I had an opportunity on SAT (Aug 5) to check out the ANA lounge at NRT Terminal 1 - please forgive if this is already reviewed elsewhere. I could not find a review...


LOCATION - On the 2nd floor (i.e. downstairs from the gates) at the far end of the walkways from the RCC. (Same wing as the RCC)

FEATURES -
Sake bar (some interesting looking sake - but not for me at 09.00am)
OK-ish selection of soft drinks / alcoholic drinks (inc. spirits)
ABM (of course)
Breakfasty foods - Yoghurt / Granola / Cornflakes / croissants
Snacky foods - Kiri squares / crackers / nuts / crisps etc.
"Real" foods - Noodle bar (soba)
Shower rooms (look really, really good to me - did not actually use them)
Wireless internet and LAN ports all over the place

SEATING OPTIONS
Lots of areas to choose from - Business desks / Dining tables (in the soba bar) / Arm chairs with coffee tables / Bar seating / TV seating / Quiet area (recliners and massage chairs)

DECOR
Dark brown wood and white cloth and brushed steel
Rather odd lighting (harsh but dim - does that make sense?)
I found it rather too IKEA-esque (it might start looking a bit beaten up)
No windows (Eeek!)

All in all, I thought it was a very good lounge. I may well use it in future if my flights are from that end of the wing. I suspect that it should be less crowded at peak times than the RCC - because of the hike to reach it.

By all means move this review into the appropriate thread if one already exists.

I was there recently as well. Very nice lounge and they have free WiFi. However the Internet is woefully slow and was virtually unusable when I was there. A blemish on an otherwise decent lounge.

Would someone mind pointing out the pros and cons of the ANA and RCC lounges at T1.

Also, if anyone has any check in tips for NRT - I have *A Gold and will be departing on an ANA flight in Business.

(Also, if anybody is familiar with ANA's Japanese dishes - any chance a dish with no meat in the description will wind up having any? The theme is Kyoto style Keiseki for my return trip... but I don't know what steps I should take to prevent the possibility of little braised pig bits with the fish and vegetables).

Although I've been to NRT plenty of times, I've never been there with any kind of status before (in fact I've never been to NRT on a direct flight either). I want to make the most of it!

Would someone mind pointing out the pros and cons of the ANA and RCC lounges at T1.

Also, if anyone has any check in tips for NRT - I have *A Gold and will be departing on an ANA flight in Business.

(Also, if anybody is familiar with ANA's Japanese dishes - any chance a dish with no meat in the description will wind up having any? The theme is Kyoto style Keiseki for my return trip... but I don't know what steps I should take to prevent the possibility of little braised pig bits with the fish and vegetables).

Although I've been to NRT plenty of times, I've never been there with any kind of status before (in fact I've never been to NRT on a direct flight either). I want to make the most of it!

You don't say what your destination is? You can do online check in with ANA, but if you have to go somewhere that requires a visa, you will still have to stop at check in so they can check your visa out. You don't want to use the RCC. Stay in the ANA lounge.

Oops, sorry, it's LHR.

It's just a straight London-Tokyo flight then a Tokyo-London flight 10 days later.

If it's terminal 3 you want to use the SAS/AC London lounge or the SilverKris SQ lounge.........run far away from the RCC!

Run far away from the RCC! If you walk near it keep on walking......to the ANA Lounge. There are 2 one in pier 4 and one in pier 5.

Run far away from the RCC! If you walk near it keep on walking......to the ANA Lounge. There are 2 one in pier 4 and one in pier 5.
Is that at NRT?
But there's a beer machine in there!!!

Is that at NRT?
But there's a beer machine in there!!!

Yes NRT....and all ANA lounges in Japan have the beer machines! In London you will want to use the "London Lounge " in T3, or the SQ Silver Kris, if that's where you are leaving from......

LHR T3 - I always use the London lounge. Never tried the SQ. RCC is a black hole.

NRT T1 - ANA lounge has a soba counter and sake bar. It also has AMB and massage chairs. Pretty good place to kill time IMHO. (But the RCC at NRT is also not shabby at all).

