I think just like Dubai, they said: lets make the whole upper floor of the terminal a FC and BC lounge. So the issue then becomes "How do we fill all this space?" Hence the olympic swimming pool sized fountain and massive walk areas for no reason. Too much available space to fill.
I had an 8 hour layover in that lounge in 2019. It actually got really busy in the early morning. To the point where most seats were taken. So, it's probably not too big, considering peak hours.
Thanks for your comment and support, you make a good point about how busy it gets at peak times. I found the nicest place to sit was far right as you entered, past the staircase and the pool
Hi Phil, have just come across your channel and am now working my way through your back catalogue to catch up with your travels thus far! What an awesome and commendable thing a grey gap year is, look forward to many more videos to come! Keep smashing it!
@@mygreygapyear FYI there's a quiet area with rooms you can book, I missed that too and tried to sleep outside! ua-cam.com/video/8pGPSAmnA44/v-deo.htmlsi=-piiUBCnD1iOmcy5&t=674
Another great video, Phil. I've now caught up and watched all of them (love your enthusiasm). You and Matt have two of the best travel channels (and the least pretentious!). Yet to experience Qatar airline, all my middle east travel has been courtesy of Emirates. Keep up the good work. Keith
Missed a connection few weeks back in Doha. Rebooked on a later flight. Spent eight hours in this lounge and the Garden one. Have to say I much preferred the garden lounge personally.
I was in this lounge last year for the first time. Really incredible space...SO big I didn't really know where to go or what to do as I only had 2 hours. Had some food at the a la carte and it was superb. Agree with you, the signage in Hamad airport is not very good...I got off at C gates and there were no signs saying where Al Mourjan lounge was. Well at least I found it...and the big, scary, yellow bear.
Thanks for your comment and support, there are two Al Mourjan Lounges now, making things even more confusing... I've been in the the Garden Al Mourjan Lounge too and this is (In my opinion) a better lounge up by the C gates. Review incoming...
I used this last year. very nice. The only negative was that I couldn't use the sleeping areas/cubicles as they had been booked and there were none free ( i had a long layover, maybe 8 or 9 hours). Not sure how to bookand a moot point at the time.
I know that for neighbouring countries if you're considered to be filming a professional production you need a license from the government. It could very well be the same here?
I think you might have hit the nail on the head. Holiday shots on your phone are fine, but using a GoPro is the threshold for a professional production. Thanks Phil
Interesting overview, thanks. I am transiting through Doha in January 2025. Flying with BA to Doha and then onwards with Qatar, returning through Doha and onwards to LHR on BA, so assume that I won’t be able to use it on the return!
Thank you for your comment, according to the Qatar Airways website Oneworld Business class passengers are allowed to use the lounge, www.qatarairways.com/en-gb/lounges/al-mourjan.html (scroll to the bottom of the page) So status holders can't use it, but business class with BA can. If you're incoming in Business I think you might be able to use it even if you're onward is not business.
@@mygreygapyear thanks for clarifying, yes flying business both ways. I should have looked it up! Not flown Qatar previously, so looking forward to the Q suites, I also watched your other vlog on the onward journey! Happy onward travels!
It may have been breakfast time in Doha but I bet most connecting passengers wouldn’t be on local time. So a bit surprised for a lounge of this caliber to see the a la carte menu was limited to breakfast. Still, looks like an amazing experience!
Thank you for your comment, that may have been my mistake, the menu was online via a QR code and there were non breakfast items on it, but I don't know if they were available. When I fly London to Melbourne with a morning departure I call it the flight of many breakfasts.
Another great video Phil, I salute your stamina in eating and drinking all that delicious food and drinking vintage champagne for our education 😋🍾🥂 I’ve been in that lounge a few times and it’s always been packed to the rafters! Sometimes struggling to find two seats together. Didn’t put me off though and would go back any time!
‘Where there’s blame, there’s a claim!’ 😂 I’m due to visit BA’s LGW First lounge on Monday which I’m usually rather fond of but after watching this video, I feel I may not be so enamoured this visit…
Agree it’s a very nice lounge but as you point out it can be chaotic at the peak times, much like the EK lounge at DXB. Had some very nice visits in both at the quiet times but can be unpleasant when it’s busy. The chefs at front of house in Doha definitely give it the edge over Dubai for me, though.
I was on a reward flight and had lounge access. When I googled largest lounge I did read that the Emirates lounge in Dubai was 100,000 sq ft, so they both seem to claim to be the same size. But I haven't visited Dubai yet on my travels.
