The Retaj Al Rayan is past its best. The rooms are a good size and comfortable but just a little dated. There is only one restaurant, a buffet, which I didn’t think looked particularly appetising. Breakfast also looked a little tiered and luke warm. The swimming pool is fully covered which makes sense for this part of the world but not ideal for sun worshipers. There is free internet access in the hotel lobby but access from rooms is Dhr 30 per day. My biggest complaint relates to lack of taxis which the hotel uses as an excuse to rip guests off with ridiculous prices for hotel ‘limousines’ – they won’t order a public taxi for you. As an example, a public taxi from the airport is Dhr35, the hotel charges Dhr100. And generally getting around is much more expensive in the hotel cars. I wouldn’t stay here out of choice again. It needs a revamp, a coffee shop/ snack area and an aditional restaurant.

The Retaj is an Islamic hotel, not part of an international chain, so is dry. It is a great place though with friendly, helpful staff (although you shouldn't expect their urgency time frames to match yours!!). Rooms are spacious and comfortable with cable TV with a good range of international channels including Sky News which makes a change from Al-Jazeera. Free wi-fi in lobby areas but not free in room (although very reasonably priced). Minibars in rooms with range of soft drinks and snacks. Restaurant is good, serving buffet style meals with wide range of choice. Breakfast at weekends (Friday / Saturday) can be very hectic so best to get there early.

Gym is okay, well equipped with helpful trainers. Pool is too small though, and is really just a leisure pool no good for exercise as such.

Location is good. Within walking distance of City Centre Mall / cinema, Corniche and (if you are keen and it is cooler) Katara Village. Not many cabs pas the hotel but there is a big rank at the Mall.

Already sent in my review that they would not assist with first aid. TripAdvisor not willing to display the truth

We stayed here for 2 days. Our room was on the 16th floor. The beds were nice and good quality and there was an amazing view on the sea. The staff was helpfull although at the first night we got unexpected visitors. There was 3 am when I woke up that someone tries to come into our room with the keycard. While I jumped out of bed and stepped towards the door the a hotel employee opend the door and stepped into the room. There was 2 or 3 ladies with him fully covered with traditional burka. I was shouting to the employee and ladies were screaming to see me nearly naked (I wore an underwear). 15 minutes later an other concierge or someone else knocked on my door and wanted to lodge there a spare bed. I sent him to the hell. Someone screwed up something at the front desk...
Independently from this the hotel is great, the breakfast was fantastic. The hotel and room was spotless.
My other concern was that I asked the concierge on the second day to help me renting a car. Instead of calling a car rental company he called the hotel limusine service and pushed me to take their service. I did not want to hire them for 100 riyal / hour when I could get a car for the same amount per day. Finaly when I was fed up with them I rather grabbed a taxi on the street and went around in Doha.
Next morning we settled our bills without problem.