After a failed attempt and a change of flights, we finally got to visit the GOAT.
It’s long been a dream of mine to get into the Qatar First Class lounge. I attempted an upgrade a couple of years ago but the lounge guardian said no. We then booked one of those rare First Class flights with Qatar to make sure we could use the lounge, but were downgraded after an aircraft swap. We finally got in after re-routing on a regional flight and spent six hours in this lounge. That time flew by.
How to get into the Al Safwa First Lounge
Entry to this lounge isn’t easy. Similar to the Concorde Room at LHR, there are some tight requirements if you want to head up the escalator. Travelling on a oneworld flight in First Class, being a Qatar Privilege Club Platinum member (whilst also travelling in business class) or flying in Qatar First.
The latter is much more difficult than you’d think, Qatar are not a First heavy airline. Their only native First cabins are on their A380, of which they have eight flying. That represents 3.5% of their entire fleet.
What Qatar does have is a set of aircraft that were previously owned by Cathay Pacific, a mini-fleet of 777s that have a first-class cabin. By luck these were operating to our destination. We booked it, but sadly, a few months out from our flight, we had an aircraft swap (as is often the way with Qatar), and we were downgraded to business class.
To rub salt into the wound, the aircraft was swapped back to the original ex-Cathay 777, with first class, but our tickets weren’t switched back to First.
We needed another plan as flying in First was our passport into the First lounge. The switch was simple: fly into Doha on a “regional first” flight, then fly out in business. The lounge’s entry rules allowed this, so we rebooked our Abu Dhabi to Doha flight from Etihad to Qatar.
What’s Qatar Regional First?
Ticketed as “first class,” it’s business class on a single-aisle plane. Unlike euro-business, these are proper business-class seats on short-haul flights. They’re big, comfortable, and two across. The level of service is the same, if not better, than a European short-haul business class flight. Our time in the air was less than an hour. It was a great experience, but all we really cared about how it got us into the first lounge.
Can you pay to get into the Al Safwa Lounge?
In theory, yes – there are plenty of stories of people being able to do this. However, I tried it once when travelling on an award ticket issued by British Airways. I was told in no uncertain terms by the guardian at the base of the escalator that this wasn’t possible. I didn’t even make it up to the lounge reception. And that’s despite the lounge being named after me, Al.
Those who have paid to get into the lounge have quoted prices of around 600 QAR, or around £130 if you are flying on a business class ticket issued by Qatar. That price is not bad at all.
It’s worth noting that the Qatar website or app does not mention paying for entry. I am fairly sure it used to hint at this, so it’s possible that this has now been removed.
If you are flying business, and you end up being turned away from the lounge then don’t be glum. Qatar’s business class lounge is a stunning space, and we ended up spending seven hours in there last year. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience.
Why is the Qatar First Lounge so great?
Before we set foot in the lounge, we’d “visited” it many times, thanks to all the YouTube reviews we’d watched. It looked stunning. What struck me – at least from the videos – was how big the space was and how quiet it was. I assume that’s down to how strict the entry requirements are.
My checklist of things that I want in a lounge:
- Great food, with table service
- Multiple rooms or spaces so I’m not bored
- Great architecture and design
- Somewhere to get a massage
- As quiet as possible
My assumption, and hope, was that the Al Safwa lounge would tick every one of those boxes.
Where is the Qatar First Lounge
The entrance to the lounge is just after security. It’s easy to find, although I always confuse the Al Safwa lounge with the Al Mourjan lounge. An escalator will take you from he main floor of the terminal to the
To get into the lounge you have to pass two different lounge guardians. One person at the bottom of the escalator (the lounge is on the first floor) and then a bank of desks where they will put your under more scrutiny. For some reason, our entry was being carefully considered. A keyboard was tapped, eyebrows were furrowed, and we stood there for five minutes. Eventually, the computer said yes, and we were on our way in.
There’s also a side entrance to the lounge for passengers transiting through Doha and travelling in First Class. We fit that criterion, and we did get the “first-class bus” (which was fantastic), but we were dropped off at the same place as all the other passengers. I’m not sure what needed to happen for us to use this entrance. Both of our flights were booked directly with Qatar.
What is the Qatar First Lounge really like?
Stunning. The triple-height space is like no other lounge. Whilst it may come across in the photos as a little cold and stark, it is awesome in the true sense of the word. Think about the worst airport lounge you’ve been to—tables crammed together, a cacophony of noise, low office block-style ceilings—and this is the exact opposite.
Unlike other lounges, this is not a place to party. You can drink, and no doubt have a good time, but there’s a library-like hush across all the spaces in here. It is an incredibly relaxing and calming space.
Ultimately this is less of a lounge and more of a boutique hotel. In fact, it has most of the facilities you’d expect in one: space to sleep, a spa and multiple restaurants.
Did I cry when I entered this lounge? Of course not. At least not visibly. However, being ushered into this space was something I never thought possible. In fact, not so long ago, I didn't think I'd ever fly business class. I savoured every minute of this place, and explored where many had not been before (the deserted Family Area, the final cubicle in the mens room). I had the highest hopes for this lounge, and it met them and exceeded them. If you get a chance, even if that chance if slim, then go here. It won't change your life, but you can pop some nice pics up on Insta. Food and Drink
There are two main dining spaces: a formal sit-down restaurant behind the bar area (you can also eat at the seating around the bar) and a self-service restaurant towards the back of the lounge called “deli dining.” You can also eat in the Family Area (more on that later), at the bar and in the seating around it. That’s four different places to eat and drink in the lounges.
