During my Qatar Airways business class mileage run one of the things I looked most forward to was visiting the exclusive Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Class lounge. The lounge is only available to those traveling in Business Class with Qatar Airways or a OneWorld partner. Sadly, OneWorld elite members don’t have access to the lounge when traveling in economy class.
As this entire trip was sort of a once in a lifetime opportunity I decided to overnight in the lounge to spend as much time inside as possible. I figure that I won’t be flying business class through Doha anytime soon so I wanted to fully explore the lounge in order to write a proper review.
So, after spending a few hours exploring Doha during the day I decided to head back to my free transit hotel, check out, and head to the airport.
Arriving At Hamad International Airport Doha
The hotel shuttle bus left the Oryx Rotana at 9:00PM sharp and arrived at the Doha Airport just 15 minutes later. The first stop was for business and first class passengers.
Once inside you’ll find a large Qatar Airways branded wall with signage for First and Business class passengers.
First class passengers are directed to the right to an even more private check in and lounge experience while Business Class passengers are directed to the left.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Class Check In And Security
As you pass the large Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Class sign you’ll quickly find yourself in one of the most elegant airline check-in areas I’ve ever seen. The Qatar Airways Business Class check-in area is a quiet relaxing space with no lengthily lines to wait in for a check-in agent. Instead if you need to wait for an agent you can take a seat in the leather couches opposite the counters and wait until you are escorted to a check-in agent.
Since I already had a printed boarding card and didn’t have to check a bag I was able to pass straight through this area and head directly to the business class security checkpoint
For one reason or another I don’t feel comfortable taking photographs of secure areas, but at the end of the above hallway business class passengers will find their own security lanes. All passengers must first pass a customs agent who checks their documents and stamps their passport. Next, all passengers pass through a private security check-point before entering the main terminal. Once inside the main terminal business class passengers will need to cross the main terminal to access the Al Mourjan Business class lounge.
On the way to the lounge entrance you’ll pass by Urs Fischer’s famous Lamp Bear.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Entrance
After crossing the main terminal you’ll find signage directing you to the Al Mourjan Business Class lounge. The signs direct passengers to a set of escalators which take passengers up to the lounge which is elevated above the main terminal.
At the base of the escalators Qatar Airways representatives scan your boarding card to confirm access to the lounge. Once your boarding card is scanned you’ll be directed to ascend the escalators to the lounge. At the top of the escalators you’ll find the impressive Qatar Airways customer service desk.
Since you’ve already scanned your boarding card at the bottom of the escalator there is no reason to visit this counter unless you need assistance. If you do need assistance with your reservation these agents will be able to assist.
Once inside the lounge you’ll immediately realize just how spacious this lounge is. If this is your first visit I highly recommend taking a few seconds to study the lounge map. Lounge maps are located on the outside of the raised central seating area.
By looking at the map you’ll have a better understanding of exactly what the lounge has to offer which could help you plan how to spend your time in the lounge. If you decide against studying the map you can also find directions on most corners of the lounge. I personally love the lounge’s elegant choice of integrated directional signage.
As you explore the lounge you’ll quickly notice just how many different areas and rooms there are. Shortly thereafter you’ll begin to notice that each area features it’s own unique style of seating.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Sitting Areas
In the center of the lounge there is an elevated deck which features hardwood floors. I personally discovered the purple chairs which line this deck to be among the most comfortable within the lounge. Even better, each of these seats are situated next to tables which feature a reading lamp and USB outlets.
In the center of this deck are smaller, more private, sitting areas which feature large woven wood chairs. These are among the most uncomfortable chairs in the entire lounge.
Small beverage centers around found throughout the lounge which offer guests various canned soda, still/sparkling water, and coffee or tea.
Toward the entrance of the lounge is a large open sitting area which is at ground level and features several divided sitting areas with the standardized blue chairs found throughout the lounge.
This area of the lounge receives the most foot traffic and is overall the loudest area within the lounge. While you may want to avoid sitting in this area if you’re hoping for peace and quiet, it’s worth mentioning that I received the best service when sitting in these blue chairs. Lounge attendants usually circulated this area offering beverages to guests which is a service I didn’t receive in other areas within the lounge.
These blue chairs have similar tables next to them as the elevated deck seating areas, but this area also has built in tablets at every seat.
Lastly, at the far end of the lounge, opposite the entrance, are even more seating options.
The Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Is An Announcement Free Lounge
As you enter the lounge more than one Qatar Airways representative will remind you that the Al Mourjan Lounge is an announcement free lounge. This means that you will never hear your flight information barked over a lounge loudspeaker. Instead, guests are reminded to manage their own time and remain current with regards to their own flight information. Luckily, throughout the lounge next to most chairs are these large integrated tablets.
The tablets display a list of all departing flights and their current status. When you sit down you can actually enter your flight information into the device to setup a flight alert..
