Terminal 1, Abu Dhabi Airport, United Arab Emirates  

Introduction

This is my review of the Al Dhabi Lounge in Abu Dhabi International Airport’s Terminal 1.

I’d flown in on Etihad, and was hoping to gain access to their lounge, before heading out to Colombo on Srilankan Airlines.

Unfortunately, they very politely told me I’d need to go to this lounge instead.

Visited

10^th October 2022 at 19:00

Opening Hours

The lounge is open 24 hours a day, in line with Abu Dhabi’s global routes.

Entry Conditions

On this occasion, I was flying with Srilankan Airlines in Business Class, which got me in. Apparently any non-Etihad Airline status holder or First/Business class flier can gain access.

I’d also noticed that Priority Pass members can also access the lounge, as well as other lounge pass holders.

Alternatively, you can pay the advertised AED210 (about £50) for 3 hours or AED367.50 (about £85) for 6 hours.

How to Get There

I came in from Terminal 3, so I am not 100% sure exactly how one gets there.

I THINK from Terminal 1 Security it’s a right hand turn, and you’ll see the entrance in front of you.

Otherwise, the lounge is relatively well signposted!

From here its up the elevator and you’ll find the reception desks in front of you.

Layout

This was a fairly busy lounge, but there were lots of ‘find and explore’ places. The décor is what I’d describe as ‘tired Arab premium’ – it’s well used lounge, and probably very premium in the early 2000’s.

With that said, this is a fairly big lounge, and it needed to be! It was busy!

Immediately on the left you’ll find what I’d describe as a ‘honeycomb’ of working pods. These have desk space, with some charging. I l find these kinds of pods really useful for working and taking calls.

There is also some high-table seating around, also for working.

In the same area, there is a sort of bar area – but there is no bar! I’m not quite sure what it is designed for!

There is also a series of lounge seating behind the ‘honeycomb’.

There are a series of rooms such as a Prayer Room, Smoking Room and Infinity Room (which I think is intended to mean infant).  

Continuing on into the lounge, you’ll find a lounge area, which looked a little more premium. There is casual seating within this area, and it was pretty rammed!

Continuing into the lounge, there is a large dining area with dining tables.

Beyond the dining area is the bar area, which has a variety of seating including some ‘pods’.

It’s a well laid out lounge, with plenty of areas.

Food and Drink

Drinks

There is a minority of self-service drinks, such as water and coffee.

However, anything soft or alcoholic was from the bar. There were a variety of drinks on offer at the bar including beers, wines and cocktails. Not a bad offering!

However, when I asked for a soft drink (Pepsi, no Coke stocked!), I was given a paper cup, and the same when I ordered a beer.

Food

On the food side, it’s Priority Pass all over! A series of curries, rice, a small salad bar, and no real sweet options.

Nothing else to report on the food side, a bit boring really – which is a shame!     

Wifi

I found the Wifi to be pretty good! Many people seemed to be using it for calls, and this didn’t cause any dropage for me.

Showers

It had been a long day, and if there was one thing I wanted it was a shower!

All the showers were in use when I asked, but 15 minutes later one was free!

The shower room was finished in a very high-end way. However, I found that the shower head was broken, and there was more water coming down the pipe than out of the head!    

Offered in the bathroom were a few amenities; including vanity kits, comb, tooth brush, toothpaste and shower cap.

Conclusion

Abu Dhabi is a major connection point for global flights, and this lounge caters well for different purposes – working, relaxing, dining, drinking – though I didn’t find anywhere for sleeping.

The food was a bit of a let down, and to an extent, the drinks. That said, in the confounds of a Priority Pass, it’s an OK lounge. As an airline lounge, less so – and I’m sure Etihad have a MUCH better offering!