Inside the first-class lounge at the world’s best airport
With this airport recently knocking Singapore Changi off the No. 1 ranking, you’d expect big things from Qatar’s premium venue | VIDEO
With this airport recently knocking Singapore Changi Airport off the No. 1 ranking, you’d expect big things from Qatar’s first-class lounge.
LOCATION
Hamad International Airport has been named the best in the world in the 2024 Skytrax awards, knocking Singapore Changi Airport off the No. 1 spot. The first-class lounge is on level three off the main concourse of this sprawling transport hub and has a dedicated escalator. Qatar Airways staff are stationed at the bottom, checking tickets and ensuring no unwanted guests make it through to the next check point, which is the reception desk. Once clearing these two controls, I enter through sliding doors into the lounge and am immediately in awe at the significant size and scale; it feels like I’ve walked into an international art gallery, and in some ways I have.
The 9000sq m lounge, designed by Italian architect Antonio Citterio, is inspired by Doha’s Museum of Islamic Art. The towering walls, 9m at their highest, are made from textured stone and the main atrium has a circular bronze ornamental pool with a 10m perspex-encased waterfall at its centre. There is a fascinating display of artefacts (ceramics, jugs, plates and prints) dating back to the 8th century that are on loan from the Museum of Islamic Art.
With few guests, the lounge is so quiet all I can hear is the calming sound of the water, making this a tranquil escape from the noisy chaos of the airport. I spend a good 10 minutes looking at the exhibits before finding a seat. Attentive staff regularly approach and ask if they can help or if I want to dine in the restaurant and bar. There are no boarding announcements in Al Safwa but crew walk around almost whispering imminent flight departures to ensure none of the passengers misses their plane.
SEATING
There is plenty of seating provided around the edges of the atrium. This includes private booths with partition walls, high-backed leather chairs, a side table that also serves as a desk and a black wooden stand on which to hang a jacket. More general seating features comfortable leather chairs and tables for four.
I sit around the corner from the main atrium and attempt to get some work done. Other features include a tucked-away parents’ room (I can’t see or hear any children), a dedicated quiet space and – being Qatar Airways and in Doha – a prayer room.
FOOD AND DRINK
The 250-seat restaurant and bar has an open kitchen, allowing guests to see the chefs at work on a multitude of international options for lunch and dinner. Choices include poached lobster with coconut and lemongrass dressing, pistachio-crusted lamb rack and tagliatelle with pesto, burrata and slow-roasted tomatoes. Also on offer is afternoon tea with lots of sweet treats such as saffron scones, opera cake and lemon meringue tartlets.
I am in the lounge for breakfast and try a local dish, foul bil tahini, which comprises cooked fava beans served with cumin, pickled cucumber, flat bread and lime. The soup-like vegetarian meal is delicious, and I note my neighbour has an apparently exceptional croissant. A smaller, quieter dining zone serves lighter meals from a salad and sushi bar.
WORK AND TECH
The business centre has full-sized private offices with desks and printers. In the main area, booths have universal power sockets and USB charging ports (but not for newer Apple iPhone models), as does the table seating. It is easy to find a place to charge your devices.
REFRESH
The women’s bathroom is decked out in opulent black marble, with bright purple and white orchards scattered throughout to add pops of colour. There are well-lit dressing tables where travellers can sit and try to erase evidence of a long transit. Showers and private sleeping rooms with beds are also available.
EXTRAS
The day spa has nine treatment rooms where guests can have a massage, pedicure or manicure or even relax in a thermal Jacuzzi (extra cost). Unfortunately I have a short layover so don’t have time to try out these facilities. There is a games room and a private duty-free shopping area where guests can purchase luxury watches, cigars or whisky.
THE VERDICT
This serene space instantly transports you from the craziness of a massive airport to what feels like an international art gallery. The food is delicious, seating uncrowded and staff are extremely attentive. “I wish I could stay here longer,” I hear one passenger utter as she is reluctantly hurried out by crew to make the final boarding call of her flight.
Milanda Rout was a guest of Qatar Airways.
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