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
Apr 25, 2022, 5:20 pm
#2537
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
Apr 26, 2022, 7:53 pm
#2538
Join Date: May 2008
Location: San Francisco, where else?
Programs: EXP,EX-CK 2.5mm, now lifetime Platinum, ex-UA1K, Marriott- Platinum, Hertz 5*
Posts: 991
Not a huge deal either way.... I'm just looking forward to my first long-haul flight since 2019!
Apr 27, 2022, 2:27 pm
#2539
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: In the sticks
Programs: VS FC Gold, BA EC Gold, Amex Centurion, EK Gold, ex-G-ATVK driver
Posts: 1,831
Last week I pre-paid for Al Safwa via MMB (20% cheaper than on-the-door - about $130 for 6 hours - time limit not enforced), and it was a revelation. 6 hours of sleep in a proper hotel-style room was the perfect tonic. Although they don't throw you out (of the lounge) after 6 hours, the rooms are strictly 6 hours with no advanced booking, so time your request carefully - suggest asking for a room *just before* the late evening rush of arrivals... As others have said, the food is meh, nothing special, but the service is friendly and fast, and the space itself is worth experiencing
You can be sure the staff knows exactly where everyone is, it’s ever so slightly creepy.
Apr 28, 2022, 7:53 am
#2540
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 1,888
Apr 28, 2022, 5:55 pm
#2541
Join Date: Jul 2013
Programs: Qantas FF & Qatar Privilege Club
Posts: 46
I've booked an Economy 'T' ticket and upgraded to Business with Qcredits. Assuming I don't keep my QR Platinum status at the time of travel (which is unlikely), it seems I have to buy access to the Al Mourjan lounge which is possible for AU$135. But I don't see the Al Safwa offered. Does anyone know why?
Apr 29, 2022, 4:48 am
#2542
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
Thank you for the information. I have a C ticket with an 8 hour layover in June, and I was going to pay for the First lounge (which I used years ago and enjoyed). May I ask what MMB is? I thought it might be "Manage My Booking", but I went there and don't see anything about upgrading the lounge experience. Thanks for any info!
Apr 29, 2022, 6:08 am
#2543
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 1,888
It was in Manage My Booking both on the webpage and the app, but it was quite glitchy, as reported elsewhere on this forum, didn't show Al Safwa most of the time - suggested I buy up to the Oryx lounge (no thanks). In the end, it showed up about 3-4 days before my flight, and I booked and paid the minute I saw it
We'll see. If the offer shows up, I'll take the risk.... Appreciate the information! 
Apr 30, 2022, 4:44 pm
#2544
Moderator: Alaska Mileage Plan
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 12,318
Last week I pre-paid for Al Safwa via MMB (20% cheaper than on-the-door - about $130 for 6 hours - time limit not enforced), and it was a revelation. 6 hours of sleep in a proper hotel-style room was the perfect tonic. Although they don't throw you out (of the lounge) after 6 hours, the rooms are strictly 6 hours with no advanced booking, so time your request carefully - suggest asking for a room *just before* the late evening rush of arrivals...
May 1, 2022, 1:30 am
#2546
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: Seattle & Seoul.... and now, Maastricht....
Programs: UA Mileage Plus, NWA WorldPerks deserter, Alaska Airlines Something-er-Other...
Posts: 1,888
May 1, 2022, 3:28 am
#2547
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: BRS
Programs: BA Gold, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 4,993
DOH is very very busy these days, so honestly I'm not sure!
May 1, 2022, 6:27 am
#2548
Join Date: Apr 2015
Programs: Some
Posts: 5,252
I would say you have a good chance but not guaranteed. I arrived at about midnight last month after a flight from MLE and was happy to secure a room at what is probably the absolute peak time for room requests. I am not sure if QR makes any distinction between paid access and actual F passengers these days for room requests (I imagine not but they probably should, to be honest).
May 1, 2022, 10:01 am
#2549
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London, UK
Programs: BA Gold (and other non-status plastic)
Posts: 1,889
To answer various questions from above...
There are banks of flights around 5-8pm, 11pm-2am and 5-8am. Those seem to be the busy times at Al Mourjan too.
I also got a room (to my surprise) at 00:30 when I was there a week or two ago. In fact, the front desk and entrance hosts both said the rooms were fully booked - maybe it's their standard answer? I enquired at the spa desk anyway, and there were still several rooms left - I got one, as did the person following me, so who knows, maybe just ask on the off chance
There are banks of flights around 5-8pm, 11pm-2am and 5-8am. Those seem to be the busy times at Al Mourjan too.
I also got a room (to my surprise) at 00:30 when I was there a week or two ago. In fact, the front desk and entrance hosts both said the rooms were fully booked - maybe it's their standard answer? I enquired at the spa desk anyway, and there were still several rooms left - I got one, as did the person following me, so who knows, maybe just ask on the off chance