In light of Qatar being selected as the 2022 World Cup host, I thought it was appropriate to share my long overdue post on how I ended up in a 5-star hotel in Qatar… as a backpacker… for free.
Overnight Layovers
During my around the world trip I had three overnight layovers in random countries due to flight schedules. The second of these was when I flew from Jordan to Kenya with Qatar Airways. I had a scheduled overnight layover in its hub city Doha. A friend of mine that I met in Jordan told me that when she had a layover like this with Qatar Airways, they had put her up in a hotel. I had never heard of such a thing and just assumed she got it from booking through a travel agency. So, when I got to Doha my plan was just to hang out at the airport.
Customs Chaos & Qatar Rewards
I landed in Qatar at 9pm, and the customs area was insane! I wish I had taken a photo but I felt like cattle being herded through the lines. People were shoving, and it was mayhem. Most of the tension was due to the fact that a good chunk of the people were about to miss a connecting flight to India. As we were shoving into lines, I snapped a photo of this swine flu poster. I love how it asks you to inform customs if you have any symptoms. Who’s going to walk up to the counter and say, ‘Yes, please quarantine me.’ On top of that, it discusses symptoms of coughing and a sore throat. I had swine flu and it felt like death, but I didn’t have any cold symptoms. Anyhow, I stood in line for a good half hour before finally clearing customs. I saw a Qatar Airways representative and inquired about a hotel stay for my overnight layover. She responded that I was not eligible.
So, I went to the Qatar Airways information desk. My plan was to fork over the money for their lounge so that I could use the internet, then get some sleep and maybe a shower. However, their rules state that the lounge has a 6 hour limit. And, since I didn’t want to pay $40 unless they would accommodate me the entire night, I asked if their was any wiggle room in this rule. The representative said that he didn’t think so but that he would call a supervisor. I asked again about the complimentary hotel stay, he looked at my ticket, and shook his head. As he handed my ticket back to me, he said, “Well, let me just take a look. Oh! Yes, it looks like you are eligible for a hotel stay. Take your bags and go back downstairs.” I wasn’t really sure how this worked so I asked, “How does this work? I have no money on me. Will I have to pay for transport?” As it turns out, my visa, transport, food, and accommodation would all be taken care of. Awesome!
Hotel? Yes please!
I headed downstairs in my North Face pants and a tshirt, carrying my scruffy but reliable little LL Bean backpack. When I went up to the counter, the representative filled out a quick sheet of paper, explained the basics, and sent me to the visa counter. After getting my visa, I was supposed to find my hotel’s stall but there were loads of hotels. I was assigned to the Grand Regency. The name sounded nice but I’m a backpacker, and I forgot for a moment that I was in Qatar where everything is over the top. Combine that with the fact that before taxes I paid $250 for both flights, well, I just assumed I would be put up in a basic hotel. I was so wrong.
Arriving at Grand Regency
I found the Grand Regency counter and was greeted by a tall, clean cut guy in a tux, who I soon found out was from Nigeria. He walked me outside where loads of other people were waiting to be picked up by hotel shuttles. The nice hotel representative waited with me and we chatted about Africa and about life in Doha. When my shuttle arrived he made sure that I got on it. As we rode to the hotel, I was fascinated by how modern and cutting edge Doha is. Of course it was night time but I watched as we drove by the lit up city. And then we arrived at the Grand Regency.
Wowzas. Marble inlay tile, men in fancy uniforms. Where am I and who paid for this? I am escorted to a desk where I am asked to sit down. You don’t just check in at a counter, you sit down. I signed on the dotted lines was told what floor I would find dinner and then was handed over to someone else. My escort showed me to my room. When he opened the door, there was music playing. It’s all feeling a bit surreal. I mean, it’s great, but I feel out of place. I’m scrubby looking and feel like I have to be on my best behavior. I head up to grab dinner and was flabbergasted. It’s a $30 buffet (that I don’t have to pay for). There was an entire table dedicated to meats, several tables of veggies and sides, and a beautiful looking dessert table. Everything was delicious.
I was supposed to contact my family from the airport and decided it was best to shoot them an email so they knew where I was. It of course costs to use the internet but they kindly open up the business center and allow me to pay in US dollars. When I am finished, the young man helping me realizes he doesn’t have change and tells me he will bring it up to my room in just a few minutes. He delivers my change promptly, and then the hotel manager calls to ensure that I received my change. So this is why people pay to stay in places like this? The hospitality was amazing. I’m beginning to feel spoiled…
Oh, this is luxury.
