Travellers Favorite Airport Lounges

When it comes to finding the ultimate in pre-flight comfort and luxury these 10 Airport lounges will beg you to stay a while longer than you initially expected. As part of our hospitality studies, it’s interesting to learn about the differences between these lounges and what separates the good from the exceptional. We take a look at some of the most exquisite airport lounges across the globe to see what it takes to impress wealthy travellers and inspire hoteliers to offer the same levels of luxury and service in their hospitality establishments.

Travel is meant to be a rich experience enabling you the traveller, to engage with different cultures and cuisines. It’s disappointing to note that most travellers undergo many tribulations in the very early hours of their journey. A what should be simple, show up at airport, whip out passport, drop bags off and board the plane, becomes a laborious task. However these airports offer the best amenities, privacy and calm to all worldwide travellers that are looking to make indelible memories. These lounges are actually so good that you might even contemplate extending your layover periods or arriving a few hours earlier for your flights to relish in all the glories it has to offer.

Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai

It’s been said that Emirates might just be the World’s most luxurious airline so in turn we would come to expect the exact same quality from it’s Airport Lounge. The Dubai Emirates Airport Lounges, spans the entire floor of the terminal so travellers would never need to walk more than 50 steps to their allocated gates. The lounge has luxury storefronts including the likes of Tiffany & Co and Mont Blanc. There are buffet dining at both ends of the lounge, complimentary services from shoe shinning to, blow drys, manicures, pedicures, back massages and foot rubs. Not forgetting their very own cigar bar and in house sommelier. But if it’s a quick 40 winks that you require then there re plenty small, cushy nooks with chaise lounges that deliver your required quietude quite well.

SWISS First Lounge Terminal E Zurich, Airport

SWISS, really knows how to go above and beyond when it comes to delivering excellence to their first and business class patrons as well as frequent SWISS flyers. Travellers can enjoy the perks of a whiskey bar, cooking station. The space proudly boosts 2 hotel rooms, with Bvlgari amenities and floor to ceiling windows. As well as 3 shower suites, a workstation for conferences and a champagne bar and extensive wine collection. Everything is decked in a handsome wood and stone design. There are also Limos that can be arranged to transport you to sister lounges, removing the stress factor of walking far distances to get where you need to go.  SWISS has incredibly smart restaurants as well as more casual American style diners, for the famished. If you would  much rather prefer to take in some spectacular views then you can go out onto the terrace and take in some picturesque views of the Alps.

Air France La Premiere Lounge, Charles De Gualle Airport, Paris.

Serving nothing but top-notch cuisine, tailor made by Alan Ducasse. Think coddled eggs, blue lobster macaroni and girolle mushrooms. The Airline also partners with the elite skincare brand Biologique to offer it’s patrons the best in personalized spa treatments.  A fully furnished library with a champagne bar. The bathrooms boast quite eccentric lighting as oposed to the more modern and stylish feel of the relaxtion nooks.

Turkish Airline Lounge, Ataturk Airport, Istanbul.

A lounge that spans 5000 square feet, 2 floors with each section being seperated by omega shaped doorways. This Airport lounge puts a very contemporary spin on a classic Turkish design. Kids haver their own playroom outfitted with the works. While adults can enjoy on-site golf simulation so seasonsed golfers may attempt to perfect their swing.  There is a cinema for movie lovers with popcorn and plush chairs. If you’re an avid music fan you can sit in the waiting room and listen to the beautiful sounds of the piano being played. There are sleek Apple Mac desktop computers for personal use. There are mini-hotel rooms with actual beds and flat screen TV’s and offcourse, complimentary massages. The Lounge also includes an olive bar, a mezze selection and freshly baked turkish braeds making for quite a grand selection.

The Centurion Lounge, Dallas Fort/Worth

Providing luxurious and relaxing ammenities like showers stocked with L’Occitane products and  the most elaborate cocktails especially curated by  New York’s PDT legendary mixologist Jim Meehan. Surrounded by elegant oak walls, tarmac facing day beds with sunny nooks. Buffets are curated by award winning Chef Dean Fearing. The thing that sets this l;ounge apart is the emphasis that is placed on local touches.

The Pier, First Class, Hong Kong International Airport.

Made to seem les like a waiting area and more like a close friends apartment. With an East meets West design take, makes for a grandeur appeal. With Green Onyx and Walnut wood pieces, a long sofa and statement chandelier makes everything incredibly majestic. This is where visitors can get their first woof of Cathy Pacific’s scent, a soothing mixture of Lavender, Bamboo, Gree-tea and Jasmine. A full-fledged restaurant offers both a combination of Asian and Western dishes. The lounge is equipped with 14 roomy limestone and timber showers, however the crown jewel of this loounge is most certainly it’s 8 private suites, with day beds and flat screen TV’S, that face the run way which is the perfect spot to get to just after picking your reading material from the library or after a calming foot, back and shoulder massage.

QatarAirways Al Mourjan, Business Lounge, Hamad, International Airport, Doha.

Exuding Arabian elegance the Al Mourjan features high ceilings with traditional calligraphy details on the bronze walls.  It is more than spacious being over 107 000 square feet this lounge is swarm- proof.  The colour palette for Al Mourjan is deep and rich encorporating Cobalt, vermillion, caramel and burgundy furniture. The lounge offers it’s patrons a Formula 1 simulator game room, workstations, quiet rooms for catching some much needed rest. There are also private family rooms available for more privacy. Fine dining is offered with a wide array of international as well as made to order special sandwiches. If your looking to zen out there is a dark pool area that reflects on a mirrored ceiling, where you can go for some solitude if needed.

Virgin Atlantic, JFK Clubhouse, John F Kennedy, International Airport, New York.

An Austin Powers meets modern cocktail lounge. With red leather sofas and purple lighting, The Clubhouse spa features Dr Hauschka products and treatments. This lounge offers everything you need and want from a lounge. Fancy a game of pool? JFK Clubhouse has you covered.

British Airways, Concorde Room, Heathrow Airport.

Resembling a well to do elderly British gentlemans study with it’s Herringbone prints and velvet detail and crystal chandeliers. It has a relaxed and vintage appeal away from the frenetic rush of the airport it comes along with full waiter service. Champagnes and wines, hotel style cabanas with day beds and en-suite bathrooms. If cacooning isnt really your thing you might want to head on down to the Concorde bar where you can  pick your poison and watch the  great runway views.

Qantas First Lounge, Sydney Airport.

A green paradise awaits you at Qantas First Lounge, with an 8,400 species of plants in a vertical garden.  The greenery makes for a much cleaner and fresher ambience. There is an open kitchen which serves food prepared by an Australian Chef Neil Perry. Being 98 square feet, combining elements of clear glass, stainless steel, polished surfaces with a few leather arm chairs strewn about makes this an uber mod lounge that is a must!

With such incredible lounges to enjoy, how can hoteliers match or better these offerings in their establishments? Airport lounges teach us lessons about convenience, modern style and facilities, pampering and luxurious amenities and incredible detail-oriented service…lessons many hoteliers can learn from and take back to their hotels.

If you have any questions for our lecturers or students, why not drop us a line in the comments section below, or alternatively, email us on the following email address: info@dev.brokenpony.club

Sources: www.huffingtonpost.com; www.etihad.com; www.virgin-atlantic.com; http://www.dailymail.co.uk and www.details.com