Review: Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha Airport (DOH)

Review: Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha Airport (DOH)

NAME: Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge
Airport: DOH
DATE: May 2023
REVIEW RATING:
BEN SAYS: The Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge features striking design, a restaurant quality dining experience, and unique amenities, like private bedrooms. This is one of my favorite lounges to hang out in.
18

After a few nights in Doha, my dad and I continued our round the world journey by flying Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380 first class to Perth. We spent lots of time at Doha Hamad Airport so that I could review several lounges (including the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge) plus the airport expansion, and in this post I wanted to provide an updated review of the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge.

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge is one of my favorite first class lounges in the world. The lounge has incredible architecture, a great restaurant area, comfortable nap rooms, and all kinds of additional amenities. This is a great place to kill some time, so let’s get into the review.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First check-in Doha

The Qatar Airways first class experience starts before you get to the lounge. If you’re originating in Doha, you can be dropped off at the first set of doors at Hamad International Airport, which is for first and business class passengers. There are porters there who are happy to help you with bags, but we just had carry-ons.

Doha Hamad Airport exterior

There’s then a premium check-in facility, with the Al Safwa area being to the right.

Qatar Airways premium check-in Doha Hamad Airport

The Al Safwa check-in area is a gorgeous facility. There are private check-in desks, where each guest can have a seat while being checked in, and there’s also a larger general sitting area.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First check-in
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First check-in

While your check-in is processed, you’re offered a refreshing towel, and there are also some Qatar Airways first class luggage tags, which you’re free to take.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First check-in amenities

Our check-in process was a bit complicated (I’ll talk more about that in a separate post — it wasn’t the carrier’s fault), though eventually we had our boarding passes and headed to the lounge.

The premium check-in area also has a dedicated immigration and security queue. Once you clear that, there’s an escalator leading directly to the Al Safwa Lounge, which sure is convenient. Short of the Lufthansa First Class Terminal Frankfurt, this has to be one of the most efficient airports in the world for getting from the curb to the lounge.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge escalator

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha location

As you can see above, getting to the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge is super easy if you’re originating in Doha, since there’s an escalator directly after security and immigration. What about if you’re in transit? Well, head to the center part of the terminal, which is hard to miss, due to the huge teddy bear.

Doha Hamad Airport teddy bear

When you’re facing the teddy bear, turn right, and follow the signage in the direction of the Al Safwa Lounge. Just past some duty free shops you’ll see an escalator leading up to the lounge.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge signage

There will be a Qatar Airways representative standing at the bottom of the escalator, so they’ll admit you to the lounge.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge escalator

Then there’s a pretty reception desk at the top of the escalator as well, should you need help with anything.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge reception

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha hours & crowding

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge is open 24/7, reflecting that Qatar Airways has flights all hours of the day and night. Qatar Airways has a heavily banked network, so there are certain hours where the airport is packed, and certain hours where the airport is deserted.

You can expect that the Al Safwa Lounge will be most crowded between 10PM and 2AM, and again from 4AM until 8AM, give or take. Meanwhile between 8AM and 5PM, you can expect the lounge to be the quietest.

It goes without saying that crowding levels could impact your experience, since service will be much more attentive when the lounge is empty.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha entry requirements

Who has access to the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge?

  • Anyone connecting onto or off of a Qatar Airways first class flight; this includes those flying first class long haul on an Airbus A380 or Boeing 777, as well as those flying in regional first class, which is how the forward cabin is marketed on many short haul flights
  • Those traveling in first class on a oneworld partner (like American Airlines) also get access to the lounge
  • Qatar Privilege Club Platinum members receive access to the lounge when flying in Qatar Airways business class; however, oneworld Emeralds with partner airlines don’t receive access to this lounge
  • You can buy access to the lounge when flying in Qatar Airways business class on a ticket eligible for Al Mourjan Lounge access, as long as the ticket is issued by Qatar Airways; the cost is 600 QAR (~$165)

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha layout & seating

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge has a striking design, plain and simple. I can’t think of another lounge with architecture quite like this. The central walkway connecting various parts of the lounge is in and of itself larger than most other first class lounges in the world. This area also has all kinds of art and water displays, and the ceiling must be 40 feet high.

