Qatar Airways Paris CDG Lounge
The brand new lounge at Paris CDG Airport for Qatar Airways passengers features all of the facilities and qualities of the airline's premium product, for the airline's three flights a day to Doha.
There is a new Brasserie and Global Deli, prayer rooms, business centre, shower facilities, Wi-Fi, two open terraces, and zoned seating for more than 200 passengers.
NEWS: Qatar Airways has opened a brand new Premium Lounge at Paris’ Charles de Gaulle Airport. It is in the same location as the previous lounge, but spanning over 1,000 square metres, the lounge is equipped with two dining areas and can accommodate more than 200 passengers.
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Paris CDG Qatar Airways lounge review
The Qatar Airways Paris CDG Lounge would have the wow factor, even if it wasn't for being brand new, and shining a light on this most dingy of airport terminals, tucked away in an odd location.
At check in, in the strange curved lounge in the basement of Terminal 1 you are warned that the lounge is before security, but after the first two checks and passport control. And so it is: you ascend up the strange sloping moving walkways through the centre of the building, turn left to go through passport control, and then hunt for the little hidden lift that whisks you to the top floor, where up another rather random corridor that leads straight into the Qatar lounge, where there is a small reception desk.
And then suddenly you are in, into a changed world with a huge atrium, with two high backed chairs, and an oriental opaque screen surrounding seats around a central water feature, featuring a fountain in the shape of a star, surrounded by four large curved sofas.
Beyond here are far-reaching views of Paris and the Eiffel Tower, from vast floor to ceiling windows. Here in reception there are also a two alcoves with two plus two seating, as a kind of touch down zone.
Don't miss the little smoking outdoor terrace, through a door on the extreme left, hidden behind a coffee machine. From here you can look down on the whole runway area. Then as you walk down the long corridor with four plus four seats on the left, you see how big the lounge is. Spanning more than 1,000 sqm on level 11 of Terminal 1, there are numerous zones for privacy and lounging. Keep on walking, and you pass the business centre, and then the bathrooms on the right, before an inner quiet area opens up, and an odd little relaxation zone which is just a small room with two white sofas, and then another small alcove with plenty of large loungy chairs.
Near this area there is also a large display cabinet, with a very thick picture book with pictures of the lounge, which was presented to dignatries when the lounge opened in 2023.
Keep on walking, and next you come to the fully-stocked bar and barista station beside high blue booth seating, with odd bobble cushioned walls, and a feature wall of blue tiles.
Finally at the far end is the Brasserie with an open style kitchen for freshly-prepared a la carte orders, in addition to an existing buffet spread, offering what the airline terms is an international menu, from across the globe. In the Brasserie there are tables for six, and four in the main part of the room, and for two, and individual seats, on bench with a large gold backed 'bubble' bling wall.
Opposite there is are the double doors leading out to the terrace, and in summer this is a wonderful place, with the heady fumes of Jet A1 rising up from the gates, and the ambiance of jet engines at full thrust from the active runway, amid which you can enjoy your breakfast at 5am in the morning.
On the TV screen listing all the departures to Doha. All three of them. Between these times the lounge is very quiet, or closed.
Despite the low ceilings in the lounge, a result of being built in the older Terminal 1, particularly the deli area, still seems warm and welcoming with custom blue tiles, which at the back doubles as the bar. Here there are half a dozen bar stools, and there are comfortable seating areas around the walls, this time with blue bubble seats.
Power outlets sprinkled through the lounge, and there is of course high-speed wireless internet.
The new Qatar Paris Charles de Gaulle Lounge is similar to the airline's Premium Lounge at Bangkok Suvarnabhumi Airport, but steps up the design style by several notches. Indeed, it seems remarkable that Qatar went to so much trouble installing such a unique dedicated lounge in Paris, particularly in the older Terminal 1, however the airline sees a vast amount of premium traffic on its three flights a day.
Food
The Paris CDG Qatar Airways lounge is particularly well known for it's excellent dining, with both buffet and a full sit down restaurant available.The new Brasserie is a delight, even if it can be hard to get a table before the afternoon flights, and indeed in the evenings.
There is a full menu, with lots of breakfast items in the morning, plus some Arabic treats, while breakfast is served from 5am to 1030am. There is a menu you can download at your seat, including Foul Medames, omelette (French of Mushroom), poached eggs, egg royal, or Shaksuka, a Maghrebi dish of eggs poached in a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion and garlic (classic or baked). From 11am to 4pm, and from 6pm onwards, lunch and dinner is served, with more traditional western fare, including beef sirloin, traditional cordon bleu, lamb tajine, salmon tikka, and pasta. English afternoon tea is also available.
Meanwhile the Global Deli, in the main part of the lounge has a wonderful selection of a mix of Arabic Meze, plus French ham and cheeses, sandwiches, small pies, and cakes.
Hot items in the deli are on the counter to the left, and in the morning you can help yourself to all the traditional items for say a fully cooked English breakfast, with sausages, mushrooms, beans and fried bread.
Bar
Of course, there is a bar, and it is open from early morning. However, it is rather discreetly presented, and unless you went looking, you would never know it is there. It is behind the deli: head to what seems like the service counter at the back of the deli, and in the hidden corner circle are all the spirits you would expect, with a cocktail waiter who will make up anything from a vast cocktail list.There is also French wine and Champagne, plus a couple of beers: however all are discreetly hidden away and you have to ask what is available.
The Champagne is Laurent-Perrier La Cuvee Champagne NV, or Moet & Chandon Brut. There are three whites, three reds, and a rose.
You can even sit at the bar if you choose, on the four bar stools rather hidden away at the back of the bar.
Business Facilities
Amazingly there is even a small business room with two PCs, and a printer as well: this is even more remarkable considering how many lounges have started removing these facilities.There is of course Free wifi throughout the lounge.
Bathrooms
In lounge, and very swish they are too. Brand new, with plenty of amenities.There are showers too, with an attendant who hovers all day in the strange mini corridor before the facilities.
Access
The lounge welcomes business and first class passengers, and unlike the London lounge, temporarily allows access to oneworld emerald and sapphire cardholders in economy, until alternative arrangements are sorted for them.
Video: Qatar Airways Lounge
Lots of space
Outdoor areas
Low ceilings