After a very pleasant stay in The Loft by Brussels Airlines, I still had plenty of time before my flight. With Terminal A’s Priority Pass option, the Diamond Lounge, right next door, I headed there to check it out. I found a surprisingly decent space, with some especially pleasantly surprising culinary treats inside.
See also: Rohan’s review of this lounge from last August.
Note: this post is part of a longer series about my trip to Europe last November. Click here for the introductory post and trip report index.
Diamond Lounge Brussels Airport Terminal A
Location
In Terminal A (Schengen gates), on the 2nd level. After security, follow the signs for Gates A40-A60 and the airline lounges. Near Gate A42, follow the stairs or escalators to the lounges. The Diamond Lounge is the second lounge past the Brussels Airlines lounge. Lounge hours are 5 am to 9 pm daily.
Access
Several airlines use the Diamond Lounge for Business Class/elite status lounge access; these include Air France, Czech Airlines, and Alitalia, among others. In addition, the lounge offers access to Priority Pass and Diners Club cardholders. Any passenger may purchase access for €32. Note: only passengers on Schengen flights can use this lounge. Passengers on non-Schengen flights can use the Diamond Lounge in Terminal B instead.
Review
Date of visit: Sunday, November 11, 2018
The lounge basically consists of one long room, extending both left and right from the entrance. While fairly small, I found the lounge pretty empty at the time of my visit (Sunday around 5:30 pm). To the left of the entrance is one long seating area – more of a large dining area, really. This consists of some high-topped tables, and a few four person tables way in the back. I highly recommend grabbing a seat at the communal table by the windows, though. During the day, you can enjoy some pretty good ramp views while you relax.
You’ll find the food & beverage area dead center, along with a continuation of the tabletop seating.
Most of the selection seems pretty middling. You have some cold cuts, cheeses, salad, and a few other dishes that apparently ran out earlier.
But don’t let this discourage you. Just look across the aisle. There’s some bread – and waffles! That’s right, genuine Liège waffles for your enjoyment.
I’ll offer one last close-up of the waffles so you can virtually enjoy its goodness. I thought the waffle was pretty good. Reasonably fresh, with a soft, chewy center you expect with a proper Liège waffle.
Anyway, next to the food is a coffee machine, as well as the liquor and wine selection. The liquor selection wasn’t great, but I found the red wine passable.
Finally, there is a drinks refrigerator with soft drinks and Belgian beer.
Continue towards the back from the F&B stations to find additional high-top table seating.
Then, at the far end is a small quiet area, where you can also look out over the terminal. If you’re looking for “lounger”-type seats to relax, I’d head back to this area.
Several reviews of this lounge suggested that it’s dirty, and complained of old, worn furniture. Perhaps they’ve improved it recently, as I didn’t really see either as an issue. The lounge seemed clean, and the decor felt like generic modern Euro. Not particularly exciting, but generally inoffensive. Ironically, WiFi was MUCH faster here than in the Brussels Airlines lounge next door. The lounge provides plentiful power outlets throughout the seating areas. Unfortunately, you’re out of luck if you need a workstation. I couldn’t find a business center of any kind.
Final Thoughts
I was pleasantly surprised by this lounge. While not as large or nice as The Loft, I found it perfectly decent for a contract lounge. (In some ways, it reminds me of the Erste Premier Lounge in Prague, also a decent contract lounge.) Of course, the availability of waffles might have me just a little biased. Anyway, if you need a Priority Pass option in Brussels, there’s no need to avoid this lounge.
