense of calm and tranquillity. At Pürovel, each room is named after flowers (ladies’ side) and trees (on the men’s side) from the Swiss Alps. What I liked most is that there is a changing space with a closet inside the treatment room – a thoughtful touch.
I headed there to embrace the Swiss Vitality Bliss, a signature massage that uses cryo balls, cupping and hot stones to help release muscle tension. It started with a classic hand massage to activate my circulation, followed by the cupping therapy. The suction created by the cups helps increase blood flow and loosen tight muscles without the pain of pressure points. The hot stones came after. Heat is recommended for achy muscles, which means they were perfect to follow up on cupping. On my back, before applying the hot stones, the therapist used the cryo balls. Cryo therapy is indicated for sore muscles and is perfect for after intense workouts. While heat promotes relaxation and soothes muscle tension, a cold massage with roller balls improves blood circulation and reduces inflammation. It was a unique experience that delivered deep relaxation. I highly recommend it for anyone with knots or stiffness here and there, just like me.
GOOD FOOD, GREAT AMBIENCE
My culinary journey at Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers Doha started with breakfast at The Quarter, with views of the corniche and plenty of sunlight illuminating the room. Starting the day with this vibrant energy, accompanied by fruits, hot coffee and freshly baked flatbread with cheese and eggs prepared to my request is, I believe, the right fuel for a splendid day.
Lunch happened at Azal, a restaurant that took my taste buds on a trip through Persian flavours, with timeless recipes such as saffron rice and Mahiche (lamb shank slow-braised with onion, garlic and saffron). We had a marvellous spread showcasing a cuisine I am not very familiar with but eager to know more about. The freshly baked flatbread arrived, and I couldn’t resist pairing it with the delicious dips available, such as Borani Bademjan (with an eggplant base) and Mast Khiar (yoghurt with cucumber and mint). But the star dishes were the charcoal-grilled lamb chops and skewers, with juicy, beautifully seasoned meat.
My other meal was in my favourite of them all, Embers. A fine-dining eatery that celebrates smoke and heat with food prepared on open flames, from delectable beef cuts to vegetables. It also has a special fridge and counter for one of the restaurant’s specialities: aged meat. Slabs of Himalayan salt are also available for special preparations made directly on the salt blocks. The chef prepared a fantastic course for my dining companion and me, including Josper-roasted carrots with a caramelised touch, the most delicious eggplant miso that I have ever tasted, scallops prepared with seaweed hollandaise sauce cooked to perfection and the signature dessert, the Lava Roasted Peach – a touch of fire in every course, absolutely fantastic!
And there is more, L’Assiette provides an all-day dining experience with a wide selection of teas and bites. The Node Coffee pairs artisanal pastries with signature blends and Chezelle is a patisserie and chocolate boutique.
A PROMISE TO RETURN
Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers Doha is one of those hotels that, once you’ve stayed, you want to keep going back to. And you want to do it, either for the incredible hospitality of its staff, the state-of-the-art facilities, the impressive rooms (big shout-out for my Vitality Room), or the culinary offering that not only feeds your soul but also offers incredible views of the corniche. I felt my goodbye to the team was more of a see-you-later kind of farewell. If you want a great location combined with an environmentally conscious concept that still offers extreme comfort, you’ve found your home away from home.
For more information or to make a reservation,
please call Swissôtel Corniche Park Towers Doha on 4000 8888.
@swissoteldoh