With a 5 1/2 hour layover in Abu Dhabi, I was keen to check out its business class lounges. Due to the pandemic, I was only left with the Al Dhabi Lounge as an option. This is my quick review of my very long visit.
Compare prices on flights to Abu Dhabi with Skyscanner
Al Dhabi Lounge Location
The Al Dhabi Lounge is located in terminal one of the Abu Dhabi International Airport. After you clear immigration, turn right and take the elevator to the 1st Floor. If you are connecting through Abu Dhabi like I was, follow the signs from Terminal 3 through the Transfer Desk to Terminal 1 and proceed to the 1st Floor.
How to Access the Al Dhabi Lounge
Access to the lounge is complimentary to those flying First or Business Class minus Etihad Airways. Priority pass, Diners Club International, and select American Express cards also get you complimentary access.
If you are not flying business or above or a member of the programs mentioned, you can pay to access at the following rates;
- 3-hour for AED 210 per person
- 6-hours for AED 367.50 per person
- Children aged 2 to11 are 30% off rates above.
The lounge is open 24 hours a day but does come with a 4-hour maximum restriction. That said, no one chased me out.
Al Dhabi Lounge Service and Amenities
The Al Dhabi Lounge in Abu Dhabi is contracted and as such can be very crowded. This was certainly the case on my visit with limited seating available. I settled on the bar side before touring the facility.
Inside the lounge, you will find a dining area with table seating and lounge chairs. I found the individual pods a unique touch and a way to give a bit of privacy in the busy lounge.
The lounge also features a decent lounge area with hightop tables and bar seating.
Beyond a variety of seating options, the Al Dhabi Lounge has showers and an onsite massage room. This is a great feature for those passing through during the middle of the night and needing to freshen up or relax.
There’s also a small business centre at the lounge which was oddly busy at 11 PM on my visit. I found the Wi-Fi access a bit slow so switched over to my Airalo eSIM.
Lastly, being in the Middle East, there is a prayer room.
Al Dhabi Lounge – Food and Drink
The food offering at Al Dhabi Lounge includes both hot and cold dishes. I had some salads and a vegetable curry that was quite good. It had kefir lime leaves in it which I love so I may be biased as everything else was largely mediocre. It was very much cafeteria grade and comparable to other contracted lounges such as Plaza Premium.
I settled in at the bar and made quick friends with the bartender. He was very friendly and happy to make me a preflight gin and tonic. I followed that with a Heinkine, sadly one of the only two beers they have on offer.
Conclusion
Although very busy, the Al Dhabi Lounge offers plenty of seating options. It pales in comparison to other lounges in the area like Oman Air’s flagship lounge in Muscat or even the contracted Pearl lounge in Bahrain. Still, with it being the only option for travellers in terminal one at the Abu Dhabi airport, it’s certainly worth a visit for a preflight drink, a light snack, and even a massage.
How to Access the Al Dhabi Lounge
Booking.comWhat say you?
Thoughts on this Al Dhabi Lounge Review?
Let’s hear it!
Looking for more luxury travel reviews?
Pin me!
