The Central Inn Souq Waqif Hotel in Doha is a budget hotel located in an area with Doha’s top tourist attraction, Souq Waqif, a traditional market, granting guests easy access to be immersed in the lively atmosphere of the market with its bustling stalls, aromatic spices, and authentic Qatari cuisine steps away.
Doha is known for its hospitality and limitless display of luxury within the industry, with many hotels usually ranking at 4-5 stars throughout the city.
With rates as low as $50/night at the Central Inn Souq Waqif, I wanted to review and experience a budget-friendly stay in Doha and if it could be recommended to future travelers in Doha.
In this hotel review, I’ll break down the aspects of the property and tell you whether or not I think it’s worth booking a stay here in Doha.
Disclaimer: This blog post may contain affiliate links which means that if you book one of these activities using my link (which I know you will because you loved how helpful this blog post is *wink*I am going to receive a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for supporting BCJ! *All views are my own*
Booking A Room
I booked my stay at the Central Inn Souq Waqif through the hotel’s main website.
The website is easy to navigate, and I found planning my stay convenient. I used the availability calendar to see which rooms were available on what days.
Since I am living in Doha and this was a staycation, I found this to be very useful and was able to book a room two days before my planned stay.
I was also able to indicate my expected arrival time at the hotel, which is nice as I assume they would do their best to accommodate me at this time.
After booking my desired date, I received an email stating that I had to come to the hotel to make payment or send the payment for the total cost of the room via bank transfer.
I found this to be strange, as while I am based in Doha at the moment and could have visited the hotel, it did not seem convenient or necessary from a traveler’s standpoint, as many guests would have that same privilege.
I was surprised to find that the only options were to pay at the hotel or via bank transfer.
A direct payment option on the website would have been more convenient for me and, I believe, for many other guests in the future.
If you’d like to pay in advance, you can also make payment through Booking.com.
Getting to the Hotel
Getting from Point A to Point B in Doha is usually extremely easy, so I was surprised when the map online did not bring my Uber to the actual hotel but to a destination that was 10 minutes away.
That same wrong address/map was on the website, so I had to call the front desk for the correct address.
Thankfully, a staff member sent the map of the right location, and I was able to get there eventually.
Here is the correct address for the hotel in case you find yourself in the same situation:
6 Al Mijdaf St, Souq Waqif, الدوحة, الدوحة 850.
What Checking In to the Hotel Was Like
Checking into the hotel was fast and easy.
I informed the check-in attendant that I still needed to pay, and before I knew it, I had my room key card in hand and was ready to go.
I was informed that the checkout time was at noon, but the attendant offered to extend my stay until 2 pm, which I thought was very kind.
Looking back at the hotel booking, the hotel actually offers late checkout until 3 pm, which is a great bonus to staying here.
One of the hotel porters kindly assisted me with bringing my bags up to my room, which was a great help and much appreciated.
Where is the Central Inn Souq Waqif Hotel located?
The Central Inn Souq Waqif Hotel is just a few minutes from Souq Waqif. The hotel is centrally located in Doha, making it easy to settle down and explore the city.
The hotel’s physical location—a fairly short 15-minute drive from the airport—makes it easy to settle into your time in Doha.
Let’s Take A Tour of the Hotel
The Lobby
The hotel lobby is where your journey at the Central Inn Souq Waqif begins, with the hotel’s cafe and other in-house stores nearby.
Because this area was my first impression of the hotel, I’ll be honest and say that I was a bit worried when I first saw the lobby as there wasn’t much to it, and it was more of a small section versus a full-fleshed-out lobby.
There are a few tables and chairs for guests to sit and wait if needed, but it isn’t the best waiting area, so if you are planning to arrive early, I would double-check that your room will be available by your arrival time.
Rooms and Suites Offered
With 262 rooms at this facility, the hotel offers a variety of rooms and a suite option depending on your needs.
Standard Room
Twin Room
Suite Room
You can see the other room options and the amenities offered in each room on the hotel’s website here.
