Assessment: Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Enterprise Lounge Doha Airport (DOH)
After a number of nights in Doha, my dad and I continued our around the world journey by flying Qatar Airways’ Airbus A380 firstclass to Perth. We spent numerous time at Doha Hamad Airport in order that I may assessment a number of lounges plus the airport enlargement.
In a earlier publish I reviewed the Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge, and on this publish I needed to assessment the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Enterprise Lounge North, which is is Qatar Airways’ latest lounge. It enhances the present Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge South, which was beforehand the provider’s major enterprise class lounge.
Qatar Airways’ new enterprise class lounge is spectacular, among the many finest on the planet. Maybe what’s most enjoyable is that it almost doubles enterprise class lounge capability, which is useful over peak intervals. Even past that, that is such a beautiful lounge, with nice design, distinctive facilities, and enjoyable views.
I additionally love how whereas each Al Mourjan Lounges are distinctive, they’re very totally different, and every have execs and cons. I’m unsure I really like one lounge greater than the opposite. With that out of the way in which, let’s get into the assessment.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha location
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge is positioned within the airport’s north terminal enlargement, close to the airport’s tropical backyard. For higher or worse, this lounge is principally hidden, and also you in all probability gained’t bump into it until you’re particularly on the lookout for it. I may see that being factor, as a result of I’m assured this lounge won’t ever get as many guests because the Al Mourjan Lounge South, which is in the course of the terminal.
To search out the Al Mourjan Backyard Enterprise Lounge, simply comply with the signage within the course of the C, D, and E gates. While you’re within the middle of the terminal, that is behind the airport’s well-known teddy bear.
You’ll must go fairly a methods from there, and you may both take the airport’s prepare system one cease, or you may stroll. For those who’re simply in a position to stroll I’d advocate doing that, as a result of it’s in all probability quicker, given the transferring sidewalks.
While you’re on the far prepare station (or simply stroll far sufficient within the terminal), you’ll see a big round space. Simply preserve strolling straight, and also you’ll then see signage for the Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge.
Even then, the doorway is kind of hidden. You’ll be able to enter the lounge through the units of elevators behind a Louis Vuitton retailer. There’s no Qatar Airways branding, so the entire thing is form of unusual.
If you end up in The Orchard (the indoor tropical backyard), you’ve walked too far.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha hours & crowding
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge by no means closes, because it’s open 24/7, reflecting that Qatar Airways has flights all hours of the day and night time.
I feel it’s value mentioning that Doha is a closely banked hub, which is to say that there are usually an enormous variety of flights that arrive and depart across the similar time. That is supposed to attenuate journey time for passengers, and maximize plane utilization.
Because of this, the airport is principally abandoned for round 18 hours per day, after which it will get slammed for transient intervals. Basically, you may count on that peak intervals will likely be round 5:30PM till 7:30PM, 11PM till 1AM, and 5:30AM till 7:30AM. There’s a little bit of variation there, however your expertise will likely be very totally different when you’re visiting at 12PM vs. 12AM.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha entry necessities
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Enterprise Lounge is open to Qatar Airways and different oneworld enterprise class passengers. There are some issues to pay attention to, although:
- The Al Mourjan Lounge isn’t open to oneworld elite members (together with oneworld Emerald and oneworld Sapphire members), however fairly they’re directed to inferior lounges supposed particularly for elite members
- The Al Mourjan Lounge isn’t obtainable to Qatar Airways enterprise class passengers who upgraded, or who’re touring on “Lite” fares, which is Qatar Airways’ “fundamental” enterprise class providing (you have to be touring on an Elite, Consolation, or Traditional ticket — award tickets are eligible for lounge entry, no matter which airline they’re issued by)
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha format & seating
Qatar Airways’ new Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge is 7,390 sq. meters (~79,500 sq. toes), and might accommodate as much as 707 friends at a time. This makes it a bit smaller than the opposite Al Mourjan Lounge, however it’s nonetheless large.
The lounge is one degree above the concourse, so while you enter, you’ll see a customer support desk, after which you may both go left, proper, or straight forward.
Straight forward you’ll discover the Louis Vuitton Lounge, which I’ll speak extra about in a bit. For those who stroll into the lounge and switch proper, you’ll discover a whole lot of seats. Whereas there are some seats designed for enjoyable, I’d say this aspect of the lounge is mostly extra for many who wish to seize one thing to eat.
You’ll first see a number of seating preparations for lounging. I like the design of this lounge, and particularly how excessive the ceilings are, and that the lounge opens up into the terminal. I liked the pure mild throughout my daytime go to, as that’s one thing that’s missing within the different Al Mourjan Lounge (after all most vacationers are transiting at night time, in order that’s a moot level).
The subsequent a part of the lounge has many of the eating choices. There’s a bar with a few dozen high-top seats, some particular person eating tables, and likewise some communal tables.
There are such a lot of seating choices, after which while you transcend that, you’ll discover much more seating. The again space of the lounge is nearly a hybrid eating and lounging house. There’s one other bar, after which there are extra correct tables with cubicles and chairs, although they don’t have the tables set, as you’d discover in the principle eating space.
That covers the best aspect of the lounge. Now let’s check out the lounge when you enter and switch left. Visually that is in all probability the prettier aspect of the lounge.
This a part of the lounge has a water characteristic alongside the middle, with seats alongside the outer fringe of that.
There’s an enormous number of different seating choices, starting from couches, to chairs for lounging, to semi-private seats with partitions, to shared workspaces. I’ll let the photographs of the seating converse largely for themselves.
There’s one other bar and smaller buffet on this aspect of the lounge, although in any other case there’s not as a lot selection as on the opposite aspect.
