Nov 5, 2015, 11:11 am
Last edit by: CPH-Flyer
READ BEFORE COMMENTING IF YOU ARE NEW,
Hamad International Airport (HIA) offers passengers a number of different lounges.
This thread, is specifically for the Al Safwa First Class Lounge. Information on the other Lounge options at HIA, can be found here.
Does Al Safwa have a web page?
Yes: http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...-al-safwa.page
Dining Menu
https://www.qatarairways.com/content...-dining-en.pdf
Where can I find Al Safwa Lounge?
The Lounge is located on Level 3 of the airport.
Can I use the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge?
Access is based on your underlying fare bucket. This means that upgraded tickets, maybe except upgrades with QPoints (see post 2735), are not granted access.
Access is thus restricted to Qatar Airways First Class, and OneWorld First Class passengers :
- either holding a First Class boarding pass* for their next flight
- or holding a First Class boarding pass from their previous flight.
Additionally, Privilege Club platinum club travelling on any business-class fare are welcomed into the lounge. This is a facility introduced recently and one that could just as easily disappear.
- Guests are not permitted.
* Operational Upgrades to First do not give access. Upgrades with Qpoints may do give acces (see post 2735 - Sept 2022)
Arrival access on mid and long haul? (eg. coming from LHR in F)
YES
Ex. CAI-DOH-HEL
Arrival access regional F? (eg. coming from CAI in F)
Yes.
Caveat, if your underlying J fare is P, then the no lounge access for business light kicks in. And there is no access.
Privilege Club Platinum members are currently allowed in the lounge when travelling on any QR business-class fare: that could change. Other Oneworld Emerald members are directed to the Platinum lounge(s) when travelling in any class, and the Al Mourjan lounge when travelling on relevant business-class fares. Yup, it gets complicated.
What does the lounge look like?
Reports on the Lounge, can be found here and here. Photographs of the lounge, can be found here.
Is there a Spa?
Yes, there is a full Spa, but you will have to pay for treatments. A full list of treatments available can be found here
What about the sleeping rooms?
Stargold in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28199729-post1177.html suggests that access to sleeping rooms is as follows:
'* No reservations allowed - always first-come first-served
* Only available if the remaining time until the flight departure is more than 4 hours
* Passengers are allowed maximum six hours' usage - for any further usage, a fee of QAR 450 is payable for a second block of six hours.
* No F&B of any kind except bottled water in the sleeping rooms.'
What changes can I expect during Ramadan?
Ramadan affects QR and you in many ways so please look at ramadan to see how you are affected.
Updated: 19/11/2023
Hamad International Airport (HIA) offers passengers a number of different lounges.
This thread, is specifically for the Al Safwa First Class Lounge. Information on the other Lounge options at HIA, can be found here.
Does Al Safwa have a web page?
Yes: http://www.qatarairways.com/global/e...-al-safwa.page
Dining Menu
https://www.qatarairways.com/content...-dining-en.pdf
Where can I find Al Safwa Lounge?
The Lounge is located on Level 3 of the airport.
Can I use the Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge?
Access is based on your underlying fare bucket. This means that upgraded tickets, maybe except upgrades with QPoints (see post 2735), are not granted access.
Access is thus restricted to Qatar Airways First Class, and OneWorld First Class passengers :
- either holding a First Class boarding pass* for their next flight
- or holding a First Class boarding pass from their previous flight.
Additionally, Privilege Club platinum club travelling on any business-class fare are welcomed into the lounge. This is a facility introduced recently and one that could just as easily disappear.
- Guests are not permitted.
* Operational Upgrades to First do not give access. Upgrades with Qpoints may do give acces (see post 2735 - Sept 2022)
Arrival access on mid and long haul? (eg. coming from LHR in F)
YES
Ex. CAI-DOH-HEL
Arrival access regional F? (eg. coming from CAI in F)
Yes.
Caveat, if your underlying J fare is P, then the no lounge access for business light kicks in. And there is no access.
Privilege Club Platinum members are currently allowed in the lounge when travelling on any QR business-class fare: that could change. Other Oneworld Emerald members are directed to the Platinum lounge(s) when travelling in any class, and the Al Mourjan lounge when travelling on relevant business-class fares. Yup, it gets complicated.
What does the lounge look like?
Reports on the Lounge, can be found here and here. Photographs of the lounge, can be found here.
Is there a Spa?
Yes, there is a full Spa, but you will have to pay for treatments. A full list of treatments available can be found here
What about the sleeping rooms?