Inside of the Standard Room
When I booked a stay at Central Inn Souq Waqif, there were no suite rooms available, so I went with the standard option, which I also feel is best as it is realistically what most people would opt for.
Here are the features of the room:
- Flat screen TV
- Work station with a chair
- Prayer mat
- Safe box
- Hot water boiler with tea and coffee bags
- Hair dryer
- Clothing iron and board
- Disposable slippers
- Individually-controlled heat and air conditioning
- Rainfall shower
The room was very clean when I arrived.
For one person I feel that the Standard Room is a great size and incorporates many features that advance the stay, which again surprised me given the rate of the room.
I felt very comfortable and satisfied as a paying customer.
Amenities in the Hotel
Fitness Gym
A small gym room on the lobby floor has a mix of free weights and cardio machines to allow you to work out while on your stay.
Ladies and Male Prayer Rooms
Prayer rooms for both men and women are present. Prayer rooms are usually available in many public spaces in Doha. Still, it is great that guests have a dedicated space for their religious practices in addition to being able to pray in their rooms.
Sahra Rooftop Lounge
The hotel’s only on-site restaurant, Sahra Lounge, provides a great view of Doha from the rooftop. The restaurant serves both Middle Eastern and an intercontinental-style menu, making it an excellent opportunity to try regional foods.
The outdoor section of the restaurant and lounge quickly became my favorite part of the hotel. The beautiful red furnished couches stood out, and the large glass paned windows gave a great view of the city while I enjoyed my meal.
I can see myself returning to Sahra Lounge and even leisurely spending some time here.
Convenience Store
If you forget to purchase anything for your trip, you can visit the convenience store attached to the hotel, just a short stroll from the lobby.
Compact in size, the store sells most of what you would need, from chargers and adapters to snacks and feminine hygiene products.
Special Events Store
The store also includes a special events section, where those celebrating an event like a birthday or anniversary can purchase flowers, other decor, and gifts to make it even more special.
Coffee Shop
The main hang out spot at the hotel, the coffee shop has plenty of seating and is a nice place to have a meeting, bring your laptop to catch up on some work, or just relax.
There are several pastries and hot drinks like coffee or tea to accompany your time at the shop.
The coffee shop is also where the complimentary breakfast buffet is served daily.
I found the buffet to have a wide range of selections and to be decent, again for the rate of the stay.
Rosette Spa
After a long day of traveling and exploring, you may be happy to know that Central Inn Souq Waqif has Rosette Spa, a spa inside the hotel that offers massages, scrubbing, and beauty services.
You can go to the spa desk on one of the lower floors and book an appointment on the spot, as the spa closes late at night.
I found the price of spa treatments here to be a lot more expensive than I would have expected for it being a budget hotel and what I’ve found locally.
However, I believe the spa is more of an independent entity that sets its prices, so it’s understandable.
I was going to book a massage but ended up being too tired, but I did manage to take a picture of the services and rates.
Travel Agency
Matrix Tours & Travel is a travel agency in Doha with a small office inside the Central Inn Hotel.
While Doha is fairly easy to navigate, I thought this was a great touch for those who want to eliminate lots of research and planning and just enjoy their holiday. I also appreciate the convenience for guests who may need it.
What is there to do nearby?
The hotel’s strategic location in the center of Doha means you’ll have easy access to many tourist destinations in the city.
Here are a few things to do that are close to the hotel:
- Souq Waqif [1-5 minutes away] – Explore vibrant stalls filled with traditional handicrafts, spices, and textiles while enjoying the lively atmosphere (I highly recommend going at night). You can try authentic Qatari cuisine at various restaurants and cafés, see camels at the Camel Pen, and shop for handmade souvenirs.
Planned Guided Tours to Souq Waqif:
- Half Day Souq Waqif Tour with A Local
- Doha City Tour with Pickup and Dropoff
- 4 Hours Guided Private City Tour
- National Museum of Qatar [7 minutes away] – Immerse yourself in Qatar’s rich history and culture through exhibits, stunning architecture, and engaging artifacts that showcase its heritage, natural history, and journey towards modernization.
