Overview: Etihad The Residence Lounge & Floor Service Abu Dhabi Airport (AUH)

For the following portion of my Iceland to The Residence through Cambodia journey, it was time for what was maybe essentially the most anticipated flight of the journey, as I used to be flying Etihad’s A380 The Residence from Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Paris (CDG).

For these not acquainted, The Residence is Etihad’s product above first-class, consisting of a three-room suite on the A380, which may accommodate as much as two individuals. For what it’s price, upgrading from first-class to The Residence on this flight price round $1,600.

The Residence expertise begins earlier than you even board the flight, and consists of what can solely be described as an impressively seamless and excessive contact expertise. I used to be extraordinarily impressed by how properly executed the expertise, particularly given my restricted layover time.

Etihad The Residence Abu Dhabi meet & greet service

I used to be arriving in Etihad’s A321LR first-class from Phnom Penh (KTI). Whereas my layover was scheduled to be round 1hr45min, my inbound flight arriving early meant I had nearer to 2hr35min in whole. For what it’s price, I arrived at 11:55PM, and was departing at 2:30AM.

Anyway, the second I stepped off my A321LR flight, I used to be greeted by Milos, the stunning Etihad agent from Serbia, who could be taking care of me throughout my layover. It’s very nice how there’s one devoted level of contact, who each picks you up on arrival, and brings you to the airplane on departure.

Milos was additionally joined by a porter who carried my luggage. On high of that, there was a golf cart ready for me, with a driver. Suffice it to say that having a three-person entourage to get to the lounge feels a bit excessive. I imply, individuals had been taking photos of me as I drove by… heh.

I needed to rapidly clear transit safety, however that’s straightforward sufficient while you’re pushed by to the entrance, and also you don’t even carry your individual luggage.

Milos was superior, and as we walked to the lounge, he went over the “plan.” He requested if I wished to board my flight in The Residence first or final. Given the restricted time I had, he additionally advised me that he had reserved a slot for me to get a spa remedy. He really helpful that I’m going to my personal room, look over the menu and place my meal order, go to the spa, after which be served the meal after I return.

I used to be delighted to see how element oriented the service was, and the way invested he was in ensuring I had a pleasant time. I used to be additionally fairly jazzed to be offered with the elusive inexperienced The Residence boarding go holder.

Etihad The Residence Lounge Abu Dhabi personal room

Etihad has one main, giant lounge idea in Abu Dhabi. This primarily consists of the Etihad Enterprise Lounge, however then there’s additionally the Etihad First Lounge, which is actually a lounge inside a lounge.

The Etihad First Lounge is positioned on the sixth ground (the lounge’s high stage), so I used to be walked there by Milos. The lounge as such is gorgeous, with a sublime eating space, and loads of seating for stress-free.

Nevertheless, on this case I wouldn’t be hanging out in the primary a part of the lounge, however as an alternative, could be spending my time in one of many personal rooms which might be reserved for visitors in The Residence. These are positioned inside the doorway and to the proper, not removed from the bogs.

There are a few rooms off the primary hallway, after which there’s one other door main to 2 further rooms. I used to be assigned a type of rooms within the again (Abu Dhabi 2, because it was referred to as).

Finally the primary promoting level of this room is privateness. My room featured a eating desk with two chairs, in addition to a settee with an ottoman, going through a wall-mounted TV.

The room additionally had a non-public rest room, with a sink, a rest room, and a walk-in bathe. It certain is good to have a non-public and spotless rest room!

It’s additionally price mentioning that ready on the eating desk was a fantastic amenity, with contemporary fruit, baklava, and dates. Yum.

The first promoting level of this sort of an area is privateness, for individuals who actually worth that. Nevertheless, many individuals might want to additionally hand around in the primary a part of the lounge, the place there’s a bit extra of a vibe, views of the terminal, and so forth.

Etihad The Residence Lounge Abu Dhabi meals & drinks

Since my layover was fairly quick and so they had reserved a spa remedy for me, I basically reviewed the meals menu and drink record after I entered my personal room, after which the server who’d be caring for me took my meal order. He then timed it completely, in order that the meals could be prepared when my remedy wrapped up.

Once more, I can’t emphasize sufficient how impressed I used to be by the service execution. Upon returning to my personal room after the spa remedy (which I’ll discuss under), the desk was already set for me.

A glass of champagne was instantly poured — 2006 Charles Heidsieck Brut Millesime was on provide, which I imagine is barely higher than their customary champagne within the lounge.

