Review: Oryx Lounge Doha Airport

Food spread looks similar to the food spread in the RJ Crown Lounge in AMM. Which is the flagship lounge for Royal Jordanian (and basically the only lounge in the airport - I've used it for both EK and EY as well as RJ). So regionally speaking, this lounge appears to be on par.

At least you didn't have to go left for the Al Maha lounge. That lounge is absolutely horrible. Cramped, awful food. Check it out sometime. It's a priority pass lounge!

So you spent 12 hours in the lounge? Wasn't there anything interesting to do outside the airport? Dine out in a nice restaurant? Sightseeing? Even with layovers way shorter than that I managed to sneak out of the airport in several place to at least do something different. I would go nuts if I had to sit for 12 hours in that place.

@Santastico, he said he spent most of the layover in the airport hotel where they got rooms.

But, for what it's worth, there isn't much to do in Doha. We had a 36 hour layover there in May and went into the city. We had a great stay at the W Doha but spent that first evening at the mall and saw a movie, the next day we went to the Museum of Islamic Art (INCREDIBLE facility!), saw the souk, and that's about it. We left for the airport 7 hours early because we had nothing better to do, and we were flying Qatar business class so we had access to the nicer lounge.

This is my regular lounge as most of the time flying out of Doha with the family is Qatar Economy but we have access through our Middle East based American Express cards.

It's hit and miss with the crowds. We always go in the games room with the kids as it's always empty and the family room is always full.

They've actually changed the food spread recently. It had been the same since opening until a month or so ago, it's actually slightly better now!

With regards to booze you have to ask a member of staff. Although I'm pretty sure they only have beer or wine available and they don't serve it during Ramadan.

@RCB: Sorry, I missed that part. Now it makes sense

Regarding Alcohol, you have to ask a server for a glass and they'll bring it to you.

This loks a lot better than the lounge they send me too when I'm flying Qatar in Y as IW Emerald. That lounge is jydt plain embarrassing...

*just*

In my experience, RAM always tends to board early, especially for international flights. On my most recent flight from Casablanca to New York (JFK), the flight was scheduled to depart at 4:35am and boarded at 3:10am, almost an hour and a half before departure. Granted, there was some sort of secondary security screening, but it just consisted of guards taking out all the water bottles out of peoples' bags that regular security allowed through. We did push back a little early (5 minutes), but it added over an hour of time on the plane (in economy) to an eight hour flight.

Travel 3 or 4 times a years through QR.

The Almourian Lounge is rapidly deteriorieting, it is getting more and more crowded and food options are getting more limited with some amenities have been enhanced a la BA.

Did you get a chance to take a look at the Vitality gym on the 4th floor? Airport gyms are pretty rare so I'm curious to hear about it.

"but it’s still better than nothing"

Also still better than quite a few business class lounges you've visited.

"It’s a priority pass lounge!"

So Lucky missed out on visiting it and pimping our referrals on here? Sacré bleu!

It is standard policy for Jet Airways to grant lounge access to all crew, not just pilots, when there is expected to be a small delay. Have run into their crews in lounges in BLR and MAA on multiple occasions. Got curious and asked one day.

yes, you can ask for a beer or a wine. I think there's even something like champagne if you're lucky. I've been refused entry to this lounge (initially) with my Flying Blue platinum on an economy ticket and had to push a little to get in, although that should be permitted I think.

"Ian says:
August 8, 2016 at 5:06 pm
Regarding Alcohol, you have to ask a server for a glass and they’ll bring it to you."

That´s true, but just one drink per person per stay. That´s what they offered me last time I was there.

@ Marcus

I definitely was served several glasses of wine back in March/ April

Are there shower facilities in the Oryx lounge? I'm wondering because I have a 13hr transit time in December and not sure whether it's better to pay for lounge access or for a hotel room.

I used the Oryx lounge twice. This is not even a lounge. I tried to use my Amex card and that wasn't accepted to get there for free. Since I had a 10 hour layover I spent there after paying $45. I should have go out of the airport for that money. There is no "Food". They only have snacks. Few sandwiches and some middle eastern sweets.

This is a cheap shitty place. Not even better than a 3 star hotel lounge in a 3rd world country.

HI THERE,
thanks for the article, it going to help me In jan when I am travelling
I have 22 hrs stay..montreal to Doha and Doha to Karachi
they are not giving me hotel stay....what else I can do instead of paying $ 50 for that place
please give me some idea...I am going crazy already

This is useful: thank you.

I have a question. I'm a BA Silver Executive Member = OneWorld Sapphire but flying Qatar Airways Economy. Will I be able to get in to the Oryx? And, if not, which?!!

Thanks!

I used this for my elderly parents since they had long layover and regret to pay $55 ($110 for 2). Lounge is not worth the price you pay if you have more than one passengers better to get a hotel. There is no food only few selected snacks. purpose of lounge is that you can recline they have mostly chairs only few sofa's and recliners which are mostly occupied. Its better spend that $ and time in a restaurant and eat nice meal for $55 than paying for the lounge. definitely not worth the price you pay rather just use airport available seats and go eat nice meal. Or if you have more passengers and long stay just get the hotel. lounges should have more reclines and private laydown areas where you can stretch your legs not the same chairs you see otherwise thru out the airports.

Akhtar khan
just get the book earlier to get better deal.
don't waste your money on lounges or even sleep and fly option at the airport so expensive like $200 for 7 hours you might as well get a hotel for around $250 for entire night and day rather than wasting your money and not getting the rest at these other options lounges and sleep and fly they have. completely waste of money

Thank you! Very helpful.