Another thing to consider at NRT - Which gate are you heading for?
You probably won't know until you check-in, but as a rule of thumb, I would say that ANA is a good bet for a gate number in the 40s. Perhaps ANA is smart enough to always park at those gates near to the ANA lounge for their flights... it would not surprise me.

If your gate number is in the 30s, then you might not want to walk all the way up the pier to the ANA lounge and all the way back down to the gate....

If your gate is on the South Wing (ie. not the same pier as RCC and ANA lounges)... I'm not sure. I think there's an underground passage from the area near the ANA lounge to the South Wing. It might be a bit of a hike.

[EDITED TO ADD - Perhaps the lounge that Kcvt mentioned below is in the South wing? Is that where gate 50 is? Sounds like a great lounge over there. The lack of view is a thing I didn't like about the ANA lounge near gate 44/45 etc.]

The best (IMHO) ANA lounge at NRT is the new T-1 F (*gold) lounge down by the 50s gates. Brand new, spacious, well-appointed with terrific runway views (2nd Fl.).

Other positives include: nice snacks (Japanese & western); a noodle bar with soba + udon offerings made to-order; a nice sake bar (with bar + bartender); actual reading material (WSJ, FT, Herald Tribune, Japanese papers, the daily Bangkok paper and more); wi-fi that's fast, well-connected and free.

It's like the anti-Christ RCC.

:-::-::-::-::-:

It's like the anti-Christ RCC.

:-::-::-::-::-:

LOL :D

Thank you everyone!

I'll be copying and pasting saliant points into a crib sheet for when I'm there.

(And I was only joking about the beer machine - I don't like lager (I do like other beers) and certainly not before lunchtime.

Oops, sorry, it's LHR.

It's just a straight London-Tokyo flight then a Tokyo-London flight 10 days later.

OK, then print out the BP from internet check in, then you scan that at the check in. I think that's how it works anyway. My last time there was NRT-PEK so I had to show my Chinese visa and printing out the BP was a waste of time. However if you want to switch your seat 24 hours in advance, internet check in is a good idea.

I don't think I'll have access to a printer the day before my flight (I'll be visiting my grandmother-in-law in Yoyogi-san-chome), but you never know. Thanks for the info.

Has anybody tried the reflexology/massage service in the ANA lounge: http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/checkin/lounge/ana_lounge/nrt/rfresh.html

It's £20 for half an hour - they seem qualified (my nerves inflame easily so I'm picky about this) I wouldn't mind giving the service a go. Any opinions?

The best (IMHO) ANA lounge at NRT is the new T-1 F (*gold) lounge down by the 50s gates. Brand new, spacious, well-appointed with terrific runway views (2nd Fl.).

Other positives include: nice snacks (Japanese & western); a noodle bar with soba + udon offerings made to-order; a nice sake bar (with bar + bartender); actual reading material (WSJ, FT, Herald Tribune, Japanese papers, the daily Bangkok paper and more); wi-fi that's fast, well-connected and free.

It's like the anti-Christ RCC.

:-::-::-::-::-:

Do I really get access to this lounge with my BD *G card? Neither the *A site nor ANA's site confirms this.

Do I really get access to this lounge with my BD *G card? Neither the *A site nor ANA's site confirms this.

Worked for me on Wed. last (with a UA *G card). The gatekeepers tried to send me down to the ANA lounge closer to the 30s gates but I politely declined.

Flattery (about the lounge, not the attendants) helps. Come to think of it, a little flattery for the attendants would have been warranted as well. ;)

Information about ANA's lounges at NRT is here:
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/checkin/lounge/ana_lounge/nrt/index.html

The one that I visited is the "ANA LOUNGE" in Satellite 4. It seems that there are another 100 seats on the 4th floor that I knew nothing about. My guess is that those seats might have a nice view. (I only saw the 2nd floor area, which had no windows - but was a pretty good lounge nonetheless).

It seems that kcvt managed to wangle his way into the "ANA FIRST LOUNGE" in Satellite 5. I take my hat off to him for his negotiation skills! The rules on the ANA site would seem to indicate that ANA FIRST lounge is only supposed to be open to passengers in First Class on *A flights.

If I were to try the same trick, I think I would probably be politely directed to the "ANA LOUNGE" at the same location. (If it's like the one in Satellite 4, then that will be fine with me).

