After my short stay in Abu Dhabi, I was headed to Auckland through Doha. When departing Abu Dhabi my default lounge to go visit is the Etihad First Class lounge thanks to Virgin Australia Platinum but this time I wanted to try a different lounge. I had seen photos of the renovated lounge in Terminal 1 but hadn’t visited before so thought this would be a good opportunity to do so.
The lounge is located right next to the Al Reem lounge and is also close by to the Aerotel transit hotel which I used before going to the lounge.
To enter the lounge, you need to be in Business or First Class or be a Platinum or Gold member with Etihad. If you hold equal status with a partner carrier you can also access the lounge.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
The lounge is located on level 1 and there are both stairs and an elevator to go up.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Once you get to the entrance of the lounge, your boarding pass will be quickly scanned and you’ll be in the lounge.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge (Image – Etihad)
While visiting the lounge, there were only 2 other passengers in there. This was at about 5:00 so not peak time. Directly to the right of the entrance is the Bar.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Also directly next to the bar is where the buffet is located. The lounge doesn’t have an al la carte menu and is all buffet but the range of food is sufficient for a Business lounge.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
There’s a good range of both hot and cold options to choose from. All the food is freshly prepared and I saw staff checking it regularly to make sure it’s good for consumption.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
As you can see, all of the hot food is kept warm.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
The lounge has the ‘Facets of Abu Dhabi’ design which is the same found in the Melbourne, New York and Los Angeles lounges.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
There’s a heap of seating all around the lounge, majority of the seating also features the stands that have power and USB outlets.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Just past the buffet is all of the dining seating. It curves in an L shape around the lounge.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Just past all of the dining tables is where the lounge opens up to more relaxing seating. This area is quite large and space and well spread out.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
In the middle of the lounge is a little snack and drink station. Here you’ll find soft drinks, juices, waters, Arabic coffee and dates.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
As you can see, there’s a heap of space and I think it would be well used in peak periods.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Towards the back of the lounge is a hallway and it leads straight to the buffet area as well as the exit of the lounge.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
If you start walking down it, on the first right is where you’ll find the washrooms and shower facilities.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
The washrooms are quite small and there’s only 1 shower available. If you’re really wanting a shower and it’s busy. I recommend walking over to the Business lounge in Terminal 3.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Once you exit the washrooms and keep walking, you’ll then find the Six Senses spa on the right. I didn’t realise there was a Spa in the lounge so that was quite surprising to me. For a small Business lounge, that’s pretty impressive.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
And at the end of the walkway/hallway it will end at the buffet area which is right next to the entrance/exit.
Etihad Terminal 1 Premium Lounge
Overall
The Premium Lounge in Terminal 1 really did surprise me. Considering the size, the features of the lounge are really quite impressive and the space is fantastic. The food was really fresh, the staff were friendly and the Six Senses Spa is always a highlight of using Etihad’s flagship lounges.