The lounge almost has more of the vibe of a very impressive museum than an airport lounge.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge design
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge design
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge design
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge design

In the center part of the lounge there’s a huge water display, which is between the dining area and the rest of the lounge. Let’s start with the lounge’s general seating, and then we’ll look at the dining area.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge water feature
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge water feature

The lounge has a variety of seating clusters along the central part of the lounge. Since many guests head straight to the restaurant, many of the seating areas tend to remain pretty empty.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating

There are also some comfortable semi-private chairs for lounging, each with an ottoman, which is probably my favorite place in the lounge to hang out.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating

The lounge has an “outdoor” terrace (in the sense that it opens up to the terminal) through a set of double doors, which you could easily miss unless you’re specifically looking for it.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge seating

The other main part of the lounge is the restaurant area, which is huge. There’s a bar, and then there are dozens and dozens of dining tables, so there should never be a wait to get a table.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bar area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining area

Off to the side of the main dining area is an additional bistro area, with communal high-top seating, where you can just grab some food from a buffet.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bistro area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bistro area

The signage throughout the lounge is very good, so if you follow that, you should have no issues finding whatever amenity you might be looking for. For example, the lounge has its own duty free shop.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge duty free

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha food & drinks

By design, the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge has very limited self-serve food and drink options. On display in the bistro area, you’ll find some juice, fruit, pastries, and other light snacks. There’s usually someone working behind the counter, who will serve you whatever you’d like.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge buffet
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge buffet
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge buffet

There are also a couple of other drink and snack stations throughout the lounge, but options are very limited. We’re talking soft drinks, juice, and maybe some pastries.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge buffet
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge buffet
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge buffet
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge buffet

All other food and drink options are available in the restaurant area from one of the servers. You can find the Al Safwa Lounge food and drink menu here. The food and drink selection is very good, for the most part:

  • I think the food has actually improved a bit compared to the past, though it’s still not quite to the level of what you’d find in the Air France La Premiere Lounge Paris, for example
  • While the drink selection is good, there has been significant cost cutting compared to back in the day; for example, the standard champagne is now Laurent-Perrier Brut, which is perfectly nice, but pales in comparison to the Veuve Clicquot La Grande Dame and Krug that used to be served in the lounge

I was really struggling to stay awake for our 2AM flight to Perth, though the combination of champagne and coffee helped. 😉

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge drinks

My dad and I enjoyed a light meal in the Al Safwa Lounge. At the start of the meal we were brought a bread basket, along with an amuse bouche, some butter, and some olive tapenade.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining

I wasn’t that hungry, so just ordered the seared scallops with gochujang butter asparagus, truffle, and ikura roe, while my dad had the pan-seared sea bass with fondant potato, broccolini, cherry tomato, and meunière sauce.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining

Then for dessert, we split a cheese plate and a fruit plate.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge dining

I found the food to be very good, though I do wish Qatar Airways had proper barista made coffee in the lounge.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha nap rooms

One of the most popular features of the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge is that the lounge has proper bedrooms that guests can enjoy at no extra cost. The lounge has roughly a dozen bedrooms, and they’re available on a first come, first served basis.

Any guest who has at least four hours before their departing flight can get a bedroom, and they can keep the bedroom for up to six hours. As you might expect, these bedrooms tend to be popular. You shouldn’t have any issues getting a bedroom during the day, but overnight they’re in much higher demand, so you can’t count on getting one immediately.

The bedrooms can be reserved at the spa reception area, and then once you’re assigned a room, you’ll be given a key so that you can freely access the bedroom.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedrooms
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedrooms

Bedrooms have either one or two beds, so if you’re traveling with someone, you can share a bedroom. We ended up getting a room for the evening, and it featured two twin beds, a desk with a chair, and a full bathroom with a toilet and walk-in shower.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedroom
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedroom
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedroom
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedroom
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedroom bathroom
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedroom shower
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bedroom toilet

This is such an awesome amenity that makes a long layover much more enjoyable. These bedrooms are hotel-quality, which you don’t often find at airports.

