Etihad business class lounge in Abu Dhabi: How to grab a shower, dinner and relax on your long-haul flight

Long-haul flights are never the most glamorous experience for most of us.

From cleaning yourself with wet wipes in a cramped toilet, to desperately trying to get your head into the right (upright) position to get a few much-needed hours of sleep, few of us arrive at our final destination feeling refreshed.

So what happens if we buy a business class lounge during the layover?

Flying from Sydney to London, via Abu Dhabi, I gave it a try – and I was amazed at what a difference it made.

THE NEED TO KNOW

You don’t have to fly business class to use Abu Dhabi’s dedicated business class lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport.

Use of the lounge – conveniently located at Terminal 3, near gate 36 – just a few minutes’ walk from the gates serving Great Britain – is free if you are an Etihad Guest Gold member or if you fly Business on a Etihad operated flight.

If you’re just passing through or flying economy, it costs $187 ($120 USD) for up to four hours, and an additional $30 USD if you stay up to eight hours.

Children under the age of five can enter for free and children up to the age of twelve pay half the adult rate.

Luckily for the world traveler, the lounge is open 24 hours a day.

WHAT SHOULD YOU EXPECT?

Incredibly easy to reach from the Etihad gates, the lounge is well signposted – I got there within 10 minutes, despite being distracted by the very tempting duty-free offer.

As you walk through the sliding doors, you are greeted by a desk full of smiling staff. After you pay your membership fee or show your correct boarding pass, they’ll let you know how far the gate is from your next flight – and welcome you.

At the entrance there is a secure locker room where staff can check valuables for you – a burden off your mind if you plan to wander the lounge for hours.

You then walk past the newspapers and magazines, as well as the children’s play area – separate and tucked away from the main room – before the hallway opens up to a huge room, by far large enough to have some quiet time undisturbed.

Despite its size, the lounge never feels crowded or impersonal thanks to a series of different colored areas that are tucked away from each other, creating the illusion of a more private space.

There’s a hot and cold buffet, with traditional Abu Dhabi dishes and Western favorites – everything from ful medames, fresh hummus and pita bread to hash browns, eggs and sausages.

Drinks – both strong and soft – also flow freely from the full-service bar, as well as barista-made coffees.

For those looking to get some work done, there is unlimited WiFi, newspapers and magazines, as well as a fully functional office space – including computers, monitors, printers and semi-private cubicles with a sofa and TV.

There is also a smoking lounge, powerful air conditioning, chill-out areas and – most importantly – a dedicated new shower room.

FOOD AND DRINK

The food offering is where Etihad’s business class lounge becomes a no-brainer.

You can enjoy a full three-course meal (or more), plus drinks, snacks and salads for not much more than what you would spend at bars and restaurants at most airports.

There are plenty of healthy options too, with fruit, salads and grains all providing much-needed nutrients during your long journey.

From champagne to a wide selection of whiskey and gins, you can also enjoy your favorite drink while sitting in an armchair watching planes on the tarmac.

The bar has all the hallmarks of a classic 1940s airport experience.

Sleek, long and with high chairs facing glass shelves with every ghost imaginable, it’s an easy place to sit and watch the world go by, or chat with fellow travelers.

SHOWERS

Arriving at your final destination clean and in fresh clothes is something you dream of, and although you can use the showers in the bathrooms either side of the lounge, I wouldn’t recommend them.

Although clean and well maintained, these shower rooms are stuffy and the air conditioning struggles – which is a problem in a city where it is 38 degrees Celsius before 7am.

Instead, head to the dedicated shower area behind the large TV and sofa.

A smiling staff member at the desk will take you to your private suite with fresh towels, bed linen and – thankfully – plenty of powerful air conditioning.

Shampoo, conditioner and shower gel are all provided, as well as a hairdryer, towels, floor towels and a large fluffy towel for your body.

I put on a fresh outfit and emerged from the shower feeling like a new woman – not one who had left my Sydney home twenty hours earlier.

PRONUNCIATION

I’m not sure why I’ve never done this before.

I arrived exhausted, hungry and with a crooked neck from poor sleep, and left four hours later rested, fed, clean and fine – ready for the next stage of my journey.

With uninterrupted email access and a place to work, I quickly tied up loose ends before sinking into a comfortable chair and watching the buzz of the lounge breeze pass me by.

The food was fresh with plenty of healthy options to help beat jet lag brains, and I inhaled the many varieties of flavored water – and fine, a glass of champagne too.

The staff went out of their way to make you feel special, attentively clearing your table after every drink or snack, welcoming you like an old friend and smiling all the time.

After showering I felt even better – especially thanks to the new and improved air-conditioned shower cubicle, really the icing on the cake of this lounge experience.

When my flight was finally announced for boarding, I walked out feeling like a winner and was at my gate in four minutes – I really don’t know what more you could want.

If you want a business class experience but can’t quite spring for the ticket, this might be your answer.