In my honest opinion, the Qatar Lounge is the best airport lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. Hands down. Nothing comes close. Best oneworld lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, and most likely, the best overall airport lounge too.
It’s exclusivity means that Qatar can treat eligible flyers with service, food and beverage offerings that are a cut above all other airport lounges at Bangkok Airport.
Today I am flying Business Class with Cathay Pacific on a morning flight, so I have the luxury of being able to visit the various oneworld airport lounges at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport including the Cathay Pacific Lounge and Qatar Lounge. I also have access to the JAL Lounge, which was supposed to be closed at my time of visit, however on my way to the gate at boarding time, I noticed it was open and accepting passengers. I will make sure to visit next time.
Qatar operates 5 daily flights to Doha from Bangkok. Breakfast is served at the time of my visit and the lounge was particularly quiet and empty.
Below, I will go through everything that makes it so great, and why, if you qualify, you absolutely need to visit on your next visit through Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport.
Entrance: Qatar Airways Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport
Located near Gate D8 at the D Gates in the Bangkok International Terminal Airside (after security), Qatar Airways Lounge is a tranquil oasis away from the rest of the terminal.
Its fairly hidden behind these large doors (above), so its’ fairly easy to miss. Once you step inside, you are greeted by these incredible orchids and the friendly staff, with no lounge counter in sight. Once they have checked my boarding pass, one of the friendly staff personally showed me around the lounge, and asked which area I would like to sit in.
Upon walking into the lounge, past the entrance lobby, you are greeted with an incredible water feature.
Opening Hours
As this lounge focuses on revenue business class and first class passengers, it has limited opening hours, centred around the 5 daily Qatar Airways flights from Bangkok to Doha.
The current opening hours are:
- 5am to 9am
- 4pm to 8:40pm
- 10:30pm to 2am
If you are flying business or first class on another oneworld carrier, that you paid with by cash or entirely with airline miles (more on that below), from Bangkok nearer to these closing times or just after, this is the obvious sweet spot to maximise your time in this fantastic airport lounge. Remember, boarding usually commences 30 to 40 minutes prior to departure for most airlines.
Seating Options
The Qatar Airways Business Class Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport offers a plethora of comfortable seating options, catering to every traveller’s need, whether you are travelling for business or leisure.
There are small, cosy nooks with seats next to the windows, with a small refreshment and snack bar nearby, perfect for reading the newspaper, catching up on emails or making last-minute work calls. As this lounge is fairly quiet, it would make the ideal spot to be productive before your flight. The small areas, separated by partitions break up the space, making it intimate and private.
There is also the main buffet area and dining room, with well laid out tables. I sat here during my time in the Qatar Lounge, as I was starving, and the dining room tables were the perfect height to get some last minute emails sent before my flight.
There is also seating around the bar, which I can imagine would be quite popular for flights later in the day.
Qatar Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport: Service
Something that stands out about this lounge is the incredible service, made possibly by the high staff to passenger ratio. I was the first one in this airport lounge in the morning, but I counted no less that seven staff looking after just me, at my table.
From the entrance staff giving me a lounge tour, to the numerous bartenders, waiters, waitresses and cleaners, I was well taken care of. My champagne was offered to be topped up as soon as it was finished. At the buffet, once I had finished filling up my plate, a waiter/waitress would carry the plate to my table. After using the toilet or shower, one of the two cleaners would clean the entire bathroom or shower suite. Prompt clearing of the table of empty food plates after I had finished was also a testament to this outstanding service.
These little touches really show how the Qatar Lounge goes above and beyond your usual airport lounge and airline alliance lounge experience, and it’s truly an airport lounge offering that all other airlines should envy.
Buffet Food Options
Qatar offers a fairly extensive buffet offering next to the dining area, on the other side to the bar. This particular morning, the Qatar Lounge’s breakfast offering included:
- Arabic Mezze, consisting of:
- Tabbouleh
- Hummus (some of the best you will ever try)
- Guacamole
- Cheese platter, with a variety of cheeses and accompaniments available
- Cold cuts platter
- Smoked Salmon
- Vegetable Crudites
- Egg Bites
- Baked Beans
- Mushrooms and Cherry Tomatoes
- Potato and Herbs Rosti
- Beef Bacon
- Beef Sausages
- BBQ Chicken Bao
- Cream Bao
- Variety of Breads and Pastries
- Typical Continental Breakfast offering including:
- Variety of cereals
- Variety of milk options including full cream, semi-skim, skim, almond and soy milks
- Fresh fruit
There was also an assortment of juices and smoothies available, including both dairy and non-dairy smoothies. They also had my favourite, mango juice available.
A La Carté Food Options
There is also an á la carté menu available for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a variety of dishes made-to-order and delivered to your table. This was the Breakfast Menu in the morning on my visit to the Qatar Lounge at Bangkok:
A very egg-heavy breakfast menu, with six different egg dishes, waffles with red berry compote and Kanom Krok, which is local Thai coconut pancakes.
Here is the lunch and dinner menu, available for flights later in the day from Bangkok:
A fantastic selection of mouthwatering made-to-order dishes here, including afternoon tea. A wide variety of sushi, salads, fish, chicken and beef mains, as well as pad thai and dessert options, is a big step up from most airport lounges. I love the idea of having a champagne afternoon tea before your business class flight.