If you’re not able to secure a bedroom, the lounge also has some semi-private living areas that you can reserve. Each features a couch and some chairs. While it’s not as comfortable as a proper bedroom, it offers at least a little bit of privacy, and is a good place to relax.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge private rooms
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge private rooms
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge private rooms
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge private rooms
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge private rooms

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha spa

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge has a proper spa, which is a pretty cool amenity to find in an airport lounge. The catch is that all treatments are chargeable, unlike in some other lounges. You can find the Qatar Airways spa menu here (for what it’s worth, the QAR to USD exchange rate is roughly 4:1). Treatments include everything from massages, to facials, to manicures and pedicures.

Pricing ranges from outrageous (~$40 for a 10-minute reflexology massage) to comparable to what you’d pay at a decent hotel (~$110 for a 50-minute signature massage). The spa has everything from a water feature, to a relaxation area, to a jacuzzi, to several private treatment rooms (the jacuzzi can be enjoyed on a complimentary basis).

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge spa
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge spa
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge spa jacuzzi
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge spa treatment room
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge spa treatment room

The spa also has some showers, which can be used on a complimentary basis if you don’t have a private bedroom.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha business center

As far as other amenities, the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge has an impressive business center, which has to be one of the nicest you’ll find at any airport. This consists of several private “offices” with frosted glass walls, each with a desk and a couple of chairs.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge business center
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge business center

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha game & kids room

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge area has a couple of areas for kids and families.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge kids play area

For younger kids, there’s a play area with basic toys.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge kids play area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge kids play area

For older kids (or adults who are kids at heart), there’s a foosball table, as well as several video games and arcades.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge kids play area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge kids play area
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge kids play area

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha smoking room

For smokers, the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge has quite a dignified smoking room, with comfortable leather chairs. My dad enjoyed a cigar here. Personally I appreciated that the ventilation seemed to be pretty good, as you didn’t smell this in the rest of the lounge.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge smoking room
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge smoking room

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha entertainment room

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge has an entertainment room, with roughly a dozen chairs facing a large TV. This tends to stay pretty quiet, since you don’t have much choice in what you watch, and the seats also aren’t particularly comfortable for napping.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge entertainment room
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge entertainment room

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha bathrooms

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge Dona has a couple of sets of bathrooms, which are constantly kept clean, to the point that you’ll almost always find hand towels by the sinks in a perfect “triangle.” The men’s room had several individual stalls, as well as urinals.

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bathrooms
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bathrooms
Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge bathrooms

Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha service

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge is very well staffed. During peak hours it probably doesn’t feel that way (due to the number of guests), but during the day the staff to guest ratio almost seems to be 10:1. Fortunately I find the staff are quite friendly, so they don’t make you feel weird if you’re taking pictures, walking around a lot, etc.

In the restaurant area I found service to be very good. My one point of feedback is that I wish the staff were a bit more proactive in offering drinks in other parts of the lounge. They do come around every so often, but given the number of people working in the lounge, it would be nice if they checked a bit more often.

Bottom line

The Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha is an excellent lounge. It has an incredible design, is spacious, has a great food and drink selection, and has lots of cool amenities, like private bedrooms. Best of all, it’s not too hard to gain access to the lounge, since even a short haul first class ticket will get you in.

It’s always a treat to visit this lounge, and I’m happy to see that it’s holding up pretty well.

What’s your take on the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge Doha?

Conversations (18)
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  1. Ian Macready Guest

    I have a question if anybody can help: I am flying into Doha from Muscat in first class on a points ticket with QR. I am then flying onwards to HKG on a CX ticket but a QR operated flight in biz class. Would this combination allow me access to the Al Safwa Lounge?

  2. Trevor Guest

    I've paid my way into this lounge twice and I justified the cost by drinking at least one bottle of one of their vintage champagnes. Since that's been replaced "post covid" (*roll eyes*) with brut, I won't be purchasing access here anytime soon.

