May 30, 2016, 6:01 am
Last edit by: MatthewLAX
Original discussion: http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/etihad-airways-etihad-guest/1624033-f-lounge-auh3-open-still-waiting-2016-a.html
Review with 100+ photos - link (blog)
Review with 100+ photos - link (blog)
F lounge in AUH opened 30MAY2016
Jun 2, 2016, 1:27 pm
#106
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
Last edited by Westin; Jun 2, 2016 at 3:20 pm
Jun 2, 2016, 3:22 pm
#110
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
Shower pics if anyone cares
http://imgur.com/9f6RAjm
http://imgur.com/UPkoRzz
http://imgur.com/vC1fCW0
http://imgur.com/9f6RAjm
http://imgur.com/UPkoRzz
http://imgur.com/vC1fCW0
Jun 2, 2016, 3:39 pm
#111
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,730
Shower pics if anyone cares
http://imgur.com/9f6RAjm
http://imgur.com/UPkoRzz
http://imgur.com/vC1fCW0
http://imgur.com/9f6RAjm
http://imgur.com/UPkoRzz
http://imgur.com/vC1fCW0
Looks a lot nicer than the AUH J lounge showers, that's for sure.
Jun 2, 2016, 4:05 pm
#112
FlyerTalk Evangelist
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A bit of a review of the lounge
Shane Hare, Senior Vice President of Marketing for EY said, and I quote: "The result is the finest airline lounge and spa experience in the world". How can you make a statement like that, which isn't even close to being correct?
Now, let me preface my comment by saying I haven't yet visited the lounge, that will happen in the next couple of months, however how does this lounge compete with other top tier lounges?
Once again, I may be wrong, but for anyone here who has visited the FCT in FRA, or CDG, Al-Safwa, the Qantas first lounge in Sydney, the Pier in HKG - just to name a few; does this new AUH F lounge compare?
Now, let me preface my comment by saying I haven't yet visited the lounge, that will happen in the next couple of months, however how does this lounge compete with other top tier lounges?
Once again, I may be wrong, but for anyone here who has visited the FCT in FRA, or CDG, Al-Safwa, the Qantas first lounge in Sydney, the Pier in HKG - just to name a few; does this new AUH F lounge compare?
Some highlights:
Very good, friendly, helpful staff. And lots of them. I ran into an excellent flight attendant from an F flight my wife and I took earlier this year. She explained that she is assigned here temporarily to help ensure that the (very good) FA service is duplicated in the lounge.
Fine dining! At least the cold lobster soup and (small but superb) venison main dish were both delicious. Plus they end the meal with a warm towel, which is a nice touch.
(Earlier in the evening, also had the lamb and an appetizer from the Emirates Palace menu. Pretty good, but the aforementioned soup and venison were far more memorable.)
Great shave by a very pleasant Moroccan fellow.
First time I ever worked out at a lounge...and I liked it a lot. Might even help me get some good sleep on my flight to JFK. But regardless, it was good to get in some exercise after a very busy couple of weeks on the road in which I got far less than I'd like. One cross-trainer, two treadmills and one bike.
Good bar with comfortable chairs and a great Filipino bartender. I usually stick with just martinis or wine or beer when I drink. But I thought I'd give one of the signature drinks a try. The rum-based "Sydney" is great!
You can only get one complimentary treatment from the spa OR the barber, so I didn't try the spa...though if I'd had more time (despite my six hours here!) I might have sprung for the spa. Seems like the standard is about US $25/37 for 15/25 minute treatments there.
As for HB7's query...I've been in a good number of F lounges, though not all you asked about: CX Wing (though not new Pier), LH FCT and FC lounges, SQ Private Room, BA Concorde Room, TG Bangkok. I'd rank EY up there. I guess TG remains my personal favorite, given the one-hour complimentary massages, in-airport rides to and from flights for F passengers and semi-private alcoves. And of course LH and AF provide those nice limo rides to the tarmac. But still, the combo of the great service and food, along with the other features I mentioned, has me liking the EY F lounge a lot.
In the lounge now! Any questions?
I can see a slight issue with "lounge" seating where you can truly sprawl out. The dining room was excellent, had red snapper as a main, and a cold lobster soup as a starter. Here for another 6 hours lol!
The relaxation room is pretty awesome, hanging out in here now. The gym is small... 2 treadmills, 1 elliptical, and one spin bike
The staff here are absolutely phenomenal, which time will tell how that holds up. As of now they are EXCELLENT.
Design is beautiful, was told Vera Wang (SP?) helped with the design.
