The Al Maha Lounge at the Hamad International Airport in Doha is the ideal place to enjoy a comfortable and convenient layover in between your flights. Located on ‘Level 2’ of the Duty Free Plaza South near Gates A, B, and C, the place is well-known for its slew of facilities and amenities, allowing you to recharge and rejuvenate effortlessly.
From providing a variety of seating options to suit your needs to churning out an enjoyable selection of international cuisine, fresh deli-style meals, and a wide range of beverages, the Al Maha Lounge is the epitome of what you can expect from a traditional airport lounge. Passengers also have the option to get their professional work done while waiting for their flights or enjoy a much-needed bath with its additional amenities such as high-speed internet facilities, shower rooms, and so on.
The Al Maha Lounge is available to passengers arriving at, departing from, or transiting through Hamad International Airport, and if you are one of them who would like a good pampering before continuing your journey, then our comprehensive guide can help you learn everything there is to know about gaining access to the lounge.
Who Can Access the Lounge
To obtain complimentary access to the Al Maha Lounge at the Hamad International Airport in Doha, you will need to be an eligible Priority Pass member. This means that if your international credit card has Priority Pass support, you can get access to the lounge facilities for close to four hours, with children aged under two years being admitted free of charge.
Additionally, access is also provided to passengers having international credit cards with tie-in lounge memberships from vendors such as LoungeKey, DreamFolks, Nice Airport Lounge Access, MasterCard Airport Pass MEA, and DragonPass. So, even if you do not have access to Priority Pass but have access to any of the aforementioned service providers, you can gain access to the Al Maha Lounge.
Keep in mind that entry rules are always changing, and it is better to consult the lounge’s customer care before embarking on your journey. To contact them, you can give them a call at +974 4010 5831 or send an email to [email protected].
How to Pay and Access Without a Card
For travelers who do not have access to a lounge membership plan from any of the previously mentioned vendors, access to the Al Maha Lounge can be obtained by simply paying the required entry fee for a stay of maximum six hours. The cost is 230 QR (Qatari Riyal) per adult and 115 QR for children aged between 2 and 11 years. Additional time can be obtained by paying 140 QR for three hours, 230 QR for six hours, and 460 QR for 12 hours.
Paying and accessing the Al Maha Lounge can be done by booking your slot online. Booking can be done 12 hours in advance of flight time, but bookings less than 12 hours before arrival/departure to/from Hamad International Airport will be subject to confirmation. Similarly, cancellations can be made up to 24 hours before your scheduled flight arrival/departure time in Doha. If the cancellation is done within less than 24 hours or for partial cancellations, a cancellation fee will be charged.
To start the booking process, follow the below-mentioned steps judiciously.
- Start by first heading over to the official website.
- On the landing page, select your required service (arrival, departure, or transit) and then choose your carrier, flight date and time, flight number, and flight origin and destination.
- After that, select the total number of passengers who will be staying at the lounge, including the number of adults, children, and infants.
- Once done, hit ‘Continue’ and you will be required to enter your personal details, including your contact information.
- Finally, you will be required to pay for the requisite charges online, and your booking will be successfully registered. A confirmation message will be sent to your registered email ID.
Everything Else You Need to Know
The Al Maha Lounge remains open 24 hours a day with its plush, low-height leather seats and wooden tables. Seating options are provided either individually or in pairs, with the tables featuring lamp lighting suitable for groups of four. However, there are no dedicated places to perform your work, which means if you need to work on your laptop or tablet, the ideal place would be in the dining area. The good news is that – you get electrical outlets scattered throughout the lounge – which means charging your devices is a breeze. And internet service is limited to the general airport WiFi, which is not password-protected.
Talking about food and beverage, you get access to a sumptuous buffet consisting of muffins and juices, along with pre-packaged sandwiches and wraps, which are great options if you want to eat something light and easy. However, for the breakfast service, you can typically enjoy fruit salads, yogurts, and pre-packaged cheese platters. For lunch and dinner, you will most likely have options for soups, spaghetti, hummus, and pasta.
For desserts, the lounge offers a limited selection of pastries, cheesecakes, and chocolate mousses. And finally, for drinks, you will have several espresso machines and drink stations, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages such as tea, soda, beer, and wine. Conclusively speaking, the food and beverage options will not be as amazing as you had hoped for, but they will get the job done.
Some of the other amenities include storage lockers, family rooms, dedicated shower rooms for different genders, sleep rooms, and smoking rooms. Overall, the Al Maha Lounge can be a decent place to spend a couple of hours during your layover at Hamad International Airport. It is not fantastic by any means, but not terrible either.
