Doha lounge options

[chrisw1983]

Hi all

I’m flying into and out of Doha, I am BA gold but will be flying on Qatar business class tickets. There are a lot of lounge options. Does anyone have any recommendations on the best? I believe the Qatar Al Safwa lounge is not available unless flying first?

[bungalow]

Al Safwa as a lounge experience is second to none in my opinion, I always look forward to spending an entire evening in it when travelling through Hamad airport, and am doing so again in a few weeks. The lounge has also had a revamp since I was last there, but no idea what they have done. Not sure if BA Gold makes any difference, but I do know there is/was always an option to pay into Al Safwa if you were travelling Business

[Olly]

Rob raved about the Al Mourjan business class lounge. Is the Al Safwa sufficiently superior to warrant paying to go into it? Do you know what the cost of this is?

[Garethgerry]

I was in doha some years ago for a 1am flight. After reading reviews Left the intercontinental hotel club lounge early to spend time in Al Mourjan. Wished I hadn’t, food average ,so massive it feels like aircraft hanger, yes some nice greenery but just too big.

But the other free lounges are not up to much.

[bungalow]

Olly wrote:

Rob raved about the Al Mourjan business class lounge. Is the Al Safwa sufficiently superior to warrant paying to go into it? Do you know what the cost of this is?

Is it worth it? I guess that all depends how deep your pockets are and how much time you have to appreciate all that the lounge has to offer.

A quick google just now tells me that as at Feb 2024 it cost 600 QAR to enter the lounge (just over £120). However for around 20,000 Avios and £80 in taxes, a short First Class flight from Doha to UAE/OMAN etc will also get you access, plus you get to enjoy the very pleasant private airport entrance and check-in at Hamad, not to mention Q-Suite on the short flight.

But if that’s not for you a quick search on another forum brought me this post, although I have no idea of the accuracy:

“Your BA Gold will get you into the Diamond lounge by A1 or the much larger Diamond and Gold facility at the end of the C-wing. These easily match Heathrow’s first-class lounge in terms of comfort and victuals, and you won’t pay a penny.”

[FlyingTayto]

I am flying via Doha next month, Qatar Business Lite, so no lounge access by default, although I am OneWorld Sapphire/BA Silver.

According to the Oneworld Lounge page I’ll have access to the Gold South lounge & the Platinum & Gold North lounge.

Platinum & Gold North would be the best option? Am I also allowed to bring a guest also flying Qatar Business Lite?

[chrisw1983]

Thanks everyone. I’m lucky that I’m flying for work so they have included the normal classic fare rather than business life so have access to Al Mourjan, I guess it’s whether the Diamond lounge will be better. I doubt it but I will see if I can find any reviews.

[meta]

You can only pay to enter Al Safwa F if your ticket was issue by QR.

[kaconym]

chrisw1983 wrote:

it’s whether the Diamond lounge will be better.

Assume you mean Platinum for BA Gold/ OW Emerald, if so, it will not be. Both Al Mourjans are superior.

[marks7389]

Garethgerry wrote:

I was in doha some years ago for a 1am flight. After reading reviews Left the intercontinental hotel club lounge early to spend time in Al Mourjan. Wished I hadn’t, food average ,so massive it feels like aircraft hanger, yes some nice greenery but just too big.

But the other free lounges are not up to much.

The recent HFP article was about the Al Mourjan – The Garden lounge which only opened last year. We missed it when passing through Doha in December and ended up in the old Al Mourjan – South, but The Garden does look more interesting.