Overview of all the Qatar Airways Lounges in Doha

My first visit of the Al Sawfa lounge today.

Meh.

It’s a really nice physical space and hardly anyone in here. The lounge seating with the dividers are quite comfortable.

Other than that, not really anything here for me that EK doesn’t do equally well. Actually finding the service here somewhat indifferent with gusts of surly.

Asked for a glass of water and the lady handed me a small plastic bottle of room temperature water. I asked “do you have Cold water?” and she pretty much rolled her eyes and got one from the bartender. Still no glass but I gave up. No name local brand, would have expected an international brand and/or in a glass bottle.

I’m not going to say it’s a bad lounge because it’s clearly not but the overhyped reputation has dampened the experience for me.
 
Had a couple of visits to the Gold/Platinum North lounge on our recent trip to LCA. First time it was really busy, had to grab some offset seats and wait for a pair to become available. Can't get a decent cup of tea, however the bar was well stocked.

1 hour wait for the shower.

Second visit - about 60% full and much nicer. Shower wait was 15 minutes. Half the charging points (USB and power) weren't working in the area we were in.

No real atmosphere in our 2 visits...

In comparison for that trip, the NZ J lounge in BNE was much nicer (food and atmosphere), which itself is a bit nicer than the QF lounge in BNE International.

Curious fact - being QF SG on a OW flight number, the NZ (Qatar) and QF lounges were available at BNE International :)
 
Curious fact - being QF SG on a OW flight number, the NZ (Qatar) and QF lounges were available at BNE International :)
With that you needed to be travelling QR:


Air New Zealand Lounge​

(BNE) Brisbane Airport (BNE) Departures​

sapphire
emerald

Access​

  • Business Class
  • First Class
  • Sapphire Tier
  • Emerald Tier

Airlines​

  • Qatar Airways
  • Access for eligible customers traveling on these oneworld member airlines only.
 
No real atmosphere in our 2 visits...

In hindsight I think that was my main issue with the Al Safwa lounge. It had the ambience of a public library (no doubt a function of making the space so huge and open). I’m sure some love that aspect of it, especially stopping between two long haul flights, but I think I prefer a lounge with a bit of life.
 
Agree ... with my (Most) in the thread title. Some lounges are worth going out of your way for (and I'm only talking business lounges or similar)

1. The Al Mourjan Lounge - The Garden at DOH. for business pax. Sublime. Uncrowded, huge dining area, a la carte or buffet, lots a waiters and other helpers, dozens of showers. Barman remembers the type of gin you asked for in your last G&T. Quiet areas, or views overlooking the Orchard. USB and international power points everywhere. Spa. How good is this lounge? I put my jacket over the back of my chair. Chap come up and offers me a proper jacket hanger. Unreal.

View attachment 454734

QR biz lounges at LHR and SIN also excellent.

Business Lounge at IST. Also vast, lots of different places to be, variety of activities (inc for kids, so gets them out of the main areas). Live cooking stations, lovely buffet food. Booze hidden away, so marks taken off for that.

Cathay biz lounges at HKG. Only recall from the recent lounge crawl (I'm usually in The Pier), but I recall as being good.

Anyone been in the new DeltaOne lounge(s)?
I was wondering whether the QR platinum lounges would be better choice. Following your post I'm hoping to use this lounge next week.
 
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I was wondering whether the QR platinum lounges would be better choice. Following your post I'm hoping to use this lounge next week.

No. Def stick with 'Business' lounges. Others report the Garden Lounge dining area as being crowded when they visited - I guess when a bank of flights are about to depart; but not in my experiences. But if so, turn left; there's another vast area there just for sitting and I suspect they might take meal orders there too.
 
No. Def stick with 'Business' lounges. Others report the Garden Lounge dining area as being crowded when they visited - I guess when a bank of flights are about to depart; but not in my experiences. But if so, turn left; there's another vast area there just for sitting and I suspect they might take meal orders there too.
They don’t do meals there. You need to be in the dining area or adjacent.
 
I had an awkwardly timed overnight layover arriving from CGK Y at 22:30 leaving next morning at 07:00. Not enough time to leave the airport. Sleep pods are a ridiculous $123 USD and the Al Maha lounge for $75 USD was already full. Thankfully they let me have a look before charging me. I ended up in the free quiet room where most people were stretched out on the floor. It was freezing cold, too much AC at night. Won't be doing that again!
 
Next Friday I'll be arriving on QR989 from Melbourne and departing 2hr 50min later on QR179 to Oslo. (Business Class Reward Seat)

Are we best to go to the closest of the 2 lounges to where we are departing, and if so, does anyone know what terminal/lounge that would be.

Thanks
 
Next Friday I'll be arriving on QR989 from Melbourne and departing 2hr 50min later on QR179 to Oslo. (Business Class Reward Seat)

Are we best to go to the closest of the 2 lounges to where we are departing, and if so, does anyone know what terminal/lounge that would be.

Thanks
I would check the departure gate (they could probably tell you on board if it’s not loaded into the entertainment system) and then the map of the terminal which is definitely on the system and choose the closest.

It can be very crowded in the terminal and signage is not the best so I suggest you take a photo of the terminal map off the screen before you de plane

It’s all one terminal and you can get to one end to almost the other with an internal train thing.

But you have plenty of time - arrival security in business is usually very quick - (save for a possible bus gate arrival😞) so you could probably first go to the nearest lounge and then figure out if you want to stay or explore the other one.
 
I would check the departure gate (they could probably tell you on board if it’s not loaded into the entertainment system) and then the map of the terminal which is definitely on the system and choose the closest.

But you have plenty of time - arrival security in business is usually very quick - so you could probably first go to the nearest and then figure out if you want to stay or explore the other one.
Thankyou.

I just read in another thread that the normal showers in the Garden are closed, so that may make the decision as which one to go to easier
 
Thankyou.

I just read in another thread that the normal showers in the Garden are closed, so that may make the decision as which one to go to easier
In which case the queue for showers in the other one could be pretty bad so yes make a beeline there and put your name down.

But even ask on board and they may be able to clarify for you.
 
Thankyou.

I just read in another thread that the normal showers in the Garden are closed, so that may make the decision as which one to go to easier
I'm also flying in on Friday (from ADL). I was hoping the showers would have reopened by then.... 😕
 
later on QR179 to Oslo. (
Seems to be a 787 so can depart from anywhere.
The only typical guarantees are narrowbody routes which almost always get a bus gate from the northern pier.

In the return, flights to SYD/MEL seem to regularly depart C12/C13 which is also nearer the northern end.
 
I'm also flying in on Friday (from ADL). I was hoping the showers would have reopened by then.... 😕
You'll probably be on the same flight as me, as I'm pretty sure my flight is coming from Adelaide to Melbourne.

We'll be fighting for the same shower.😁😁
Seems to be a 787 so can depart from anywhere.
The only typical guarantees are narrowbody routes which almost always get a bus gate from the northern pier.

In the return, flights to SYD/MEL seem to regularly depart C12/C13 which is also nearer the northern end.
Thanks, I may go to the South on the way over, and the Garden on the way home (and the showers are reopened by December)
 

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