I can see a slight issue with "lounge" seating where you can truly sprawl out. The dining room was excellent, had red snapper as a main, and a cold lobster soup as a starter. Here for another 6 hours lol!
The relaxation room is pretty awesome, hanging out in here now. The gym is small... 2 treadmills, 1 elliptical, and one spin bike
The staff here are absolutely phenomenal, which time will tell how that holds up. As of now they are EXCELLENT.
Design is beautiful, was told Vera Wang (SP?) helped with the design.
Jun 2, 2016, 4:11 pm
#113
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Florida
Programs: Hyatt Diamond. SPG Plat. Marriott Plat.
Posts: 522
Coming to the end of a six-hour transit in the new F lounge. Have to trek for US pre-clearance shortly so this review will be less detailed than I'd like. But to start at the end: ^^^ for the new F lounge. Worth waiting for.
Some highlights:
Very good, friendly, helpful staff. And lots of them. I ran into an excellent flight attendant from an F flight my wife and I took earlier this year. She explained that she is assigned here temporarily to help ensure that the (very good) FA service is duplicated in the lounge.
Fine dining! At least the cold lobster soup and (small but superb) venison main dish were both delicious. Plus they end the meal with a warm towel, which is a nice touch.
(Earlier in the evening, also had the lamb and an appetizer from the Emirates Palace menu. Pretty good, but the aforementioned soup and venison were far more memorable.)
Great shave by a very pleasant Moroccan fellow.
First time I ever worked out at a lounge...and I liked it a lot. Might even help me get some good sleep on my flight to JFK. But regardless, it was good to get in some exercise after a very busy couple of weeks on the road in which I got far less than I'd like. One cross-trainer, two treadmills and one bike.
Good bar with comfortable chairs and a great Filipino bartender. I usually stick with just martinis or wine or beer when I drink. But I thought I'd give one of the signature drinks a try. The rum-based "Sydney" is great!
You can only get one complimentary treatment from the spa OR the barber, so I didn't try the spa...though if I'd had more time (despite my six hours here!) I might have sprung for the spa. Seems like the standard is about US $25/37 for 15/25 minute treatments there.
As for HB7's query...I've been in a good number of F lounges, though not all you asked about: CX Wing (though not new Pier), LH FCT and FC lounges, SQ Private Room, BA Concorde Room, TG Bangkok. I'd rank EY up there. I guess TG remains my personal favorite, given the one-hour complimentary massages, in-airport rides to and from flights for F passengers and semi-private alcoves. And of course LH and AF provide those nice limo rides to the tarmac. But still, the combo of the great service and food, along with the other features I mentioned, has me liking the EY F lounge a lot.
Wonder if we overlapped here, Westin. If so, sorry I missed you!
Some highlights:
Very good, friendly, helpful staff. And lots of them. I ran into an excellent flight attendant from an F flight my wife and I took earlier this year. She explained that she is assigned here temporarily to help ensure that the (very good) FA service is duplicated in the lounge.
Fine dining! At least the cold lobster soup and (small but superb) venison main dish were both delicious. Plus they end the meal with a warm towel, which is a nice touch.
(Earlier in the evening, also had the lamb and an appetizer from the Emirates Palace menu. Pretty good, but the aforementioned soup and venison were far more memorable.)
Great shave by a very pleasant Moroccan fellow.
First time I ever worked out at a lounge...and I liked it a lot. Might even help me get some good sleep on my flight to JFK. But regardless, it was good to get in some exercise after a very busy couple of weeks on the road in which I got far less than I'd like. One cross-trainer, two treadmills and one bike.
Good bar with comfortable chairs and a great Filipino bartender. I usually stick with just martinis or wine or beer when I drink. But I thought I'd give one of the signature drinks a try. The rum-based "Sydney" is great!
You can only get one complimentary treatment from the spa OR the barber, so I didn't try the spa...though if I'd had more time (despite my six hours here!) I might have sprung for the spa. Seems like the standard is about US $25/37 for 15/25 minute treatments there.
As for HB7's query...I've been in a good number of F lounges, though not all you asked about: CX Wing (though not new Pier), LH FCT and FC lounges, SQ Private Room, BA Concorde Room, TG Bangkok. I'd rank EY up there. I guess TG remains my personal favorite, given the one-hour complimentary massages, in-airport rides to and from flights for F passengers and semi-private alcoves. And of course LH and AF provide those nice limo rides to the tarmac. But still, the combo of the great service and food, along with the other features I mentioned, has me liking the EY F lounge a lot.
