Throughout my evaluation journey, I had the possibility to take a look at Abu Dhabi Airport’s new Terminal A, which is such a large enchancment for the airport. I visited all of the lounges within the terminal, together with the Etihad First Class Lounge, Etihad Enterprise Class Lounge, and Pearl Lounge. On this installment, I’ll be reviewing the Pearl Lounge, which is the contract lounge within the terminal, and can be open to Precedence Go members.
I’d say the Pearl Lounge is an above common Precedence Go lounge, with a wide variety of meals and drinks, and an enormous terrace that’s nice to take a seat on. Nevertheless, the lounge has a really unusual format, and the inside house of the lounge feels fairly darkish.
I’d undoubtedly go to the Etihad Lounges when you’ve got entry, however in any other case that is the following finest (and solely different) choice. Let’s get into the evaluation.
Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi location
The Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi is situated in Terminal 1, close to gate D43. Under is a map of the terminal format, and as you may see, the lounge is near the central space of the terminal.
Simply observe the signage within the route of the D gates, after which finally you’ll additionally see signage for the Pearl Lounge.
The lounge is one stage above the concourse, and has fairly a big entrance space, with each escalators and elevators.
There are a number of extra flooring above the Pearl Lounge, and I consider these will finally develop into an airside transit lodge on the airport, which might be an ideal addition.
Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi hours
The Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi is open 24/7, reflecting that flights at Gulf airports function all hours of the day and evening. So that you by no means have to fret about whether or not this lounge is open or not.
Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi entry necessities
In the case of accessing the Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi:
Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi seating & format
Some airport terminals are clearly designed with lounge house in thoughts, whereas others aren’t. Abu Dhabi Airport Terminal A suits within the latter class, as lounges seem like an afterthought with the design.
The lounge consists of an inside space with pretty low ceilings and a winding format, plus a big out of doors terrace. Let’s begin by having a look on the terrace, which I’d think about to be the nicer a part of the lounge.
You can go to this lounge and utterly miss the terrace, as a result of the one solution to entry it’s by way of double doorways that appear like an emergency exit. Bizarre, eh?
The terrace is mainly one big space that’s a stage above the principle concourse. It’s relatively sparsely furnished, which I respect, given what number of different lounges attempt to cram in as many seats as attainable. The terrace has all the pieces from chairs with ottomans, to cubicles, to eating tables, to high-top seating.
It’s a snug place to take a seat, although there are just about no shops on this house, which furthers my perception that this wasn’t even supposed to be a lounge to start with, however relatively that was determined after the actual fact. The terrace has a round bar with a restricted number of meals, although you’ll discover much more meals choices indoors.
Again contained in the lounge, the world that appears to persistently be the busiest is the seating close to the buffet. That is additionally the least good space of the lounge, because the ceilings are low, there’s no pure gentle, and the world even feels a bit drab.
Nevertheless, I believe a overwhelming majority of individuals don’t understand that there’s extra to the indoor house, as a result of uncommon format. For those who go down the slender hallway on the finish of the room, you’ll discover far more seating. There’s an entire second buffet right here, much like the primary one.
The lounge has a number of twists and turns, and when you maintain going, you’ll finally end up at one other bar space.
There’s some extra random seating behind the lounge, plus some assembly rooms.
Lastly, I ought to point out that the lounge has some baggage storage close to the doorway, must you wish to retailer your luggage throughout your time within the lounge.
So yeah, what can you actually say in regards to the lounge? On the plus aspect, I respect that the lounge is sort of massive, and I additionally just like the pure gentle of the terrace. Nevertheless, there’s a scarcity of pure gentle within the indoor house, the format may be very unusual, and there aren’t many shops. So we’ll file this lounge beneath “bizarre, however above common for Precedence Go within the Center East.” Truthful?
Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi meals & drinks
The Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi has a few buffet stations contained in the lounge.
There are open show instances which might be refrigerated, and through my go to they supplied chilly cuts, salad, individually plated appetizers, yogurt, cake, and recent fruit.
Then there was a number of cereal, muffins, and cookies.
Scorching choices included scrambled eggs, ful medames, pancakes, hash browns, sausage, and extra.
By way of drinks, there’s a espresso machine, a number of tea, canned soda, and a soda fountain.
Whereas the above footage are from the principle buffet by the doorway, the second buffet has a largely comparable choice, and stays a lot emptier.
Then the bar on the terrace has pastries and different gentle snacks.
The bar additionally has complimentary alcohol, together with rum, whisky, gin, vodka, and two sorts of beer, crimson wine, and white wine.
Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi bogs & showers
The Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi bogs have been moderately nicely maintained however busy, so I couldn’t fairly do my normal rest room pictures with out getting some seems. 😉
The Pearl Lounge has showers, however there’s an additional value to make use of them. I overheard the particular person checking in forward of me asking, and he was knowledgeable {that a} bathe would value 100 AED (~$27).
Backside line
The Pearl Lounge is Abu Dhabi Airport’s solely Precedence Go and contract lounge. It’s an enormous enchancment over the lounge setup within the previous terminal, as this lounge is far bigger and extra fashionable. The Pearl Lounge has a terrace and an oddly formed indoor house, and a stable number of meals and drinks.
I’d say that that is an above common Precedence Go lounge for the area. It’s not my favourite (that award goes to the Primeclass Lounge Muscat), nevertheless it’s nonetheless a superb choice when you don’t have entry to the Etihad Lounges.
What’s your tackle the Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi?
