Qatar Airways Doha Gold Platinum Lounge North
The Gold and Platinum Lounge in the North Plaza at Doha at the moment is called the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge North, and is covering for the much larger Business Class lounge, until it opens later in 2023, when this lounge will be known as the Gold and Platinum Lounge North.
Certainly much better than the Gold Lounge South, the North lounge is quite impressive, with plenty of seating areas, shower facilities, meeting rooms, quiet areas and family rooms.
At 780 sqm and seats for 107 passengers, There are two refectory areas, and a bar in the middle of the large balcony style lounge.
Doha Qatar Airways Platinum & Gold Lounge North review
Qatar Airways' brand new Platinum & Gold Lounge North is currently known as the Qatar Business Class Al Mourjan Lounge North, until that lounge opens later this year and then this space will be renamed Platinum North.
It is quite hard to find the lounge, as the entrance is on one of the escalators at an angle to the main shopping area, at the end of the internal train that runs to the brand new North concourse of Doha Airport. To access the lounge you have to show your boarding card at the bottom of the lounge, and indeed fight your way past some of the passengers who are trying to pay their way in. There is also a reception area at the top of the escalator, although usually the staff just waive you through.
The Al Mourjan Business Lounge North is nearly identical to the Platinum lounge south, with the exception that there is no outside view, and instead you just overlook the open atrium opposite the train station.
Sadly, this means the pumping disco music from duty free floods into the lounge, with the roof of the terminal high above, and a balcony running along one side looking back at the Cosmos sculpture by French artist Jean-Michel Othoniel.
When you first enter, you are on the left side of the lounge, and walk past the family and meetings rooms.
The Doha Qatar Airways Platinum & Gold Lounge North has two halves which are almost all mirror images of each other. Both sides have a small refectory area, with hot dishes in front, and a small bar on the extreme left and right, while in the middle is the main bar.
On the left is the main snoozing area, with lots of recliner Z frame daybeds. However, since it is under the bright lights and with wall to wall pumping music, it is one of the least relaxing snooze areas at any airport. On the other side are many more comfy chairs, and a few sofas around coffee tables, for larger family groups.
In front of each buffet area are high tables, with cacti planted down the middle.
On the left side of the lounge, as you enter, towards the balcony, is a small TV area, but again it is sorely lacking in design, with just high curved walls around a single TV screen, and with squashy seats to sit in.
Throughout the lounge there are great views of the atrium, and you can see where you have just come from, plus the arriving shuttle train and the rest of the airport.
The Doha Qatar Airways Platinum & Gold Lounge North is a welcome addition to cope with the extra passengers passing through the airport now the north plaza is open, however it doesn't have the same kind of 'wow' factor of the larger south lounge, and many passengers may prefer the main Al Mourjan Lounge, called the Garden lounge, which should have a full seated restaurant.
Food
Each of the two refectory areas are identical, with an island station with hot dishes, along with soup at the far end, and some Arabic bread plus rolls.In the morning this area has cereals, plus all the ingredients for a hot English, including beans, eggs, mushrooms and chicken sausage.
On the other side of the counter is an impressive salad bar, plus plated hot dishes including Arabic delights such as foul madames and meze.
There are also a selection of sandwiches, and on the right hand refectory area, there is a small dessert selection, with small plated cakes and delicacies.
All in all, the food is a notable step up from the Gold South lounge, and on a par with the Platinum South lounge, but not as good as the main or the new Al Mourjan lounges.
Bar
There are no less than three staffed bars in the lounge, however nothing is self serve. The main bar is right in the middle of the Doha Platinum & Gold North Lounge, and here there is an extensive selection of spirits, with bar staff happy to make cocktails for you. They will also tell you what wine is available during the day, and will pour beer (Heineken or Tiger) too.Meanwhile, the two smaller bars have a sub-selection of the drinks available at the main bar. It's not too bad, and convenient if you taking food to one of the benches, but for a better selection head into the middle of the lounge.
Champagne is available at all three bars.
Business Facilities
There is a small meeting room.Free wifi.
Bathrooms
There are of course good bathrooms in the Doha Platinum & Gold Lounge North, which are fully staffed.In the existing Al Mourjan lounge in the south of the terminal it can be difficult to get a shower, but the less highly regarded Gold Platinum Lounge North has plenty of showers, and they are new, swish and clean.
Access
Qatar Airways business class are always admitted, although normally you should head to the real Al Mourjan Garden Lounge North opens.
There is access for Qatar Airways Privilege Club Gold and Platinum members and their Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire equivalents (such as British Airways silver and Qantas Gold) when travelling in economy on Qatar Airways.
In economy class you can also buy admission if you have no frequent flyer status, and this is the best lounge to do this at Doha. It costs 250QAR, about £60.
Video: Qatar Gold Platinum Lounge North
Clean and empty
More basic than main Business lounge