After dinner, I decided to indulge in a bubble bath since they offered all sorts of complimentary bath products. I then slipped into my robe and begin to feel very prima donna. I went from budget, crappy hole-in-the-wall places in Jordan to 5 stars overnight. As I crawled in bed that night, I laid down on high-quality pillows, buried myself in down comforters, and appreciated the air conditioning.
When my wake-up call came the following morning, it was a wake-up call to reality. Time to say goodbye to my short stint in 5-star luxury and head to a rural village in Kenya. Goodbye bubble baths, hello long-drop toilets and bucket bathing.
I also had an overnight stay there – but mine was ‘built into’ the ticket. It was one of the most memorable layover I’ve ever had. I had my stopover after spending 3 weeks in a small village in Nepal – I felt like Qatar was heaven after sleeping above the buffalo in a little barn!
Sounds like you got really lucky! I have an 8 hour overnight layover in Cairo coming up soon – I wish I could get your luck there!
My first one was in Cairo and I didn’t have as much luck there either. I wrote about it ages ago but just haven’t posted it- soon!
What incredible luck! Or, a really nice clerk. ;)
Kelsey,
It’s actually standard for them to put you up in this case, I’m just not sure how wide of a range they’re accommodation choices are. Not sure if they’re all this nice or not! I also had a free layover with Ethiopian Air in Addis and though they also put me up in a nice place, don’t ever fly with them. They’re terrible!
Note to Self: Fly Qatar Airways.
My sentiment exactly. I also thought they had excellent service in the air as well.
Oh wow, what wonderful luck!!! I bet I’ll end up in Qatar for the WC…
I have a friend living there- it’d be a great excuse to go!
So glad you got luxury in Qatar for free! Speaking of free, wish you could have helped to free 13 year old Adam Jones who is being held captive in Qatar by his uncle. His British mother Rebecca lives in Bahrain but commutes to visit him with court ordered monitored visits. Adam was born in UK & is citizen of there. His father died and under ruse of settling Adam’s inheritance they lured him and his mum to Qatar where upon he was kidnapped a year ago! How horrific! I have been following the case on Facebook page Return Adam to his family. He was in school in Bahrain with good friends of ours’ children. You can google for UK news reports too. Very sad case so I am glad that you had a better experience & one which was free!!! Enjoy the rest of your travels – stay safe and keep blogging! I’ll keep reading!
Cheers,
Priscilla
Wow, that’s terrible. Thanks for sharing Priscilla and I hope he does get to go back to his mother.
Wow! What luck indeed, it looks so sumptuous, and what a way to refresh between flights :) Gotta love when the travel gods are looking out for you!
Haha I did love it, especially after the travel gods played several very cruel jokes on me in Jordan… including one of my worst hotel stays ever ;)
Mmm, Qatar sure looks nice! Must have been great to have some luxury travel before heading to Kenya:)
Yes, I think I’d be uncomfortable traveling like this long-term but I’m definitely not going to complain about a night of luxury :)
My god but Aer Lingus could learn from them!!!!!!!! I wish!!!!!
I’m not familiar with Aer Lingus but I think many airlines could learn a thing of two from Qatar Airways!
That’s an awesome story – we are so jealous!! The photo of the desert buffet makes our mouth water. Will definitely keep Quatar Airlines in mind for future trips ;-)
At 10 o’clock at night, the dessert buffet was picked over and still looked this good. I think I gained weight just looking at it.
I know who I will be flying with next time! This sounds amazing, especially after so long of not having any luxury what so ever!
Kirsty, Regardless of the hotel, I thought Qatar Airways was fantastic to fly with so I hope to fly with them in the future :)
Heellooooooo, luxury! That had to be the nicest rest after a long trip!!!
Kyle, a 5-star hotel is the perfect thing to break up two destinations with basic conditions. It was definitely luxury!
Um — fantastic! Thanks for sharing this gem…a good reminder that it’s always good to ask. And ask again. Amazing things come to those who inquire :-)
Exactly! Lesson learned- ask and ask again :)
OH man, that looks AMAZING! What an awesome retreat in the middle of travels!
Qatar — big party spot for the 2022 World Cup!! ;)