Find out what to do at Doha airport before catching your next flight! Hamad International Airport, bustling with nearly 800 daily departures, stands as one of the Middle East’s busiest airports. Positioned at the nexus of Asia, Africa, and Europe, it’s a hub for stopover passengers who often can’t leave the terminal. If you’re one of them, make the most of your layover in Doha by enjoying what the airport has to offer. Doha airport provides free rest areas, and many lounges—including some that are exceptionally luxurious—hotels, spas, and even a gym. You’ll surely find the perfect option to relax and unwind during your stay at the airport.
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Doha airport rest areas
If you need a break during a stopover at Doha Airport, you’re in luck: Hamad International Airport has several dedicated rest areas in Concourses A, B, and C, perfect for relaxing or unwinding before your next flight. These complimentary spaces offer various options, from semi-reclining lounge chairs to quiet rooms designed specifically for rest.
While these areas aim to provide a peaceful environment, they can sometimes get noisy due to their popularity and the constant flow of passengers. For a quieter spot, head to level 0 of Hall C, near gates C20 to C29. This area tends to be less crowded and quieter than the other rest zones.
Chill out at Doha Airport lounges
For more quiet and a chance to unwind, choosing one of Doha airport’s lounges is ideal. These lounge rest areas are tranquil havens amidst the airport’s buzz, offering additional relaxation services like showers and massages.
Lounges with Rest Areas:
- The Oryx Lounge: Features a quiet room with cozy seats and well-insulated spaces, focusing on calm and comfort.
- Al Maha Lounge: Provides elegant quiet areas for relaxation during your layover.
- The Al Mourjan Lounge: Delivers a 5-star experience with luxurious design, extensive services (including catering, showers, conference rooms), and rest areas, all within a 10,000 square meter space.
- The Al Safwa Lounge: Offers a luxurious environment with rooms designed for napping, ensuring total tranquility.
- The Platinum Lounge: Located on level 2, this lounge has semi-private rooms with lounge chairs for naps and showers.
- The Silver Lounge: Also on level 2, it features a quiet area for guests to relax and unwind between flights.
These paid lounges at Doha Airport come equipped with quiet zones for travelers to rest at any hour.
How to access the lounges?
To ensure you’re up to date with lounge access rules, it’s wise to check with the airport or your airline before you travel.
Accessing the Lounges:
- Oryx Lounge: You can enter for about 50 euros for up to 6 hours. Business or first-class travelers can enter for free. It’s located in Terminal 1, near the giant bear.
- Al Maha Lounge: Located on level 2, entry is for travelers who’ve booked the Al Maha service, at roughly 50 euros for 6 hours. Priority Pass, Diners Club, and Lounge Key holders have a 4-hour access limit.
- Al Mourjan Lounge: Exclusive to Qatar Airways passengers or those flying with a OneWorld alliance airline. Free for business or first-class passengers; economy or “Business Lite” class passengers can enter for between 60 and 80 euros.
- Al Safwa Lounge: Open to first-class Qatar Airways flyers and business class passengers with Privilege Club Platinum status. Found on level 3, past immigration services.
- Platinum and Silver Lounges: Opened in 2022, these are available to Qatar Airways passengers and OneWorld pass holders, with services varying by passenger status.
Sleep in The Sleep ‘n Fly cabins in Doha
For those looking for a few hours of peaceful sleep, the Sleep ‘n Fly lounges are the perfect spot. These lounges offer sleeping pods in two airport locations: one in the Duty-Free Plaza South and another in the North Node (Hall C) near gates C30 and C31.
You have the option to choose from various pod or suite sizes and book them for anywhere from 2 to 24 hours. Prices begin at approximately €33 for a solo pod and €58 for a double cabin, with the option to add a child’s bed for an extra €18.
Spend a night at the Oryx Hotel at the Doha airport
If you have a stopover of more than 6 hours and are looking for a comfortable bed to rest in, choosing a room at one of the two Oryx hotels at the airport is ideal.
The Oryx Airport Hotel, located in Terminal B, offers six types of rooms and stands out for providing all its guests with access to the “Vitality Health & Fitness Center.” This premium wellness and fitness center features a wide range of sports facilities, including a 25-meter glass-enclosed swimming pool elevated above the terminal, a fully equipped gym, squash courts, and a golf simulator.