Wonder if we overlapped here, Westin. If so, sorry I missed you!
In regards to that former flight attendant was she the British one? I heard the same story about the temporary relocating
Hope you have precheck because that customs line looked brutal!
I agree with the lounge thoughts, it's nothing earth shattering, but what it does, it does well.
PS- sorry I didn't grab the tasting menu. It was the first thing we did when we got there and I didn't opt for it
Last edited by Westin; Jun 2, 2016 at 4:16 pm
Jun 2, 2016, 4:51 pm
#114
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Were you working on the elliptical while my GF and I were hogging the treadmills?
In regards to that former flight attendant was she the British one? I heard the same story about the temporary relocating
Hope you have precheck because that customs line looked brutal!
I agree with the lounge thoughts, it's nothing earth shattering, but what it does, it does well.
PS- sorry I didn't grab the tasting menu. It was the first thing we did when we got there and I didn't opt for it
In regards to that former flight attendant was she the British one? I heard the same story about the temporary relocating
Hope you have precheck because that customs line looked brutal!
I agree with the lounge thoughts, it's nothing earth shattering, but what it does, it does well.
PS- sorry I didn't grab the tasting menu. It was the first thing we did when we got there and I didn't opt for it
Yep, that was me! Though you and your gf weren't what I'd call hogging at all - in fact, I recall her very nicely telling me she'd be off her machine soon - and I wanted the elliptical anyway.
No, the FA wasn't British. From the region (broadly defined)...perhaps Tunisia???...sorry to say I forgot which country.
I have Global Entry - and in fact the machines in AUH are better than back home - so not much of a wait re customs.
Happy trails!
Jun 2, 2016, 11:00 pm
#115
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: DL GM, AA PLAT, Hilton Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 256
In the F lounge right now. Was disappointed with the ground services, as security was extremely chaotic and an escort would have been welcome.
I'd echo the previous posters' sentiments: better than CX and BA, not quite as good as LH or SQ IMO. It does a great job with the services/amenities it provides. The service is incredible, some of the best I've had in any lounge. Attentive without too much fawning or lingering, which I appreciate. Still have four hours left...massage is next
I'd echo the previous posters' sentiments: better than CX and BA, not quite as good as LH or SQ IMO. It does a great job with the services/amenities it provides. The service is incredible, some of the best I've had in any lounge. Attentive without too much fawning or lingering, which I appreciate. Still have four hours left...massage is next
Jun 2, 2016, 11:32 pm
#116
Join Date: Oct 2014
Programs: Etihad Platinum. Bonvoy Ambassador Elite
Posts: 333
I was in the lounge last night and was really impressed. I got there around 5:00 in the afternoon and for about one hour I was the only person in there. When I left at around 8:30, I guess there would have been around 20 - 25 people in. I won't repeat what previous posts have already mentioned, but I must say that it was worth the wait. The dining experience was phenomenal, and the smoked salmon I had as an appetiser was a much superior quality to the smoked salmon in the old premium lounge. The red snapper was faultless. However, I was a little surprised with the water they offered me with my meal. It was Al Ain water in a large plastic bottle. If they have noticeably superior smoked salmon, then why can't we have Voss water for example. After all, in the good old days, we used to be offered Voss in both J and F. The staff are amazing!
Jun 3, 2016, 1:35 pm
#117
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Join Date: Feb 2007
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Full review up with over 100+ pictures on my blog (which Flyertalk rules compel me to clearly disclose)--
http://upgrd.com/matthew/review-etih...abu-dhabi.html
Enjoy!
I'll say this. AF, LH, TG, EK and perhaps even LX have better first class lounges but it is still wonderful.
http://upgrd.com/matthew/review-etih...abu-dhabi.html
Enjoy!
I'll say this. AF, LH, TG, EK and perhaps even LX have better first class lounges but it is still wonderful.
Jun 3, 2016, 1:40 pm
#119
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2007
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I was told in no uncertain terms, no F boarding pass (or Plat status), no entrance.
Jun 3, 2016, 5:01 pm
#120
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Denver
Posts: 509
Full review up with over 100+ pictures on my blog (which Flyertalk rules compel me to clearly disclose)--
http://upgrd.com/matthew/review-etih...abu-dhabi.html
Enjoy!
I'll say this. AF, LH, TG, EK and perhaps even LX have better first class lounges but it is still wonderful.
http://upgrd.com/matthew/review-etih...abu-dhabi.html
Enjoy!
I'll say this. AF, LH, TG, EK and perhaps even LX have better first class lounges but it is still wonderful.