Trip to Guangzhou in Turkish Airlines Business Class & Guangzhou to Mumbai in Qatar Airways & Etihad A380 First Class
A few months ago, I came across some tips on Flyertalk about a cheap business class fare from Vilnius to Toronto on Turkish Airlines and since I wanted to earn Elite status in the airlines' Miles & Smiles program by the end of this year, I did not hesitate and booked the flight. Unfortunately, a schedule change forced me to cancel the flight and look for another option. I had some miles left on my American Airlines Advantage account so I thought I could redeem them flying from Guangzhou to Mumbai in first class. Flying from Mumbai to Bangkok was easy since Air India flies direct between these two cities. After thoroughly planning the trip, I ended up buying an open jaw ticket in Turkish Airlines business class, from Stockholm to Guangzhou and back from Bangkok to Stockholm. It actually turned out perfectly well as I was able to fly Qatar Airways A380 first class from Guangzhou to Doha and then to Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi, I was able to visit the newly opened Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa and from Abu Dhabi, I flew on Etihad's A380 to Mumbai. It was 8 flights in 6 days which was really tiring but who cares when you're flying in first and business class 😉
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Stockholm to Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 Business Class, Istanbul to Guangzhou
Review: Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun
24 hours in Guangzhou, China
Review: Premium Lounge, Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Review: Qatar Airways A380 First Class, Guangzhou to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Doha to Abu Dhabi
Review: Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
Review: Etihad Airways A380 First Apartment, Abu Dhabi to Mumbai
Review: Loyalty Lounge, Mumbai Airport (BOM)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C West, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C East, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Bangkok to Istanbul
Tour Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul to Stockholm
Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa Abu Dhabi
Date of visit: November 4, 2016
Last updated: November 17, 2016
Location: Terminal 3, by gate 35
Access: 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)
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Lounge Entrance
Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa Abu Dhabi entrance
Private lift to the lounge
Á la Carte Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
Restaurant
I've heard about the famous five-course Emirati tasting menu before my visit here so I thought I'd try it. Angelica, a very nice Czech lady working in the restaurant welcomed me as she presented me the menu.
Á la carte menu
Five-Course Emirati Tasting Menu
Amuse Bouche
Dates with Chami
Soup
Chicken and Barley Soup
Appetiser
Scallops Mughrabia
Main Course
Lamb Medfoun
Dessert
Batheatha
Five-course Emirati tasting menu
Five-course Emirati tasting menu
Table set up
Dates with Chami
Stuffed fresh dates with local homemade yogurt (chami)
From the bar, I got my mocktail, "Winglet" as recommended by Angela.
Chicken and Barley Soup
A rich broth with tender poached pieces of chicken, onion and fresh coriander
Palate cleanser
Lamb Medfoun
Marinated Roasted Local Lamb, saffron rice and tomato chickpea stew
OMG, the lamb was so tender it was one of the best I've ever had 😉
I had previously informed Angela that I would be skipping the dessert as it would be too much. Looking back, I wished I had ordered it anyway since I'm not sure when I'd be able to visit this lounge again 😞
A cup of green tea and a hot towel to end the meal
Bar in the á la carte restaurant
Bar
Open kitchen
Snacks area
Dining area near the snacks area
Showcase Bar
The sculptural bar stocked with 75 premium spirits, champagnes and aperitifs is definitely one of the main features of the lounge.
Family Room
One of the two family rooms
Fitness Room
Fitness room
As fas as I know, this is the only first class lounge featuring a fitness center so kudos to Etihad for this genuine idea! I don't think it really matters if guests are using it or not, right 😉
Male washroom
Complimentary Wifi Access
Wifi access is complimentary and was quite fast.
Children's Playroom
Interestingly, they also have nannies who were trained at London's Norland College so you don't have to worry about your kids while you spoil yourself with a complementary spa treatment.
