Review: Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3

December 31, 2015

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This is the sixth article in an Etihad to Abu Dhabi trip report.

The Etihad chauffeur service picked me up from the Ritz-Carlton Abu Dhabi around two hours before my scheduled flight time and, with a short drive to the airport, I was soon walking into the dedicated check-in area for First and Business Class passengers at Abu Dhabi airport’s Terminal 3

Check in wasn’t busy at all and, thanks to dedicated security lines for First and Business Class passengers that are right next to the check-in desks, I was soon airside and looking for the lounge.

The lounge is a 7-10 minute walk from where you clear security and serves both First Class and Business Class passengers.

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Entrance

Normally when an airline combines their First and Business Class lounges the lounge is much closer to the standard of a regular Business Class lounge than a First Class one. Not in Abu Dhabi.

This lounge was big, spacious and definitely not a regular Business Class lounge.

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Seating Areas

As you walk in to the main part of the lounge (having been checked in at the front desk) the dining areas open up on the left hand side.

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Dining Area

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3

To the right of the dining areas (which are a lot bigger than the pictures make them seem) the lounge stretches out past numerous seating and relaxation areas…..

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Seating Area

…and a large bar serving just about any drink you could wish for (all free….naturally):

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Bar

As you get towards the end of the numerous seating areas there’s an area Etihad have set aside as a business/work area with a umber if iMacs for guests to use:

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Business Station/Work Area

Right next to this business/work area are a number of pods with relaxing chairs and personal TV sets for anyone wishing to catch up on the news:

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3

As you reach the end of the lounge you come across the “Style & Shave” bar:

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Style & Shave

In Etihad’s own words:

At Style & Shave, men can enjoy a wet shave or haircut whilst ladies can book eyebrow shaping, nail treatments or a blow dry. First Class guests can enjoy one of our express treatments for free; whilst for other guests there is a fee.

Book your treatments at the Style & Shave reception.
Opening hours: 5:30am – 2:30pm and 5:30pm – 2:30am

I didn’t go in so I can’t tell you how much these treatments cost….but I did try out the place next door.

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Six Senses Spa

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Six Senses Spa

The Six Senses spa area, dedicated to ambient relaxation, provides an urban sanctuary where guests can enjoy a range of express treatments. Whether looking to relax or revitalize prior to your flight, choose from various massage treatments, enjoy a facial or freshen before your flight up in one of the private shower rooms.

Book your treatments at the Six Senses Spa reception.
Opening hours: 5:30am – 2:30am

The spa offers a good choice of 15-minute treatments – all of which are complimentary:

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Six Senses Spa Menu

I chose “The Headonist” which was a relaxing 15-minute head and shoulder massage in a therapy room that would be worthy of a spa at most good hotels. It’s was fantastic. I wasn’t exactly stressed when I walked in but I was positively floating when I walked out! 🙂

I made use of the Spa’s shower rooms to change out of my Abu Dhabi clothes and into something more appropriate for the UK weather I was flying back to.

While the shower rooms aren’t big they’re nicely done out and have all the basics that you would need:

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Six Senses Spa Shower Room

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Food & Dining

There were two main “food areas” in the lounge.

The smaller of the areas divided the dining area from the rest of the lounge and offered, primarily, finger food, fruit and deserts:

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Dining Options

Etihad Premium Lounge – Dining Options

For guests wanting something more substantial there was a much lager buffet spread in the dining area of the lounge offering hot and cold options:

Etihad Premium Lounge – Dining Options

Etihad Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi T3 – Dining Options

Etihad Premium Lounge – Dining Options

There was even a small carvery station….

Etihad Premium Lounge – Dining Options

With all these food option I completely forgot to check if the lounge offered and a la carte option too…it wouldn’t surprise me if it did.

Lastly, and to round off all the food, the lounge has a coffee/tea bar serving any coffee style you choose and 5-6 different teas.

Etihad Premium Lounge – Coffee and Tea bar

Bottom Line

This is definitely one of the nicer lounges I’ve visited while only requiring Business Class credentials to get in.

The decor was understated and modern, the food was plentiful, the staff were very friendly and the spa was great. You’re not going to get much better than this unless you’re visiting a dedicated First Class lounge….and even then most of those would have to be lounges run by Middle Eastern or Asian airlines. With only a few exceptions, US and European airline lounges don’t come close to what Etihad provides in Abu Dhabi.