J Passengers can pay for Al Sawfa Access - Now 600 QAR
Aug 16, 2019, 12:24 am
#346
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: OSL
Programs: BA Gold, SAS Silver
Posts: 45
Flew through DOH with an eight over layover spanning 7/27-7/28 (~11pm arrival, ~7am departure) on paid J tickets, D fare class (aka non-discount). Was with my SO and another couple, and we all opted to pay for access to AS. Confirming it was 600 QAR per person. Given our layover was just over 8 hours, we were eligible for STPC which would've been complimentary accommodations at the Oryx Rotana w/ group transfers included. We could've also stayed in the airside Oryx for a little less than what 2x entry to AS was, I think. We all decided the experience of going to AS was worth it, but I can totally understand how others would not come to the same conclusion. At 250 QAR, this was an obvious choice; at 600 QAR, the value proposition isn't there and you're opting to pay a premium for the experience instead.
Aug 16, 2019, 2:29 am
#347
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,744
IMO depends on which eight hours.
Aug 16, 2019, 4:29 am
#349
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
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Aug 17, 2019, 12:02 am
#350
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: LAX
Posts: 301
So the decision, assuming getting some sleep is your priority given a 12:30am arrival, comes down to what you prioritize - saving money first and foremost? Free hotel through STPC. Maximizing sleep time but making a slightly more cost-conscious choice? Airside Oryx. Experiencing a lounge you might not get to experience again given the lack of FC routes Qatar operates and the fact that QR could take paid AS access for J pax away at any time? AS.
Not mentioned in my list is the option to of course just go to AM - I didn’t stop by AM so I can’t speak to it at all.
Aug 17, 2019, 2:09 pm
#351
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Austin
Programs: Too Many
Posts: 152
Just returned from DOH and used AS.
Cost was $170 USD charged to my credit card. Front desk person (before you're even allowed to enter) will try and push you to Bus lounge. Once I said the $160 upgrade, he wasn't happy, but called supervisor, pulled out cc machine, supervisor showed up and was super nice. Swiped my card and I was in. Got the tour and the place was empty. I counted 20+ employees working (probably many more) and I was only one in.
I flew in about 11:30PM and stayed until 5:30AM. I slept from 11:30P - 2:30A (room was a little warm even though I put AC at coolest). Took at shower and enjoyed the restaurant from 3A-5AM, again no one there but me and about 8 employees.
Super nice bartender, and he admitted they have downgraded wine selection in past 6 months. They were serving VC Grande Dame. Not bad, but not best. Had a few other $100/bottle wines, but nothing mind blowing. Food was meh (cooked to order) at best. But the ambiance is mind blowing (I think to some crappy UA Club to this LOL).
I asked the manager what will happen when First is no longer. He said he is not worried about it...ok. He said only about 50 or fewer visit the lounge a day. Well worth the visit IMHO and with a 9 hr layover (6 in AS lounge), it was sweet. Only wish you could stay longer.
Aug 18, 2019, 7:44 am
#352
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Falkirk, Scotland,VS Red, BA Gold, HH Diamond,UK Amex Plat
Programs: Master of the Privy Purse des Muccis
Posts: 17,899
Hi,
Thought I had commented on this previously but obviously not.
I did EDI-DOH-SIN rtn with Qatar J at the end of July ( 6 nights in SIN)
As I had a 7 hour midmight layover bothways ( 0030-0715 on the outbound and 0020 to 0745 on the return) , after premium transit security I walked around for a few minutes then headed to Al Sawfa. On my return trip I had about 30 mins before my assumed 6 hour limit started ( i took it to be 6 hours prior to boarding time and had no problems) so I went to AM had some sparling water and a cake ( quite good). The lounge was huge, beautiful but quite busy at 0045 ( still plenty of seats but there was always people near by and even the quiet areas were busy so the chances of a good sleep were not great i reckoned)
On the outbound there was 2 agents checking boarding passes at the bottom of the escalator but had no problems getting up the escaltors ( no body was there on my 2nd visit) . On my second visit I had a quick look at AM and had a sparking water and a small cake before heading to AS
Registering at the lounge reception was no problem ( the agent had to get a colleage to come and process the payments- she recognised me on my second visit) -payed by amex and then was escorted to the room reception ( I was asked if I wanted to dine but I was full at 0100)
Reception took my bp and escorted me to my rooms. Both were as described by texex91 ( found the tempreature very good). Rooms had a tv with a desk and bottle of water, bathrobe, and bathroom ,toilet and shower ( shampoo, shower gel condtioner and body lotion provided in hotel style bottles
Toothbrush and tooth paste were provided as well as a razor and shaving gel ( I found the razor nicked pretty easily so be careful and did not like the raxor- on my return I used one razor i took from the Conrad and that one was better but still not as good as my gillette mach 3 turbo but it did the job
The bed was excellent as I fell asleep quickly and next thing i knew it was 520am with my phone alarm going off.