Six Senses Spa
Six Senses Spa
Six Senses Spa
Nail Bar
Style & Shave
Massage room
Male first class passengers get a complimentary facial, massage or one express treatment in the Style and Shave and I opted to have a 15 minute facial. The facial treatment was done by Emelie, a very nice lady from the Philippines who has been doing this job for 10 years now. Needless to say, it was one of the best facial treatments I've had 😉
Shower Suite
Aside from the shower suite in the fitness center, there are two more shower suites located in the spa area.
Shower suite
Toilet
Cigar Lounge
As you enter the cigar lounge, you will immediately see the humidors where the nine carefully selected brands including Hoyo de Monterray, Cohiba, Bolivar, Montecristo, Arturo Fuente and Romeo Y Julieta are being kept.
Each cigar has been expertly matched with several whiskeys and cognacs.
Cigar Lounge
Among the complimentary cigars are Arturo Fuente, Cohiba Panatellas and Montecristo #4. When the lounge opened in June, all the cigars were complimentary until Etihad decided to make it to just three. Well, at least there' still 3 of them 😉
TV Room
TV room
Smoking Room
Smoking room
Relax and Recline Area
With six Poltrona Frau leather recliners featuring a panoramic video wall made up of 27 individual screens, this is your place of tranquility.
Gentlemen's Toilet
Gentlemen's toilet
Gentlemen's toilet
Gentlemen's toilet
View
Partial view of the runway
CONCLUSION
This lounge had been on my "must visit lounge list" since it opened in June this year so you could just imagine my excitement when I finally got to visit it. As soon as I entered the lounge, I was greeted by friendly staff who all seemed to be happy to see guests arrive. Since it was my first visit, I was given a tour of the lounge by Crystal, a lovely Filipina who gave me almost every detail of the lounge's features. First, I was offered to leave my luggage in one of the lockers after which I was given a luggage claim check. Crystal was very enthusiastic as we toured the lounge and needless to say, was very proud of it. I really love the design of this lounge with it's "Facets of Abu Dhabi" branding (and all the new lounges of Etihad for that matter) as I personally think it is unique and very modern. The dining experience where I got to sample the Emirati tasting menu was simply the best I've had. This lounge may not have the stunning architecture of Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge but Etihad can surely teach them something when it comes to Á la carte dining 😉 Of course, just like any other lounge, this lounge is not perfect. I wished they had a quiet room since the lounge is open 24 hours and most passengers are only transitting in Abu Dhabi. There is no business center either although you could always ask the concierge desk if you need to print out something. At the same time, I understand that this lounge should not really have all the best features of a first class lounge since by December 2017, they would be opening the new Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal where we could expect only the best! I was really glad I was able to visit this lounge because this is no doubt one of the best first class lounges I've been to (if not the best). And in case you would be visiting this lounge soon, make sure you enjoy one of their complimentary spa treatments ... and do the five-course Emirati tasting menu. It's definitely worth it. To all the staff of Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi, Shukran!
