Nov 5, 2015, 11:11 am
Last edit by: Global321
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.
Cash upgrade offers are not eligible for lounge 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: 24/10/2025
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.
Cash upgrade offers are not eligible for lounge 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: 24/10/2025
QR Al Safwa First Class Lounge
Oct 23, 2015 | 8:44 pm
#166
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Kuwait
Programs: WoH Globalist
Posts: 607
I would happily stick with Emirates than Qatar Airways after looking at the pictures of Al-Safwa. Emirates first class passengers get a complimentary 15 minute spa treatment so why is it that with Qatar Airways passengers must pay for it? It just doesn't make any sense and as some folks mentioned here, the lounge doesn't appear to be that WOW to many of us...... Also, where is the business center and gaming room such as PS4 that many airline lounges offer in the Middle East? Really disappointed.
I guess I will just use my miles in my Privilege Club for a KWI - DOH - KWI trip and then toss away my card for good.
I guess I will just use my miles in my Privilege Club for a KWI - DOH - KWI trip and then toss away my card for good.
Oct 23, 2015 | 9:13 pm
#167
Join Date: Oct 2015
Posts: 9
Qatar Airways Al Safwa lounge Pictures
https://m.facebook.com/profile.php?id=480724602135873
Here is the link where you can see some of picture from inside
The lounge is quit right now but the what I like the most is the Spa area . It's just wow
Here is the link where you can see some of picture from inside
The lounge is quit right now but the what I like the most is the Spa area . It's just wow
Last edited by aburabei; Oct 23, 2015 at 9:41 pm
Oct 23, 2015 | 9:24 pm
#169
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: The Embassy
Posts: 678
Oct 23, 2015 | 9:48 pm
#171
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 319
Been here for the past 8 hours:l ... My thoughts...
The Space: architecturally stunning ... Attention to detail is evident throughout. Huge ceilings
The various areas: There's basically the "main room area" with lots of chairs and couches ... Then there's the main dining room, the deli/sushi dining room, the spa, family area, business center, and the quiet area.
Spa: took a quick walk round, WOW. Looks incredible. Even has a jacuzzi ... Alas, no free treatments! Big miss here on QRs part.
Quiet rooms: big win here. Essentially mini-hotel rooms with ensuite shower. Very comfortable. You even get your own key card to leave and come back. I'd argue that it's, if available, worth it to come the night before an early flight. Wake up, breakfast, flight. Brilliant
Business Center: real offices with big iMacs
Staff: loads and loads of staff but they all seem to be getting used to the place and seem a bit "nervous", so to speak.
Family rooms: these are great, shouldn't even be called family rooms. Most similar to the semi-private rooms at the Thai First class lounge in Bangkok.
Downside: the layout of the lounge is weird, and it's confusing where things are. No map, and wasn't offered a tour. The family rooms are great but I doubt 95% of people would stumble upon it. There's also another food room here (I'm guessing for kids?) with lots of cakes. Seems like lots of beautiful spaces and areas throughout will probably go unused. The "quiet area" sign makes it seem like it's an area with couches to nap, not mini-hotel rooms. Also the showers (aside from the ones in the quiet rooms) are located in the back of a bathroom where you have to go through the family areas (not the main one). Weird.
Overall: it's a beautiful lounge with some initial teething issues. I feel like there will be some wasted space and a big miss on the non-free SPA but overall a very nice experience.
Will post pics when I get on my computer
The Space: architecturally stunning ... Attention to detail is evident throughout. Huge ceilings
The various areas: There's basically the "main room area" with lots of chairs and couches ... Then there's the main dining room, the deli/sushi dining room, the spa, family area, business center, and the quiet area.
Spa: took a quick walk round, WOW. Looks incredible. Even has a jacuzzi ... Alas, no free treatments! Big miss here on QRs part.
Quiet rooms: big win here. Essentially mini-hotel rooms with ensuite shower. Very comfortable. You even get your own key card to leave and come back. I'd argue that it's, if available, worth it to come the night before an early flight. Wake up, breakfast, flight. Brilliant
Business Center: real offices with big iMacs
Staff: loads and loads of staff but they all seem to be getting used to the place and seem a bit "nervous", so to speak.
Family rooms: these are great, shouldn't even be called family rooms. Most similar to the semi-private rooms at the Thai First class lounge in Bangkok.
Downside: the layout of the lounge is weird, and it's confusing where things are. No map, and wasn't offered a tour. The family rooms are great but I doubt 95% of people would stumble upon it. There's also another food room here (I'm guessing for kids?) with lots of cakes. Seems like lots of beautiful spaces and areas throughout will probably go unused. The "quiet area" sign makes it seem like it's an area with couches to nap, not mini-hotel rooms. Also the showers (aside from the ones in the quiet rooms) are located in the back of a bathroom where you have to go through the family areas (not the main one). Weird.
Overall: it's a beautiful lounge with some initial teething issues. I feel like there will be some wasted space and a big miss on the non-free SPA but overall a very nice experience.
Will post pics when I get on my computer
Last edited by Gabrca; Oct 23, 2015 at 10:25 pm
Oct 23, 2015 | 10:23 pm
#175
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 319
Oct 23, 2015 | 10:53 pm
#176
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: SAN, MIA, GOT
Programs: BA Gold
Posts: 353
Thank you Gabrca!
Looks stunning! ^
Oct 23, 2015 | 11:02 pm
#177
Join Date: Jul 2000
Location: AUH
Posts: 8,637
I guess I will just use my miles in my Privilege Club for a KWI - DOH - KWI trip and then toss away my card for good.
Oct 23, 2015 | 11:23 pm
#178
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 905
I would happily stick with Emirates than Qatar Airways after looking at the pictures of Al-Safwa. Emirates first class passengers get a complimentary 15 minute spa treatment so why is it that with Qatar Airways passengers must pay for it? It just doesn't make any sense and as some folks mentioned here, the lounge doesn't appear to be that WOW to many of us...... Also, where is the business center and gaming room such as PS4 that many airline lounges offer in the Middle East? Really disappointed.
I guess I will just use my miles in my Privilege Club for a KWI - DOH - KWI trip and then toss away my card for good.
I guess I will just use my miles in my Privilege Club for a KWI - DOH - KWI trip and then toss away my card for good.
Entrance to Business Center by Gabrca Brian, on Flickr
IMG_4212 by Gabrca Brian, on FlickrI myself am really disappointed that the lounge doesn't serve apple juice and no bottled water (based on the lack of pictures of Apple Juice and bottled water so far, most likely meaning that QR doesn't offer it)
Oct 23, 2015 | 11:25 pm
#179
Join Date: Dec 2009
Posts: 905
I'm sure I'm not the only one on the QR side who is relieved to hear that. But just out of interest, how many trips in F do you have planned for the next year (and thus relevant to the Safwa discussion)?
Of course, EK forum regulars have already learned not to take such declarations at all seriously by now...
Of course, EK forum regulars have already learned not to take such declarations at all seriously by now...
Oct 24, 2015 | 1:28 am
#180
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: Kuwait
Programs: WoH Globalist
Posts: 607
Cheap decorations for first class
I expected something like this for first class:http://www.965malls.com/wp-content/u...hamra-logo.jpg (MARBLE walls not wood!!!!)
Or in worst case scenario something like this (EK lounge in KWI airport)
http://i58.tinypic.com/2u7t06h.jpg
Even Kuwait Airways lounge in Kuwait looks more luxurious than Al-Safwa:
http://www.airliners.net/aviation-fo...d.main/262119/
Last edited by aceboy44; Oct 24, 2015 at 1:38 am