Qatar Airways operates more than ten lounges at its Doha mega hub, Hamad International Airport (DOH). If you could access them all, it would make for a very long lounge crawl!
When flying with the Oneworld alliance member out of Doha, the lounges you can access depend on your class of travel, your frequent flyer status or which credit cards you hold.
While some of the Qatar Airways lounges in Doha get busy at peak times, they’re better places to be than the (admittedly excellent) terminal. And if you’re lucky enough to have access to the Al Safwa Lounge, this is one of the best airport lounges in the world.
This guide provides an overview of all the Qatar Airways airport lounges in Doha, and how to access them.
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Overview of all Qatar Airways lounges in Doha
First of all, here’s a full list of the Qatar Airways departure lounges at Hamad International Airport, ranked from worst to best:
| Lounge | Location | How to access when flying Qatar Airways |
|---|---|---|
| Mariner Lounge | Level 2 of Duty Free Plaza South | Seafarers and offshore workers with valid documentation |
| Al Maha Lounge | Level 2 of Duty Free Plaza South | Priority Pass members or pay at the door |
| Oryx Lounge (South) | Level 2 of Duty Free Plaza South | Access available for purchase |
| Oryx Lounge (North) | Level 2 of Duty Free Plaza North (near Tudor store) | Access available for purchase |
| Silver Lounge (South) | Concourse B, Level 1, near Duty Free Plaza South | Qatar Airways Privilege Club Silver members |
| Gold Lounge (South) | Near Gate A1 | Privilege Club Gold and Oneworld Sapphire frequent flyers |
| Gold/Platinum Lounge (North) | Near Gate C14 | Privilege Club Gold/Platinum and Oneworld Sapphire/Emerald frequent flyers |
| Platinum Lounge (South) | Near Gate A1 | Privilege Club Platinum and Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers |
| Al Mourjan Business Lounge South | Level 3 of Duty Free Plaza South | Business Class passengers |
| Al Mourjan Business Lounge North – The Garden | Concourse C, near The Orchard | Business Class passengers |
| Al Safwa First Lounge | Level 3, near Duty Free Plaza South | First Class passengers |
You can find more details about each of these lounges and their access policies below.
Qatar Airways does lounge access a bit differently
Most airlines have one or two lounges that you can access with frequent flyer status or a Business/First Class ticket. Not Qatar Airways!
Of course, if you have status or an eligible ticket in a premium cabin, you will generally be able to access a lounge. But Qatar Airways’ best lounges are reserved for passengers ticketed in Business or First Class. As a Oneworld Sapphire or Emerald frequent flyer flying Economy, you’ll only have access to a different set of lounges.
Unfortunately, Qatar Airways does not provide complimentary lounge access to passengers booked on a Business Lite ticket, nor when upgrading into Business or regional First Class within 14 days of departure.
On one hand, the restrictions that Qatar Airways places on entry into its top lounges are a bit disappointing if you’re flying in Economy or have upgraded. On the other hand, keeping the invitation list relatively exclusive means the airline can afford to invest more heavily into the quality of the experience.
If you don’t have access to a lounge through your frequent flyer status or ticket, you can still purchase access to a subset of lounges.
Separately, Qatar Airways also has a Mariner Lounge for seafarers and offshore workers, as well as airside and landside arrivals lounges for First and Business Class passengers ending their journey in Doha.
Qatar Airways “premium services” lounges
Access to the Al Maha lounge and the Oryx lounges is available for purchase if you’re flying on Qatar Airways. You can purchase access as part of a “meet and greet” transit or departure service, or simply by purchasing an individual lounge pass.
The Al Maha lounge partners with LoungePair. It also participates in Priority Pass, so you could get in if you have a Priority Pass membership or a credit card with Priority Pass benefits.
Credit Cards with Unlimited Priority Pass Lounge Visits
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- 1
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on everyday purchases
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on everyday purchases
Al Maha Lounge & Oryx Lounges (North & South)
The Al Maha and Oryx Lounges at Doha’s Hamad International Airport offer basic spaces to recharge, though they fall short compared to Qatar Airways’ premium lounges.
The Al Maha Lounge has simple seating, a small buffet with snacks and hot dishes, and a quiet area with reclining chairs—though it often feels crowded and lacks standout features.
The Oryx Lounges (North & South) are slightly more premium, with an expanded buffet, a staffed bar, and shower facilities. The Oryx Lounge South adds a business room and a video games room.
Qatar Airways lounges accessible with frequent flyer status
Qatar Airways operates Silver, Gold and Platinum Lounges for eligible status members travelling in Economy, Premium Economy or on Business Lite tickets. Eligible status with Qatar Airways, a Oneworld airline (including Qantas) or partner airline such as Virgin Australia will get you into these lounges.
You can also purchase access to these lounges prior to a Oneworld flight at the counter. For example, according to the Qatar Airways website, access to the Silver lounge for six hours costs QAR300 (~AU$132). It’s unclear whether you’ll be able to purchase access if you’re on a Virgin Australia wet-lease flight.
During peak times, these lounges can get very busy, as they cater to all eligible status members travelling on Qatar Airways and other Oneworld airlines.
Qatar Airways Silver Lounge South
The relatively new Qatar Airways Silver Lounge is accessible by payment, or if you hold Qatar Airways Privilege Club Silver status. Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald members are also eligible, although Oneworld Ruby members from programs other than Privilege Club cannot get in for free.
The Silver Lounge is a well-designed space for Privilege Club Silver members, with plenty of seating, although it can get busy. A buffet offers a mix of hot and cold dishes with drinks available, including barista-made coffee.