Hi Phil, I have an estimated 1 hour 25minute connection in Doha coming from Auckland though to Gatwick next year. Do you think that is long enough to get some lounge experience (food and/or shower) or will I be rushing to the next gate for my departure to Gatwick?
Thank you for your comment and sorry for the copy and paste job. @adriancarey7848 is correct, for a relaxing shower and a nice meal you'll need 2 to 3 hours. It will depend on your arrival and departure gates and how quickly you can orientate yourself at the airport. If you're departing from A or B gates (or very low C gate numbers, say 11 or lower) then the original Al Mourjan that is in this video is for you. If you're departing from C 12 or above then use the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge, there is a train that runs from about C1 to C13. I would say the gods would have to smile on you to have time for a shower, but a bite to eat and a cocktail could work. You can find all the airport plans here dohahamadairport.com/airport-guide/at-the-airport/maps
Thanks for your comment and support, are you wondering how long before your flight can you check in at Doha? Well the business check in desks are probably open 24 hours a day, I think it was 6 hours before when I asked at Qantas, might be a standard. But Doha is a nice town with low cost 5* hotels, taxis weren't expensive.
Well that's a real shame, the start of your journey sullied like that. I haven't experienced Qatar check in at Heathrow but I have at other places and it was sort of the same as every other check in experience really. Slow, functional and generally dreary. I find check in to be the one part of my flights that tends to be consistently ordinary at best but usually unsatisfactory, but it is consistent across brands, in other words if I stopped flying an airlines that had an unfriendly or poor check in experience with, I would be using the ferry and driving everywhere. Those check in agents at Heathrow probably take off the Qatar uniforms and put on Malaysian ones right after the Qatar check in finishes. Then they put on either Etihad or Royal Brunei after that. I hope you have better trips in the future, all the best, Phil
Hi Phil, I have an estimated 1 hour 25minute connection in Doha coming from Auckland though to Gatwick next year. Do you think that is long enough to get some lounge experience (food and/or shower) or will I be rushing to the next gate for my departure to Gatwick?
It will depend on your arrival and departure gates and how quickly you can orientate yourself at the airport. If you're departing from A or B gates (or very low C gate numbers, say 11 or lower) then the original Al Mourjan that is in this video is for you. If you're departing from C 12 or above then use the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge, there is a train that runs from about C1 to C13. I would say the gods would have to smile on you to have time for a shower, but a bite to eat and a cocktail could work. You can find all the airport plans here dohahamadairport.com/airport-guide/at-the-airport/maps
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
I think just like Dubai, they said: lets make the whole upper floor of the terminal a FC and BC lounge. So the issue then becomes "How do we fill all this space?" Hence the olympic swimming pool sized fountain and massive walk areas for no reason. Too much available space to fill.
Thanks for your comment, I think you've hit the nail on the head there.
@@mygreygapyear Best lounge in the world though, I don't complain.
I had an 8 hour layover in that lounge in 2019. It actually got really busy in the early morning. To the point where most seats were taken. So, it's probably not too big, considering peak hours.
Thanks for your comment and support, you make a good point about how busy it gets at peak times. I found the nicest place to sit was far right as you entered, past the staircase and the pool
What a mind boggling space. Thanks for sharing these experiences.
My pleasure, glad you enjoyed it
Hi Phil, have just come across your channel and am now working my way through your back catalogue to catch up with your travels thus far! What an awesome and commendable thing a grey gap year is, look forward to many more videos to come! Keep smashing it!
Thank you Barry, much appreciated. Hope to keep them going for a while yet 😊, hope you keep watching and commenting.
Im normally an internet troll but i genuinely wish you nothing but success and happiness in life. Liked, subbed and ty for doing what you do.
What a wonderful comment, I hope you're able to find further joy on UA-cam and the internet. All the best, Phil
Super nice lounge! WOW!!! Thanks for the info + video!
Thank you, it's a great lounge for sure.
i have fond memories of that lounge. Luckily was there off-peak so tried all the seating. the lemon merangue pie was the best
What a great tip, if I'm lucky enough to be in the lounge for lunch or dinner then I will definitely try the Lemon Meringue Pie.
