There's a new queen at Fiumicino Terminal 3: Prima Vista is (arguably) the best of the independent lounges
I had announced its opening last year, but I must say that I totally missed the ribbon cutting [...]
FCO
I had announced its opening last year, but I must say. I totally missed the ribbon cutting (assuming it has been done) and today I was finally able to visit the newest of the lounges in treminal 3 (or Pier E) at Rome Fiumicino Airport.
Location
In this article:
To say that it is hidden is putting it mildly, Is located near the "Ceremonial" gateway. i.e., from the doors that are used by VIPs and politicians, a fast track faster than all of them.
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For normal people, this lounge is located at the end of the main building, the one with the stores and food court, to be clear. On one side is the tunnnel that leads to the E11/24 boarding gates, on the other side is precisely the passageway from which gate attendants and a part of the passengers come out and pass through the security checkpoints of T3.
The entrance is at the very end of the corridor.
Access
Like all independent lounges, and like the Prima Vista also present in T1, access is allowed to Priority Pass holders and passengers traveling with partner airlines that have direct agreements with the lounge operators.
The lounge
Past the reception, you enter the hall and I have to say WOW, very very beautiful in all aspects.
It does not have a view of the runway, or rather it has a slice of a view, but the nice thing is that it has a fully glazed wall running all the way around the perimeter, and this gives the environment lots of natural light, a situation that creates a very relaxing environment.
The furnishings and colors used are also very pleasing, and the overall layout of the lounge is modern, warm, and offers different types of seating.
Along the windows are a series of hidden armchairs with small partitions, perfect if you want to isolate yourself and hide from the crowd.
Toward the back of the lounge is a meeting room with a 12-person meeting table, which can be isolated from the rest of the room.
Then there are sofas in an area that could be called relaxation and an additional section with tables facing outward.
The central part of the lounge, on the other hand, is an open space where, thanks to a play of curtains and sofas, the rooms are divided. Very nice idea of using curtains to allow natuaral light even if you are not near the windows.
In the first area there are also two large tables with built-in power outlets, great for smart working.
The feeling in general is that we are faced with a viable alternative to the Plaza Premium, Award-winning lounge located on the opposite side of T3 and that, to date was the only alternative to the official lounges of British, Emirates and of course ITA Airways.
Food & Beverage
It could be said that Fiumicino is the realm of lounges with open kitchens. I have never visited the Emirates and BA ones, but all the new ones at T1 and the one at ITA, like this Prima Vista show guests what goes on in the backrooms, in whole or in part.
Prima Vista aims to welcome its guests by taking them by the throat and to do so it decided to bake pizzas (hot and good) for its guests, the same choice made by Alitalia before and ITA today.
There is a proposal that in addition to pizza ranges from sweet to savory, desserts included (I also saw a nice tiramisu come out on which, however, I did not venture out so as not to spoil my appetite. My little group and I treated ourselves to a toast. with Prosecco and a slice of pizza, freshly baked, before heading toward our gate.
In conclusion
A real surprise, of course the location really far from the gates might discourage the most to visit this lounge, but it is probably more of an advantage than a flaw, making it less crowded than the Plaza Premium and definitely brighter than ITA's as well.
Pro
- Natural light
- Gastronomic offerings
- Furniture
- Away from busy areas
Against
- Out-of-hand position