I appreciated that there have been numerous charging ports in any respect seats, together with wi-fi charging at some seats. The above covers the principle a part of the lounge, although I’ll speak extra in regards to the particular person facilities under.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha meals & drinks
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge has an intensive number of meals and drinks, with each a la carte and buffet choices. You’ll be able to discover the lounge’s menu and drink checklist right here.
As you may see, the a la carte meals choice consists of the whole lot from a wide range of recent sandwiches, to salads, to desserts. There’s additionally a considerable drink choice, with Laurent-Perrier Brut being the home champagne choice. That’s the identical champagne served within the Al Safwa First Lounge, so I’m unsure if that displays positively on the Al Mourjan Lounge, or negatively on the Al Safwa Lounge (or in all probability each!).
The lounge’s principal buffet is positioned inside the doorway and to the best. Throughout my morning go to, the choice included the whole lot from pastries and bagels, to chilly cuts, to recent fruit, to cereal, to a handful of scorching choices.
There have been additionally a number of sorts of juice, smooth drinks, water, wine, and a espresso machine.
The assorted bars all through the lounge all have some meals on show, which you’ll order. This consists of the whole lot from quiche, to sandwiches, to cheese and fruit plates, and extra.
There are additionally a number of drinks stations all through the lounge, so that you’re by no means too removed from a glass of champagne.
Whereas there are a number of self-serve espresso machines all through the lounge, I’d extremely advocate going to one of many bars to get a barista made espresso. I’m so blissful to see that Qatar Airways has lastly launched correct espresso at its lounges, as this isn’t obtainable within the different Al Mourjan Lounge.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha nap rooms
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge has 24 nap rooms, positioned inside the doorway of the lounge and to the left. These can be found to friends on a primary come, first served foundation, and there’s a desk the place stock is managed.
It’s good that every nap room is personal, after which every room has both one or two loungers. There’s a blanket (the identical you’ll discover onboard in enterprise class), although there aren’t any pillows. Every room additionally has a stool, plus a few bottles of water.
Personally I wouldn’t have the ability to nap in these seats (I’m a horrible sleeper, until situations are excellent), however I’d nonetheless take pleasure in simply having someplace to chill out for a bit and get cozy.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha showers & restrooms
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge has a few units of loos, which keep meticulously clear. As is the case onboard, they characteristic Diptyque merchandise.
The lounge additionally has bathe suites, positioned inside the doorway to the lounge and to the left. That is the one facet of the lounge that I don’t like.
Every bathe suite incorporates a walk-in bathe and a sink. For no matter cause, there aren’t any bogs within the bathe suites, in contrast to within the different Al Mourjan Lounge. On the plus aspect, the air circulation within the bathe suites appears to be higher than within the different lounge.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha recreation & youngsters room
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge has a number of different attention-grabbing facilities. There’s a recreation room, that includes a pool desk and a foosball desk, presumably supposed primarily for older youngsters and teenagers.
Then there’s one other space supposed for youthful youngsters.
There are additionally a number of personal household rooms, that are a pleasant contact. This principally enables you to seize a personal lounge, which is right in case you have little youngsters. Every room has a sofa, a number of chairs, and a TV.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha smoking room
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge has a smoking room inside the doorway and to the best. It’s a reasonably dignified house, although once I visited, this room was colder than a freezer. I assume one thing wasn’t working accurately.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha lockers
For these wishing to retailer their baggage throughout their go to, there are some lockers simply inside the doorway to the lounge. You’ll be able to retailer your bag right here at some stage in your keep, so that you don’t have to hold it round.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Louis Vuitton Lounge
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge has a primary of its variety collaboration, as there’s a lounge inside a lounge. Particularly, proper while you enter the lounge, you’ll discover the Louis Vuitton Lounge. I wrote about this in a separate publish, however it’s basically a restaurant and bar with the whole lot obtainable for buy.
It’s a novel collaboration, and it might be value testing.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha health club
Whereas it’s not open but, within the coming months we must always see the opening of a health club on the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge. I’ve cause to consider that this would be the finest health club you discover at any airport lounge, so I’d contemplate this to be a really thrilling improvement. There aren’t many airport lounges with correct gyms, so this will likely be a really good addition.
Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Enterprise Lounge Doha spa
The Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Enterprise Lounge may have not one, however two, spas. Neither are open but, however we are able to count on them to open within the coming months:
- The generic spa run by Qatar Airways will characteristic a manicure and pedicure station, in addition to neck and shoulder therapeutic massage chairs, rest chairs, remedy rooms, and altering rooms
- The lounge can even have a Dior Spa, although particulars about this stay restricted
You’ll be able to count on each spas to solely characteristic paid therapies, so there gained’t be any complimentary therapies.
Backside line
Qatar Airways’ new Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge is spectacular, and actually thrilling for passengers. Maybe most significantly, the expanded lounge capability will likely be nice no matter which lounge you go to, because it ought to assist with crowding.
However what I particularly love is how totally different the 2 Al Mourjan Lounges are. This lounge has a completely totally different vibe than the opposite one, and has snug seating, nice meals and drinks, and a number of other distinctive facilities. I’d say the one draw back to the lounge is that the bathe suites don’t even have bogs.
So, which Al Mourjan location do I desire? I’m really unsure, as I like them each. It’s like asking me if I’d desire a unclean martini or cappuccino — all of it relies upon! I’ll say that I think the Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge will likely be quieter in the long term, on condition that it’s extra of a trek to get to, and tougher to seek out. That makes it extra interesting to me.
What do you make of the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Backyard Lounge?