  3. Steven E Guest

    Nice review - I just transited and found the lounge to be really busy - once again that early arrival and late evening departure time is quite overwhelming - totally agree with staff not being pro-active - maybe they too are overwhelmed

  4. Ranel Guest

    Awesome review. Is everything gratis except spa treatments? Cigars?

  5. Luke Guest

    In couple months have a "semi intentionally" 14 hour layover during the day in DOH with connecting flight on Qatar to Abu Dhabi (A India to US routing on AA business class award for 70k points but with first class leg from DOH to AUH which triggers Al Safwa access)

    Wondering if I decide to leave the airport for few hours (see the islamic art museum perhaps) if on returning to the airport if would be allowed back in the lounge!

  6. T- Guest

    Yes, this lounge has the feel of a museum. There is a tremendous amount of wasted space. That however, is part of its appeal.

  7. Gary Leff Guest

    I find this to be the most architecturally impressive lounge in the world (followed by the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Heathrow).

    And it doesn't just have the feel of a museum. There are literally pieces on loan here from the Museum of Islamic Art (which is worth a night's stopover in Doha on its own merits imo).

  8. Reyyan Diamond

    The jacuzzi is complimentary to use, no need to pay for a spa treatment.

  9. Mitch Scott Guest

    Fantastic review and agree with all of your points. Lately I have definitely found that the food offerings have increased in quality and you can now choose how your steak/salmon is cooked (it used to always come well done). But the drinks have noticeably declined, I thought the LP Champagne was only for Ramadan, but it looks like it’s here to stay.

  10. Julia Guest

    Yes, it's a nice lounge, but the main seating area is a bit too sparse and very drab without much natural light. If anything, the terrace are is a much better area to sit and relax in.

  11. QR is weird Guest

    Always found the entry rules for this lounge to be bizarre. QR barely has a F product/footprint so you're only getting it by transiting through to a select few short haul destinations while long haul premium routes get the Business lounges. I might pay for entry just to check it off the bucket list next time I'm in DOH but nothing about it says it worth $160 more than the other business lounges (rooms are...

    Always found the entry rules for this lounge to be bizarre. QR barely has a F product/footprint so you're only getting it by transiting through to a select few short haul destinations while long haul premium routes get the Business lounges. I might pay for entry just to check it off the bucket list next time I'm in DOH but nothing about it says it worth $160 more than the other business lounges (rooms are nice but availability for hotels thru QR's transit website are usually cheaper for an overnight layover).

  12. Mike Guest

    Can you use the Al Safwa lounge if arriving from BKK in F on an Avios ticket, then departing same day in J to NA on AA ticket? How do they define "connecting" ?

    1. Julia Guest

      Or similarly, what if one arrives from BEY or AMM in first then connects to MEL in business?

    2. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Julia -- If you're connecting from QR F to QR J you're definitely good, and can access the lounge.

      @ Mike -- It's a bit trickier than Julia's question. I think you should be fine, but I'm not 100% sure, since I haven't dealt with that directly, and this lounge has its own access rules separate from standard oneworld policies.

  13. Sean M. Diamond

    Is the premium check-in area available to those traveling on partner issued tickets? I remember when it first opened around 2016, I was turned away because my confirmation was issued by British Airways and they insisted it has to be tickets issued by Qatar Airways only.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Sean M. -- Nowadays that's definitely not an issue. Have used the check-in facility multiple times on partner tickets.

    2. Gary Leff Guest

      I've used AA-issued and BA-issued QR F short haul tickets and checked in there no worries.

    3. Gary Leff Guest

      Actually come to think of it, I even did so in 2016.

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Gary Leff Guest

I find this to be the most architecturally impressive lounge in the world (followed by the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Heathrow). And it doesn't just have the feel of a museum. There are literally pieces on loan here from the Museum of Islamic Art (which is worth a night's stopover in Doha on its own merits imo).

2
Gary Leff Guest

I've used AA-issued and BA-issued QR F short haul tickets and checked in there no worries.

2
Ben Schlappig OMAAT

@ Sean M. -- Nowadays that's definitely not an issue. Have used the check-in facility multiple times on partner tickets.

2
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