Stargold in http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/28199729-post1177.html suggests that access to sleeping rooms is as follows:
'* No reservations allowed - always first-come first-served
* Only available if the remaining time until the flight departure is more than 4 hours
* Passengers are allowed maximum six hours' usage - for any further usage, a fee of QAR 450 is payable for a second block of six hours.
* No F&B of any kind except bottled water in the sleeping rooms.'
What changes can I expect during Ramadan?
Ramadan affects QR and you in many ways so please look at ramadan to see how you are affected.
Updated: 19/11/2023
QR Al Safwa First Class Lounge
Jun 26, 2021, 12:43 pm
#1966
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,700
Just be very careful to check whether AA has re-issued your ticket properly following the class change. I read a thread on the AAdvantage forum a few days ago (can't find it anymore) where the poster nearly didn't the QR flight ex-JFK because AA had not reissued the ticket so there was a ticket and booking mismatch. If necessary, call QR to check that everything is okay from their end.
Actually something looks weird... when I open the res. on AA it says "cant display details... please call customer service". Something def. happened due to the reclassification from J to F.
However, I called QR last night and got through and was able to get the 3K seat on both short legs back how I had it and the trip is confirmed and on QR site also it looks all good.
On AA it does say ticketed btw but does have the message I mentioned above.. So I should call into AA?
Was curious on the situation you read in the other thread, what exactly happened- the person lost their res/flight and couldnt board?
Jun 26, 2021, 12:49 pm
#1967
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,700
Sorry I forgot to respond to you when you brought up the new ticket number last night. Appreciate you mentioning it. Just not sure how to see the new ticket number if there is one, especially since AA site & app is saying "we cant display your details, please call.."
Jun 26, 2021, 2:56 pm
#1968
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,266
How I do see if my ticket number changed? I have to go to the original email to find the ticket number but the ticket number isnt displayed on the app inside the res is it?
Actually something looks weird... when I open the res. on AA it says "cant display details... please call customer service". Something def. happened due to the reclassification from J to F.
However, I called QR last night and got through and was able to get the 3K seat on both short legs back how I had it and the trip is confirmed and on QR site also it looks all good.
On AA it does say ticketed btw but does have the message I mentioned above.. So I should call into AA?
Was curious on the situation you read in the other thread, what exactly happened- the person lost their res/flight and couldnt board?
Actually something looks weird... when I open the res. on AA it says "cant display details... please call customer service". Something def. happened due to the reclassification from J to F.
However, I called QR last night and got through and was able to get the 3K seat on both short legs back how I had it and the trip is confirmed and on QR site also it looks all good.
On AA it does say ticketed btw but does have the message I mentioned above.. So I should call into AA?
Was curious on the situation you read in the other thread, what exactly happened- the person lost their res/flight and couldnt board?
The other thread, the poster originally booked the connecting flight in Y and then found space so changed the booking to J, but AA did not reissue the ticket so the poster turned up at JFK for the 1:30am QR flight and QR was saying they could not check him in until it has been reissued by AA. Poster had to call the Australian number in order to get it reissued and narrowly made it onto the flight.
Jun 26, 2021, 4:05 pm
#1969
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,946
Sorry I forgot to respond to you when you brought up the new ticket number last night. Appreciate you mentioning it. Just not sure how to see the new ticket number if there is one, especially since AA site & app is saying "we cant display your details, please call.."
Jun 26, 2021, 6:19 pm
#1970
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,700
All good. It should show in the confirmation email, at the bottom under receipt section. Although may not appear in award reservations. Agree with stargold to contact AA. Twitter is an option too and request both old and new.
Pretty lame that a simple J to F switch means I lose seats on the flight, cant get them back with out calling into QR and then now have to call AA to get them to fix the res. on their end so there are no issues down the road.
Jun 28, 2021, 3:22 am
#1972
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: London
Programs: Hilton, IHG - BA, GA, LH, QR, SV, TK
Posts: 17,008
We went through the same extended circus of rumours, the same Safwa-anxiety in these threads, before the lounge's grand opening.
Jun 30, 2021, 2:24 pm
#1973
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 568
For what it's worth, I was in DOH this week and spoke to one of the staff who said that Al Safwa will reopen when the "refurbishment" is complete. They also stated that QR is building a new lounge in the upcoming section of the airport currently being built. That's the first I heard of either thing!
Jun 30, 2021, 2:27 pm
#1974
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
For what it's worth, I was in DOH this week and spoke to one of the staff who said that Al Safwa will reopen when the "refurbishment" is complete. They also stated that QR is building a new lounge in the upcoming section of the airport currently being built. That's the first I heard of either thing!
