Without a doubt, the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge South and the Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden at Doha Hamad International Airport are the best business class airport lounges in the world. There is zero doubt. No other airport lounges come close.
I wanted the full Qatar Airways experience at Doha, so I stopped over for a night before continuing onwards to Frankfurt. I was flying Qsuite for the first time ever, so a visit to both lounges was obligatory.
This is Forward of the Wing’s review of the original Al Mourjan Business Lounge South, at the southern end of the Doha Hamad International Airport terminal.
Location of the Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South
The original Al Mourjan Business Lounge South is located up escalators on the left side of the main Doha Hamad departure hall, right after security and immigration.
The main departure hall features the famous large teddy bear sculpture at Doha Hamad.
If you are flying Business Class or First Class from Doha, the escalator down from the dedicated security and immigration lanes takes you right to this main departures hall area.
If you are transiting at Doha, follow the signs for International Transfers and go through Transit Security. Once the departures level, the main departures area is located in the middle of Gates A1, B1 and C1.
Once in the main departures area, follow the signs for the Al Mourjan Lounge. The escalator up is located to the left behind the Harrods Tea Room.
Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South Opening Hours
As the flagship airport lounge for Qatar Airways Business Class passengers at their Doha Hamad International Airport hub, the Al Mourjan Business Lounge South is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Seating Options
The first thing that hits you when you walk into the Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South is the sheer scale of it. At 110,000 sq ft, this lounge is absolutely massive.
As such, there is a range of seating options for every type of traveller and every size of travelling party. There are options for solo travellers, business travellers, family groups, colleagues or larger travelling parties.
Main Lounge Area
The main lounge area is all armchairs and low tables, the perfect spot to relax post dining. Even though this area is open plan, carefully placed artistic privacy dividers help to add privacy, separate areas and reduce noise.
The main area is raised, with areas on the sides creating additional privacy. The main feature of the Al Mourjan Business Lounge South is the incredible water feature, near the spiral staircase up to the upstairs dining room. There are more armchair pairs on either side of the pond, which feel more private with the lower ceiling and privacy dividers.
Upstairs Dining Room
The Upstairs Dining Room features dining table pairs with views over the main lounge area. Along each side are throne-like seats, which are super comfortable. The main buffet is located in the middle of the room, with a staffed bar. The service here is top-notch, so you can just order beverages and á la carte options with the wait staff who offer table service. There are also wait staff who carry your plate from the buffet to your table.
Downstairs Global Deli
Downstairs, at the south end of the lounge, is a more casual dining area, complete with a mini buffet of soup and dessert options, tea and coffee. The area features communal dining tables and high tables, dining table pairs and armchairs with low tables too. The communal tables have centrepiece lamps and various edible herbs that you can optionally add to your meal.
Menus are located on a QR code on the table, and you can order food and beverages with any of the staff.
Nap Area
Near the middle of the lower lounge level, through the double doors (and next to the Business Centre) are chaise loungers with privacy dividers, great for taking a nap on an extended layover. Thoughtful touches include side tables with wireless chargers, lamps, and coat stands with shoulder supports for suits. There are private chaise lounger areas suitable for two as well.
There is also additional armchair seating in front of this area and a refreshment centre, but it was never used on my visit. It’s possible this is just used as overflow seating when the lounge is exceptionally busy during peak times.
Business Centre
Located on the lower level, next to the chaise lounger nap area, is an enclosed business centre, perfect for getting some work done before a flight, sending emails, holding a meeting with colleagues or taking calls. The area features individual workstations with privacy dividers as well as communal work tables, and soundproof meeting rooms. There are also computers and printers available.
Family Area
There is a secluded area near the downstairs Global Deli area for families, with clusters of seating with high privacy dividers between, designed for families and groups. This area is super quiet and away from the main lounge area.
Each pod features a couch and armchairs, as well as a departure board.
This area is located next to the kids rooms, so the adults can relax here, and the kids can look after themselves in the kids area with plenty of video games and foosball to keep them entertained.