After a shower and walk around the lounge I went for breakfast ( few people there)- I had a glass of champagne, orange juice, coffee, cereal, pain au chocolat and pancakes with syrup ( excellent). Service was excellent.
Then went to the bathroom then headed to my next flight:
Overall:
Cost - At 600 riyal it is a bit expensive
Quality of Sleep: Getting 4 hours non stop good sleep is fantastic ( better than what I would get on a plane as you are liable to be disturbed occassionally) and sets you up for the next flight so you do not feel completely shattered on arrival ( esp if working the next day)
Room quality-excellent with a great shower
Breakfast: Very good with great staff service
Lounge ambience- excellent
Would I do it again?- I would probably go for a shorter connection if the flight cost was the same and if I had a 7 hour daytime connection would be happy in AM ( I generally try not to drink too much so find the better quality wines of lesser benefit) but with the7 hour overnight night time connection and excellent sleep experienced ( an extra hour or 2 would have been even more welcome I am glad I enjoyed the experience of AS for my first time connecting through DOH.
Regards
TBS
Thought I had commented on this previously but obviously not.
I did EDI-DOH-SIN rtn with Qatar J at the end of July ( 6 nights in SIN)
As I had a 7 hour midmight layover bothways ( 0030-0715 on the outbound and 0020 to 0745 on the return) , after premium transit security I walked around for a few minutes then headed to Al Sawfa. On my return trip I had about 30 mins before my assumed 6 hour limit started ( i took it to be 6 hours prior to boarding time and had no problems) so I went to AM had some sparling water and a cake ( quite good). The lounge was huge, beautiful but quite busy at 0045 ( still plenty of seats but there was always people near by and even the quiet areas were busy so the chances of a good sleep were not great i reckoned)
On the outbound there was 2 agents checking boarding passes at the bottom of the escalator but had no problems getting up the escaltors ( no body was there on my 2nd visit) . On my second visit I had a quick look at AM and had a sparking water and a small cake before heading to AS
Registering at the lounge reception was no problem ( the agent had to get a colleage to come and process the payments- she recognised me on my second visit) -payed by amex and then was escorted to the room reception ( I was asked if I wanted to dine but I was full at 0100)
Reception took my bp and escorted me to my rooms. Both were as described by texex91 ( found the tempreature very good). Rooms had a tv with a desk and bottle of water, bathrobe, and bathroom ,toilet and shower ( shampoo, shower gel condtioner and body lotion provided in hotel style bottles
Toothbrush and tooth paste were provided as well as a razor and shaving gel ( I found the razor nicked pretty easily so be careful and did not like the raxor- on my return I used one razor i took from the Conrad and that one was better but still not as good as my gillette mach 3 turbo but it did the job
The bed was excellent as I fell asleep quickly and next thing i knew it was 520am with my phone alarm going off.
After a shower and walk around the lounge I went for breakfast ( few people there)- I had a glass of champagne, orange juice, coffee, cereal, pain au chocolat and pancakes with syrup ( excellent). Service was excellent.
Then went to the bathroom then headed to my next flight:
Overall:
Cost - At 600 riyal it is a bit expensive
Quality of Sleep: Getting 4 hours non stop good sleep is fantastic ( better than what I would get on a plane as you are liable to be disturbed occassionally) and sets you up for the next flight so you do not feel completely shattered on arrival ( esp if working the next day)
Room quality-excellent with a great shower
Breakfast: Very good with great staff service
Lounge ambience- excellent
Would I do it again?- I would probably go for a shorter connection if the flight cost was the same and if I had a 7 hour daytime connection would be happy in AM ( I generally try not to drink too much so find the better quality wines of lesser benefit) but with the7 hour overnight night time connection and excellent sleep experienced ( an extra hour or 2 would have been even more welcome I am glad I enjoyed the experience of AS for my first time connecting through DOH.
Regards
TBS
Last edited by The _Banking_Scot; Aug 18, 2019 at 4:04 pm
Aug 18, 2019, 10:06 am
#353
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: HHonors Diamond; A3 *Nothing ; BA Exec. Club Gold
Posts: 1,688
Had a flight in J SIN-AMS vv last month with 7 hour layovers on both sectors and was very much tempted to use this option. Then the price got increased to QAR 600 and decided against it.
Dont think I got all the value out of AM but in the end did have a quiet room, a great sleep, a shower and a decent breakfast. Saving me USD 165 per layover. Honestly don’t think the very nice AS bed as seen in the pictures and the VC Grand Dame would have given me that value.