Jun 30, 2021, 7:22 pm
#1975
Join Date: May 2006
Location: NBO, MEL
Programs: QR Platinum, TK Elite
Posts: 1,357
Thx for the link. I'm happy with the change. I have 7 hours layover in from LA and was maybe considering the hotel but for 7 hours and now with Al Safwa access there is no reason at all to get the hotel. Just pay to use the pool and gym and can get the private room at the lounge for a shower and maybe quick nap.
I just think its weird they took the seats away and furthermore QR wont allow me to get a seat online
I just think its weird they took the seats away and furthermore QR wont allow me to get a seat online
Jul 1, 2021, 7:11 am
#1976
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: RDU
Posts: 2,263
Email from Oryx Hotel: We regret to inform you that the Gym, Swimming pool, Hydrotherapy tub and SPA are closed for an uncertain period of time! This measure has been implemented as part of the Covid-19 regulations issued by the State of Qatar, therefore we are thankful for your understanding.
Jul 2, 2021, 11:06 am
#1977
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
(Not on topic, so hopefully mods have a better place to put this). But... staying there in a week, and this would be quite disappointing! One of the reasons we booked there (4 of us) vs. just roughing it in the lounge overnight was for access (at 175/person, the gym/pool access cost makes up 50% of the room cost!). Wonder if the hotel will offer some compensation of sorts... I guess I'll see.
Jul 3, 2021, 2:30 am
#1978
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: So Cal
Programs: AA Platinum
Posts: 2,700
Pre pandemic does anyone know if the Pool and fitness center at the hotel were 24 hours or if not what their hours were. I cant seem to find that. Thx..
Also, in deciding between paying for the Al Safwa up charge Vs. getting a room at the hotel is the time of layover really the deciding factor. 6 hours and less the hotel doesnt seem viable. 12 hours plus I feel personally the hotel would make sense I have a 9 hour exact layover, right smack in the middle of what I was using to decide. Coming in from Dubai 11pm, leaving 8am to LAX. This is in 5 months so hoping Al Safwa is open by then.
Never been to DOH before so just curious what makes sense for a 9 hours at that time of day (night). My goal would be to Swim and work out and have some food & good booze. Maybe a 3 hour nap or so.
If Al Safwa was $125 ish how it used apparently it be it might be an easier decision but still leaning towards just paying the $200 it seems to be now and can get a private room for 6 hours to throw my stuff in and go to the gym/pool and then shower and nap in.
Be curious to know if the food service and what i can get at the a la carte sit down is not quite as good in the middle of the night or is it still as good as day time then
Thx in advance.
Also, in deciding between paying for the Al Safwa up charge Vs. getting a room at the hotel is the time of layover really the deciding factor. 6 hours and less the hotel doesnt seem viable. 12 hours plus I feel personally the hotel would make sense I have a 9 hour exact layover, right smack in the middle of what I was using to decide. Coming in from Dubai 11pm, leaving 8am to LAX. This is in 5 months so hoping Al Safwa is open by then.
Never been to DOH before so just curious what makes sense for a 9 hours at that time of day (night). My goal would be to Swim and work out and have some food & good booze. Maybe a 3 hour nap or so.
If Al Safwa was $125 ish how it used apparently it be it might be an easier decision but still leaning towards just paying the $200 it seems to be now and can get a private room for 6 hours to throw my stuff in and go to the gym/pool and then shower and nap in.
Be curious to know if the food service and what i can get at the a la carte sit down is not quite as good in the middle of the night or is it still as good as day time then
Thx in advance.
Jul 3, 2021, 3:28 am
#1979
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Istanbul, Turkey
Programs: TK Elite Plus,BAEC GGL,ITA Executive, AFKL Gold,QR Gold,HH Diamond,Bonvoy Gold,ALL Gold
Posts: 14,186
Pre pandemic does anyone know if the Pool and fitness center at the hotel were 24 hours or if not what their hours were. I cant seem to find that. Thx..
Also, in deciding between paying for the Al Safwa up charge Vs. getting a room at the hotel is the time of layover really the deciding factor. 6 hours and less the hotel doesnt seem viable. 12 hours plus I feel personally the hotel would make sense I have a 9 hour exact layover, right smack in the middle of what I was using to decide. Coming in from Dubai 11pm, leaving 8am to LAX. This is in 5 months so hoping Al Safwa is open by then.