In the central area, there is a self-service refreshment station with water and other soft drinks, so you don’t need to go out to the Global Deli area to get something to drink.
Quiet Area
There is an additional quiet area next to the Global Deli, perfect for relaxing or taking a nap during a layover. This area is completely slient. Each nap pod features a television departure board, couch, recliner, table and hangers. They are similar in style to the family area clusters, just smaller and without kids. All nap pods are available on a first-come basis. During the time of my visit in the early afternoon, all of these were basically empty but I can imagine during the peak times overnight, these will fill up pretty quickly.
Other Areas
The Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South also features an indoor smoking room near the water feature pond, and a prayer room. There are also luggage lockers, so you can lock your carry-on luggage up while you explore this vast airport lounge.
Service
Consistent with other Qatar Airways lounges I’ve visited around the world including the Singapore Changi and Bangkok lounges, the Qatar Airways lounge service is out of this world. A high staff to passenger ratio means there is always someone on hand to help you out with everything, whether you just want a glass of water, some food, or to check your flight gate.
Small details, like staff offering to top up champagne glasses before they are empty, prompt clearing of tables, bathroom and shower cleaning between uses, and staff carrying your plate from the buffet to your table all are examples of staff going above and beyond.
I just can’t think of any other airport lounge in the world quite like it. Other than the Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden in the northern part of Doha Hamad of course.
Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South Lounge Food
There are two main dining areas in this lounge. Upstairs (and a grand spiral staircase at that), there is a buffet with á la Carte options on offer too. At the most southern point of the lounge, there is the global deli area with a range of light sandwich, soup and salad options, designed for quick dining if you want something lighter or have a short connection time. Note, both the Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South and Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden have the same menu, so there is no advantage of going to one lounge over the other.
Today’s menu for the Main Dining Area is available here and the Global Deli menu is here. Here was the menu that was available during my visit:
Upstairs Dining Area
Buffet
- Selection of Salads, Dressings and Toppings
- Arabic Mezze – Tabbouleh, Hummus, Guacamole, Muhummara, Mediterranean Quinoa Salad, Feta Cheese and Tomato, Mini Caesar Salads, Pita Bread
- Cheese Platter
- Fresh Fruit Platter
- Stir fried noodles with Shrimp
- Chicken Fricassee
- Pea and Cheese Ravioli with Herb Cream Sauce
- Vegetable Jalfrezi
- Rice Vermicelli
- Creamy Mashed Potato
- Kibbeh Bil Laban
- Braised Beef with Demi-glace
- Seafood Chowder Soup
- Harira Soup
A La Carte
Breakfast (5am to 10:30am)
- Scrambled Eggs with hash browns
- Plain or vegetable omelette with roasted cherry tomatoes
- Fried egg (sunny side up, over medium, well done) with grilled tomato and asparagus
- Eggs Royale
- Eggs Benedict
- Eggs Florentine
- French Toast
Lunch and Dinner (11am to 4am)
- Pumpkin Risotto (vegan)
- Nut and Cheese Mezzaluna (vegetarian)
- Beef Tenderloin Steak
- Mustard Dill Salmon Fillet
- Lamb Kebab with Bukhari Rice
- Paneer Tikki Masala
- Grilled Chicken Breast
- Sushi (made to order)
- Rolls – Unagi, Smoked Salmon, Vegetarian, Vegetable teriyaki
- Nigiri – Prawn
- Tamagoyaki
- Made to order salad – selection of vegetables, grilled chicken and dressing options
- Desserts
- Selection of ice creams – vanilla bean, tiramisu, yoghurt
As I was also travelling during Ramadan, the Dining room had some additional á la Carte specials from 5pm to 4:30am:
- Qatari prawn Murabyan with Daqoos sauce
- Qatari lamb Jereesh
- Desserts
- Harissa
- Znoud El Sit
- Walnut Katayef
Global Deli Area
Sandwiches
- Cajun spiced chicken in sun-dried tomato ciabatta, with olive tapenade, parmesan and shredded lettuce
- Chimichurri roast beef in ciabatta, with potato slices, sundried tomatoes, cheddar, rocket and Pommery mustard mayo
- Smoked salmon on granary bread, with sour cream, dill and red radishes
- Roast lamb on whole wheat bread, with cucumber, tomato, onion, lettuce and minted yoghurt
- Grilled cheese on granary bread, with lettuce and tomato
- Falafel wrap, with lettuce cucumber and yoghurt tahini dressing
Salads
- Caesar salad with grilled chicken
- Caprese salad
- Greek salad
Soup
- Moroccan Vege Soup
- Laksa Soup
Other
- Fresh Fruit Platter
- Cheese Platter
- Tiramisu
- Pannacotta with Tropical Fruits
Self-service refreshment centres located around the lounge also feature a range of snacks, cakes and petit fours.