@@mygreygapyear FYI there's a quiet area with rooms you can book, I missed that too and tried to sleep outside! ua-cam.com/video/8pGPSAmnA44/v-deo.htmlsi=-piiUBCnD1iOmcy5&t=674
Another great video, Phil. I've now caught up and watched all of them (love your enthusiasm). You and Matt have two of the best travel channels (and the least pretentious!). Yet to experience Qatar airline, all my middle east travel has been courtesy of Emirates. Keep up the good work. Keith
Thank you for your kind comments Keith, much appreciated.
Missed a connection few weeks back in Doha. Rebooked on a later flight. Spent eight hours in this lounge and the Garden one. Have to say I much preferred the garden lounge personally.
Review of the garden business lounge is incoming... 😊 Spoiler Alert: I preferred it too.
This is one lounge/airport that looks worth visiting
It is an excellent lounge, I'd love to know your favourite lounges, if you don't mind sharing.
I was in this lounge last year for the first time. Really incredible space...SO big I didn't really know where to go or what to do as I only had 2 hours. Had some food at the a la carte and it was superb. Agree with you, the signage in Hamad airport is not very good...I got off at C gates and there were no signs saying where Al Mourjan lounge was. Well at least I found it...and the big, scary, yellow bear.
Thanks for your comment and support, there are two Al Mourjan Lounges now, making things even more confusing... I've been in the the Garden Al Mourjan Lounge too and this is (In my opinion) a better lounge up by the C gates. Review incoming...
I used this last year. very nice. The only negative was that I couldn't use the sleeping areas/cubicles as they had been booked and there were none free ( i had a long layover, maybe 8 or 9 hours). Not sure how to bookand a moot point at the time.
The alternatives to the cubicles is the odd shaped couches, they obviously need more...
Shower footage any day for me please ❤. Love that airport, I was there on my way to Thailand a couple of years ago.
😂😂😂
I know that for neighbouring countries if you're considered to be filming a professional production you need a license from the government. It could very well be the same here?
I think you might have hit the nail on the head. Holiday shots on your phone are fine, but using a GoPro is the threshold for a professional production.
Thanks
Phil
Interesting overview, thanks. I am transiting through Doha in January 2025. Flying with BA to Doha and then onwards with Qatar, returning through Doha and onwards to LHR on BA, so assume that I won’t be able to use it on the return!
Thank you for your comment, according to the Qatar Airways website Oneworld Business class passengers are allowed to use the lounge,
www.qatarairways.com/en-gb/lounges/al-mourjan.html (scroll to the bottom of the page)
So status holders can't use it, but business class with BA can. If you're incoming in Business I think you might be able to use it even if you're onward is not business.
@@mygreygapyear thanks for clarifying, yes flying business both ways. I should have looked it up! Not flown Qatar previously, so looking forward to the Q suites, I also watched your other vlog on the onward journey! Happy onward travels!
It may have been breakfast time in Doha but I bet most connecting passengers wouldn’t be on local time. So a bit surprised for a lounge of this caliber to see the a la carte menu was limited to breakfast. Still, looks like an amazing experience!
Thank you for your comment, that may have been my mistake, the menu was online via a QR code and there were non breakfast items on it, but I don't know if they were available. When I fly London to Melbourne with a morning departure I call it the flight of many breakfasts.
Never seen so many chefs….too many cooks….perhaps not! Nice work Phil.
David
Thank you for your comment, the broth was fine... 😂
Another great video Phil, I salute your stamina in eating and drinking all that delicious food and drinking vintage champagne for our education 😋🍾🥂 I’ve been in that lounge a few times and it’s always been packed to the rafters! Sometimes struggling to find two seats together. Didn’t put me off though and would go back any time!
Thank you for your kind comment, it is a tough life 😂😂😂
Superb lounge! I could spend hours there, just...eating. POOOKE!!!
Thanks for your comment Red, it's a magnificent lounge.
‘Where there’s blame, there’s a claim!’ 😂
I’m due to visit BA’s LGW First lounge on Monday which I’m usually rather fond of but after watching this video, I feel I may not be so enamoured this visit…
Thanks for your comment, we know we're pampered when we're comparing lounges... Have a great trip.
Have you had a chance to sample the Al Safwa lounge yet Phil? Would love to know your thoughts on that.
Unfortunately, not yet. I am hoping to via the usual onward travel route.
Agree it’s a very nice lounge but as you point out it can be chaotic at the peak times, much like the EK lounge at DXB. Had some very nice visits in both at the quiet times but can be unpleasant when it’s busy. The chefs at front of house in Doha definitely give it the edge over Dubai for me, though.
