Some of the best airline lounges around the world go beyond free food and drinks. Some are beacons of style in their own right, the kind of places you look forward to spending time in and may even arrive at the airport earlier to enjoy it. Such is the case with the Al Mourjan Lounge at Doha’s Hamad International Airport. This is the premium business-class lounge for Qatar Airways passengers and serves as the flagship for the airline’s lounge network. Here’s what to expect when you visit the Al Mourjan lounge.
Who can access the Al Mourjan lounge?
Qatar Airways has separate lounges for top Oneworld frequent fliers as well as those in its own program. The Al Mourjan lounge is reserved for the airline’s business-class passengers. There is also another lounge reserved for first-class passengers called Al Safwa, with private sleeping rooms, showers, a spa, and even a whirlpool. It is important to note that Qatar Airways has a discounted business class fare product called “Business Lite,” which does not include lounge access unless the passenger is also a top-tier elite status flier with a Oneworld airline. However, luckily, economy class and Business Lite passengers can still purchase access to the lounge, which for many is worth it, especially with a long connection between flights.
The lounge experience: a la carte menus and designer furniture
This space is enormous (more than 100,000 square feet) with multiple seating, dining, and working areas. Polished marble, contemporary art, and a dramatic chandelier above a gurgling fountain set the scene.
You cannot walk very far without finding a refreshment station, as they are positioned throughout the lounge, offering soft drinks, bottled water, coffee, and tea. On either end of the lounge, you’ll find the main dining areas. One side is a casual deli-style café where travelers can order freshly made salads, panini, and other sandwiches prepared to order. There’s also a full-service bar with a long cocktail and mocktail list to satisfy any post-flight thirst.
On the other side of the lounge, there’s another restaurant upstairs with an a la carte menu featuring things like omelets, steak, pasta dishes, and vegetarian curries prepared to order. There are two buffet stations, one with a cold mezze spread of salads and appetizers, and another with hot dishes like grilled lamb, stir-fried vegetables, and soups. A bakery station allows travelers to customize a basket to take back to their table. With the same finesse as the DO & CO menus served on board, the lounge menus are quite impressive.
There’s also a salad bar where people can customize a salad that is made on the spot as well as a sushi station. Fresh juices are available at the bar, which also stocks top-shelf liquor, wines, and Champagne. For dessert, the pastry spread and Arabic sweets are the perfect way to round out a meal.
Families can find more privacy in a play area for kids or quiet seating nooks in the back of the lounge with TVs, sofas, and small chairs. There’s also a dedicated business center with printers and power outlets and two nap areas with blankets and reclining chairs. Side tables have plenty of power outlets as well as wireless charging capabilities. If you want to charge up in another way, give the Formula 1 simulator a go.
After a long flight, this lounge provides plenty of space to refresh including private shower rooms. Smokers can light up in a dedicated and ventilated space.
The overall verdict
This lounge will soon be joined by a second Al Mourjan facility set to open in the coming months as part of The Orchard, Doha Airport’s stunning new shopping complex with fountains and an indoor garden. Qatar Airways has a reputation for top-notch service in the air, but its business-class lounge assures that the same attention to detail takes place on the ground, too.
