Finnair Plus - Yet another lounge in HEL

According to Priority Pass:

Lounge Information
Airport: helsinki - Vantaa (HEL), Terminal 2
Lounge: ASPIRE LOUNGE BY SERVISAIR

Location: Airside - after Security Checks, the Lounge is located opposite Gates 27- 28 on the 2nd Floor. The Lounge is also accessible to Non-Schengen passengers but will need to allow 15 minutes to reach the departure gate.

Opening Hours: 05:30 - 19:30 daily. ADVANCE NOTICE: This Lounge will be accepting cardholders effective 15APR2012.

Conditions: Children under 2 years are admitted free - Alcoholic drinks are only available for passengers 18 years of age or older - Smart casual dress at all times - All children must be accompanied by an adult - Non-smoking

Additional Information: Check-in assistance available inside the Lounge. Shower facilities are subject to payment.

Has anyone seen or tried this - I haven't seen any info before todays priority Pass Newsletter...??

Paid two visits this week using my PP membership. It was very quiet given it's just opened and maybe not too many people know about it yet. Impressed all the same, nice soup and nibbles, comfy chairs and Apple IMacs. Staff very pleasant. I liked this lounge more than the Gateway lounge and will use it again next time.

Just to add -

They opened a week ago. The lounge feels rather big (bigger than Almost@Home) and it was really empty. They have a few Bubble Chairs (Eero Aarnio) which I thought was really cool.

The shower was not yet operational on Friday when I visited (per the OP's question - thanks!).

Just to add -

They opened a week ago. The lounge feels rather big (bigger than Almost@Home) and it was really empty. They have a few Bubble Chairs (Eero Aarnio) which I thought was really cool.

The shower was not yet operational on Friday when I visited (per the OP's question - thanks!).

what did they have on offer drink wise.... only beer/wine like in all the other lounges (except drinks for C-pax/tier memebers at non-schengen ay lounge)?

It would be great if someone could post some pics from the new lounge. Does anyone know, who else than PP members have access to this lounge? Business pax for airlines handled by Servisair?

Passed quickly yesterday - seems to be Sky-Team and non-aligned airlines C passengers.

Drinks wise - juices, beers, wines as well as a small selection of spirits. Enough of a mix to keep most people happy.

Drinks wise - juices, beers, wines as well as a small selection of spirits. Enough of a mix to keep most people happy.

Anyway it seems they (=PP) actually offer better drink selection than AY does at their home hub...Silver Wings only has beer + crappy wine..the more I use the Silver Wings the more I'm disliking it..often packed to the max. and queues to bathrooms etc. etc...

Drinks wise - juices, beers, wines as well as a small selection of spirits. Enough of a mix to keep most people happy.

Agreed. And to add - good tonic, none of that automat stuff.

Sorry, no pics.

Thanks for the information. Sounds like a better choice than the Gateway Tower Lounge. Will most likely visit the Aspire Lounge on Sunday and snap some photos.

Just to add -

They opened a week ago. The lounge feels rather big (bigger than Almost@Home) and it was really empty. They have a few Bubble Chairs (Eero Aarnio) which I thought was really cool.

The shower was not yet operational on Friday when I visited (per the OP's question - thanks!).

The bubbles actually hang from the ceiling, which makes sitting less than optimal. I am sure kids love them. Plenty of room, nice to have windows on both sides of the lounge. Better offering, both food and drink, than in the AY lounge. Good Bordeaux & a few spirits. I think this will be my new starting point on Schengen flights. Shower operational.

Do they allow any airline elites or is it a strictly for cash (and PP) outfit?

Do they allow any airline elites or is it a strictly for cash (and PP) outfit?

It is also the lounge for AF/KLM, Estonian Air, Belavia and a few others. So I presume Skyteam elites also?

It is also the lounge for AF/KLM, Estonian Air, Belavia and a few others. So I presume Skyteam elites also?

But no access with AY/OW cards, correct?

Some use for PP Prest / AFKL Plat also at HEL... :o

It is however a pity that this Aspire Lounge closes as early as at 19:30 hours (according to the PP info).

When I travel to Finland, I always have wait for the late evening departures in the rather boring hospital-like Finnair Lounge.

Schengen side AY lounge is open till late (00.00).

Some blurry (sorry!) pictures.
View from the entrance
http://img.idioti.nu/thumbs/290420121138.jpg (http://img.idioti.nu/?v=290420121138.jpg)
http://img.idioti.nu/thumbs/290420121134.jpg (http://img.idioti.nu/?v=290420121134.jpg)
Not much food, some croissants and some Karelian pasties (Finnish specialty)
http://img.idioti.nu/thumbs/290420121132.jpg (http://img.idioti.nu/?v=290420121132.jpg)
http://img.idioti.nu/thumbs/290420121133.jpg (http://img.idioti.nu/?v=290420121133.jpg)
http://img.idioti.nu/thumbs/290420121135.jpg (http://img.idioti.nu/?v=290420121135.jpg)
http://img.idioti.nu/thumbs/290420121131.jpg (http://img.idioti.nu/?v=290420121131.jpg)
http://img.idioti.nu/thumbs/290420121137.jpg (http://img.idioti.nu/?v=290420121137.jpg)

Shower has not opened yet, but will soon be available for 10€.

The lounge looks fine! It should extend its opening hours at least until 20:00 hours, if not until 21:00 hours. These are still peak hours at HEL.

It only does not look nice, it IS nice. Visited it Saturday 28.4. and it is far better than any of the other Schengen lounges, only lounge where you can pour yourself a drink. Ok, the food quantity is limited, but still ok, some bread rolls and cheese etc. with the soup would have been nice....

It only does not look nice, it IS nice. Visited it Saturday 28.4. and it is far better than any of the other Schengen lounges, only lounge where you can pour yourself a drink. Ok, the food quantity is limited, but still ok, some bread rolls and cheese etc. with the soup would have been nice....

You can pour yourself a drink in e.g. Almost@Home, too?

You can pour yourself a drink in e.g. Almost@Home, too?

I think sakari might mean the strong stuff, i.e. you can fix yourself a gin and tonic or screwdriver, if you so wish.

Yep, that's what I mean, hard liquor.

Almost@Home is non-schengen... with only beer/wine offerings, which is what you get also at all other non-schengen and schengen lounges.... except with
C-ticket or status you can get drinks at non-schengen Finnair Lounge from the bar (you cannot make them yourself).

Yep, that's what I mean, hard liquor.

Almost@Home is non-schengen... with only beer/wine offerings, which is what you get also at all other non-schengen and schengen lounges.... except with
C-ticket or status you can get drinks at non-schengen Finnair Lounge from the bar (you cannot make them yourself).

Strange, I never realised that. I guess I settle for what's on the menu ;)

And like I wrote before, good quality tonic in the new lounge! :cool:

Any chance they would allow diners club cardholders?

Any chance they would allow diners club cardholders?

Nope, but that would be super cool and would increase diners membership in Finland :)

Nope, but that would be super cool and would increase diners membership in Finland :)

And then the next logical step would be to take away the lounge access from Diners holders, like they did in other Nordic countries...