Oryx Lounge – North at Hamad International Airport in Doha [Review]

My family and I departed Doha, Qatar, at the end of the Eid al-Adha public holiday, a busy travel week in the Persian Gulf. We quickly checked our bag, received our boarding passes, and made our way through immigration and the security screening, thinking we had survived the onslaught of traveler traffic … that is, until we saw the huge line to access Al Maha Lounge – South. The airport’s main Priority Pass lounge is consistently busy, but this was one of the longest lines I had seen for it.

We’ve had past success accessing the quieter Al Maha Lounge – North. Although it is not listed on the Priority Pass website, we’ve had no issues using our membership there. We made a beeline for the passenger shuttle train to whisk us off to the Duty Free North area to try our luck at that lounge. To my surprise, that lounge was nearing capacity, so the check-in agent “upgraded” us to a lounge that was new to me, the Oryx Lounge – North.

Both lounges are run by Al Maha Services. Al Maha Lounge is touted as having standard food and beverages, while Oryx Lounge’s are considered premium. The only other difference is that the Oryx Lounge – South offers a games room. Both South locations have a family area, television area, and quiet area that the North locations do not have.

As the Oryx Lounge is primarily accessible via a day pass, let’s see if the amenities are worth your cash when transiting through Doha.

Oryx Lounge – North Location

The Oryx Lounge – North is in the Duty Free North area of Hamad International Airport (DOH), just ahead of the garden area. From the yellow Untitled Lamp Bear sculpture, follow the CDE signage leading to Concourse C.

While you can walk the length of the lower-numbered C gates, you can save steps by taking the passenger shuttle train (this train only runs 1 stop from this entry near C1 to its exit near C13). To get to the train, take the escalator up to the CDE gates.

The train runs every few minutes, so there is never a long wait.

You then take the escalator down into the Duty Free North area and turn left.

After descending the escalator, follow the signage to Oryx Lounge – North. The path leads you to the area opposite where you started (the other side of the circular area).

The signage will guide you to the left of the duty-free shop, but you can also walk straight through it.

Finally, you’ll see a small information desk and directional signage for both the Oryx and Al Maha Lounges. I showed the representatives my Priority Pass card and took the escalator up 1 level.

Gaining Entry to the Oryx Lounge – North

You can book day passes online for a period of 6 hours for 270 Qatari riyals ($74), which is 40 QR ($11) more than access to Al Maha Lounge. Children 2 to 11 are half-price, and infants under 2 are complimentary.

For extended stays, additional time increments can be purchased for 3 hours (160 QR or $44), 6 hours (270 QR or $74), and 12 hours (540 QR or $148).

Al Maha Services Meet and Assist Platinum packages also include lounge access for 4 hours (departures only, 450 QR or $123) to 6 hours (transit only, 495 QR or $136).

Al Maha Lounge – North and Oryx Lounge – North share the same check-in area and are located across from each other. I had initially intended to enter Al Maha Lounge – North utilizing the complimentary Priority Pass membership as a benefit of my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card*×Information collected independently. Not reviewed by Capital One.. This membership also grants me 2 guests per visit.

Terms Apply / Rates & Fees

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Bonus Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^®Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit cardapplication.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

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Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee (rates & fees)
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: 19.99% - 29.74% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

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Capital One Miles

 

After verifying my credentials, the agent told me that, as Al Maha Lounge was reaching capacity, we’d be upgraded to the Oryx Lounge. After exiting the counter, instead of turning right to Al Maha, we turned left to Oryx.

Hot Tip:

Debating between the 2 lounge brands operated by Al Maha Services? Check out my review of Al Maha Lounge – South.

First Impressions

Walking into Oryx Lounge – North was a mirror experience of walking into Al Maha Lounge – North. The seating layout and dining sections were set up similarly, though the armchairs at Oryx looked and felt more luxe.

The restrooms were toward the front entrance, and seating ran the right length of the lounge. A bar and a buffet were at the rear of the space.

Bottom Line:

With an open, airy space and plenty of seating, Oryx Lounge – North was a calm place to relax before our flight.

Seating

The lounge had plenty of seats available for my party of 4 to assemble a landing pad for our carry-on luggage.

These brown leather armchairs were deep and comfortable. Most seats had direct access to a side table with wireless charging, a universal outlet, and 2 USB-A ports.

Some areas had more isolated seating pods if you wanted to be away from the main seating area.

Overall, the plentiful seating felt spaced out enough that we didn’t feel like we were stepping over anyone or encroaching on their space.

A small glass partition divided the main seating area from the dining area. In this space, passengers could choose from a high-top counter or restaurant-style tables. This area also had 2 departure boards.

Dining tables for groups of 2 were closest to the buffet.

Toward the very front of the lounge was a partitioned desk for 4 people. I did not notice any obvious outlets in this space.

Food and Beverage

We visited around 6 a.m. on a Saturday morning, and the lounge was set for breakfast service. With a 7:45 a.m. flight that was delayed to 9 a.m., I knew we’d be several hours from the onboard breakfast service and told my kids to fill up!

Buffet

The buffet’s cooler held yogurt, cups of fresh fruit, labneh (a strained yogurt), Bircher muesli, and hummus with chickpeas.

My kids couldn’t get enough of the cheese sampler cups, and this end of the case also had chicken mortadella and turkey ham.

The hot buffet had roasted potato wedges with herbs, chicken and herb sausages, and mozzarella cheese omelets, along with porridge and baked beans.

I stopped counting the pastries my kids brought over to our seats — they enjoyed the croissants, pains au chocolate, and pineapple pastries.

A small variety of cereals and full-fat milk were set at one end of the cold buffet.

Fresh breads included a selection of sliced bread, rolls, pita, bagels, cinnamon donuts, and brioche buns.

Drinks

An area at the front of the lounge had a variety of juices and room-temperature water.

A self-service coffee machine and tea service were at the rear of the lounge near the hot buffet.

A cooler under the hot buffet had small cans of Coca-Cola products and bottles of water.

A bar area to the left of the buffet was prepped with staff to make coffee or alcoholic beverages.

Amenities

The Oryx Lounge – North has fewer dedicated spaces than the Oryx Lounge – South, but if you have no need for a games room, family room, TV area, or quiet area, the North location will be just fine.

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi access was via the airport’s public network and was easy and speedy to connect to. Some sites were blocked, so you may want to utilize a VPN if you run into any issues.

Restrooms

The women’s restrooms were spotlessly clean and ready for the next visitors. Hand soap and lotion were from Diptyque.

Showers

Showers were available on a first-come, first-served basis and were just around the corner from the restrooms. Diptyque shampoo and conditioner were provided.

Staff and Service

Other than the agent who checked me in, I had minimal interactions with lounge staff. I appreciated the seamless upgrade to the Oryx Lounge, and we had a great overall experience.

During my visit, the lounge was kept tidy, and plates, glasses, and cans never lingered long before being cleared away.

Final Thoughts

While not as exclusive-feeling as the Qatar Airways Gold Lounge – South (which you need Oneworld status or a premium ticket to access), the Oryx Lounge – North delivered a spacious, comfortable experience ahead of our morning flight. That said, my visit was virtually indistinguishable from similar visits to the neighboring Al Maha Lounge – North.

The day rate of $74 per adult is quite hefty, and this visit would have set my family back around $185 if not for my valuable Priority Pass membership. If I had to pay the cash day rate, I’d visit Al Maha, pocket the $11 differential between the 2 lounges, and shop for a souvenir at Souq Al Matar in the Duty Free North area.