Arushi Sakhuja
Talk about travelling in style, this new opening will give you all the more reason to jet off to Doha, Qatar.
Fusing together luxury fashion with elevated travel, Louis Vuitton has made its foray into the airport lounge scene with the opening of its first branded lounge in Doha's Hamad International Airport. And once can trust luxury house, Louis Vuitton to raise the bar and do something new month after month. A beacon of sophistication, the lounge is a testament to Louis Vuitton’s unparalleled craftsmanship, innovation, and deep-rooted association with luxury travel. The move demonstrates Louis Vuitton’s commitment to expanding its luxury offering to new environments.
The airport’s new lounge will offer Qatar Airways’s first and business-class passengers everything from food and drink to shopping. This breathtaking space called the Louis Vuitton Lounge by Yannick Alléno, sits stop the magnificent retail store and is surrounded by a garden called The Orchard. Expanding its culinary presence, the new lounge and restaurant is Louis Vuitton's ninth culinary project since 2020. Located atop the brand's store in the airport.
Within the glass-encased branded lounge, which curiously faces away from the striking ceiling of the Orchard atrium, is a bar serving up premium spirits, Veuve Champagne and a curated list of mocktails, in addition to a lavish section of gold-hued seating.
Louis Vuitton's branding is rather subtle, ranging from a simple golden motif on the marble floor to ‘grill marks’ on sandwiches. For the restaurant, Alléno has developed what he calls a “multilingual” concept, with a menu highlighting local ingredients, French favourites and international fare, along with dishes for various palettes and dietary needs. On the extensive menu, you’ll find soups, salads and hot sandwiches, as well as sushi and caviar. There are also larger items representing Alléno’s distinct approach to cuisine, such as langoustine carpaccio with geranium essence, confit lamb shoulder flavoured with yuzu and pilaf rice with dried fruit and spices.
The space is brought to life with quirky designer furniture pieces including India Mahdavi low tables and Costela armchairs by Martin Eisler. The concept includes an adjoining restaurant with a menu developed by Yannick Alléno, a three-star Michelin chef, and each dish is made to highlight local ingredients. Qatari cuisine is greatly influenced by spices and foods like saffron, nuts, limes, and cinnamon, giving you an idea of what kind of flavours to expect. The Louis Vuitton lounge isn’t merely a space to wait for your flight; it’s a true VIP experience designed to reflect the unique essence of the brand. Every detail, from the monogrammed furniture to the curated art pieces, exudes a sense of luxury that is distinctly Louis Vuitton. With its textured banquettes and mosaic floor, Louis Vuitton aims to elevate the overall experience for its patrons. Whether customers are exploring the realm of fashion, art, and objects within the brand's stores or awaiting their departure at an airport, there is no doubt that luxury brands are targeting consumers wherever they may be going.
Access to the Louis Vuitton Lounge
Access to the lounge is exclusive, maintaining a high-end, boutique-like feel. This oasis of luxury is open to welcome the Gold and Platinum members of Qatar Airways Privilege Club, as well as to esteemed VIP patrons of Louis Vuitton. The path to this exclusive experience is a journey in itself. As you make your way towards the Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Lounge, you are drawn into a world that feels quintessentially Louis Vuitton. Setting itself apart from conventional business-class or first-class lounges, Louis Vuitton has elevated the lounge experience. Beyond merely serving as a waiting area, the lounge provides tailored brand experiences and a Michelin-starred chef.
The lounge provides personalized concierge services to cater to every traveller’s needs. Whether it’s arranging flight details, facilitating shopping requests, or making dining reservations, the concierge team is dedicated to ensuring a seamless travel experience. Adding to the experience is gourmet dining, with an emphasis on French cuisine, honouring the brand’s roots and an impressive range of drinks.
The Doha airport lounge is Louis Vuitton’s ninth culinary project since 2020. As Louis Vuitton ventures into the high-end airport lounge market, Doha Airport is raising its luxury game too, housing a Fendi Boutique with the first Fendi Café in an airport as well as the first Ralph’s Coffee Shop in an airport.
