The Etihad Airways Premium lounge in Abu Dhabi currently serves both First and Business Class passengers as Etihad is currently remodeling their First class lounge. Despite the First Class lounge closure, the grandiose lounge offers guests a wealth of luxuries when it comes to travel and Etihad truly sets themselves apart by offering amenities usually reserved for only affluent individuals and usually not while traveling or while in transit at an airport.
The Etihad Airways Premium (Business and First Class) Lounge in terminal three is located across from gate 35 and is so large in size I could not imagine it actually ever feeling crowded! I visited the lounge with my brother around 11am and the lounge was nearly empty with maybe only 10 other patrons total in the entire lounge. I honestly believe that we were outnumbered 4:1 by staff. All which were extremely attentive, well trained, and particularly professional and eager to help!
While we visited the lounge, the lounge offered a mixture of breakfast and lunch items as were there exactly at the cusp of breakfast and lunch time. Since the lounge is so grand, there was actually three buffet station, each offering 20+ food choices. One was dedicated to breakfast items, another for lunch, and third and smaller one with only desserts and light bites! Even then, the smallest buffet offered an array of tea time sandwhiches, cakes, cookies, chocolates, and more.
pictures of breakfast buffet and snack/dessert buffet (above) Salad options on lunch buffet (below)
Lunch buffet (above) A la carte dining area and mini bar along side buffett (below)
The lounge features a large bar in the center which divides the two sides of the lounge and offers both walk up service or sit down dining options, and of course the wait staff will gladly bring drinks from the bar as well. I tested the bartender skills by first ordering a dirty martini, then a Manhattan, and finally a Negroni. All three were made to perfection! I was very much impressed! Meanwhile my brother just sipped on gin and tonics, which he too was happy with!
large bar area and another a la carte dining room (above). I failed to check the a la carte dining options as the buffet was so abundant! Pictures of the bar selection (below) 
The lounge also offers other features such as individual dens with large screen, 20”+ LCD screens, and pod like charges; a family room with toys to specifically keep children of all ages from 2-14 entertained, relaxing areas to spread out; a business center with iMac computers, printer and faxes; and tons and tons of cushy chairs, benches, and couches to relax in with plenty of power ports within reach.
plenty of seating areas, there are at least 5 separate areas of similar size for relaxing. One is partitioned off for first class passengers only
business center (above) and personal entertainment pods (below)
Yet despite all of these features and amenites, the lounge is set apart from others by Etihad Shave and Style and the Six Sense Spa. Both are unique to airport lounges and offer customers complimentary services which are found usually at high end resorts, boutique hotels, or standalone facilities, and rarely inside an airport lounge. Etihad Style & Shave provides First Class customers with complimentary salon services which includes services such as haircuts, wet shaves, manicures, and more. Business class customers are charged between $10 and $25 for the same services. Yet do not fret, because the Six Sense Spa is complimentary to all lounge guests and offers heavenly spa services which includes a gamut of massages, facials, and wellness therapies. Both my brother and I left the spa blissfully relaxed!
Etihad Airways Premium Lounge for Business and First Class passengers in Terminal 3 is not to be missed if you are traveling or connecting through Abu Dhabi. This lounge alone truly raises the standard for world class carriers. When visiting the lounge do not be surprise if you forget that you’re in an airport, as you may find yourself wondering if you’re in a high end boutique hotel—because Etihad hospitality and the design of the lounge is truly that good and is uniquely one of a kind! Etihad’s lounge is suited for a King but accessible to you and me!
More From This Series
- Etihad Airways First and Business Class Lounge Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)
- Etihad Airways B787 First Class Washington Dulles (IAD) to Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Etihad Airways Arrival Lounge Abu Dhabi
- Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge Terminal 3 Abu Dhabi
- Etihad Airways A320 Regional Business Class Abu Dhabi (AUH) to Cairo (CAI)
- Qatar Airways A320 Regional Business Class Luxor (LXR) to Doha (DOH)
- Qatar Airways Stopover Hotel and Program Doha
- Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Class Lounge Doha
- Qatar Airways A380 Business Class Doha (DOH) to Paris (CDG)
- American Airlines Admirals Club Paris (CDG)
- American Airlines B767-300 retrofit Business Class Paris (CDG) to New York
