Al Safwa lounge - paid access

[motef]

Hi all,

So myself and the soon to be bride will be travelling on QR from MLE - DOH - CDG in J on award tickets and will have a 8.5hr layover in DOH.

I was reading a few articles on how QR are now selling access to the Al Safwa First lounge for those travelling in QR J and was wondering if anybody here on AFF has done it and your thoughts?

The bedrooms that QR have in Al Safwa look good and it would be cheaper than a hotel

One Mile At A Time - Al Safwa

The Points Guy - Al Safwa

Thanks in advance

 

[goldenhorn]

Lots of info (27 pages) and feedback on this thread

J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR - FlyerTalk Forums

Qatar Airways | Privilege Club - J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR - Originally Posted by CPH-Flyer It is indeed 6 hours. I could have had another hour in bed...! ;0)

www.flyertalk.com

 

[RooFlyer]

I was tempted to pay just to see it once, but then they put the price up to abt A$240 ! So if you are comparing it to a hotel, the hurdle is A$500!!

 

[motef]

So i looked at the Oryx Airport Hotel and its $420 AUD vs the lounge being $480 (thats for 2 pax)

I think with the food and champagne i will lean towards the Al Safwa lounge.

 

[Cessna 180]

Not sure if this is exactly the correct place for this question.

However, I have secured a J award from JNB to WAW on QR next year with a short layover in Doha. Arriving at around 2330.
I would like to change the outbound slightly so I would arrive at 2330 and depart at around 0830.

It appears there is some sleeping areas in Al Mourjan but I am wondering if there is any recent experience on this?. (Maybe Pushka or John)?
I am still hoping the evening departure out of JNB becomes available and this would then solve this little challenge.

Perhaps I will start reading the 27 pages on the above mentioned forum. ha

Ta.

P

 

[Austman]

It appears there is some sleeping areas in Al Mourjan but I am wondering if there is any recent experience on this?

There are. Small room-ets if you like, darkened. But not all that many and very popular overnight. Luck of the draw to get one.

However, there are other areas that are quite good. Not darkened but some are quite private. They are perhaps a bit noisy from time to time. Bring an eye-mask. A blanket is supplied.

Here's a photo:

 

[motef]

Not sure if this is exactly the correct place for this question.

However, I have secured a J award from JNB to WAW on QR next year with a short layover in Doha. Arriving at around 2330.
I would like to change the outbound slightly so I would arrive at 2330 and depart at around 0830.

It appears there is some sleeping areas in Al Mourjan but I am wondering if there is any recent experience on this?. (Maybe Pushka or John)?
I am still hoping the evening departure out of JNB becomes available and this would then solve this little challenge.

Perhaps I will start reading the 27 pages on the above mentioned forum. ha

Ta.

P

So i have read about 15 of the 27 pages. The last 15. And most peoples view is for over 6hrs layover on DOH and you want to sleep and if you want food and if you want spend the money then the Al Safwa is worth it.

 

[motef]

There are. Small room-ets if you like, darkened. But not all that many and very popular overnight. Luck of the draw to get one.

However, there are other areas that are quite good. Not darkened but some are quite private. They are perhaps a bit noisy from time to time. Bring an eye-mask. A blanket is supplied.

Here's a photo:

View attachment 195536

Thanks for the photo

I think this area in Al Mourjan is what one poster in FT described as Snoring Alley

 

[clifford]

So i have read about 15 of the 27 pages. The last 15. And most peoples view is for over 6hrs layover on DOH and you want to sleep and if you want food and if you want spend the money then the Al Safwa is worth it.

Not sure if you've seen the latest posts.

J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR - FlyerTalk Forums

Qatar Airways | Privilege Club - J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR - Yes. Mid October I travelled using Aadvantage miles in the superb Qatar Airways business class. I paid QAR600/USD165 for entry with no hassle. You would just advise the staff member at the foot of the...

www.flyertalk.com

I've stayed in the al safwa sleeping rooms several times and they are very nice. But would I pay almost AUD$500 for a couple for 6 hours, well no. And there's always the possibility that there won't be a room available when you want it.

I've also availed myself of a free hotel room (at the Oryx Rotana) with limo transfers when I had a 9-hour layover between flights, and I believe there is also a deal where you can get a heavily subsidised hotel room if on a longer layover.

However, if you really want to visit the al safwa lounge and money's no object, then go for it!

 

[motef]

Not sure if you've seen the latest posts.

J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR - FlyerTalk Forums

Qatar Airways | Privilege Club - J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR - Yes. Mid October I travelled using Aadvantage miles in the superb Qatar Airways business class. I paid QAR600/USD165 for entry with no hassle. You would just advise the staff member at the foot of the...

www.flyertalk.com

I've stayed in the al safwa sleeping rooms several times and they are very nice. But would I pay almost AUD$500 for a couple for 6 hours, well no. And there's always the possibility that there won't be a room available when you want it.

I've also availed myself of a free hotel room (at the Oryx Rotana) with limo transfers when I had a 9-hour layover between flights, and I believe there is also a deal where you can get a heavily subsidised hotel room if on a longer layover.

However, if you really want to visit the al safwa lounge and money's no object, then go for it!

We arrive in DOH at 23:20 and depart at 07:50 so a layover of 8.5hrs

How long was the process on your 9hr layover of going through Immigration etc, transfer to the hotel, checkin and back again?

I am wanting to work out how much that would take up and therefore how much sleep time would we have?

Thanks

 

[Cessna 180]

Thanks for this. The "snoring alley" looks like it might do for my simple tastes. haha

So If I have 9 hr layover does this include the hotel? I thought I read somewhere that was phased out, or only for First.

 

[clifford]

We arrive in DOH at 23:20 and depart at 07:50 so a layover of 8.5hrs

How long was the process on your 9hr layover of going through Immigration etc, transfer to the hotel, checkin and back again?

I am wanting to work out how much that would take up and therefore how much sleep time would we have?

Thanks

From memory, about 3/4 hour to the hotel and 1/2 hour back to airport. DOH is very efficient if travelling in business class. The hotel was only 5-10 minutes drive away.

 

[NZflygirl]

So i looked at the Oryx Airport Hotel and its $420 AUD vs the lounge being $480 (thats for 2 pax)

I think with the food and champagne i will lean towards the Al Safwa lounge.

You would save money by booking a hotel in the city. Transport (Uber) included. It’s easy exiting the airport and returning. If odd hours, email/call them prior. I’ve been lucky they have been so accommodating.

Re: free hotel, there must not be an earlier possible connection eg if you’re on an award ticket any the only availability is in 15hrs but there are 2 other earlier paid flights that go out, you’re not eligible.

Felt absolutely safe in Doha. No worries there.

 

[JohnSydney2000]

And as from a few weeks ago, you can take the newly opened Metro for QAR 2.00 each way. A number of suitable hotels are within walking distance or shuttle bus ride from some of the stations. J.