Hope this helps.

There are a few good reasons to visit the RCC instead of the ANA lounge, if the following are important to you...

The business center desks are plentiful and very well lit
As mentioned before, the wireless at ANA is sloooow and I found it often cuts out
Shower suites at RCC are much nicer.
- Crabtree and Evelyn toiletry kit is superb, especially compared to the rip-the-packet-open shampoo fare at ANA
- The overall look and feel of the suites are first class (albeit kind of warm... has anyone else felt they need to turn down the heating in there?)

I sure do miss the SQ lounge :( When I had time to kill in NRT I would head there for some good food, then over to the RCC for a shower, get some work done, etc. I suppose the ANA lounge food will do, but I am suffering from dim sum and ice cream withdrawl pains :D

Information about ANA's lounges at NRT is here:
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/checkin/lounge/ana_lounge/nrt/index.html

It seems that kcvt managed to wangle his way into the "ANA FIRST LOUNGE" in Satellite 5. I take my hat off to him for his negotiation skills! The rules on the ANA site would seem to indicate that ANA FIRST lounge is only supposed to be open to passengers in First Class on *A flights.

If I were to try the same trick, I think I would probably be politely directed to the "ANA LOUNGE" at the same location. (If it's like the one in Satellite 4, then that will be fine with me).

Hope this helps.

The ANA Lounge at Satellite 5 is two sides -- one side is the FIRST lounge and the other side is the *G LOUNGE. Having now been in there twice, I'd agree with kcvt's description -- it's really the best *G lounge at NRT except for maybe the shower suites at the RCC, which are a bit nicer (though there's never been a wait for a shower at the Satellite 5 lounge).

I've found it worth the wait -- you can also use the tunnel to get over to the high-40s gates pretty quickly. And the views of the tarmac are stunning.

hamburgler

I suppose the ANA lounge food will do, but I am suffering from dim sum and ice cream withdrawl pains :D

I'm suffering the dim sum withdrawl pains, but there's no reason to suffer ice cream withdrawl -- the ANA Lounge has Fauchon on offer upon request (and there are now signs up to that effect). Vanilla, Strawberry, or Earl Gray (unfortunately no Green Tea anymore).

hamburgler

I'm suffering the dim sum withdrawl pains, but there's no reason to suffer ice cream withdrawl -- the ANA Lounge has Fauchon on offer upon request (and there are now signs up to that effect). Vanilla, Strawberry, or Earl Gray (unfortunately no Green Tea anymore).

hamburgler


I didn't know what the whoe Fauchon thing was all about until I tried some at the NH F lounge... YUMMY!!

When I checked in for UA890 on Monday I was given a lounge invite to either the UA IFL for the NH FIRST lounges. Needless to say I skipped the UA lounge and headed straight for the NH lounge in satellite 4. Service and facilities were both excellent. No issues with internet speed. Smoking room. VERY attentive service.

The only downside was that I typically prefer to help myself rather than be waited on. Since I was one of about 4 people in the lounge and there were about 6 staff members they wouldn't let me lift a finger. I never actually saw the bottom on my cappucino since there was always a fresh one on the way.

I really miss flying NH... :(

Information about ANA's lounges at NRT is here:
http://www.ana.co.jp/eng/checkin/lounge/ana_lounge/nrt/index.html

The one that I visited is the "ANA LOUNGE" in Satellite 4. It seems that there are another 100 seats on the 4th floor that I knew nothing about. My guess is that those seats might have a nice view. (I only saw the 2nd floor area, which had no windows - but was a pretty good lounge nonetheless).

Today I tried to get into the Satellite 4, "ANA Lounge" on the 4th Floor.
(Advertised on ANA's site as 100 seats).

The ANA staff politely turned me away with the explanation that the 4th floor is normally FIRST LOUNGE only - but they have an extra space (100 seats) which they can open up as an "overflow" *G lounge, if the one on the 2nd floor is too full.

So that's the story for Satellite 4. I was very happy with the showers, and business desks in the ANA lounge on the 2nd floor today. I used a LAN cable to connect. My colleague found the wireless to be perfectly acceptable in the business desk area - but I know its not so good in other parts of the lounge.

