Terminal 1 (Concourse D), Dubai International Airport
Introduction
This is my review of the the rather unimpressive and underwhelming Gulf Air Lounge in Dubai’s Terminal 1, in Concourse D.
Interestingly, Dubai to Bahrain (a flight of about an hour) is one of Gulf Air’s most regular and dense routes – but despite this, the lounge feels like something out of the 70’s.
Opening Hours
This lounge is open from 05:00 to Midnight, daily.
Entry Conditions
The lounge is open to people traveling Business Class on Gulf Air.
The lounge is also open to Falcon Members (Gulf Air’s rewards scheme) – and possibly other airlines Gulf Air is in partnership with.
As I was writing this I was thinking that Gulf Air does allow points to be credited to Etihad Guest….and Etihad may use this lounge – until I realised that Dubai to Abu Dhabi would be about a 10 minute flight! In any case, in London, you cannot use the Falcon Lounge without a Gulf Air ticket, and vice versa.
How to Get There
Once through Security you’ll be taking a train to Concourse D.
Once off the train and on the shopping level, take a walk through to the shopping area – and pick an escalator.
I suggest the escalator to your left (with the train behind you) – but taking the one on the right you can walk around the balcony, and you’ll find the lounge.
If you’ve understood my terrible directions, you should see the lounge next to the Marhaba Lounge.
Layout
First things first…… when I entered the lounge, there was nobody at the desk. No staff at all checking people in…. Immediately, I got the ‘ick’ of this lounge – it reminded me of the hilariously terrible Lotus Lounge in Sri Lanka.
To the right of the Reception desk, there is a Smoking Room. This looked something like a weird church!
Taking a left into the main lounge, there was what feels like a trip back to the 1970’s. Although I am being critical of this lounge – I don’t think it’s the furniture – but more the dark brown wood; which just dates the whole lounge!
Anyway, around the brown wood furniture, you’ll find a variety of sofas and casual seating.
Next to the buffet area, you’ll find some dining seating.
And there is a sort of working area too, with 4 computers and only 2 chairs – one of which would take about 3 people to move to actually sit at the desk.
And…..that’s it!
Food and Drink
Drinks
There is a small buffet area which has self-service drinks. Strangely, here there were people from the lounge – who were happy to see to my needs – but never actually asked me for any proof I was entitled to visit the lounge!
Thrown into the fridges was mostly water, with some basic soft drinks, a good quantity of (in my view) decent beer/lager, and a couple of bottles opened of wine – along with spirits on the top of the worktop.
There is also a coffee machine.
Food
The food, like the drinks, was pretty sparse. A few hot items were available, along with some muffins, bread, etc. The fact that there was only 2 chocolate muffins and 5 pieces of white bread for toasting, may give you an indication to the considered approach by this lounge!
In the centre of the buffet area was a station with some sandwiches, cereal, cheese and nuts.
Wifi
Was there Wifi in this lounge? I’ve no idea, as nobody gave me any directions on how to use it! There may be Wifi in this lounge!
Showers
There are no showers in this lounge.
Conclusion
Whilst I may have written this review in a slightly tongue in cheek way – the reality is that this lounge is possibly OK for somewhere to go and sit quietly, to eat some average food, and have a few drinks.
Some of the facilities it lacks may be to do with its modest size too – but the whole experience felt like zero effort for zero effort’s stake – and almost as a token gesture of a lounge, when a more commercial approach would be for Gulf Air to contract it to a third party?
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