Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Skytrax just named Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar the "best airport" in the world.
On a recent Doha trip, I spent 48 hours at the airport and was able to explore almost every corner.
The airport offers many amenities that are ideal for families and is extremely user-friendly.
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Skytrax, an aviation rating company, has named Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar, as the "best international airport" for 2021. The airport beat out competitors in Singapore, Japan and South Korea.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Skytrax's favorite Middle Eastern mega-hub is home to Qatar Airways. This Middle Eastern hub serves as both Qatar's gateway and as an intercontinental transit point to global travelers. Flyers can travel as far as Auckland (New Zealand), So Paulo (Brazil) and San Francisco from Doha.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The FIFA World Cup in 2022 will see even more people through Hamad International's gates. As a result, stadiums are being built all over Qatar to host the games.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
A recent visit to Doha was to see the Gulfstream G700 private plane. I had to stay there for 48 hours, and saw what makes it one of the best in the world. Here's how it went.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Read More: Gulfstream has just unveiled its new ultra-long-range, $75 million plane. It's also the largest private aircraft purpose-built for this purpose: Meet the G700
After a 16-hour flight from New York, I arrived at Hamad International with the intention of entering Qatar and going straight to my hotel. Qatar Airways invited Insiders to the unveiling of the G700 and had provided instructions on how to comply with pandemic travel regulations.
Flying with Qatar Airways from Madrid (Spain) to Doha, Qatar. Thomas Pallini/Insider
We landed at a remote gate, where passengers were taken to the main terminal by busses. When I entered the terminal, I didn't expect it would be the last time I would breathe fresh air for the next two-days.
Continue the story
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Read more: I flew with Qatar Airways and was amazed at the quality of Qatar Airways' economy service.
Instead of having to go through Qatar passport control I was taken to the Oryx Airport Hotel, and found that it would be my new home from Saturday until Monday. I was literally trapped in an airport for the second year.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Continue reading: My 10 hour stay at Bogot Airport was an experience that taught me the value of credit cards and not taking no as an answer
Qatar Airways offers Insider a discount rate on hotel stays for last-minute changes
The airport hotel is located in transit zone of the terminal. It is designed to accommodate travelers and crews who are on long layovers. One example: An Air Canada flight crew checked in simultaneously with me.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
After a long journey, I wanted to rest so I went to my room to take a shower and sleep. The hotel's layout is horseshoe-shaped around the main atrium. All rooms are on the same floor.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Although many airports have hotels within the terminal, this was the first time I had a room that overlooked the terminal. It was almost impossible to keep the shades closed due to the blinding light of the huge LED screens.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The room was spacious and had a king-size bed, TV and a desk. If I needed room service, I was able to order it.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
After a good night's sleep, I was ready to go for Saturday night on the terminal. When I was getting dressed, I made sure to pay attention to the view from the window that overlooks the terminal.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Although this was my second visit to Hamad International, I didn't stop to look around the area on my previous visit. Little did I know, I would get much more from this trip.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The airport has only one terminal. It's divided into five concourses: A, B, C and D. It's 600,000 square meters and I found it very walkable. There are many moving walkways available and I was able get from top-to-bottom in just five minutes using them.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The airport has 37 gates equipped with jetways. An expansion plan is in progress. The airport will soon double its annual capacity to accommodate more than 60 million passengers.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Source: Hamad International Airport
I began in the main atrium. It is home to the 23-foot tall "Untitled Lamp Bear" sculpture. The airport describes it as "a playful piece which humanizes space around it and reminds travellers of childhood or valuable objects from home."