- Doha Quest [8 minutes away] – An indoor theme park in Doha that has rides and games for visitors of all ages. Whether you’re into indoor roller coasters or virtual reality, Doha Quest is a great way to spend your time in Doha and experience one of the city’s greatest attractions.
- Mina District [8 minutes away] – Enjoy a vibrant waterfront experience at Mina District, an area in Doha with pastel-colored painted buildings that provide options for dining at diverse restaurants, shopping at boutique stores, and engaging in recreational activities.
More Activities and Experiences in Doha:
- Half Day Desert Safari with Camel Riding and Dube Bashing
- Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour in Doha
- Doha Sunset Boat Cruise with Drinks
How was the service?
The service at the hotel was exceptional and truly aligned with the high standards of the hospitality industry in Doha.
From the moment I arrived, I was greeted with warm smiles and genuine enthusiasm, setting a positive tone for my stay.
Anytime I encountered an issue or had a question, the staff were quick to respond in a professional manner and in a way that was clear to me that guest satisfaction was a priority.
As someone whose travel journey began with many budget stays, I never expect much service from low-cost hotels, but the Central Inn Souq Waqif staff set a great example of what great service, even at a low rate looks like.
How safe is the hotel?
Doha is generally known for being safe, as it has been ranked one of the safest cities in the world many times.
So, for what feels like the first time in my life, I wasn’t too worried about hotel safety, but I know that it’s always an important point of concern for travelers, so this section is necessary.
Security Guard + Bags Scanned
There is a security guard at the hotel who will have you place your bags through a scanner upon arrival. This was a great added security measure and made me feel more confident that guests’ bags were scanned prior to their checking-in.
Room Key Card Elevator Access
Another safety feature I noticed is the need for a key card to travel between floors at the hotel. This means that anyone I saw on my floor likely had verified access to be there, which is nice to know as a solo traveler.
Cons of the Central Inn Souq Waqif Hotel
While I enjoyed my stay at the hotel, this is always a section I include to discuss any inconveniences I had and provide honest feedback on what I feel may need improvement at the hotel.
With that being said, there are only a few things I noticed:
- The surrounding area is underwhelming
I spent some time walking around the area of the hotel and some of the nearby shops, and there’s nothing that stood out to me about the experience that is worth reporting.
The hotel is in a more underdeveloped part of Doha, so besides having close access to Souq Waqif and some other attractions in Doha via Uber, I would not expect to visit anywhere interesting, per say, around this hotel.
However, what is not interesting to me may be interesting to you, so I recommend doing at least one walking round to see if you find anything that intrigues you.
There were a few Indian restaurants that may be worth trying!
- The clothing iron in my room did not work
I had to have two different clothing irons replaced because they were not working, but the staff was very quick to assist me with getting a new one and very responsive to solving the issue.
It wasn’t a big deal to me, but it’s more of something to note about my stay and how accommodating the staff is when there is a problem.
Checking Out of the Hotel
I was offered a later checkout time at 2 pm, but I still decided to check out earlier in the morning.
Checking out was easy, as I returned the key card to the front desk and was on my way. The simplicity of the process was a relief.
While checking out, the front desk attendant was inquisitive about my experience at the hotel and genuinely wanted to hear my feedback regarding my stay, which was nice.
Would I Stay Here Again?
Absolutely! The Central Inn Souq Waqif is Christina Jane approved.
I can confidently say this is the best budget hotel I have ever been to in all my travels so far.
Regarding the rate, the hotel has a 4-star rating, and I think it reflects in the experience as a guest.
The service was excellent, my room was very nice for the rate at which it was provided, and there are many amenities offered at the rate that make it a great choice.
The hotel was clean, and every area in the hotel I had experienced was well-kept and maintained.
Overall, I recommend the hotel to anyone looking for an affordable stay in Doha.
