Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge at Hamad International Airport in Doha [Review]

^{The author received complimentary access to Al Safwa First Lounge as an invited guest of Qatar Airways. All opinions are the author’s own, and Qatar Airways had no input in any part of this review.}

On my recent trip to Oman from the U.S., I couldn’t wait to set off on a quest to experience first-hand the renowned business and first class products offered by Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways.

When scouring flights for my return trip home to Miami, I discovered I could book Qatar Airways’ award-winning Qsuite business class from Doha’s Hamad International Airport (DOH) to Miami International Airport (MIA) using miles. This meant that before my flight home, I would have access to the Al Mourjan Business Lounge at DOH.

This also meant that I could potentially gain admission into Qatar’s most luxurious lounge, the Al Safwa First Lounge, which is regarded as one of the world’s most exclusive airport lounges.

The Al Safwa First Lounge by Qatar Airways truly stood out among the lounges I visited on this trip. It is, without a doubt, one of the most remarkable airport lounges I have ever had the pleasure of experiencing.

Continue reading to learn more about how you can gain entry to this exclusive lounge and what the experience is like once you are welcomed inside.

Location

After passing Hamad International Airport’s immigration and the security check, the Al Safwa First Lounge is above the shops in the departure area on level 3.

To the right of the massive yellow “Untitled Lamp Bear” sculpture, you’ll notice an escalator that will take you up toward the Al Safwa First Lounge.

There are 2 entrances to the lounge. An entrance specifically for passengers departing from Doha provides direct access to Qatar’s premium check-in. The other entrance is for passengers in transit through Doha, who can use either the elevator or escalator to access the transit security area.

At DOH, you’ll find an abundance of clear signage throughout the terminal. No matter where you are, you’ll easily spot signs directing you to the Al Safwa First Lounge.

Gaining Entry

To visit the Al Safwa First Lounge, you must either have a first class ticket when flying Qatar Airways or be a Qatar Airways Privilege Club Platinum elite status member flying business class, which grants you complimentary admission.

However, passengers flying with Qatar Airways in business class can enter the Al Safwa First Lounge by purchasing entry at one of the lounge desks. Entry costs 600 Qatari riyals (~$165), depending on availability.

Whether your access is paid or complimentary, you can visit the lounge for up to 6 hours.

If the lounge is full, access may be restricted to passengers flying first class with Qatar Airways or Privilege Club Platinum members flying business class with the airline.

Although I had complimentary access to the impressive Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge since I was traveling in Qsuite — arguably the best business class product in the world — I was instead eager to experience the Al Safwa First Lounge after hearing so much about it.

Hot Tip:

Due to the limited availability of Qatar Airways’ first class cabins on select routes, access to the Al Safwa First Lounge is restricted to a limited number of passengers. This is the reason behind the lounge’s exclusivity and contributes to its usually quiet and uncrowded atmosphere.

First Impressions

Al Safwa First Lounge guests are immediately awestruck by the grandeur of the space. No doubt, my initial impression was of sheer amazement at the lounge’s immense size.

The lounge boasts a chic and elegant design, incorporating marble, glass, and intricate patterns to create a sophisticated atmosphere.

The design and furnishings showcase dedication to providing a luxurious and comfortable experience with meticulous attention to detail. On the main floor, a stunning water feature gracefully cascades from the ceiling into the fountain’s center.

But once again, I was amazed by how big the lounge was. I kept thinking about what previous visitors had said about how it felt more like an upscale museum than a regular airport lounge.

The lounge provides a range of amenities and services, including private rooms, spa facilities, exquisite dining options, and numerous seating areas designed for exploration.

After ensuring my luggage and backpack were safely stowed in my reserved quiet room, I eagerly explored this captivating lounge.

Seating

The Al Safwa First Lounge offers an abundance of seating options to accommodate guests.

Lounge guests can choose from couches, chairs, and private cubby spaces in different sections of the lounge.

The lounge is known for its ample seating options, allowing guests to easily find their preferred section and seating type.

The dining area has tables and chairs that can accommodate individuals or groups of any size.

Aside from the main floor and dining areas, guests can choose to relax and sit or lie down in one of the private spa rooms and quiet spaces.

Food and Beverage

There are 2 dining areas to choose from. The casual dining room offers a variety of light bites like sushi and sandwiches, while the other provides a more comprehensive dining experience, including a full bar.

Main Dining Room

The 250-seat dining room offers an à la carte menu of food and drinks 24/7.

You can review the current menu, but guests dining here can simply scan the QR code on the table.

Through a glass window, lounge guests can see their food prepared in the restaurant-style kitchen run by skilled chefs.

