We began our time in Doha by unexpectedly sipping cocktails at the Monkey Tale Beach Club inside the Grand Hyatt hotel.
Plotting Our Course At Monkey Tale Beach Club In Doha
A bit of background, first. When we booked our trip to Doha in late 2021, quarantine was still required. Thus, we booked a quarantine package at the Grand Hyatt Doha (two nights). About a week before our trip, however, Qatar lifted its quarantine requirement.
I made a bad assumption. Rather than cancel the booking, I thought we could use the full-board quarantine package to still spend the first two nights at the Grand Hyatt and simply not be confined to our rooms.
After clearing immigration in Doha, we hopped in an Uber and journeyed to the Grand Hyatt, where I attempted to check in. At the front desk, it was explained to me that I had booked a quarantine package, which would have relegated us to one wing of the hotel and meant that we could not leave our rooms until the quarantine period ended. The “regular rooms” were full…there was no vacancy. Therefore, we were given the choice to voluntarily enter quarantine for two days or find accommodation elsewhere.
While we considered what to do, we walked over to the Monkey Tale Beach Club, which we were told by the front desk staff (and I have no way of knowing otherwise…) was “the hippest cocktail bar in Doha.”
I’m not sure about that, but it was quite a pleasant evening. We sat down on the beach, ordered a cocktail, and considered our options.
The Mai Tais were fine (I’ve had better, I’ve had worse) and we were offered a bowl of nuts with them.
Eventually, we decided to reach out to the Four Seasons Doha. We had planned to move there after the quarantine and asked if they could accommodate us immediately. The answer was yes (it was easy enough for me, as I was in a standard room, but my friend had reserved a large suite). At that time, the hotel staff found us and said they had found two rooms for us…
We decided to go directly to the Four Seasons.
CONCLUSION
While I sadly cannot provide a full review of the Grand Hyatt Doha, the Monkey Tale Beach Club isn’t a bad place to relax on a balmy evening.
Those drink mugs look alot like crazed woman in Mia that attacked the gate agent.
Ah, the open racism at LALF still exists I see…Matthew, may want to start taking a page from Gary (never thought I would say that) on your commenting section
Maybe YOU should start looking at your posting history of hate against posters who don’t agree with your view of the country. You spew the most hate filled things toward others, then cry [redacted] when someone posts something that upsets you.
If you are going to play the game, play it, but stop crying.
Dave, remember the LALF comments policy:
https://liveandletsfly.com/comment-policy/
No foul language, no personal attacks. Attack the ideas, not the people.
I think your comment here is so ironic. I’ve seen racism from other people on your website and you didn’t even say one word, like when certain people were called “not black” because they disagreed with another person, or Debit/Random Gawande saying that black people or Jews should all get killed/aborted. But, someone says something like this and you get all upset and refer to the comment policy? Been reading this blog for years now, barely commenting until recently, and just got to say this is pretty sad.
Seems weird that they would insist on confining you if quarantine overall was lifted…wouldn’t they stand to make more money if you were able to go around the hotel?
That was my thought.
I would think the same thing. Except maybe people arriving with Covid can go here to quarantine so they have to keep it as a closed facility for that purpose.
Monkey bar in a place that hates homosexuals. Reminds me of the story of the Homosexual Chinese Monkey Hunter immortalized in this song.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=1vNy-XgBtBw