All of this stuff are discovered at (a few of) the most effective airport lounges on the earth. The lounge go to is a vital a part of the journey expertise for me, notably when touring internationally. There’s simply one thing about having a top quality meal, a number of high quality drinks, and a soothing bathe or therapeutic massage that will get my thoughts proper earlier than I fly.
I get requested fairly continuously to speak about my favourite lounges on the earth. I’ve not visited the entire nice lounges on the market however I’ve been to fairly a number of. Let’s check out my 5 favourite lounges after which I’ll inform you about some lounges I wish to go to subsequent.
5. American Specific Centurion Lounge, Dallas
My overview
The Huge Blue Doorways
Easy methods to get in: Entry is complimentary for holders of the American Specific Centurion and Platinum playing cards and as much as two touring companions. Different American Specific cardholders can entry the lounge for $50.
Situated in Terminal D at DFW, this lounge is by far my favourite home lounge. I’m based mostly in Dallas and this lounge is a superb different to the Admirals Golf equipment provided by American Airways (American’s new flagship choices might change this, nevertheless). A full buffet, complimentary booze, and complimentary massages set this lounge aside from nearly some other lounge within the USA. American Specific has Centurion Lounges in different airports as nicely (my overview of their LaGuardia lounge right here).
Clearly this lounge doesn’t evaluate to among the others on this listing but it surely’s implausible to have such a pleasant lounge at my dwelling airport!
4. Qantas First Class Lounge, Sydney
My overview
Dwelling Wall
Easy methods to get in: Journey in First Class on a Oneworld flight departing from SYD or maintain Oneworld Emerald standing (American Airways Government Platinum, for instance) and journey in any class on a Oneworld airline worldwide flight.
This lounge is extensively thought to be among the finest on the earth for good cause. From the grass wall (pictured above) to the complimentary massages (in a equally “walled” room) to the superb meals, this lounge is implausible. Some say the lounge in Melbourne is pretty much as good but it surely’s laborious to think about it being pretty much as good as this masterpiece. Australian service is exclusive and pleasant, so it’s good to expertise and is a welcome distinction to the considerably overbearing service that some Asian carriers are identified for on this a part of the world. It additionally has completely implausible tarmac views of numerous the Qantas superheavys flying out of SYD.
3. Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Class Lounge, Doha
My overview
Huge Copper Desks at Qatar Al Safwa Lounge
Easy methods to get in: You have to be flying First Class on Qatar Airways with a view to entry this lounge, it isn’t thought-about a Oneworld lounge so Emerald standing is not going to get you in (you’re as an alternative despatched off to a fully horrible First/Enterprise Lounge that’s crowded and smoke-filled). Oddly sufficient, Qatar doesn’t provide First Class on a lot of their longhaul worldwide routes however does provide it on their shorthaul routes across the Center East, so for those who’re flying to Singapore on a 7h30m flight in Enterprise you’ll find yourself within the Al Mourjan Enterprise Class Lounge however for those who’re flying to Dubai on a 45m flight in “First” you’ll be right here.
The structure of this lounge is staggering. To name it huge doesn’t do it justice, it’s in reality in all probability too massive. The meals is fantastic, Krug champagne is obtainable on request on the bar, there are day rooms with cozy beds out there to be used, and quite a few little nooks and crannies the place you will see that random dessert bars and arcade rooms. I’ve detailed lots of the options within the video beneath:
So if it’s so superb, why isn’t it no 1? It’s a little bit an excessive amount of. It’s too cavernous to have a welcoming really feel and I really feel just like the area was designed to be fairly and never useful. The service is unbalanced and there’s no circulation by means of the lounge, odds are you’ll find yourself rotated at one level or one other. It’s by far probably the most stunning lounge on the earth, full cease. For operate although, give me both of my private high 2.
2. Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge, Hong Kong
My overview
Wood desk and light-weight fixture
Easy methods to get in: Journey in First Class on a Oneworld flight departing from SYD or maintain Oneworld Emerald standing (American Airways Government Platinum, for instance) and journey in any class on a Oneworld airline worldwide flight.
This is likely one of the most stunning lounges on the earth. The theme is a drastic departure from Cathay’s different lounges at HKG like The Wing with its black marble and normal “shininess”. The Pier is heat and welcoming with plenty of wooden accents and quite a lot of textures across the lounge (marble partitions, plush carpet, and so on.). There are additionally day suites for a fast nap and unique tarmac views. The eating room right here is in a 70’s midmod fashion, virtually resembling a rustic membership or a smoker’s lounge. The meals is unbelievable all through the lounge, with the sit-down Eating Room’s catering offered by The Peninsula resort and quite a lot of snacks within the Pantry space. As a substitute of full therapeutic massage therapies they provide a fast 15-minute foot therapeutic massage which is sweet sufficient however normally has fairly an extended wait. Yep, you guessed it, I made a video about this lounge as nicely:
1. Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Frankfurt
My overview
First Class Duck!
Easy methods to get in: Depart in First Class on a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt. The one exception is for those who’re arriving from a longhaul Lufthansa flight in First (DFW-FRA, for instance) and be connecting onward in Enterprise on a flight the place Enterprise is the very best class provided (FRA-OSL, for instance).
The First Class Terminal is my favourite lounge on the earth. It’s not even a good comparability, truthfully, because it’s not even a lounge: it’s a freaking terminal! It’s an expertise unequalled (no less than for me) by some other airline, from a personal safety screening to a private assistant who will take care of your issues, among the finest meals I’ve ever had (airport or not), and the ever-so-famous First Class Duck within the washrooms which have a bathtub. To cap off the expertise you’re chauffeured on to your airplane in a Porsche or Mercedes! It simply doesn’t get higher than this. I’ve been fortunate sufficient to expertise this twice and each occasions stay a few of my favourite journey reminiscences.
Lounges I haven’t been to however wish to strive
Lounges are getting higher and higher, listed here are some I wish to check out quickly:
- Thai Airways Royal Orchid First Class Lounge, Bangkok (therapeutic massage therapies and personal cabanas)
- Emirates A380 First Class Lounge/Ground, Dubai (it takes up a complete flooring of the terminal!)
- Turkish Airways Enterprise Class Lounge, Istanbul (huge with all kinds of themes)
- Finnair Enterprise Class Lounge, Helsinki (distinctive within the Scandinavian sense)