I arrived at dinnertime and could not wait for a proper restaurant-quality meal.

As I approached the main dining space, I noticed a massive oval-shaped bar in the center, flanked by tables and chairs.

The bar is well-equipped with a team of talented bartenders and features an attractive glass wine display positioned right in front, providing a captivating focal point for guests.

I chose a glass of red wine with my dinner and did not sit at the bar, but I saw the bar has an extensive menu with a selection of distilled spirits, wines, Champagnes, and non-alcoholic options such as hot tea and fresh juices.

The dining room has an array of seating configurations, and I chose to sit close to the window so I could do a bit of planespotting.

Unfortunately, the planespotting was minimal due to the night’s darkness. Still, I was happy with my table for 2 by the floor-to-ceiling windows.

I began scoping out the menu and ordered a glass of red wine (Château Cos Labory, 5th Grand Cru Classé, AOC Saint-Estèphe France, 2017, which retails for about $60 a bottle), and the waiter brought over bread with a few delicious spreads.

I started with the Hong Kong beef soup as an appetizer, the comfort food I needed to begin my meal. The broth was just right, not too salty, and the meat was tender and savory.

For my main dish, I was torn between the ginger and sesame-poached lobster and the pappardelle pasta with fresh mozzarella and tomatoes, so I ordered both.

I’m a huge fan of lobster, so the big chunks served with this dish were heaven to my taste buds.

The pasta was equally delicious, with a heaping portion of fresh mozzarella and pappardelle pasta. My meal up to this point was outstanding.

I asked the waiter if there was anything more authentic to Qatar that he would recommend, and he suggested I try the mujadara, a signature Middle Eastern dish consisting of lentils, rice, and crispy caramelized onions.

This dish had bold flavors and felt comforting and warm, which complimented the lobster and pasta dishes.

I skipped dessert, as I was already too full from the amount of food I had consumed. Still, some sweet options offered at the end of the meal were New York cheesecake, chocolate lava cake, Umm Ali (a baked Arabic dessert with puff pastry), and mandarin cake served with vanilla ice cream, to name a few.

Casual Dining Room

My next stop was a far smaller dining room than the main dining room. Here, guests can have some light snacks, including sushi, fruits, and cold cuts.

The small dining room, which includes a sushi bar, salad bar, and sandwich counter, is just outside the main dining area. The space is more suited to casual snacking, as it features significantly fewer tables and chairs than the larger dining room.

When I visited, this space was relatively empty. Most guests preferred to dine in the main dining room with a robust made-to-order food menu. However, this may be a good option if you’re pressed for time or just want to eat in a peaceful setting.

Amenities

Qspa

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge boasts an amazing spa, a truly remarkable amenity to discover within an airport lounge.

This place appeared more like an opulent spa in a luxurious resort than an airline lounge. I had to keep reminding myself that I was inside an airport.

Just like a resort spa, spa treatments here are not complimentary. Guests can review the Qspa menu and book a massage or spa service through the spa reception desk.

The wide range of treatments offered includes massages, facials, manicures, pedicures, and spa services, with prices beginning at QAR 160 (~$44) for a quick 10-minute massage.

There are 2 different spa areas: 1 for men and 1 for women.

I walked into the men’s spa section and observed a neat, lit-up water feature separating the women’s spa from the men’s.

There’s also a cozy relaxation room outside of the series of treatment rooms.

This space features comfortable bean bag-type chairs where spa guests can unwind and enjoy some downtime.

The spa also has a private Jacuzzi that’s complimentary for guests. I was thrilled it was available during my visit so I could use it.

Jacuzzi

The Jacuzzi is on the men’s spa side and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Though it’s on the men’s side, women can access the private Jacuzzi room. You can reserve this room in 1-hour increments.

As soon as I arrived at the lounge, I inquired about the private Jacuzzi room’s availability since only 1 available for a single guest. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was open, so I wasted no time requesting it.

The spa attendant kindly informed me that the Jacuzzi would need 1 hour of preparation before it could be used. With an hour to spare before the Jacuzzi was ready, I decided to make the most of it by enjoying a delicious dinner in the main dining room.

Upon my return after dinner, the Jacuzzi was prepared and waiting for me.

The Jacuzzi room offers 2 robes, 2 showers, and massage jets that provide gentle pressure to help you unwind and relax.

I did not utilize the showers in the Jacuzzi room since I had scheduled my own quiet room with a private shower, but it’s comforting to know that I could have.

Being in a Jacuzzi at an airport was surreal, and I would sometimes forget that I wasn’t in the spa of a 5-star resort.

