A few days ago, I asked for feedback on where I should spend the night in Kuwait, as part of my current review trip. After weighing the pros and cons shared by OMAAT readers, I ended up deciding to book the Waldorf Astoria Kuwait (mainly because spending the night at a mall sounded oddly appealing).
Continue reading: Waldorf Astoria Kuwait: A Luxurious Night At The Mall
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
Other than the beautiful mall, what other activities are there near the hotel?
You must be new here.
Leaving the hotel to walk into the mall is the most extensive review trip excursion I can recall Ben ever writing about.
@ Blake Pickering -- So the hotel's location isn't ideal in terms of close proximity to other things, given that the mall is basically its own part of town. However, it's a short enough drive to other parts of town. I didn't have time to do anything else this time around based on my limited time, but last time I had a stroll through the more traditional part of town.
One thing I've always wondered with huge breakfast buffets is what happens to all of the left over (perishable) food? There's always tons of it each day... Do staff get to take it, does it get used with other meals throughout the day, donated...? I'm sure different properties have different answers, but it's something I've always wondered because otherwise it's such a massive waste.
That's not a mall, that's an indoor village with AC.
Now I really want to check this place out!
If you have time when you come to Bangkok, do check out the Iconsiam mall here, if you haven’t been before. It’s different to the avenues but pretty special in its own way - especially the outdoor areas and the top floor.
Well then how’s the sears or macys there
Any KMarts? 😉
Was that Ben in the Waldorf entranceway in his dishdasha?
Respectfully, while that is often the case, there are also times when he does quite a bit away from the review content.
https://onemileatatime.com/trip-report-a-day-of-sightseeing-in-london/
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https://onemileatatime.com/tokyo-favorite-city/
https://onemileatatime.com/reviews/zimbabwe-cockpit-suite/
This is an amazing property, which my family and I enjoyed in dec 2022 and Jan 2023. They really treat Diamond members well.
Wow that looks fun! I've always wanted to overnight in KWI, mainly for the country count. Looks like the WA Avenues Mall is the move.
To be fair there are two totally decent mall connected hotels in the US also. First comes to mind is the Aria in Vegas directly connected to the upscale city center mall, and second not bad at all is the Ritz Carlton Tysons Corner connected to Tysons Galleria in VA (Also find it a great way to burn the amex $200 fhr credit with room rates often can be had at close to that)
I am a huge fan of malls like this outside the US - reminds me of Place Vendome in Doha and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore, but with even more bling. You are right that they are social spaces, great for walking, people watching, spending a few hours reading and having a coffee. Stayed once at the Address Dubai Mall which if I recall you access through Bloomingdales, and loved the ready access, not to shop, but just to stroll. This makes me want to go to Kuwait or at least pass through for a day or two.
Here in the gulf, the main reason to visit Kuwait is the Avenues, it's a destination by itself
You are spot on about the breakfast buffets being on a totally different level in the Mideast than anywhere else on the planet. My absolute favorite is that at the Atlantis Royale in Dubai. The breakfast buffet there is like nowhere else!
"you could order an unlimited number of items off of"
Enough with the hyperbole lol
"While I doubt too many OMAAT readers will be planning a vacation in Kuwait anytime soon" ... are you implying that your readers might harbor certain prejudices or preconceptions about Kuwait that deter them from considering it as a vacation spot?
Why wait, go to Kuwait!
I've been saying that since my first visit in 2008. It's worth visiting the Kuwait Towers too
Why not if the mall is nice. So convenient, like those above brickell city center mall.
Glad you listened to the minority 😉 and went with WA! Can't wait to read the whole review!
Or because there are a lot more of cheaper, easier accessible, more things to do vacation spots in the Middle East or rest of the world than Kuwait.
Vacationing at Mall of America is not likely on many people's list not because of prejudices or preconceptions about MSP.
Your left over breakfast is the employee's lunch.
Rather than trying to solicit controversial answers from luxury hotels, I'd suggest asking about over buying food at the checkout lines at Costco.
I currently live in Kuwait and to be honest the country is not really set up for tourism unless your within the GCC or Middle East area. I know for US citizens its visa on arrival and for a few other countries, but for everyone else it is a true hassle to get even a tourist visa to come here.
I mean lolololol there is technically a SEARS in Kuwait in a community called Salmiya. Not a really big one, but if you want nostalgia you got it there 😉
As an expat in the ME, I've really beomce a fan for Hilton's Waldorf Astoria properties in the ME. They are pretty consistently providing top-qulity service (for Diamond member, almost automatic one-bed suite upgrade) not to mention the gorgeous architecture & interior design itself at reasonable price: Two (one in west bay and the other in Lusail beach) in Doha, DIFC one in Dubai, Beach one in Ras al khaimah etc. When I stayed at Waldorf West Bay Doha, some of managers highly recommnded a newly opened Kuwait one, and I am going to give it a try soon (as I have no visa hassel personally as a gov. official). I am going to try a Cairo Waldorf soon, which is actually converted from ex-Fairmont tower after a proloned renovation during COVID time (I used to stay at Fairmont Tower hotel around 2014-2016).
This is really good to know. I'm staying at the WA West Bay (Doha) for the first time later this month and was wondering if it is as nice IRL as it looks.
Thanks for this positive review.
Given how mediocre an airline KU is and how much I dislike KWI airport this review came as a surprise to me. My experiences with KU and KWI had shaped my perception of Kuwait and stifled my desire to extend my usually short layover and actually visit the place. Maybe I try some day...