To begin, I had a scrumptious scallop and candy potato appetizer, which was as tasty because it was stunning.

For the primary course, I had a spicy prawn dish, with cashews and carrots, which was additionally ridiculously good.

Whereas I attempted to skip dessert, the pleasant server insisted I needed to strive the darkish chocolate tart.

The meals was phenomenal. That is positively lounge meals that precise feels restaurant high quality, not like another lounges, the place you are feeling like they’re simply operating a microwaving operations within the again. I used to be additionally delighted by the service tempo, as all of the dishes had been introduced out rapidly, given my restricted time.

For these curious, you will discover the wine record for Etihad’s The Residence Lounge under.

Now, right here’s what’s embarrassing, and I owe you all an apology, as a result of I’m apparently so incompetent. I photographed the meals menu, solely to later understand that I photographed the breakfast menu, somewhat than the lunch and dinner menu. So I’m actually sorry, as that’s a serious failure on my half.

I used to be so rushed to maximise every little thing that I simply took the image whereas wanting on the total framing, somewhat than verifying that I used to be photographing the proper pages. For what it’s definitely worth the menu was similar to what you’ll discover within the Etihad First Lounge, and contains a big number of appetizers, major programs, and desserts.

Etihad Lounge Abu Dhabi Be Loosen up Spa

The Etihad Lounge Abu Dhabi has a Be Loosen up Spa, which might be accessed with out leaving the lounge.

The spa gives paid therapies for all, but additionally gives choose passengers complimentary therapies. Particularly:

• Etihad The Residence passengers obtain a complimentary 30-minute signature facial, or two 15-minute companies, with choices like a chair therapeutic massage and manicure
• Etihad first-class passengers obtain a 15-minute remedy, with three choices to select from
• Etihad Visitor Platinum members obtain a 15-minute again therapeutic massage

I made a decision to benefit from the 30-minute Valmont facial, which was carried out in a non-public room that felt like a “correct” spa remedy room.

I discovered the spa remedy to be stress-free and soothing. I didn’t essentially get the sense there was a lot science or ability to the facial, because it felt extra just like the therapist was simply randomly rubbing lotions onto my face in order that she might maintain massaging it… however hey, I loved it!

By the way in which, I used to be escorted between my personal room within the lounge and the spa, and on the way in which, the Etihad worker defined that for being in The Residence, I might additionally seize a free cigar from the humidor. I’m not a smoker, so I handed, however others might admire that. For what it’s price, the cigars on provide retail for 50-100 AED (13-27 USD).

Etihad The Residence Abu Dhabi escort to airplane

I definitely stayed busy throughout my temporary layover, And at 1:40AM, 50 minutes earlier than departure, Milos was again in my personal room to tell me that it was time to board. As talked about above, after I first landed he requested if I wished to board first or final. I figured I’d board first, since I wished to maximise the expertise in The Residence as a lot as attainable.

My flight was departing from gate D43, which is among the gates that permits boarding immediately from the lounge, which certain is handy. So Milos and the porter walked me by the primary class lounge, after which by the enterprise class, to the gate throughout the lounge.

I’ve to say, for higher or worse, they actually make you are feeling like a VIP when touring in The Residence. For instance, after I was requested if I wished to board first, that’s a request they very clearly honored. As I used to be being walked as much as the gate, there have been dozens of first and enterprise class passengers ready, and as quickly as I boarded, the boarding course of in any other case began.

Milos walked me all the way in which all the way down to the door of the plane, the place I used to be launched to the cabin supervisor, in addition to the flight attendant who could be caring for me.

Backside line

Etihad’s floor expertise in Abu Dhabi for passengers touring in The Residence is outstanding. The airline actually goes above and past to make it a seamless, end-to-end expertise. The one different floor product like that is what you’ll expertise when flying in Air France’s La Premiere first-class.

For one, it’s good the way you’re sorted all through your time on the bottom, as you’re assigned an “entourage” of kinds, on arrival and departure. Along with that, you get attentive service in your personal room, plus an prolonged, complimentary spa remedy.

Finally the personal room is good for individuals who worth privateness so much, however in any other case, I’d want hanging out within the Etihad First Lounge (which you’ll clearly entry at will, because the personal rooms for The Residence are inside that lounge).

What’s your tackle Etihad’s The Residence Abu Dhabi floor expertise?