Then, when the gate opens, when boarding begins, or anything changes with your flight you’ll receive an alert regarding the status of your flight.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Buffet Restaurant
Just above the huge Al Mourjan business class lounge water feature is the Restaurant. There are actually two dining areas within the lounge. The one above the fountain is called The Restaurant while the other area is referred to as the Dining Resort.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Water Feature
Guests have the option to either ascend the spiral staircase which surrounds the hanging chandelier or use the elevator to access the Restaurant. Since I had my carry-on with me I decided to use the elevator. As you each the top of the stairs or exit the elevator you’ll immediately find the restaurant greeter. Restaurant guests can seat themselves or ask the host for directions to an available seat.
There are plenty of tables which line the left hand side of the restaurant and a few booth style options along the glass wall which overlooks the lounge.
The chairs along the glass wall of the restaurant offer incredible views of the entire Al Mourjan Business Class lounge, but are also almost always occupied. The other dining tables are plenty comfortable, but a bit exposed and awkward when traveling alone. There is additional seating on the right hand side of the Restaurant where the second buffet line is located.
At the far end of the restaurant is a full service bar.
The only issue I had with the Restaurant, and the whole lounge really, is that they only serve Heineken beer, nothing else.
If the main room of the Restaurant is full, there is a second dining area behind the elevator column with a few more booths and tables.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Restaurant Dinner
Buffet lines are found on either side of the Restaurant. During each of my visits I noticed the side which faced the rest of the lounge usually contained meat based dishes while the opposite buffet line usually only had vegetarian options.
I liked nearly every dish I tried from the buffet and overall the food within the lounge’s Restaurant is great.
For dinner I tried a few different dishes and just sort of piled everything together on my plate. I also grabbed a small bowl of hummus which appeared to be the exact same as the hummus served on board the flight. Sadly, the buffet didn’t offer the muhammara I loved so much on my flight from Doha to New York.
After finishing my meal it was finally time to sample the various desserts offered from the dessert buffet. The dessert buffet was one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen.
After trying out a few desserts, you know for the sake of this review, I went back downstairs to further explore the lounge.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Restaurant Breakfast
Since my next flight didn’t depart until 9:00AM I actually remained in the lounge overnight and returned to the Restaurant for breakfast.
I know what you’re thinking, that doesn’t look like breakfast. Admittedly, I stuck with mostly foods that seemed like more traditional dinner options as it was dinner time in Chicago and I remained on CST during my visit to the lounge. The breakfast buffed did feature more traditional breakfast dishes, but I avoided those options.
After yet another meal in the Al Mourjan business class restaurant it was time to head back downstairs and get ready for my flight.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Showers
In between meals I had a few hours to kill and decided that after walking 8 miles around Doha that I was in desperate need of a shower. There are actually two sets of showers within the Al Mourjan lounge. The first and obvious set of showers are within the male and female restrooms located on the far end of the lounge near the water feature.
The second set of showers is in a much less obvious location. The showers are actually attached to the Quiet Room. Both sets of showers were completely full around midnight to 2am during the peak rush period, but the showers were free anytime outside of that window. Also, both sets of showers are nearly identical so there is no benefit in choosing one over the other.
Once inside the shower suite you’ll find two frosted glass doors. Inside one of the frosted glass doors is a toilet.
While the shower can is found behind the second frosted glass door.
Shower gel, shampoo, and conditioner from Rituals are found within the shower suite shower stall.
As you step outside of the shower you’ll find the large sink with a huge vanity mirror.
Various products such as combs, toothbrush kits, and shave kits are available upon request.
Overall the shower suites are a little small and cramped. I wish these shower suites were just a little bit bigger, but then again, it’s hard to complain when taking a shower in an airport.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Dining Resort
Perhaps my favorite room within the Al Mourjan lounge is the Dining Resort.
The Dining Resort is the lounge’s second restaurant area, but is much larger, brighter, and more airy than the Restaurant.
The Dining Resort is entirely enclosed by a huge glass wall. Guests must use either set of sliding glass doors to enter the Dining Resort. Once inside I felt more as though I were in a greenhouse than an airline lounge restaurant.
Each of the long high top tables have greenery centerpieces.
Toward the back of the dining resort you’ll find a little more private, more traditional restaurant style seating options.
Once you find your seat you can both order food from the fixed menus found on each table or choose to visit the buffet to pick up your own food options.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Dining Resort Lunch/Dinner Options
I first visited the Dining Resort during the later hours of the evening. During my evening visit each of the tables had a small printed menu which featured a selection of sandwiches to order.
I opted for the deli lamb sandwich which tasted just fine.
I washed down my sandwich with yet another dessert from the Dining Resort’s dessert buffet.
Similar to the lounge’s Restaurant, the Dining Resort also featured a dessert buffet although it isn’t quite as impressive.
If you don’t wish to order a sandwich you can instead stop by the Dining Resort’s food bar.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Dining Resort Breakfast Options
I again stopped by the Dining Resort just before I left for my gate the following morning, but couldn’t possibly eat another meal. Instead I simply checked in to see what the Dining Resort had to offer for breakfast.