Related Posts:
Review: Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Frankfurt (FRA)
Review: Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge (HKG)
A few months ago, I came across some tips on Flyertalk about a cheap business class fare from Vilnius to Toronto on Turkish Airlines and since I wanted to earn Elite status in the airlines' Miles & Smiles program by the end of this year, I did not hesitate and booked the flight. Unfortunately, a schedule change forced me to cancel the flight and look for another option. I had some miles left on my American Airlines Advantage account so I thought I could redeem them flying from Guangzhou to Mumbai in first class. Flying from Mumbai to Bangkok was easy since Air India flies direct between these two cities. After thoroughly planning the trip, I ended up buying an open jaw ticket in Turkish Airlines business class, from Stockholm to Guangzhou and back from Bangkok to Stockholm. It actually turned out perfectly well as I was able to fly Qatar Airways A380 first class from Guangzhou to Doha and then to Abu Dhabi. In Abu Dhabi, I was able to visit the newly opened Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa and from Abu Dhabi, I flew on Etihad's A380 to Mumbai. It was 8 flights in 6 days which was really tiring but who cares when you're flying in first and business class 😉
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Stockholm to Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Boeing 777 Business Class, Istanbul to Guangzhou
Review: Hilton Guangzhou Baiyun
24 hours in Guangzhou, China
Review: Premium Lounge, Guangzhou Airport (CAN)
Review: Qatar Airways A380 First Class, Guangzhou to Doha
Review: Qatar Airways First Class, Doha to Abu Dhabi
Review: Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
Review: Etihad Airways A380 First Apartment, Abu Dhabi to Mumbai
Review: Loyalty Lounge, Mumbai Airport (BOM)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C West, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Thai Royal Silk Lounge Concourse C East, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Bangkok to Istanbul
Tour Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul to Stockholm
Date of visit: November 4, 2016
Last updated: November 17, 2016
Location: Terminal 3, by gate 35
Access: 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)
Opening hours: Daily, 24 hours
Lounge Entrance
Á la Carte Restaurant
I've heard about the famous five-course Emirati tasting menu before my visit here so I thought I'd try it. Angelica, a very nice Czech lady working in the restaurant welcomed me as she presented me the menu.
Five-Course Emirati Tasting Menu
Amuse Bouche
Dates with Chami
Soup
Chicken and Barley Soup
Appetiser
Scallops Mughrabia
Main Course
Lamb Medfoun
Dessert
Batheatha
Stuffed fresh dates with local homemade yogurt (chami)
A rich broth with tender poached pieces of chicken, onion and fresh coriander
Marinated Roasted Local Lamb, saffron rice and tomato chickpea stew
OMG, the lamb was so tender it was one of the best I've ever had 😉
I had previously informed Angela that I would be skipping the dessert as it would be too much. Looking back, I wished I had ordered it anyway since I'm not sure when I'd be able to visit this lounge again 😞
Showcase Bar
Family Room
Fitness Room
Complimentary Wifi Access
Children's Playroom
Six Senses Spa
Shower Suite
Cigar Lounge
TV Room
Smoking Room
Relax and Recline Area
Gentlemen's Toilet
View
CONCLUSION
This lounge had been on my "must visit lounge list" since it opened in June this year so you could just imagine my excitement when I finally got to visit it. As soon as I entered the lounge, I was greeted by friendly staff who all seemed to be happy to see guests arrive. Since it was my first visit, I was given a tour of the lounge by Crystal, a lovely Filipina who gave me almost every detail of the lounge's features. First, I was offered to leave my luggage in one of the lockers after which I was given a luggage claim check. Crystal was very enthusiastic as we toured the lounge and needless to say, was very proud of it. I really love the design of this lounge with it's "Facets of Abu Dhabi" branding (and all the new lounges of Etihad for that matter) as I personally think it is unique and very modern. The dining experience where I got to sample the Emirati tasting menu was simply the best I've had. This lounge may not have the stunning architecture of Qatar Airways Al Safwa First Lounge but Etihad can surely teach them something when it comes to Á la carte dining 😉 Of course, just like any other lounge, this lounge is not perfect. I wished they had a quiet room since the lounge is open 24 hours and most passengers are only transitting in Abu Dhabi. There is no business center either although you could always ask the concierge desk if you need to print out something. At the same time, I understand that this lounge should not really have all the best features of a first class lounge since by December 2017, they would be opening the new Abu Dhabi Midfield Terminal where we could expect only the best! I was really glad I was able to visit this lounge because this is no doubt one of the best first class lounges I've been to (if not the best). And in case you would be visiting this lounge soon, make sure you enjoy one of their complimentary spa treatments ... and do the five-course Emirati tasting menu. It's definitely worth it. To all the staff of Etihad First Class Lounge & Spa in Abu Dhabi, Shukran!
Related Posts:
Review: Lufthansa First Class Terminal, Frankfurt (FRA)
Review: Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge (HKG)