In all, a really high-quality buffet and á la Carte dining menu that caters to all tastes, dietary requirements and length of connection times. In my opinion, this is one of, if not the best, business class lounge food menu that I’ve ever encountered. They also change the menu seasonally, so check the menu links above ahead of your next Qsuite flight departing from Doha to see the current menus on offer.
Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South Bar Selection
Because the Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South is reserved exclusively for paying (or Avios using) business and first class passengers, the bar selection is second to none. They go above and beyond the typical airport lounge offering, but also a level above the Platinum and Gold Lounges reserved for oneworld Sapphire and Emerald elite status holders.
The menu is available by QR code, and you can request drinks through any of the staff.
There is no dedicated bar area located within this lounge.
Here were the Beer, Wine and Spirits on offer at the Al Mourjan Business Lounge South at Doha Hamad on my visit:
Wine
- Lanson Le Black Label Brut Champagne
- Gosset Grand Rosé Brut Champagne
- Miraval Côtes de Provence Rosé
- Saint Clair Family Estate Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2023, New Zealand
- Lawson’s Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2022, New Zealand
- Gebrüder Nittnaus Riesling Selection 2022, Austria
- Chateau Croizet-Bages, Pauillac AOC, 5eme Cru Classé 2015, France
- Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2021, Adelaide Hills, Australia
- Sensi Vin Santo del Chianti 2014, Italy
Spirits
- Aperol
- Campari
- Martini Bianco
- Martini Extra Dry
- Martini Vermouth Rosso
- Skyy Vodka
- Bombay Sapphire Gin
- Edinburgh Classic Gin
- Havana Club 3YO Rum
- Havana Club 7YO Rum
- Bacardi Carta Blanca Rum
- Captain Morgan Spiced Gold Rum
- Malibu Caribbean Rum
- Glenlivet
- Chivas Regal 12YO Whisky
- Jack Daniel’s Tennessee Whisky
- Johnnie Walker Black Label 12YO
- Jameson Irish Whiskey
- Jim Beam
- Martell VS Cognac
- Jose Cuervo Gold Tequila
- Joes Cuervo Silver Tequila
- Kahlua
- Amarula
- Cointreau
- Drambuie
- Jagermister
- Baileys Irish Cream
- Dow’s 20YO Tawny Port
Cocktails
- Buck’s Fizz
- Shandy
- Cuba Libre
- Vodka Martini
- Dry Gin Martini
- Old Fashioned
Beer
- Heineken
- Tiger
All in all, a very extensive bar selection catering to all. Lots of quality mid-shelf spirits, cocktails and a really nice top-quality international wine list. Definitely something here to suit all tastes.
Do note, the Qsuite bar selection is even better onboard, so best to keep it light ahead of your flight.
Non-alcoholic Beverage Selection
As Qatar is a dry country, there is an extensive non-alcoholic beverage list available, featuring teas, coffees, chai, mocktails, soft drinks, juices and a non-alcoholic luxury bubbly. If you don’t drink, you will still have plenty of interesting beverages to taste and try here.
