A Regal Retreat

It’s not every day that you get the chance to enjoy being treated as a queen. Fernanda Langhammer headed to Le Royal Méridien Place Vendôme Lusail for an elevated stay.

The imposing building of Le Royal Méridien Place Vendôme Lusail was the first thing that caught my attention. Looking like a magnificent European construction, it gives a sense of sophisticated flair with heritage vibes and modern amenities. With 377 rooms, suites and residences, it has a unique feature: it is connected to Place Vendôme Mall, promoting a comfortable shopping spree. With only four Le Royal Méridien concepts in the world, I was excited to experience this luxurious version of the brand.

Comfortable Abode

My check-in was done smoothly and in no time, I was in my one-bedroom suite on the seventh floor. And what a suite! I was welcomed by a personalised card, lovely flower bouquet, fruit basket and homemade chocolates placed on the big dining table. The living room was massive, with a comfortable sofa and a large, beautiful carpet with orange and grey patterns covering most of the floor. Art pieces placed throughout the room made it seem quite unique. The balcony surrounded most of the suite with views of the Le Royal Méridien Residences building and the sea in the backdrop.

The bedroom had a king-sized bed with a comfy duvet and soft pillows – pristine white as hotel bed linen should be. The washroom had a great bathtub, two sinks, a shower with a rain shower head and Malin+Goetz beauty amenities. In the colours of white and grey with marble and tiles and touches of wood, it looked sleek and contemporary. I loved the connection of the bathroom with the wardrobe area, which had plenty of space to hang my clothes and leave my personal belongings.

I contemplated this amazing suite for a while, paying attention to all the details, and I was impressed with its size. I knew it was going to be a great stay in glamorous style!

Dining Experience

My first meal at Le Royal Méridien Place Vendôme Lusail was at Elissar Mediterranean Grill. This dining spot offers a culinary voyage across the sunkissed shores of countries such as Greece, Spain, France, Tunisia, Morocco and Lebanon. During my visit, I encountered a buffet for lunch with an array of offers from mezze and fresh salads to beef stew and tagine. Breakfast is also offered in this space, which somehow mixes different décor and seating displays in pale blue, grey and green colours that work harmoniously to provide a casual and laid-back style. For breakfast, you will find all the regular staples such as waffles, pancakes, all sorts of bread and shakshouka, as well as various types of egg preparation. I had the Ohlala Spa and Wellness Awards Qatar 2024 event on my first night, which was beautiful but ended quite late, so the breakfast in bed the following day was a lovely touch. I had a wellness feast that was composed of an impressive selection of pastries and bread, fruits, yoghurt and eggs prepared my way and delivered to the comfort of my room – I could easily get used to that. But on my second day, I was curious about the breakfast buffet. I headed there and found an extensive selection with an array of options to please every palate. I went for an egg white omelette, hash browns and fruits and my every morning companion: black coffee. I was presented with a rose while eating, which gave me a big smile – I love flowers.

I went to ADRIFT Anda by David Myers for dinner to try the Anda Tasting Menu by Chef Cristhian Serraino. A selection of dishes that I had the pleasure to eat while seated at the Chef ’s Table near Chef Akash, who was in charge of the kitchen that night. As per my preference for a pescatarian diet, the menu had to be slightly twisted. It started with Focaccina, a thin pizza dough freshly baked and accompanied by smoked aubergine, followed by the star dish for me, Tomato Tartare with stracciatella cheese, absolutely delicious. The chef explained that the tomatoes were dehydrated and then prepared with aged balsamic vinegar; it had a delightful tuna-like texture but a delicious veggie flavour. I had spinach and ricotta tortellini in tomato sauce, which was delicate and had a balanced filling without the spinach overtaking the taste. I also had a dish called Rombo, which was a cooked-to-perfection turbot fish accompanied by a smooth cauliflower puree, adding an earthy touch to this delicious plate. The night ended with a delightful Crème Fraiche Sorbet that was right up my alley. I am not a big fan of sweet desserts, and this sorbet was tangy and spot-on for my palate. Jose, the mindful sommelier, and Chaimaa, the hostess, made my dining experience even better with their attentiveness.

The afternoon tea at Loleya Café was perfect for a quick bite, and I enjoyed the quiet moment to work a bit. The place is located near the reception area, with a lovely masculine vibe with black chairs and brick walls. The tiered tray had an avocado sandwich, croissant with cheese, vanilla éclair, strawberry and pistachio tart, scones and homemade chocolate that I ate with a delicious and gracefully presented Moroccan tea. I also had one of the best tiramisus I’ve ever tasted. It was fantastic!

And More…

The weather was beautiful, so I headed to the pool area for a bit of relaxing time and sunbathing – great to replenish my Vitamin D. The space is big with many loungers with personalised yellow towels with the hotel name contrasting with the blue of the water – perfect to register an Instammagrable moment.

I also went to the shared gym for a morning run. The exercise room is spacious and equipped with brand-new Technogym machines, with the nine treadmills available facing the curved windows. I truly appreciate gyms that place their treadmills with an outdoor view.

I wanted to explore and went for a stroll at Place Vendôme Mall. A path connects the two buildings and, in no time, the hotel corridor becomes part of the mall, and a blue carpet with Le Royal Méridien’s name leads into the shopping paradise. Splendid stores with impressive windows compose this iconic destination in Qatar. However, the hotel also offers a buggy service if you don’t feel like walking.

The spa is going through a transformation to be the only destination in Qatar to offer La Vallée SPA Switzerland treatments and products. I’m looking forward to coming back to try them out.

Before checking out, I headed to The G.O.A.T. Sports Lounge for some nibbles. There are many games available and the atmosphere is vibrant.

It was time to say goodbye, and I left with a feeling of being treated like royalty. The hotel offers all the amenities one would expect and amazing dining options. If you are looking for an urban escape, that’s the place for you!

For more information or to make a reservation,
please call Le Royal Méridien Place Vendôme Lusail on 4141 6000.
@elissardoha
@adriftandadoha
@leroyalmeridiendoha

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