Marsa Malaz Kempinski, The Pearl

We left after just one night of an eight-night New Year's Eve booking for my girlfriend and me. The stay cost over €4,500, making it the most expensive single night of my life. I know Kempinski Hotel Vienna well and have stayed there many times, so I expected a similar standard. The Doha property didn't come close. It felt more like a shopping mall with hotel rooms attached than a luxury resort. The lobby had a mall feel, and the website photos gave a very different impression. The hotel felt dated. Our street-facing room had a dirty carpet, damaged bathroom seals, and a shower drain that smelled strongly and was partly clogged. At this price, that was unacceptable. The restaurants around the hotel island, reached by golf cart, were just as disappointing. Food quality was shockingly poor. Some dishes were sent back or left untouched because they weren't edible, while the prices were extremely high. Breakfast was noisy like a crowded mall café, with slow, disorganized service. Three times I asked for a coffee cup so I could pour my own coffee, and each time they gave me a dirty one. There were lots of poorly behaved children, inflatable play areas on the beach, and people dressed as Disney characters entertaining kids. It made what was meant to be a romantic couple's vacation unpleasant. We had already paid for the New Year's Eve gala dinner, but it was so cold and windy outside that we couldn't enjoy it. The hotel still kept the setup outdoors. When I complained, management talked about offering something to persuade me to stay, but didn't make a specific offer. I'd already booked a flight to Bangkok because I wanted to leave. Even after paying for eight nights and leaving after one, no refund or compensation was possible. If someone thinks this deserves five stars, they probably haven't stayed in a real five-star hotel. Extremely high prices for extremely disappointing quality.

We felt welcome from the moment we arrived for a lovely week with our family at Kempinski The Pearl Doha. The staff were friendly, attentive, and always ready to help. The hotel was clean and well maintained, and the breakfast buffet had a wide range of choices. Safaa deserves a special mention for looking after our well-being with such care and making the stay especially pleasant. Elisabeth from the security team greeted us warmly every day and always made us smile. It was a comfortable, very child-friendly place for us as a family, and we'd definitely return. Greetings Dzenisa

The Pearl was a convenient, quiet base, with several lovely places easy to explore on foot. We also had a wonderful welcome traveling with our five-month-old baby. A crib and toiletries were already provided in the room, which was spotless and tidied twice daily. At breakfast, all the staff greeted us warmly. Restaurant manager Aly took complete care of the baby, and Chef Falal made us the most delicious dishes. We got fantastic service at the pool and beach too. The lifeguards and staff went above and beyond to make sure everything was to our liking. This is a beautiful hotel that more than earns its five stars.

The team made a strong impression from the start, with attentive, courteous service delivered warmly and professionally. Our room was spacious, spotless, and beautifully designed, with thoughtful amenities and refined details that made it comfortable. The location also worked well, combining convenience with a sense of privacy. The property is elegant, and the facilities, from dining to leisure areas, were well maintained and felt high quality. I found the whole stay luxurious and relaxing, with comfort, service, and atmosphere all coming together. I'd highly recommend it and will choose this hotel again.