The breakfast menu seemed to have at least one thing for everyone, but similar to the Restaurant most options seemed better suited for dinner.
Sadly, in addition to the menu changing, the Dessert Buffet also changed to a breakfast pastry buffet.
I really ended up liking the Dining Resort. This area felt much more relaxed than the upstairs Restaurant. Most of the people in this room were lively and drinking while the Restaurant crowd was much more relaxed, quiet, and in some cases, asleep.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Quiet Area
Located within the Dining Resort is a hallway which leads to the lounge’s quiet area.
The quiet area is essentially a large room which is divided into cubicle style living rooms. This area is perfect for anyone looking for a truly private escape within the Al Mourjan lounge.
The entrance to each living room lacks a door, but has a staggered entryway which makes the sitting area completely private to people walking by.
Within the cubicle living room is a couch, a small chair, and a television set.
The TV was set to display flight information and I didn’t see a remote to change the channel. However, since you’re in the quiet area you wouldn’t be allowed to have the sound on the TV anyway.
As I mentioned earlier, the quiet area also features a set of showers. I believe you can book a sitting area and shower at the same time which allows you to leave your things behind in the sitting area while you shower. When a shower becomes available the host will stop by your room and get you. I didn’t end up booking a room within the Quiet Area as I found a much more comfortable place to lay down near the business center.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Business Center
Located near the center of the lounge is the lounge’s business center. The business center is actually a room within another enclosed room. The first room is just another seating area which is closed off from the rest of the lounge.
Toward the back of this smaller room located outside of the business center you’ll find the most comfortable chairs in the entire lounge.
Within these little walled areas which line the back wall of the business center reception hall are the chairs in question.
These chairs aren’t exactly flat, but were extremely comfortable. I ended up sleeping in this area for a little more than two hours during my overnight layover.
Once I woke up from my nap it was time to get some work done. So, I grabbed a cappuccino and went into the business center.
Al Mourjan Business Center Amenities
Within the business center you’ll find a few different places where you can easily get some work done. First, there are small cubicles with desktop computes which line the far wall of the business center.
Just to the left of the cubicle spaces are a few sets of communal tables which more closely resemble an “open office” floor plan.
Lastly, there is a “board room” within the business center which is great if you absolutely have to host a meeting within the lounge.
Granted I was in the business center from about 3-5am local time, but during my entire visit I was the only person in this space. After spending a few hours working it was time to relax and play a few games in the lounge’s game room.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Game Room
That’s right, this lounge features a game room which is actually located just next to the business center.
Inside the game room you’ll first notice the Formula 1 race car simulator. While the shell of the simulator is impressive, the steering wheel was missing and the system wasn’t turned on when I visited.
The game room also featured an all glass foosball table which I though was quite impressive. Again, sadly, the table didn’t have any balls to play with. I’m not sure if you had to ask for them or if they’ve simply gone missing.
After spending a few minutes in the game room I was ready to leave as there really wasn’t that much to do. Many of the games were either off or inoperable and I didn’t have anyone to play foosball with, so I decided to leave to further explore the lounge.
Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Smoking Room
The Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge also features a fully enclosed smoking room. I personally don’t smoke and actually quite detest the smell of cigar smoke, so I didn’t go inside the room, but I did snap a picture of it from the outside.
My Overall Impressions Of The Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge
Wow! As far as airline lounges go, this is definitely the most impressive one I’ve ever been to. I think what makes the lounge so impressive is the sheer size of it. The ceilings of the main floor are easily 40+ feet tall and I can’t even begin to guess the total number of square feet of the lounge.
In addition to being absolutely massive, I think the lounge is also quite attractive. I like the brushed metal and stone finishes found throughout the lounge. I also appreciate the wood flooring of the center area of the lounge and the entire Restaurant. All of those elements combine to make this lounge is a great place to relax between flights. It’s also so big and features so many different seating areas and rooms that you won’t get bored too easily.
However, I have two somewhat small issues with the lounge. My first issue was the catering. While the food I had within the lounge was good, it definitely wasn’t the best airline lounge food I’ve ever eaten. In fact, I think some of the meals I had on the flights ended up being better than the food offered inside the lounge.
My second issue with the lounge, as I mentioned earlier, is the tiny shower suites. Airline lounge showers are supposed to be relaxing, but instead I felt quite claustrophobic inside the shower suite.
Final Thoughts
I absolutely loved spending time in the Al Mourjan Business Class lounge. Sure the food could have been better and the showers could have been bigger, but overall the lounge is incredible.
Although I’m disappointed that OneWorld Sapphire elites don’t have access to the lounge, I appreciate the added exclusivity. This lounge is plenty crowded during peak hours with business class passengers that allowing OneWorld Elites would push the lounge’s capacity to the limit. Perhaps in the future Qatar Airways will allow OneWorld Elites to access the lounge during off-peak hours, but until then I’ll just have to wait to buy another business class ticket to Doha to visit the lounge.
