Review Marhaba lounge Dubai, I expected something better

Dubai airport, beating heart of Emirates is, like all others in the world, heavily downsized by covid-19, all operations are concentrated in terminal 3, the one where usually only Emirates and its low-cost FlyDubai operates.

The Marhaba lounge is the only one open in Concourse A, and it is used by all the airlines such as British Airways and Lufthansa that have a proprietary lounge in Terminal 1 but which as mentioned is precisely closed.

The lounge is one of those normally accessible to holders of various cards such as Priority Pass, Lounge Buddy, but also to holders of numerous credit cards.

Located on the 4th floor of departure area B, it has plenty of seating in various conformations. Restaurant seating, lounges, cubicles, armchairs and lounging areas.

Overall, however, it is sad, not only because the food offerings are stripped down to the bone, but also because unlike many other independent lounges it is without any distinguishing features, we could call it aseptic.

Inside Terminal 3 there are 3 Marhaba lounges, in addition to two others in the other two terminals of the airport. Probably the one in question is the less beautiful one, certainly it is the larger one since it is open on the entire terminal.

Interestingly, it also sells small necessities such as universal adapters, cords for charging cell phones, or small personal care items.

In a terminal that normally saw one takeoff per minute and instead today between 00:00 and 02:00 sees only 4 departures everything has been changed in the name of prevention, even in the lounge gone is the self-service, only two vending machines survive to make coffee.

The bar is, arguably, the most design element present in this lounge. A fair selection of spirits is also available to guests, with the option of purchasing mignon bottles of champagne.

In conclusion

If we compare the situation with the rest of the world, where very few independent lounges are open, we can say "thankfully" it was operational in Dubai. In a terminal that houses Emirates' two main lounges, the business and first class lounges, the comparison obviously does not hold up but as we wait for the world to return to the old normal we can be content.

• Lounge
• Priority Pass
• trip to Dubai

The verdict

Stand-alone lounges in an airport like Dubai should give the wow effect regardless, sure in the days of covid-19 still thank you that it was open

6

Pro

• Many seats
• It is spacious and open to the terminal

Against

• Little choice of food
• It does not differentiate the companies' biz customers from card-entry customers