Thank you for your comment and your support, there were so many staff, but you're right, very busy during peak.
Absolutely stunning
Thanks for your comment, it is excellent.
Thank You ✈️
You're welcome, Charlie.
Hamad airport is confusing - and they don’t make the lounge easily lockable particularly if it’s your first time there.
I agree, it's very confusing, especially for first timers.
If I book an Avios award ticket business class with Qatar can I access this lounge?
Isn't Emirates lounge in Dubai larger?
I was on a reward flight and had lounge access. When I googled largest lounge I did read that the Emirates lounge in Dubai was 100,000 sq ft, so they both seem to claim to be the same size. But I haven't visited Dubai yet on my travels.
Hi Phil, I have an estimated 1 hour 25minute connection in Doha coming from Auckland though to Gatwick next year. Do you think that is long enough to get some lounge experience (food and/or shower) or will I be rushing to the next gate for my departure to Gatwick?
Need 3 hours
Thank you for your comment and sorry for the copy and paste job. @adriancarey7848 is correct, for a relaxing shower and a nice meal you'll need 2 to 3 hours.
It will depend on your arrival and departure gates and how quickly you can orientate yourself at the airport. If you're departing from A or B gates (or very low C gate numbers, say 11 or lower) then the original Al Mourjan that is in this video is for you. If you're departing from C 12 or above then use the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge, there is a train that runs from about C1 to C13.
I would say the gods would have to smile on you to have time for a shower, but a bite to eat and a cocktail could work.
You can find all the airport plans here dohahamadairport.com/airport-guide/at-the-airport/maps
epileptic fit from that flashing oof
Might have been from my camera recording at the same frequency, sorry if that's the case.
Now thats what I call a Chandelier, how can you surpass that!😂
It is a "no expense spared" space, as you say, don't know how you top that.
Yep that chandelier and staircase. You almost expect a movie star from days gone by to walk down it.
@@JohnHunterUK Agree 👍
Walking around this lounge is a real workout 😂😂
Thanks for your comment and support, I probably got my steps in.
👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
Thank you Chris, much appreciated
Hello phil
Hi there 😊
If i am flying Qatar to uk, no connections, how lohg can you spend in the lounge. 24 hours would seem reasonable. 😂😂😂
Thanks for your comment and support, are you wondering how long before your flight can you check in at Doha? Well the business check in desks are probably open 24 hours a day, I think it was 6 hours before when I asked at Qantas, might be a standard. But Doha is a nice town with low cost 5* hotels, taxis weren't expensive.
QR is becoming synonymous with pissy. Nice product but shitty attitude.
That does seem to be the general view, but I did have a fabulous crew from Birmingham to Doha.
Check in counters lhr NOT FRIENDLY... passive aggressive. Wont fly Qatar again.
Well that's a real shame, the start of your journey sullied like that. I haven't experienced Qatar check in at Heathrow but I have at other places and it was sort of the same as every other check in experience really. Slow, functional and generally dreary.
I find check in to be the one part of my flights that tends to be consistently ordinary at best but usually unsatisfactory, but it is consistent across brands, in other words if I stopped flying an airlines that had an unfriendly or poor check in experience with, I would be using the ferry and driving everywhere.
Those check in agents at Heathrow probably take off the Qatar uniforms and put on Malaysian ones right after the Qatar check in finishes. Then they put on either Etihad or Royal Brunei after that.
I hope you have better trips in the future, all the best,
Phil
Terrible life you have sir.😅
You have no idea 😂😂😂
Hi Phil, I have an estimated 1 hour 25minute connection in Doha coming from Auckland though to Gatwick next year. Do you think that is long enough to get some lounge experience (food and/or shower) or will I be rushing to the next gate for my departure to Gatwick?
It will depend on your arrival and departure gates and how quickly you can orientate yourself at the airport. If you're departing from A or B gates (or very low C gate numbers, say 11 or lower) then the original Al Mourjan that is in this video is for you. If you're departing from C 12 or above then use the Al Mourjan Garden Lounge, there is a train that runs from about C1 to C13.
I would say the gods would have to smile on you to have time for a shower, but a bite to eat and a cocktail could work.
You can find all the airport plans here dohahamadairport.com/airport-guide/at-the-airport/maps
Just heard that my flight into Doha has been brought forward by a couple of hours so it looks like I will have time to get the full experience😊
@@grahamfaultless8571 You know it's a good lounge when you a longer layover is good news :)