This was the non-alcoholic beverage list on my visit:
- French Bloom (non-alcoholic)
- Lychee Cranberry Fizz mocktail
- Kiwi in Charge mocktail
- Watermelon Cooler mocktail
- Pineapple Basil Smash mocktail
- AlkaLive still water
- San Pellegrino sparkling water
- Lemon and Mint juice
- Orange juice
- Pineapple juice
- Watermelon juice
- Beetroot, green apple and ginger juice
- Smoothie of the day
- Coca Cola (regular and light)
- Sprite (regular and light)
- Fanta
- Ginger Ale
- Tonic water
- Club Soda
- TWG Teas – English Breakfast, Grand Jasmine, Lung Ching, Chamomile, Midnight Hour tea
- Coffee – Cappuccino, Americano, Caffé Latte, Espresso, Double Espresso, Espresso Macchiato, Flat White, Caffé Mocha (regular and decaf)
- Hot Chocolate
- Full-fat cream, skimmed, lactose-free, soya, almond out and coconut milks are available.
There are also numerous coffee and tea stations, and well-stocked self-service refreshment stations located around the lounge. This list is very extensive by non-alcoholic airport lounge standards, with plenty of options to try.
Kids Areas
There are two kids’ areas located within the lounge. The largest features a foosball table, beanbags, ottomans and video games. The room is quite sparsely furnished, but would be a great place to entertain older kids for a couple hours. The smaller room just has two video game stations with seating.
Bathrooms
In theme with the rest of this luxurious lounge, the bathrooms are modern, with wood panelling, orchids and soft lighting.
There are fluffy hand towels available and toiletries from Diptyque, the same brand found in the Qsuite amenity kits and toiletries onboard.
There is also a bathroom attendant cleaning cubicles between uses. Top Qatar Airways service.
Showers
The lounge features spacious individual shower suites, with both a rain shower and hand shower, toilet and vanity sink area. Fluffy white towels are also provided. There are plenty of shower suites available, however I have heard during peak times there can be a wait (as each suite is cleaned between uses).
Toiletries are from Diptyque, and include shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, hand wash, velvet hand lotion and body lotion.
I think these shower suites are lovely and luxurious, and I’m a big fan of Diptyque.
It’s so nice to have the option to freshen up between flights at Doha Hamad if you are transiting through, especially on long-haul 20+ hour connecting journeys that Qatar Airways is famous for.
How to Access the Doha Al Mourjan Business Lounge South
The Qatar Al Mourjan Business Lounge South at Doha Hamad International Airport is known for being very exclusive, and so much so, that frequent flyer status (oneworld Sapphire or oneworld Emerald) will not gain you access to this lounge. Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald passengers instead have access to the Platinum or Gold Lounges.
The Doha Qatar Al Mourjan Business Lounge South is accessible by the following passengers only:
- Qatar Airways Paid Business Class Passengers (not Business Lite)
- Oneworld Paid Business Class Passengers
- Qatar Airways Avios Redemption Business Class Passengers
- Oneworld Flight Redemption Business Class Passengers (full, not upgraded)
Important to highlight here is fares upgraded with airline miles, including Avios, are ineligible for Qatar Lounge access. For passengers departing or transiting Doha Hamad in Qatar Airways Economy, passengers upgrading from Economy to Business, and Business Lite passengers, you can purchase access to the Al Mourjan Lounge South for 350 QAR (£70).
This exclusivity means that Qatar can offer the very best service and airport lounge experience to their top flyers.
Conclusion
I was very lucky to have a peaceful few hours in this incredible airport lounge. Whilst I was here early afternoon, I understand that peak times are from 5:30pm to 7:30pm, 11pm to 1am, and 5:30am to 7:30am, when most Qatar Airways flights connect through Doha to and from Europe, the US, Asia and Oceania.
This was an absolute bucket list moment for me. For my first trip through Doha, I was glad I stopped over and got to the airport early to explore both the Al Mourjan Business Lounge South and Al Mourjan Business Lounge The Garden.
If you are flying through Doha and have the means to fly Qsuite on the departing leg, you are in for an absolute treat. Exploring the World’s Best Airport Lounge, then flying the World’s Best Business Class on the World’s Best Airline. An absolute treat.