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Source: Hamad International Airport
Lamp Bear, a natural attraction at the terminal, was photographed by many people including me.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The airport's next attraction was the duty-free shops. Qatar Duty-Free is the largest airport retailer with more than 100 boutiques and shops that are duty-free, as well as over 30 restaurants and cafes.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
It was like walking through a mall, rather than an airport. Nearly every luxury brand was represented. Among others, there were storefronts for brands like Bulgari and Gucci.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Qatar Airways even had its own store selling airline-branded merchandise. It was difficult not to buy some model planes for my collection.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
With the arrival of the evening crowd, the airport really comes to life at night. The terminal buzzed even though I was out of my room at midnight.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
After spending a couple of hours out on the town, I felt jet lag and decided to head back to my hotel. The elevators at the airport are touchless, so you can simply wave your hand over them to select buttons.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
However, I only slept for a few hours and woke up at 4 AM. Within a matter of hours, travelers from all over the globe would be rushing to the airport in the morning rush.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Later that day, my airport tour began in Al Safwa First Lounge. This lounge is reserved for Qatar Airways' top customers.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
It was easy to see why this lounge is considered the most exclusive at the airport. It was like we were in a museum, not an airport lounge. The lounge actually has artwork and artifacts that were loaned from the Islamic Museum of Art, Doha.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The lounge has four main areas: shopping, relaxing, eating, and working. For those who want to relax and unwind in private while they wait for their flights, there are plenty of armchairs throughout the lounge.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The lounge also offers a spa that provides massages, facials and other relaxation services. The treatments cost around $40, which is a lot less than other premium airport lounges.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The type of service provided will dictate the treatment rooms. There are also shower rooms attached where guests can change into their robes afterward.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
It was surprising to find a spa that was open during the pandemic. The majority of American airport lounges still close their showers.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Two dining options are available for lounge patrons who want to eat before they fly. The larger dining area offers sit-down dining a-la carte from an extensive menu that includes both local and international cuisines.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The lounge also serves alcohol. There are a variety of wines and spirits on offer. Non-drinkers can also enjoy mocktails.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
We were able to taste some of the food, and they lived up to Qatar Airways standards in terms of presentation and quality.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The lounge also has a casual dining area.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
You could find smaller items like salads, sandwiches, or sushi. In both dining areas QR codes were used to replace paper menus.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
People who need to complete work before a flight can make use of the business centre, which has Apple iMac desktop computers as well as printers that are available in private offices.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Finally, Qatar Duty Free offers a private area in the lounge where you can enjoy the best of what is available in the terminal below.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Although the selection was not as extensive as those in the shops below, it was well-curated.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Al Safwa is just one of the nine airport lounges offered by Hamad International. Al Mourjan Business Lounge is for business customers, Mariner Lounge is for seafarers and the Oryx Lounge is for customers who want to purchase access to a lounge.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The airport offers more than just lounges. For example, the Oryx Airport Hotel actually has its own spa and fitness center.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The hotel's top floor houses a 25-meter swimming pool. It is ideal for lap swimming and just floating around. I was keen to take a dip, but forgot my swimsuit.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
A full gym is another notable feature.
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar Thomas Pallini/Insider
Squash court...
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Spa...
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Also, a golf simulator.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The spa, golf simulator and squash court are all complimentary to hotel guests. However, it is possible for non-guests to pay an additional fee.
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar Thomas Pallini/Insider
The terminal is back. The artwork continues in the concourses, where tall sculptures double as play areas for children. Although tempting, I didn't get to slide down the slides.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
You can also find smaller areas for children that are more playground-like in some parts of the terminal.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Surprisingly, entertainment and connectivity are big themes. Travelers can set up private television rooms in their living rooms and view high-definition content on a TV.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Apple computers can also be found throughout the terminal and offer complimentary web surfing. The computers made it feel like I was at the Apple Store.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The terminal offers a wide range of food options for those who don't have access to a lounge. These include high-end restaurants such as Harrods Tea room and a food court featuring Red Mango and Burger King.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Pandemic safety features include masks in airports and prominently displayed social distancing messages. The gate areas are still closed off and seats can be disengaged from.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The smoking areas remain open and allow people to blow smoke into the air.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
I walked towards the back of the terminal after the tour to check out the progress of the new expansion. Construction didn't seem too disruptive to the operation and I couldn’t see much from inside.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
The airport was limited in what could be seen. I was able to get a better view of the airport on the next day when Qatar Executive flew me on a Gulfstream G650ER demonstration flight.
Flying on a Qatar Executive Gulfstream G650ER. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Read More: I flew in a private Gulfstream G650ER Gulfstream G650ER jet worth $65 million and discovered why it is a favorite among tech billionaires such as Elon Musk or Jeff Bezos
To increase gate capacity, the connector concourse will link Concourses D & E.
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar Thomas Pallini/Insider
The centerpiece of the project will be a tropical garden measuring 10,000 m2 and a water feature measuring 268 meter. This water feature will rival Singapore Changi Airport’s "Jewel"
An illustration of the expansion at Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar. Qatar Airways/Hamad International Airport
Continue reading: Take a look inside the Changi Airport's $1.3 billion new complex, featuring a waterfall that cascades 130 feet indoors
There will be more shops, restaurants and lounges.
An illustration of the expansion at Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar. Qatar Airways/Hamad International Airport
On Monday night, at 7 p.m., freedom finally arrived. I was stamped with a passport and allowed to enter Qatar.
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar Thomas Pallini/Insider
A few hours later, I was back at Hamad International to catch my flight home from London to New York. Who says you can't fly home (to the airport), as the old saying goes.
Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar Thomas Pallini/Insider
It could have been worse. It was possible to stay at the old LaGuardia Airport.
Doha, Qatar's Hamad International Airport. Thomas Pallini/Insider
Continue reading: Two weeks after its opening, I flew out from the new LaGuardia Airport terminal and was shocked to discover that it was the same airport that I used to hate. Here's how it felt.
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