Globalist
Dont think I got all the value out of AM but in the end did have a quiet room, a great sleep, a shower and a decent breakfast. Saving me USD 165 per layover. Honestly don’t think the very nice AS bed as seen in the pictures and the VC Grand Dame would have given me that value.
Globalist
Aug 18, 2019, 5:07 pm
#354
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: BOS/UTH
Programs: AA LT PLT; QR GLD; Bonvoy LT TIT
Posts: 12,744
Dont think I got all the value out of AM but in the end did have a quiet room, a great sleep, a shower and a decent breakfast. Saving me USD 165 per layover. Honestly don’t think the very nice AS bed as seen in the pictures and the VC Grand Dame would have given me that value.
2) That would depend on how much LGD one drinks, no? It's gone down mighty nicely with the French toast on several occasions at AS.
Aug 18, 2019, 6:35 pm
#355
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Singapore
Programs: HHonors Diamond; A3 *Nothing ; BA Exec. Club Gold
Posts: 1,688
1) Did you have one of the quiet rooms in the back behind the deli? I've never tried that option when there wasn't someone snoring so loudly that I was unable to sleep. I've never paid for AS access, but the times I've been there, I slept quite well in what is essentially a studio apartment.
the place has disadvantages, there is some noise as people come to the reception for showers all the time. There are some heavy snorers kn the other rooms. And if the receptionist is not around you have guests wandering around checking for free rooms.
Globalist
Aug 18, 2019, 8:46 pm
#356
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
We had an 8 hour layover August 8th. Roughly 6pm-2am. Paid to upgrade to Al Safwa as we wanted to sleep and it was our 25th anniversary. Lounge-was as everyone says mind blowing. I counted maybe 5 others using it. Staff was wonderful. While we were paying, my wife saw someone come up the elevator and try to just mosey on in. They walked after him to scan his boarding pass. He just waved and went back down the escalator. 
. We slept, showered and ate. Near the end of our 6 hours, we were leaving. (About 11:45) The manager walked after us and said we still had 90 mins before flight. She said-its your anniversary, have a couple of lattes and relax. How could we say no? They also gave us a full size decorated cake at the end of dinner with Happy Anniversary on it. Full size? What could we do with that? I made every effort to make as much disappear as I could....
A great experience and wonderful addition to our trip.
. We slept, showered and ate. Near the end of our 6 hours, we were leaving. (About 11:45) The manager walked after us and said we still had 90 mins before flight. She said-its your anniversary, have a couple of lattes and relax. How could we say no? They also gave us a full size decorated cake at the end of dinner with Happy Anniversary on it. Full size? What could we do with that? I made every effort to make as much disappear as I could.... A great experience and wonderful addition to our trip.
Aug 19, 2019, 9:23 am
#357
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Austin
Programs: Too Many
Posts: 152
We had an 8 hour layover August 8th. Roughly 6pm-2am. Paid to upgrade to Al Safwa as we wanted to sleep and it was our 25th anniversary. Lounge-was as everyone says mind blowing. I counted maybe 5 others using it. Staff was wonderful. While we were paying, my wife saw someone come up the elevator and try to just mosey on in. They walked after him to scan his boarding pass. He just waved and went back down the escalator. . We slept, showered and ate. Near the end of our 6 hours, we were leaving. (About 11:45) The manager walked after us and said we still had 90 mins before flight. She said-its your anniversary, have a couple of lattes and relax. How could we say no? They also gave us a full size decorated cake at the end of dinner with Happy Anniversary on it. Full size? What could we do with that? I made every effort to make as much disappear as I could....
A great experience and wonderful addition to our trip.
. We slept, showered and ate. Near the end of our 6 hours, we were leaving. (About 11:45) The manager walked after us and said we still had 90 mins before flight. She said-its your anniversary, have a couple of lattes and relax. How could we say no? They also gave us a full size decorated cake at the end of dinner with Happy Anniversary on it. Full size? What could we do with that? I made every effort to make as much disappear as I could....A great experience and wonderful addition to our trip.
Aug 19, 2019, 9:33 am
#358
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Cockeysville, MD
Programs: Marriott Rewards Lifetime Titanium, Amex Plat, Hertz Gold 5*, National Exec, AA Plat
Posts: 9,467
HAHAHA! We were--sat right in front of you after you switched seats for the family. Nice to "see you". We did fly the 350-1000 DOH-JFK Sat/Sun this weekend. It was great. We had a great time-hope you did too!
Aug 21, 2019, 2:46 am
#360
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: Tokyo
Programs: JAL Metal Card (OWE), SAS Eurobonus Gold (*G), Marriott Titanium (LTP), Tokyu Hotels Platinum
Posts: 21,105