Qatar Airways Silver Lounge Doha

A medium sized, rather plain lounge, designed just for Frequent Flyers in economy, the Doha Qatar Airways Silver Lounge is a bit hidden away, but a useful pit stop in the hub that is Doha Airport.

The Doha Silver Lounge has comfy seats, a free bar and buffet catering. There is hot food 24 hours a day, salads, and sandwiches.

However, if you are in Business Class on Qatar, there are much better lounges. NEWS: Qatar Airways has unveiled Platinum, Gold and Silver lounges at its hub, Doha's Hamad International Airport, with access for Privilege Club loyalty members and oneworld alliance card holders in economy, to access the dedicated lounge corresponding to their frequent flyer tier status.
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Doha Qatar Airways Silver Lounge review

The brand new Doha airport Silver lounge has often been called the 'Qatar Business Class lounge'. It's not, and in the very confusing nomoculture of Doha, and indeed Qatar Airways, it is only accessible to those in economy with a silver card, or in Business except for ultra low fare Business. It is also very hard to find.

A new lounge, opening in early 2022, it is vastly better than the old, and overcrowded, now closed Qatar Business Class lounge on level 2, which was just for frequent flyers, but not quite as good as the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge, which is just for paid full fare Business Class. I do hope you're keeping up.

To find the Doha airport Silver lounge, on the ground level, at the teddy bear, head past Harrods and Gucci, and down the B wing. The lounge is on the left, behind the moving walkway. There are absolutely no signs at the entrance to let you know what the entrance parameters are: however, trust me, the staff know.

The Doha airport Silver lounge has clean lines with white walls and furniture. The décor is modern while conservative, and stays clear of the bling elsewhere. The open floor plan boasts a variety of seating options including traditional lounge chairs with side consoles, cocoon swivel chairs, and dining tables. Power sockets are dotted around, along the walls, and in side consoles, but can be hard to find.

As you walk in, it all seem to be large, light, open and bright. There is a large wiggly orange bench seat for example.

To the right is the main sitting area, with pairs of swivel chairs against the walls, and long bench seats in the middle of the room: the swivels by the window are always in the most demand. In the middle is a strange white shelf around a small tree, which at least offers a good bench to work at. There is a small drinks area at the far end.

Back in the main part of the Doha Qatar Airways Silver Lounge, there are benches against the windows, which offer a great place for solo travellers to sit and enjoy the view. There are dining chairs as you enter, and an island bench in the middle of the main food area.

The dining area is functional, if not especially comfortable, but it does the job, and there is a more comfortable curved area to sit on the other side of the bar.

However, the Doha airport Silver lounge is woefully small for a global hub such as Doha airport. The great food and comfy chairs do little to compensate for chronic crowding and constant traffic. Seats are scarce at peak times, and you can often find yourself sitting on the floor. The layout offers little privacy and noise deadening. Indeed, with an abundance of hard surfaces, noise ricochets around the lounge.

Food

Along the left hand wall, there is a refectory counter with four tureens of hot food, typically of pasta and rice, plus some lamb or chicken dishes.

Next to this on the counter are a collection of mini-sandwiches, salads, soups, pastries, and sweets.

The sandwiches are actually rather good, and come in sealed large triangular packets: don't try and take them onto your flight however.

There are also little sealed pots of deserts, and a large fearsomely complex coffee machine next to the fridge.

Bar

There is a full open bar, open 24 hours a day, however it is a little hard to find. It is in the central island, with wine bottles on top, and in the fridge.

Wine comes with two bottles of either red or white; the exact type varies, but is typically from Australia or New Zealand.

There are cans of beer in the fridge, all self service.

There is another smaller fridge at the other end of the main room.

Business Facilities

Free wifi comes from the main airport supply. It is a little difficult to use, as you need a Qatar boarding card to activate it.

There are no newspapers or computers.

Bathrooms

In Lounge, at the far end of the main room.

Showers available; there is normally someone on the little podia who will let you know if a shower suite is available.

Access

This is where it gets complicated.

There is access in economy for Qatar Airways Gold & Silver Privilege Club members plus one eligible guests and oneworld Sapphire equivalent tier and their eligible guests. However, you will not gain access on the lowest fares with a Privilege Club card, only with a oneworld Sapphire card.

The club welcomes oneworld Sapphire (but oddly, not the more elite Emerald) customers traveling in Economy, as well as Qatar Airways Gold & Silver Privilege Club card holders.

The Silver lounge basically exists to honour the spirit of oneworld rules--per which Emerald and Sapphire customers receive lounge access--while segregating Economy passengers away from premium customers. Passengers ticketed in Business Class are invited to use the vastly superior Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge, while oneworld Emerald guests receive access to the pay in Oryx lounge. However, if you are on a redemption ticket in Business, you will not receive access even with a Qatar airlines Gold Privilege Club card, but you will with a oneworld relevant level card.

Video: Qatar Silver Lounge North

Qatar Silver Lounge North video - Click to play