Quiet Rooms

Passengers who have the privilege of accessing the Al Safwa First Lounge and find themselves with a long layover are in for a treat. One of the great advantages of spending a long layover at Al Safwa First Lounge is the availability of 12 private, quiet rooms.

These rooms are similar to hotel rooms, equipped with either a single bed or 2 twin beds and a private bathroom. The quiet rooms are conveniently situated within the spa section.

Since the 12 quiet rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis, I also inquired about the availability of a private room when I asked about the Jacuzzi.

Once more, I was thrilled there was availability as I felt tired and needed a nap and a shower before my early morning (1:10 a.m. departure) flight.

Guests are granted a generous 6-hour window to relax in a quiet room, equivalent to the time allowed in the lounge for guests who pay for admission.

Many premium lounges around the world provide shower facilities, although only a limited number have private bathrooms that include showers.

I enjoyed a refreshing shower, including the signature Diptyque bathroom amenities.

A great aspect of the quiet rooms’ bathrooms is that they provide all the necessary toiletries, saving you the trouble of rummaging through your luggage.

The lounge has a complete bathroom, a full-size bed, and a large closet for storing bags and hanging clothing.

The room comes with a convenient touchscreen panel, allowing lounge guests to adjust the temperature and lighting effortlessly.

If you feel like watching TV or need to get some work done, you’ll find a wall-mounted TV above a glass desk and chair in the room.

It was time to take a nap. Given the time I spent exploring the lounge, I didn’t leave myself with a lot of time to indulge in a lengthy nap.

Fortunately, I managed to close my eyes and get some rest for 45 minutes, and the bed was extremely comfortable.

The rooms are optimal for sleeping, designed to be quiet and soundproof, ensuring a peaceful environment for light sleepers like myself.

The luxury of a private bedroom and bathroom in an airport lounge is one of the most unforgettable airport experiences I’ve ever had.

Family Area

At Al Safwa First Lounge, families can enjoy a private and exclusive area, ensuring a warm and welcoming experience.

There were several cozy, dimly lit rooms with plush leather chairs and a TV with family-friendly programming.

I appreciated the lounge’s quiet relaxation space designed with families in mind.

The dessert room was connected to the family space, offering desserts, drinks, and fruits.

Game Room and Parent’s Room

The game room and parent’s room were located in the same space. The latter (not pictured) was a small room offering amenities like a diaper-changing station and bottle-warming facilities.

The game room had various video game consoles and TVs to entertain kids.

There’s also a foosball table and lots of colored seats for youngsters to relax on.

Even a Formula One race car was on display for admiring.

Media Room

The media room was vacant when I visited. Since Al Safwa First Lounge has so many private TV viewing areas, I imagine this room is empty most of the time.

The media room has 2 rows of seats and could be used to watch a game or TV with family or friends.

Smoking Room

A designated smoking area is available for patrons who indulge in cigarettes or cigars.

Curiously, I inquired whether the lounge offered cigars. A cordial staff member informed me that it did not, despite the boxes of cigars located in the glass case.

Visitors could purchase cigarettes or cigars at Duty-Free to enjoy in the smoking room.

Duty-Free Store

A duty-free shop stocked with select luxury products, including clothing and fragrances, is located within the lounge.

Although it is not a typical duty-free store, it is open should you require any items before your flight.

I didn’t see anybody buying anything, although they sell fancy fragrances and colognes. You can’t get more convenient than a duty-free store inside the lounge.

Baggage Room

Guests who cannot acquire a quiet room may store their belongings in the designated baggage room free of charge.

Guests may stow their carry-on or checked luggage inside one of the big cubbies using a secure PIN, eliminating the need to drag it around.

However, if you can secure a quiet room, you can just keep your bags inside the room, as there is plenty of space.

Business Center

You’ll find a business center near the entrance fully equipped with iMac desktops and printers.

If you want to get some work done, this beautiful space has everything you need to be productive.

Service

The service at Al Safwa First Lounge was exceptional. From the moment I stepped into the reception area to my interactions with the spa associates and the dining team, I was met with a warm and welcoming attitude. It was evident that everyone I encountered genuinely cared about my experience at the lounge and ensured I had everything I needed to feel completely satisfied during my time there.

Final Thoughts

I have never seen such lavishness or beauty in an airport lounge as Qatar Airways’ Al Safwa First Lounge delivers. With its stunning design, incredible facilities like hotel-style rooms and a Jacuzzi, and 5-star dining, it’s no surprise that this lounge is regarded as one of the best in the world.

Best of all, Qatar Airways first class passengers receive complimentary Al Safwa First Lounge access. If you’re flying the airline’s award-winning Qsuite business class, you may also be able to visit this lounge (space allowing) by purchasing entry for $165 to enjoy a luxurious lounge experience.