In Hall C of the North Node terminal, you’ll find the Oryx Garden Hotel. This highly comfortable hotel has around a hundred rooms and provides privileged access to the “Vitality Health & Fitness Center“.
Discover other places to spend a nice time in the Doha airport
If you’re still wondering what to do at Doha Airport, there are plenty of other things to help you have a great time before your flight, from playing sports and getting massages to finding a fun place for your kids to play.
Peace and Nature at “The Orchard”
For those seeking tranquility amidst the airport’s hustle and bustle, The Orchard offers a serene escape. Whether you’re in the mood to wander, dive into a good book, or simply enjoy the sounds of recorded birds and flowing water, this green haven is perfect. Created as part of Doha airport’s expansion, “The Orchard” spans 6,000 square meters and is home to nearly 300 trees and 25,000 plants, all flourishing under a magnificent glass roof for a truly stunning view.
Nestled within this mini-tropical forest, you’ll discover wooden tents where you can rest for free, serenaded by the gentle (albeit artificial) chirping of birds, ensuring a peaceful break.
Relaxation and well-being at the spa
Doha Airport’s spas provide many wellness services, including massages, facials, and body treatments.
- The Vitality Wellbeing & Fitness Centre, accessible 24/7, offers spa treatments to ease travel stress and discomfort. Professionals there deliver aromatherapy, rejuvenating massages, cleansing facials, and more to refresh travelers.
- The Al Mourjan Business and Al Safwa lounges feature spas for relaxation between flights, equipped with massage chairs for neck and shoulders, manicure-pedicure stations, relaxation chairs, and seven treatment rooms.
- Additionally, the airport houses “Be Relax Spa“ centers, where you can indulge in a soothing Thai massage or an aromatherapy session.
Fitness in the gym
Besides spa treatments, the Vitality Health & Fitness Center boasts a remarkable 25-meter glass-enclosed swimming pool, elevated above the terminal, and squash courts where rackets, balls, and shoes are available for rent. Its gym is outfitted with a wide variety of equipment, from treadmills to weight machines, along with dumbbells and medicine balls. Additionally, the Al Mourjan Business Lounge features a well-equipped gym, perfect for travelers wanting to keep active during their layover.
Places to take a shower
To freshen up quickly and affordably during your stopover, showers are an excellent option. Most airport lounges, including the Platinum, Gold, Silver, Oryx, Al Maha, Al Mourjan, and Al Safwa lounges, offer shower facilities and provide towels and toiletries. Additionally, after a workout at the “Vitality Health & Fitness Center,” you can also enjoy a refreshing shower.
Family Areas
If you’re traveling with kids, Doha Airport features family areas designed to keep children entertained while allowing parents to relax. These areas include TV corners with sofas and play zones.
What To do at Doha airport: frequently asked questions
1. How can I ensure optimal rest at the airport?
Between lounges, hotels, cabins, sun loungers, and spas, there are plenty of ways to relax at Doha International Airport. The choice will depend on your budget. Wherever you choose to sleep, it is recommended that you come prepared, bringing earplugs or noise-canceling headphones, and an eye mask. This will help isolate you from noise and light. And then, if you really can’t sleep, it is good to know what to do at Doha Airport.
2. Can I rest for free at Doha Airport?
Yes, it is entirely possible to rest at Doha airport without paying for access to a lounge. The airport provides several quiet areas, which have semi-recline chairs and are intended for travelers wishing to rest. These are located in halls A, B, and C.
3. What about security in Doha Airport rest areas?
Doha Airport (Hamad International Airport) is one of the safest in the world, just as Qatar is one of the safest countries in the world. The airport is equipped with state-of-the-art surveillance systems, and airport staff are available 24/7 to ensure the safety and comfort of passengers during their layover. However, it is always recommended to keep an eye on your personal belongings and secure them in rest areas when you are dozing off.
4. How do I make sure I don’t miss my flight when I’m resting?
Most rest areas and lounges at Doha Airport offer a wake-up service to ensure you don’t miss your flight. However, even if you use this service, it is still advisable to set a personal alarm. Additionally, Hamad International Airport is well signposted with flight information screens located throughout the airport to help you keep tabs on your flight’s boarding time, without having to run to the other end of the terminal during your stopover.
5. How can I access the Internet in break areas and lounges?
Wi-Fi is available free of charge throughout the airport. To connect during your transit, select the “HIAQatar Complimentary Wi-Fi” network in your device settings.