Never been to DOH before so just curious what makes sense for a 9 hours at that time of day (night). My goal would be to Swim and work out and have some food & good booze. Maybe a 3 hour nap or so.
If Al Safwa was $125 ish how it used apparently it be it might be an easier decision but still leaning towards just paying the $200 it seems to be now and can get a private room for 6 hours to throw my stuff in and go to the gym/pool and then shower and nap in.
Be curious to know if the food service and what i can get at the a la carte sit down is not quite as good in the middle of the night or is it still as good as day time then
Thx in advance.
Also, in deciding between paying for the Al Safwa up charge Vs. getting a room at the hotel is the time of layover really the deciding factor. 6 hours and less the hotel doesnt seem viable. 12 hours plus I feel personally the hotel would make sense I have a 9 hour exact layover, right smack in the middle of what I was using to decide. Coming in from Dubai 11pm, leaving 8am to LAX. This is in 5 months so hoping Al Safwa is open by then.
Never been to DOH before so just curious what makes sense for a 9 hours at that time of day (night). My goal would be to Swim and work out and have some food & good booze. Maybe a 3 hour nap or so.
If Al Safwa was $125 ish how it used apparently it be it might be an easier decision but still leaning towards just paying the $200 it seems to be now and can get a private room for 6 hours to throw my stuff in and go to the gym/pool and then shower and nap in.
Be curious to know if the food service and what i can get at the a la carte sit down is not quite as good in the middle of the night or is it still as good as day time then
Thx in advance.
I love the optimism that you have, however, I wouldn't expect or at least think that everything would be same as pre-COVID when Al Safwa re-opens. As another poster has reported, Al Safwa is under refurbishment at this time and no opening date is set. Plus the latest entry fee for QR Business Class passengers for Al Safwa was $180 for 6 hours ( not $125 ) - at least during first quarter 2020; we have no information if the prices would remain the same when it re-opens.
Also, in Doha and in other airports at that part of the world, there is no meal time differentiation other than breakfast and rest of the day in terms of meal services. You could have a main course any time during the day which includes a full course a-la-carte dinner at 2am in Al Mourjan or Al Safwa ( if it reopens ).
If you ask the same question regarding what is your best option about a month before your travel, you would get a more accurate answer depending on the actual situation rather than speculating and hoping everything would be the same as pre-COVID in 5 months.
Jul 3, 2021, 9:11 am
#1980
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: The Indo Jungle
Programs: AA EXP, IHG Spire
Posts: 1,319
Pre pandemic does anyone know if the Pool and fitness center at the hotel were 24 hours or if not what their hours were. I cant seem to find that. Thx..
Also, in deciding between paying for the Al Safwa up charge Vs. getting a room at the hotel is the time of layover really the deciding factor. 6 hours and less the hotel doesnt seem viable. 12 hours plus I feel personally the hotel would make sense I have a 9 hour exact layover, right smack in the middle of what I was using to decide. Coming in from Dubai 11pm, leaving 8am to LAX. This is in 5 months so hoping Al Safwa is open by then.
Never been to DOH before so just curious what makes sense for a 9 hours at that time of day (night). My goal would be to Swim and work out and have some food & good booze. Maybe a 3 hour nap or so.
If Al Safwa was $125 ish how it used apparently it be it might be an easier decision but still leaning towards just paying the $200 it seems to be now and can get a private room for 6 hours to throw my stuff in and go to the gym/pool and then shower and nap in.
Be curious to know if the food service and what i can get at the a la carte sit down is not quite as good in the middle of the night or is it still as good as day time then
Thx in advance.
Also, in deciding between paying for the Al Safwa up charge Vs. getting a room at the hotel is the time of layover really the deciding factor. 6 hours and less the hotel doesnt seem viable. 12 hours plus I feel personally the hotel would make sense I have a 9 hour exact layover, right smack in the middle of what I was using to decide. Coming in from Dubai 11pm, leaving 8am to LAX. This is in 5 months so hoping Al Safwa is open by then.
Never been to DOH before so just curious what makes sense for a 9 hours at that time of day (night). My goal would be to Swim and work out and have some food & good booze. Maybe a 3 hour nap or so.
If Al Safwa was $125 ish how it used apparently it be it might be an easier decision but still leaning towards just paying the $200 it seems to be now and can get a private room for 6 hours to throw my stuff in and go to the gym/pool and then shower and nap in.
Be curious to know if the food service and what i can get at the a la carte sit down is not quite as good in the middle of the night or is it still as good as day time then
Thx in advance.