Doha stopover advice

[trentox]

Hi all

In a few weeks i'll be flying with my partner and infant daughter to Copenhagen on Qatar (J redemption using QFF points).
We will have a 9 hour stopover in Doha, but unfortunately we won't qualify for the complimentary hotel during the transit as the flights were not booked directly through Qatar.

The transit hotel is $360 for 5-8 hours which seems a bit exorbitant, although it is convenient..

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for other accommodation options?
We really just need a quiet room to hopefully let bub have a snooze and maybe somewhere central so I can have a look around!

Also does anyone have any experience with the visa on arrival process? relatively easy?

Thanks in advance

 

[Daver6]

What time does your flight arrive into Doha?

If somewhere to just have a nap/shower is what you're after, the QR J lounge in the airport might cut it? Especially if that saves you $360! There is a family section or just go to one of the quiet areas where you could have a nap.

 

[Pushka]

Do you have to book direct with Qatar to access their lounges? Doh. That's the Hotel. Carry on.

 

[Daver6]

I don't think you need to book directly with QR, but you do need to be flying on QR to access the Al Mourjan Lounge (that is their lounge for J pax flying QR). This is the lounge I was referring to in my above post, which the OP would be able to access given they are flying QR J.

 

[trentox]

What time does your flight arrive into Doha?

If somewhere to just have a nap/shower is what you're after, the QR J lounge in the airport might cut it? Especially if that saves you $360! There is a family section or just go to one of the quiet areas where you could have a nap.

Flight arrives 0530, departing for Copenhagen at 1430

The lounge is definitely an option, but we were just hoping to find a room / bed to put bub down for a sleep - I'm told the quiet areas in the al Mourjan Lounge often isn't as the name would suggest

After a few more emails - it seems we aren't eligible for the free 96 hour transit visa as our flights are not ticketed by qatar, so we would each have to purchase a tourist visa - about $110 for the three of us!

Interestingly - a couple of hotels near the airport I contacted offered a discounted rate to use a room for the hours we're there - 300 QAR (around $110 AUD)

Would probably only save $100 or so by the time you factor in transport etc

:-|

 

[Daver6]

There is the quiet area by one of the shower areas which I've found to be pretty quiet. To be honest, if someone was chatting I'd just ask them politely to keep it down or request the attendant at the desk nearby do something. The family area is separate, but when I stuck my head in there it was also pretty quiet. However, kids being kids, you would expect a bit of noise.

The lounge will be pretty busy when you arrive. Will clear out and be pretty dead by 9:30am or so. So might also be worth avoiding the shower queue (if there is one) and just plan on showering a little later.