If you want a *G lounge with a view you should go to the RCC or the ANA Lounge in Satellite 5.

Wonderful!

I never did get a anything but a nebulous idea of ANA and RCC lounges at NRT, but now things seem much clearer. At least for those in Business or with *G status

If you're peckish: ANA for soba/udon and Fauchon ice cream

If you want to freshen up: RCC for Crabtree & Evelyn amenities and a slightly better wash experience.

To work and surf: the RCC? (not conclusive, see post 26 & 27 too)

For a decent view: Jury's out - ANA sat. 5 or RCC

To be spoilt rotten waited on by hand for everything: ANA

If you fly F on ANA and want to take a shower you will be provided with a L'Occitaine Kit with assorted shampoo, conditioner, lotion etc. Believe me I have 2 kits....... ^

I think the main difference in the F lounge was the fact that they serve you as opposed to getting it yourself. Once you get used to this you will be fine. With respect to the design some will find it very cold and bleak....I personally liked the unclutered atmosphere.

To work and surf: the RCC

For a decent view: Jury's out - ANA sat. 5 or RCC


I still think the best place to work, surf, and have a view at the same time is the ANA Sat 5 lounge -- the desk area right up against the windows has power and Ethernet ports, and the wired internet is fast and reasonably open -- have had no problems using VPN from there, and my VPN solution is remarkably clunky.

Plus you get to watch the very synchronized ANA activity as the gates down there tend to be used by ANA flights to SIN/BKK/etc. in the mid-late afternoon hours.

hamburgler

The RCC at NRT is among the best UA lounges.... but it does not measure up to either of the NH lounges at NRT.

As for internet. I find the connection at the RCC much worse. Both NH lounges also have ethernet ports. Just bring your own CAT-5 cable and you're good to go.

Wonderful!

I never did get a anything but a nebulous idea of ANA and RCC lounges at NRT, but now things seem much clearer. At least for those in Business or with *G status

If you're peckish: ANA for soba/udon and Fauchon ice cream

If you want to freshen up: RCC for Crabtree & Evelyn amenities and a slightly better wash experience.

To work and surf: the RCC? (see post 26 too)

For a decent view: Jury's out - ANA sat. 5 or RCC

To be spoilt rotten waited on by hand for everything: ANA

Here come the gaijin. :(

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607390

Here come the gaijin. :(

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=607390

On the bright side the average FTer isn't nearly as obnoxious as the average person in the NRT RCC :)

On the bright side the average FTer isn't nearly as obnoxious as the average person in the NRT RCC :)

That's the bright side? :D I say let the UA fliers stay in their own dungeon...er.....lounge. ^ :D

I don't know if this was the exact lounge we used - but I remember the beer machine ;) . The lounge had a smoking section (which I appreciated).

Note that we were flying on CO - which doesn't have its own lounge in NRT - so it made arrangements for its Business/First passengers to use this (or a similar) lounge. Robyn

Continental and ANA are in different terminals.
ANA = T1 (since June 2006)
Continental = T2

Perhaps Continental used ANA's T2 lounges before June 2006? Or perhaps a contract lounge? It's no surprise to hear that it had a smoking room and beer machine. I think the beer machines are required by a Chiba prefecture special law. (They are there primarily for your safety - in the event of a fire, they spray the room with foam).

All of the new ANA T1 lounges are way better than old ANA T2 lounges.

Continental and ANA are in different terminals.
ANA = T1 (since June 2006)
Continental = T2

Perhaps Continental used ANA's T2 lounges before June 2006? Or perhaps a contract lounge? It's no surprise to hear that it had a smoking room and beer machine. I think the beer machines are required by a Chiba prefecture special law. (They are there primarily for your safety - in the event of a fire, they spray the room with foam).

All of the new ANA T1 lounges are way better than old ANA T2 lounges.

We were there in April 2006 - T2. It was definitely an airline lounge - a Japanese airline - and I don't think it was JAL (although I could be wrong). Therefore I thought it was ANA.

New is usually better than old - and from my very very limited experience - first class lounge is better than business class lounge (have only been to one first class lounge - Virgin Atlantic at Gatwick) - but it was a nice place to relax for an hour before our flight.

Regarding the beer machines - :) . Robyn