The menu does state that they do have vegetarian and vegan options, however besides the salad options, there does not seem to be much. If you are vegetarian or vegan, best to check with the lounge staff to see what they can whip up for you. They can’t accommodate á la carté vegan in the morning (as every dish contains eggs), but there are plenty of buffet breakfast options so you won’t starve.
Wine and Spirits Selection
Because of its exclusivity, the Qatar Airways Business Class Lounge at Bangkok Airport really goes above and beyond the usual airport lounge wine and spirits offering. The menu is extensive, with much more available than most airport lounges. With a dedicated bartender available whenever the lounge is open, feel free to indulge in a cocktail or two, or a glass of champagne. Or all of the above.
Wine and Spirits highlights of the Qatar Lounge at Bangkok Airport include:
- Gosset Grande Réserve Brut NV Champagne
- Gosset Grand Rosé Brut NV Champagne
- Grey Goose Vodka
- Hendricks
- Tanqueray No. 10
- Johnnie Walker Gold Label
- Old Mout Cider
- Aperol
- Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
- Stags’ Leap Napa Valley Merlot
A very extensive beer, wine, cider and spirits list indeed, consisting of top-shelf liquor from all around the world. I can’t think of anything better before an afternoon or evening flight, than pairing an Aperol Spritz and some nibbles, for a pre-flight aperitivo.
I have also included the extensive cocktail list above, with a variety of different cocktails for all hours of the day. There is also a page of mocktail options (below).
Non-alcoholic Beverage Selection
For those who do not drink (or doing Sober October), the Qatar Airways Lounge offers a selection of five premium TWG Teas, including Grand Jasmine and Lung Ching. TWG are well known for their super premium quality teas, sourced from the best tea gardens all over the world.
For the coffee lovers, the Qatar Lounge at Bangkok has a bean-to-cup espresso machine as well as barista coffee available from the bar. They use premium beans, and have decaf coffee beans available if you intend on getting some sleep on your flight. A real treat though is the Arabic coffee, which can take roughly 25 minutes to make, so be sure to request from the staff early in your time at the Qatar Lounge. They have a range of milks available too including full cream, half cream, skimmed, soy milk and almond milk.
There is also a selection of juices (including freshly squeezed juices and my favourite, mango juice) available, and dairy and non-dairy smoothies. There is also infused water, and the usual soft drinks available too.
In all, plenty of options to keep you hydrated and energised ahead of your flight.
Bathrooms
The marble-clad bathrooms at the Qatar Airways Lounge at Bangkok Airport exude luxury and decadence. The bathrooms are individual rooms, so no shared areas, and are quite spacious. Featuring luxury amenities from Thann, and fluffy hand towels, you can’t help but feel spoilt. Additionally, there are multiple bathroom attendants, who greet you upon arrival and clean each bathroom suite between guests. Another example of Qatar going above and beyond.
Showers
When you do visit this airport lounge, absolutely make sure you save enough time to go for a shower. Each shower suite is an oasis of luxury, with a shower experience that is above and beyond (like the rest of this airport lounge). Not only do you have a rain shower and a hand shower, but each shower suite features body showers too, which is a unique experience in itself. With luxury toiletries from Thann in their signature Aromatic Wood scent, this is one shower you don’t want to miss. The attendants also make sure to clean and restock every shower suite between guests with big fluffy towels. I have to say, one of the best showers I have ever had. Just go and have a big, long shower on your next visit to this incredible airport lounge. You won’t regret it.
Access Requirements
As I mentioned earlier, the Qatar Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport is 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 nearby JAL or Cathay Pacific Lounges instead which are nowhere near as good in my opinion. The Qatar Lounge is accessible by the following passengers only:
- Qatar Airways Paid Business Class Passengers
- Qatar Airways Paid First Class Passengers
- Oneworld Paid Business Class Passengers
- Oneworld Paid Business Class Passengers
- Qatar Airways Flight Redemption Business Class Passengers
- Qatar Airways Flight Redemption First Class Passengers
- Oneworld Flight Redemption Business Class Passengers
- Oneworld Flight Redemption First Class Passengers
This is it. Important to highlight here is fares upgraded with airline miles, including Avios, are ineligible for Qatar Lounge access. Only flights in Business or First Class fully paid for with cash, or fully paid for with Avios (or airline miles from another oneworld partner) are eligible for Qatar Lounge access. Additionally, passengers who choose to cash upgrade to Business Class after booking are also ineligible for Qatar Lounge access. Oneworld elite status holders are ineligible for this lounge too.
This exclusivity means that Qatar can offer the best service and airport lounge experience to their top flyers.
Conclusion: Qatar Lounge is the Best Airport Lounge at Bangkok
This is my first time I’ve had access to a Qatar Lounge, and if this the standard across all of their airport lounges globally, then sign me up. Absolutely mind-blowingly great, in every respect. If you do get the lucky opportunity to be eligible to visit this fantastic airport lounge, you simply must. If you are flying business or first class with JAL, Finnair, Cathay Pacific, Malaysia Airlines or Qantas from Bangkok, absolutely make sure you come to the Qatar Lounge if the scheduled opening hours work around your flight departure time.
Hands down, the best airport lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport. I’m sure the Al Safwa First Lounge and Al Mourjan Business Lounge, Qatar Airways’ signature and flagship airport lounges at Doha International Airport, are even better. And if they are, I absolutely cannot wait to see how Qatar tops this already stellar airport lounge experience.