Booking a Stopover Hotel with Qatar Airways’ Discover Qatar Program: Why You Should Consider It for Your Reward Flight
- Points and Places
- Apr 29
- 5 min read
When it comes to maximizing your travel experience, few things compare to turning a long layover into a mini getaway. That’s exactly what Qatar Airways’ Discover Qatar Stopover Program allows you to do. Even if you’re flying through Doha on a reward redemption, this is an opportunity you shouldn’t overlook.
Qatar Airways offers two stopover programs—the Free Transit Program (STPC) and Discover Qatar—but the free hotel option is not available for those traveling on award tickets. However, the paid Discover Qatar program offers heavily discounted hotel stays, making it an excellent option if you have a layover in Doha.
Here’s how we booked our stopover hotel with this program on our upcoming trip to Greece, and why it’s worth considering.
Our Trip: 22 Hours in Doha
We were flying Qatar Airways Qsuite from Toronto (YYZ) to Doha (DOH) en route to Greece, with a 22-hour layover in Doha. Initially, we planned to book a standard overnight hotel stay to rest before the next leg of our journey. But once we discovered the Discover Qatar Stopover Program, the value was too good to pass up.
What is the Discover Qatar Stopover Program?
This program provides deeply discounted hotel rates for passengers with a minimum layover of 12 hours in Doha. Whether you're on a cash ticket or a reward redemption (like we were), you can take advantage of these special rates.
Program Options:
Standard: 4-star hotels starting at USD 14 / QAR 52Â per person, per night (based on double occupancy).
Premium: 5-star hotels starting at USD 24 / QAR 88.
Premium with Beach Access: 5-star hotels with beach access starting at USD 31 / QAR 113.
Luxury: 5-star luxury hotels including breakfast, starting at USD 83 / QAR 304.
These rates are based on double occupancy, and hotel options include reputable international chains like IHG, Hilton, Marriott, Hyatt, Fairmont, and more.
Should You Book with the Program? Is It Good Value?
The short answer: it depends. Before booking, we sampled hotels across all four tiers of the Discover Qatar program for a random date in 2025 and compared those rates to direct bookings from major brands like Marriott, Hilton, and IHG. The results were mixed—but in many cases, the savings were significant.
Here’s a closer look at the value proposition for each tier:
Standard Tier (4-star hotels)
From QAR 103 (~USD 28) per night per room. Examples: Holiday Inn, Four Points by Sheraton
Hotel | Discover Qatar Rate | Direct Price | Savings |
Holiday Inn | QAR 103 | QAR 397 (IHG) | ~74% off |
Four Points by Sheraton | QAR 103 | QAR 299 (Marriott) | ~65% off |
Best for:Â Budget travelers needing a clean, comfortable place to rest.
Verdict: Incredible value—you won’t find rates like this in Doha for international chains.
Premium Tier (5-star hotels)
From QAR 175–379 (~USD 48–104) per night. Examples: Crowne Plaza, Hyatt Regency, Wyndham
Hotel | Discover Qatar Rate | Direct Price | Savings |
Crowne Plaza | QAR 175 | QAR 349 (IHG) | ~50% off |
Hyatt Regency | QAR 175 | QAR 375 (Hyatt) | ~53% off |
Grand Regency by Wyndham | QAR 175 | QAR 406 | ~57% off |
Best for:Â Travelers who want comfort without splurging on luxury.
Verdict: Moderate value—decent savings, but hotel promotions could sometimes beat these rates.
Premium with Beach Access
From QAR 225–388 (~USD 62–106) per night. Examples: Le Méridien, InterContinental Doha, Qabila Westbay
Hotel | Price via Discover Qatar | Direct Price | Savings |
Qabila Westbay Hotel | QAR 225 (room only)QAR 388 (with breakfast) | QAR 417 (Marriott) | ~46% |
InterContinental Doha | QAR 225 | QAR 506 (IHG) | ~56% |
Best for: Those seeking a resort-style layover with access to Doha’s beaches.
Verdict: Solid value—especially for beach properties where rates are typically high.
Luxury Tier (5-star luxury with breakfast)
From QAR 512–2,307 (~USD 140–630) per night. Examples: JW Marriott, St. Regis, Waldorf Astoria, Raffles Doha
Hotel | Discover Qatar Rate | Direct Price | Savings |
JW Marriott | QAR 657 (with breakfast) | QAR 621 (no breakfast) | Neutral |
St. Regis Doha | QAR 675 | QAR 1,015 (Marriott) | ~33% off |
Waldorf Astoria West Bay | QAR 713 | QAR 861 (Hilton) | ~17% off |
Raffles Doha | QAR 2,307 | QAR 1,900 | None (higher via program) |
Best for:Â Travelers looking for a premium experience.
Verdict: Mixed value—some luxury hotels offer big savings (like St. Regis), while others (like JW Marriott and Raffles) may be comparable or even cheaper when booked directly.
Our Takeaway
After reviewing all the options, we found that the best value lies in the first two categories:
The Standard Tier offers unbeatable rates for a basic yet comfortable stay—perfect for travelers looking to maximize value without sacrificing quality.
The Premium Tier delivers solid discounts, providing a good balance between comfort and affordability.
Regardless of which tier you choose, it’s important to compare rates with any available hotel loyalty programs or promotional offers, as direct bookings can sometimes provide better deals.
For us, the decision ultimately came down to the experience we wanted. Since this was part of a long trip to Greece—and we already had plenty of beach time planned—we debated between saving money or indulging in a luxury stay. In the end, we chose the St. Regis Doha, a brand I hadn’t yet experienced, making it the perfect opportunity to enjoy a little extra comfort during our stopover.
Additional Perks for Some Hotels
One pleasant surprise was discovering additional perks included at some hotels. For example, the Hyatt Regency Doha offered:
A room upgrade to a Twin or King City View Room on a high floor.
1 complimentary drink per person at the rooftop bar Sora.
30% discount at the hotel’s restaurants.
A 30-minute jet-lag massage at a special reduced price.
These added benefits can elevate your stopover experience even further, especially at already discounted rates.
Key Terms and Conditions
While the program is flexible, here are some key points to keep in mind:
Must have a Qatar Airways or codeshare ticket with a 12-96 hour layover in Doha.
A maximum of two stopovers (one outbound, one return) per ticket.
Visa requirements apply. Many nationalities qualify for visa-free entry, but always confirm your status at the Visit Qatar website.
Rates are per person, based on double occupancy.
Extras like breakfast, spa treatments, and tours may incur additional fees.
For the full list of terms, visit Discover Qatar Stopover Terms.
Why You Should Use This Program
The Discover Qatar Stopover Program is an excellent way to turn a long layover into an exciting mini getaway. With rates starting as low as $14 per person for a 4-star hotel and $24 for a 5-star hotel, the program provides exceptional value, especially at the Standard and Premium tiers. The flexibility to choose a hotel that fits your style whether it’s a quick overnight stay or a luxurious splurge makes this program hard to beat. You also get the chance to experience Doha’s culture, shopping, and dining scene.
Final Thoughts
If you're transiting through Doha on a Qatar Airways reward ticket, the Discover Qatar Stopover Program is definitely worth considering. Whether you're just resting for a few hours or looking to explore the city, this program can transform an otherwise long layover into an enjoyable and affordable experience.
For us, booking the Luxury tier will turn what could’ve been just an overnight hotel stay into a memorable part of our trip to Greece. With significant savings and a taste of luxury, it’s hard to imagine not taking advantage of it.
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