Throughout my Allegris around the world journey, I had the possibility to fly Thai Airways’ Boeing 777 first-class from Bangkok to Tokyo. Previous to my flight, I visited the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge. On this submit I’ll be reviewing the enterprise class part of the lounge, after which within the subsequent installment I’ll be reviewing the primary class part of the lounge.
Whereas Thai Airways has 9 lounges at Bangkok Airport, the Royal Orchid Status Lounge is Thai Airways’ flagship lounge facility, which first opened in late 2019 (not precisely nice timing for opening a brand new worldwide lounge in Bangkok!).
I do assume that is Thai Airways’ nicest enterprise class lounge. Nevertheless, it’s not notably memorable, and doesn’t rank among the many finest enterprise class lounges on the earth. For that matter, it’s truly not that differentiated from the provider’s different lounges, aside from being a bit extra fashionable.
It’s additionally sort of unhappy how Thai Airways closed its airport spa, so the airline now not presents spa therapies for passengers, although they’re obtainable at some Precedence Go lounges within the terminal, just like the Coral Most interesting Enterprise Class Lounge.
Thai Airways Enterprise Lounge Bangkok location
The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge Bangkok is situated in Worldwide Concourse D, on stage three, proper close to gate D4. Curiously the lounge takes up the area instantly subsequent to the prevailing Thai Airways Royal Silk Lounge (which I’ve reviewed earlier than), although the entrances are fairly removed from each other.
This lounge couldn’t be extra central… it’s actually within the very center of the terminal. Bangkok Airport has a format whereby this a part of the terminal mainly consists of two linked “crosses,” and this lounge is precisely the place these areas join.
Observe that in case you’re originating in Bangkok, you may also enter the lounge through an escalator close to quick observe safety, and there’s clear signage there. Nevertheless, on this case I used to be in transit, so didn’t enter that means.
Thai Airways Enterprise Lounge Bangkok hours
The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge Bangkok is open day by day from 5AM till 2AM, so it simply closes for 3 hours each night time. It’s attention-grabbing how most Precedence Go lounges on the airport are open 24/7, whereas this lounge closes briefly. I suppose that’s honest sufficient, provided that there aren’t many Star Alliance flights departing within the very early hours of the morning.
Thai Airways Enterprise Lounge Bangkok entry necessities
The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge Bangkok follows commonplace Star Alliance lounge entry guidelines. That’s to say that each one Star Alliance enterprise class passengers (on Thai Airways and different airways) get entry to the lounge, as do Star Alliance Gold members departing on any Star Alliance flight.
Enterprise class passengers can’t carry any visitors, whereas Star Alliance Gold members can carry one visitor.
Thai Airways Enterprise Lounge Bangkok seating & format
The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge Bangkok is 2,089 sq. meters (~22,500 sq. toes), with seating for 463 passengers. So the lounge in all fairness large, however not large, when you think about that is the provider’s hub. Additionally be aware that these numbers embody the primary class part.
The enterprise class part of the lounge is a protracted area that’s fairly slender, and it runs alongside one primary hall. The primary a part of the lounge is inside the doorway and to the correct, whereas to the left is the primary class part of the lounge, plus a small bar space for enterprise class.
The lounge is damaged up into a number of smaller areas by using partitions. A few of the partitions are “partitions” with faux crops, whereas others have a fake shiny wooden end.
Once you enter the lounge and switch proper, you’ll first discover a number of seating areas which have purple and blush(ish) chairs organized in rows, dealing with each other. There are a good quantity of charging choices in these areas of the lounge, although I discovered that a number of the retailers didn’t work.
Combined into this seating had been a number of communal workstations, at the least providing tables off of which you’ll be able to simply arrange your laptop computer and work.
Once you get deeper into the lounge, there’s some variation within the seating, as there are alternatives extra catered to consuming and consuming, together with cafe-style tables with a few seats, high-top communal tables, and extra.
Then within the very again of the lounge you’ll discover a bar, that includes cocktails and barista espresso.
The enterprise class lounge additionally has a second hidden bar. It’s inside the doorway to the lounge and to the left, proper by the primary class space. Most individuals by no means even go this manner, so this may very well be a very good place to hang around.
All-in-all, I’d say it’s a reasonably good lounge area, although let me share a number of extra observations.
First, the lounge lacks views, because it primarily faces the inside of the terminal, which isn’t probably the most thrilling view. Moreover, the lounge seating isn’t very different. There’s no devoted relaxation space, no leisure room, no children room, and so forth. It’s simply bland lounge seating, plus a eating space. Lastly, whereas the lounge has Wi-Fi, I didn’t discover the speeds to be nice, particularly because the lounge bought busier.
Thai Airways Enterprise Lounge Bangkok meals & drinks
The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge Bangkok has a decent food and drinks choice, with each Asian and Western choices. This blows away most different lounges on the airport, when it comes to each amount and high quality. There have been a few completely different meals stations, to keep away from an excessive amount of crowding in any space.
Throughout my morning go to, chilly choices included the whole lot from a salad bar, to recent fruit, to chilly cuts, to sweets, to pastries, to quiche, to finger sandwiches, to ice cream.
There was additionally an enormous choice of heat choices, together with eggs, baked beans, breakfast potatoes, a number of Thai dishes, and extra.
Along with the buffet, there was a cooked to order breakfast choice, the place you could possibly request scrambled eggs, miso soup, omelets, or porridge with shrimp or minced rooster.
Self-serve drink choices included quite a lot of smooth drinks, juice, water, espresso, tea, and beer.
Along with that, wine, cocktails, and barista espresso had been obtainable from one of many two bars within the lounge. The alcohol choice appeared fairly excessive finish, and I appreciated the truth that there was a really useful cocktail listing.
Thai Airways Enterprise Lounge Bangkok bogs & showers
The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge Bangkok has a few units of bogs, which really feel surprisingly luxurious. The lads’s room had a number of sinks, urinals, and stalls.
The lounge additionally has a few bathe suites, that are properly appointed.
Backside line
The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge is a stable lounge, and is an enchancment over the provider’s different hub enterprise class lounges. I used to be most impressed by the food and drinks choice, which was positively above common. Whereas the lounge has fairly good decor, the lounge lacks views, and in addition doesn’t have a lot selection when it comes to seating and facilities.
What do you make of the Thai Airways Royal Orchid Status Lounge Bangkok?