Review: GVK Premium Lounge Mumbai International airport

A couple of weeks back, I was on a short work trip to Bahrain. I wrote about my stay at the Sheraton Bahrain, but for some reason, I completely skipped writing about another aspect of the trip...my experience at the GVK Premium Lounge at Mumbai International Airport. So here you go!


Before I begin, I'd like to apologise up front for the quality of the pictures. I'd picked up a new camera as a standby just that morning, and ended up using it without fully understanding the settings, particularly the ones for low-light photography.

The last time I was at this airport terminal was more than 2 years ago (when domestic operations hadn't moved to the new T2). At the time, this was the status of the lounge.


By the time of my next visit earlier in the month, the place was functioning.

Access

I had access to the lounge because I was flying business class, and this lounge is exclusively for the use of business and first class passengers. After crossing immigration and the duty free cluster, turn right and right again. The lounge will be on your left.

GVK Premium Lounge entrance

Interiors

The lounge doesn't have a fixed decor as such, but is mixed. There is a ton of seating, available as couches for group seating, and individual seats - many of which look out on to the apron.


GVK Premium Lounge interior

GVK Premium Lounge interior

GVK Premium Lounge interior


GVK Premium Lounge interior

Overall, as you can see from the images above, there's a pretty decent feel of opulence that the designers have tried to bring in.

Bar

Turning left from the main entrance, you walk down a corridor. The apron is to the right of the picture below.


GVK Premium Lounge seating

First stop on the left, the bar, with bar-stool seating available.


GVK Premium Lounge bar

They have good beer on tap (Kingfisher) and cans, and also a rather decent collection of spirits. There is no charge for using the bar.

GVK Premium Lounge bar


GVK Premium Lounge bar

Across from the bar is a table with some bar snacks, mainly packaged nuts, but also candied fruits, and small bottles of water.


GVK Premium Lounge bar


Relaxation, spa and shower

Further down is a set of massage recliners.

GVK Premium Lounge recliners

There's also a shower and spa. The spa is administered from the desk just beside the faux hedge in the picture below. One massage treatment is complimentary, but if you're in the mood for it, you could also pay up for extra massage sessions.

GVK Premium Lounge Shower & spa

Dining

To the right from the main entrance is the dining area. There's a rather impressive buffet spread on offer (at least, that was the case during my visit).

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

The spread includes snacks / light eats such as sandwiches and chaats...


GVK Premium Lounge buffet
...salads...

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

...fruit...

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

...and a variety of main courses, with options including Indian, Oriental and Continental.

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

There was also a pretty good selection of dessert.

GVK Premium Lounge buffet

There's tabled seating (2 each), as well as seating for groups up to 4 people.

GVK Premium Lounge dining area

I was in the lounge during the cusp of evening snacks and early dinner, so I got to see both types of food on offer (I didn't stuff myself, promise!).

Looking out

One great aspect of the lounge is the apron and aerobridge views it offers. 

GVK Premium Lounge view


GVK Premium Lounge view


GVK Premium Lounge view

However, the downside of this is that, being West-facing, it can get pretty hot if you're lounging by the windows in the evening, and the sun is right in your face.

Connectivity

The lounge offers complimentary wi-fi which is quite good and fast. At each of the individual seats is a side table to keep your stuff on, which includes a couple of power outlets, which can be very useful.

Overall impressions

I personally think this is a great lounge. Probably one of the best in India at this moment (I've not been to the Vistara lounge in Delhi yet).

Readers: Have you been to the GVK Premium Lounge at Mumbai's international departures terminal? What's your impression of the lounge?

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