Why I'm excited about Etihad opening their new first class lounge at Abu Dhabi

After weeks, if not months, of scheduled date changes and obscure information, Etihad has finally opened its new first class lounge in Abu Dhabi. It turned out that some of their last communications, indicating a 30 May 2016 opening date, turned out correct. Here's more on the lounge that's expected to put all other lounges a step behind.

I’ve been to the previous business-and-first-class lounge in Abu Dhabi during my trip to London last year (I didn’t write about this trip at all, except for the LHR-AUH leg on First Apartment on board Etihad’s A380).

Here’s their press release on the new lounge opening. Etihad’s even got a separate page on their website, dedicated to the lounge and its features. 

At the risk of re-printing a lot of the content already on Etihad’s website, here’s more about the lounge:

Inspired by the world’s most prestigious hotels, private members’ clubs and fine dining establishments, the lounge is an ultra-exclusive lifestyle environment which tells the airline’s acclaimed guest experience and hospitality story with unrivalled design, style and comfort, world class dining, and bespoke beauty and relaxation services.

The lounge features 16 unique zones designed to ensure that guests can relax, re-energise and be entertained in total luxury before boarding their flight. An à la carte restaurant, showcase bar, fitness room, cigar lounge, Six Senses Spa, Style & Shave barbers, nail bar, TV room, secluded relaxation room, prayer room and children’s play room ensure that all guests receive a highly personalised experience and intuitive service.

Measuring just under 1,700 m², and boasting expansive views of the airport, the new facility is open round-the-clock for the exclusive use of guests.

Guests of The Residence enjoy the exclusivity of their own private space discreetly located adjacent to the main lounge entrance. The secluded area boasts a dedicated Savoy-trained Butler, custom-made Poltrona Frau Italian leather armchairs and sofas, its own shower room stocked with a range of Acqua di Parma products, a prayer room, and private dining.

Guests of the First Class Lounge & Spa will be attended to by a number of expertly trained staff - all of whom have undergone a rigorous selection process. The lounge features a General Manager, Concierge, Maître d’Hotel, Savoy-trained Butlers, chefs and mixologists among its highly trained lounge team.

The kitchens, led by an Executive Chef with experience with leading hotel brands, will feature Arabic, Indian and international cuisine through the day. A special cocktails menu has been created by the lounge, which will also serve its signature mocktail, the Abu Dhabi, which is based on local flavours. 

Here are some pictures released by Etihad for folks like us to gawk at!

Relax and Recline area

Bar

Play room


Cigar lounge

There’s also a concierge service inside the lounge to deal with your ticketing and service requests, so you don’t have to leave until it’s time to fly. Etihad will take care of your bags for the duration of your stay in the cloakroom and will arrange for your clothes to be pressed while you are enjoying the lounge.

Finally, there’s a lounge within the lounge, for guests of Etihad’s signature product, The Residence.

The Residence's Lounge within a lounge

The only missing feature is a chauffeur-driven top-end car to get you from the lounge to the aircraft.

Here's what gets me all excited!

The lounge is for the for the exclusive use of guests of The Residence, Etihad First Class, Etihad Guest Exclusive, Etihad Guest Platinum members (plus one guest), Etihad Airways Partner (EAP) airline First Class guests, EAP ‘Invitation only’ members (plus two guests) and EAP equivalent Platinum members (plus one guest).

The best part for me, personally, is the fact that as EAQ equivalent Platinum members, Jet Airways’ Jet Privilege Platinum members would have access to the lounge, even if traveling economy or business class. At least, that’s my interpretation of the last part of the access list. Isn’t that, in and of itself, worth reaching for JP Platinum status?

I  hope to try this out personally later this month, when I am scheduled to fly to the US. I’ve not yet booked tickets, so this might be a good reason to fly Etihad.

Readers: Have any of you been fortunate enough to try out this lounge yet? Do chime in with your comments as well.