The particularly great thing about this lounge is the plentiful natural light. But unless this is the only lounge you can access for free, it doesn’t really make sense to spend time here unless it’s markedly quieter than the other lounges available.
Qatar Airways Gold Lounge South
You can access the Qatar Airways Gold Lounge South with Oneworld Sapphire status, such as Qantas Gold. Virgin Australia Velocity Gold members can also access this lounge on both Qatar and Virgin Australia flights from Doha.
This space feels a touch more premium than the Silver Lounge, although it’s quite small. It’s not dissimilar to the KrisFlyer Gold Lounge in Singapore, for people familiar with that.
The lounge offers a decent buffet with a selection of hot and cold dishes, along with a bar stocked with a range of drinks.
Qatar Airways Gold/Platinum Lounge North
The Qatar Airways Gold/Platinum Lounge North is unique. This is the best lounge available to Oneworld Sapphire/Velocity Gold members. It’s also available to Oneworld Emerald and Velocity Platinum members.
As a combined lounge, it has some features of a First Class lounge, including à la carte dining. It also has a good buffet and self-pour champagne, as well as great shower suites.
However, this lounge can get very busy, as it serves pretty much all status members who are departing from the new North section of the terminal. It’s worth visiting if you have some time in the terminal, but if you can access the Al Mourjan, Al Safwa or Platinum lounges they’ll be a better overall experience.
Qatar Airways Platinum Lounge South
Qatar Airways’ Platinum Lounge South grants access to oneworld Emerald, such as Qantas Platinum and Velocity Platinum members. It’s spacious and quiet, with plenty of seating and natural light. Being above the Gold Lounge South, it also has better views.
The standout feature is the à la carte dining, offering quality dishes alongside an extensive buffet and a staffed bar.
There are a few shower suites and nap rooms though they can be in high demand during peak times. There’s also a well-equipped business area, perfect for catching up on work, and a family room that offers a quieter space for those travelling with children.
If you’re after a shower, you may have better luck at the larger Gold/Platinum Lounge North. But if you want to relax and you have top-tier status, the Platinum Lounge South is a great option.
Qatar Airways lounges exclusively for premium cabin passengers
The Al Mourjan and Al Safwa lounges are the best ones at Hamad International Airport.
The Al Mourjan Lounges are available to passengers travelling in Business Class on Oneworld airlines, except if you’re on a Business Lite fare on Qatar Airways. You can also pay to access – although it’ll set you back ~$220 for a six-hour visit.
You can only access the Al Safwa Lounge if you’ve got a First Class ticket or Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum status. If you’re arriving in Doha on a First Class ticket and your onward flight is in Business, this also counts.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge South
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge South is huge. Spanning two levels, with diverse sections, it’s impressively large with a sleek, modern design. The single most impressive feature of the lounge is the giant reflection pool.
Seating is abundant, with completely separate zones for dining, lounging and working, though power outlets can be scarce.
The lounge features multiple food areas – a sort of deli bar, and a spacious buffet area and à la carte dining on the mezzanine level. You’ll find a mix of Middle Eastern and international cuisine, complemented by a staffed bar.
Added to this, there’s private shower suites, a games room, a large business centre with workstations, smoking rooms, and luggage lockers, should you wish to explore the terminal.
However, if you’re after personalised service, you’ll probably struggle to find that at Al Mourjan South, as its size works against it. The high ceilings and large area could make it feel a bit cold or uninviting. It’s also starting to show its age slightly, at least compared to the new Al Mourjan Lounge – The Garden.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge North – The Garden
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge North – The Garden is located in the airport’s northern terminal expansion near the Orchard indoor garden. The lounge is expansive, open, and offers views of the greenery below.
The key element is the lounge’s design. It really takes advantage of the open space overlooking the Orchard.
The lounge features a variety of seating options spread across different zones divided by small partitions. There’s a large buffet with an extensive range of hot and cold dishes, complemented by à la carte dining options and a staffed bar.
Amenities include private nap rooms, quiet areas, shower facilities, and well-equipped business spaces. The showers and nap rooms are more modern than those in the older Al Mourjan Lounge South.
Spa treatments are available for purchase.
Louis Vuitton Lounge
Bizarrely, you’ll also find a Louis Vuitton lounge inside the Al Mourjan North – Garden Lounge. This is effectively a branded restaurant and bar.
Everything in the Louis Vuitton lounge is for purchase.
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge
The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge is the best airport lounge in Doha. In fact, it’s arguably up there with the best airport lounges in the world.
The lounge is minimalist and grand, with ridiculously high ceilings and marble finishes which make this feel more like a museum than an airport lounge.
Private rooms are available, resembling small hotel suites, complete with beds and en-suite bathrooms with showers — perfect for longer layovers. You can also reserve an entire office for yourself in the business centre.
Spa facilities are available. Treatments come at an additional cost, but you can use the Jacuzzi for free. Be sure to book in early for the spa room, as they can take some time to prepare!
The lounge dining centres around the main restaurant, a staffed bar, and a second dining area serving sushi and lighter snacks. The dining and drinks menus are seriously impressive, with food that would not feel out of place at a fine dining restaurant.
The lounge also features a large water feature, a duty-free store, prayer areas, a media room, gaming rooms and a small art gallery, showcasing pieces from the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha.
Again, like the Al Mourjan South Lounge, the high ceilings and almost neoclassical design can make the lounge feel a bit cold and impersonal. But it’s still an incredibly impressive lounge, and there are lots of staff on hand to help with anything you may need.
It’s worth mentioning that Qatar Airways markets its premium cabin on short flights within the Middle East as First Class, instead of Business Class. This means, for example, that a premium cabin ticket on the quick 235-mile hop from Doha to Dubai will get you into the Al Safwa Lounge!