We had two meals at the sit-down restaurant: dinner and a late supper.
At both times, the restaurant was quiet. We were shown to a table by a member of staff, and then guided on how to access a menu via our mobile phones. The service during the meal was prompt and attentive.
My wife went for Sushi, and I had the Penne Arabiata. We had exactly the same meal for dinner and supper, although we did have desert on our second sitting. You can see the most up-to-date menu for the lounge here.
The food was very good. Yes, getting a pasta dish wrong is hard, but my wife’s sushi was “outstanding”.
In between the meals, we ventured into the family area (more on that in a moment), and we had some of the snacks in there. It was completely deserted, and the food – which was small bites and sweets – was well-presented and delicious.
We also spent half an hour sitting in the bar area, in the high-backed seats at the sides. Finally, just before our flight took off, we sat at the bar and enjoyed a cocktail and a final snack.
Facilities at the Al Safwa Lounge
This lounge has a lot to offer. Our main aim, apart from eating, was to get a massage, so the spa was our first port of call.
The “Qspa” is located on the right-hand side of the lounge; it has a small reception area, which doubles as the space to arrange a sleeping room. I did find the reception staff a little unfriendly and standoffish. They have printed menus that list the options available.
Pricing for the Spa in the Al Safwa Lounge
- Massage costs range from £35 for 10 minutes to £77 for 30 minutes and £98 for 45-minutes
- There are eight different massage choices available.
- There are three different express treatments, which are focused on particular parts of the body. These all cost £55 for 15 minutes.
- Facials range from £76.30 for 30 minutes to £98 for 45 minutes. There are three facial options available.
- Mani/Pedis start at £61 for 45 minutes, and it’s an extra £15 for nail gel colour
We paid 450 QAR each for a 45-minute massage, which equates to around £98. This is not a bad price and is on the low-side when compared to most hotels.
My wife and I were taken by staff members into the male and female areas of the spa. I was shown into a room with a massage table, and within that was a well-proportioned bathroom that I used to get changed. The massage was fantastic, with just the right amount of pressure and a focus on the back and shoulders.
Afterwards, I took a slow shower (why not relax some more?), and once I was dressed the attendant walked me back to reception. I offered him a tip, but he told me that they were not allowed to accept them.
I have to say, getting a full-body massage before a flight is incredible. Travelling is stressful, and being in an airport for hours can feel pretty grimy. I left the spa feeling like a million dollars and ready for my third round of food.
Other facilities in the lounge
There are fifteen free-to-use sleeping suites in the Spa. Although we were in the lounge for six hours, none of those rooms became available, so my advice is to try to reserve one as soon as you arrive. The sleep suites come with beds, bathrooms and a TV.
Finally – as if the Spa doesn’t do enough – there’s a Jacuzzi (read, very large bath) that you can access for free. As there’s just one, it might be hard to get in here, but if you don’t ask you don’t get.
Outside the spa, there are separate shower rooms located at the very far end of the lounge. These are completely separate from the spa, so you can avoid the moody receptionists.
The “Family Area”
At the far end of the lounge is an entranceway to the “family area”. This is warren of rooms with a significant footprint. This area was completely deserted when we were there.
As you enter, there are some rooms to your right. The first rooms are for nannies, and then beyond that is a “play” area. This is the most disappointing part of the lounge. There’s an F1 car in there, but it’s switched off. There are some game consoles, also disconnected. It was a weird experience walking into these rooms, it’s as if Qatar has forgotten about them.
That’s the disappointing part of the Family Area over with. When you enter and turn left, you’ll find yourself at a miniature – and very stylish – buffet. There are sandwiches and sweet treats, as well as soft drinks. Walk through a doorway, and you’re in a dark labyrinth of rooms. Some are fully enclosed spaces, with doors, whilst others are more like cabanas. Each one is spacious, with seating and tv screens.
As far as we could tell, these rooms were available to anyone. There were no staff members in the area. We sat inside one that could easily fit ten people and spent twenty minutes snacking and relaxing. It was whisper-quiet.
The Family Area is a great space to hide away if you have kids, nanies and/or an extended family with you. It’s the furthest you can get from the main seating area of the lounge so it’s secluded, and it will remove the stress if you have tempestuous toddlers or a crying infant.
Verdict on the Qatar First Lounge
Stunning, Calming. Incredible. I loved our time in this lounge and was actually thankful we had a whole six hours in here. I still feel like we could have done more (the sleeping pods, a meal for myself that wasn’t just pasta). It is, in my humble opinion, the best lounge in the world. And I cant wait to go back.
Are there better lounges and experiences out there? Maybe. Aether at Manchester Airport is perhaps better, but that’s because of the whole experience (it’s a private terminal). Aether is incomparable to the Al Safwa when you consider the facilities in both lounges. Let’s put it this way; I’m glad I got to experience both of those, and I don’t doubt that I’ll experience another lounge in my lifetime that is as good as, if not better, than the Al Safwa. Until then, this is my number one.
Rating the Qatar Al Safwa First Lounge
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