Abu Dhabi Terminal 3 - lounge advice
Discussion
Hi all,
I managed to win a holiday to AD (Etihad flights & 5 nights at Emirates Palace)in a raffle my son's school fete.
My wife is going to be fairly pregnant with number 3 when we travel and I've heard some fairly damning comments regarding the airport, so I was planning on booking into the Al Ghazal lounge for the return trip so "she can put her feet up". The possibility of free refreshments for me were obviously not having any influence on my decision.
Only issue is it looks like our flight to LHR will be from Terminal 3, and only T1 & T2 seem to have executive lounges. As I have no idea what the layout is like and whether terminal transfers can be done in reasonable time I'm not sure whether it's worth the £50 or so it'll cost.
Any advice from seasoned Abu Dhabi-types?
I managed to win a holiday to AD (Etihad flights & 5 nights at Emirates Palace)in a raffle my son's school fete.
My wife is going to be fairly pregnant with number 3 when we travel and I've heard some fairly damning comments regarding the airport, so I was planning on booking into the Al Ghazal lounge for the return trip so "she can put her feet up". The possibility of free refreshments for me were obviously not having any influence on my decision.
Only issue is it looks like our flight to LHR will be from Terminal 3, and only T1 & T2 seem to have executive lounges. As I have no idea what the layout is like and whether terminal transfers can be done in reasonable time I'm not sure whether it's worth the £50 or so it'll cost.
Any advice from seasoned Abu Dhabi-types?
Terminal three is fine - it is new, Etihad only and just like any other modern airport with a number of food and drink places. I've only ever seen it 1/3 full so I doubt you'll need a lounge. They even have some comfy reclined chairs by the gates.
Well done by the way - Emirates Palace is lovely.
Well done by the way - Emirates Palace is lovely.
Edited by Hitch78 on Tuesday 18th January 14:16
Excellent - many thanks.
I'll save my pennies then. To be frank I suspect just being able to sit down in peace with a newspaper for 30 minutes will feel like luxury after the last few years of always flying with my two young sons.
Looking forward to staying the Emirates - it's not the type of holiday we would normally have (I'd much rather hire a property and do the self-catering/away from the crowds type thing) but the idea of a week in the sun doing very little is very appealing right now.
I understand there are a few sailing dinghys available for guest use off the beach - not really capable of lying still for 3 hours at a stretch unless I'm asleep or comatose
I'll save my pennies then. To be frank I suspect just being able to sit down in peace with a newspaper for 30 minutes will feel like luxury after the last few years of always flying with my two young sons.
Looking forward to staying the Emirates - it's not the type of holiday we would normally have (I'd much rather hire a property and do the self-catering/away from the crowds type thing) but the idea of a week in the sun doing very little is very appealing right now.
I understand there are a few sailing dinghys available for guest use off the beach - not really capable of lying still for 3 hours at a stretch unless I'm asleep or comatose
Couple fo quick questions:
1) When are you planning to visit? Check the season variation in temperature, kids will love this time of the year, but not the summer.
2) Does the hotel deal include meals & drinks? If not be prepared as I suspect the food and drink prices are not on the low side.
Other than, enjoy your holiday (check out the Yas Marina Circuit to see if there is any racing on as the Aussie V8's are there in Feb, and the GT1 back end of March).
1) When are you planning to visit? Check the season variation in temperature, kids will love this time of the year, but not the summer.
2) Does the hotel deal include meals & drinks? If not be prepared as I suspect the food and drink prices are not on the low side.
Other than, enjoy your holiday (check out the Yas Marina Circuit to see if there is any racing on as the Aussie V8's are there in Feb, and the GT1 back end of March).
Hi Ian
We'r flying out next Thurday, so shouldn't be too hot. The kids are staying in London with their Grandparents rather than coming with us anyway.
The prize was return flights and bed & breakfast at Emirates so I will be having to dip in to my pocked a little, but we'be done some research in terms of food/drink options out there, so I'm prepared for a bit of a fleecing in the hotels!
Having said that I'm quite looking forward to trying out some of the 'local' places to eat rather than just the hotels, and the booze restrictions will probably do me good.
Range of activities are somewhat limited by my wife being with-child, but we're only there for a few days so I think we'll mainly be loafing around on the beach/in the sea. I don't think rollercoasters or dune bashing will be preggers-friendly. I wouldn't mind doing a spot of diving whilst I'm there (any reccos?).
I've checked the sticky thread above out re motorsport, but nothing seems to happening.
Any suggestions for good places to eat and drink will be gratefully received!
cheers
Ian
We'r flying out next Thurday, so shouldn't be too hot. The kids are staying in London with their Grandparents rather than coming with us anyway.
The prize was return flights and bed & breakfast at Emirates so I will be having to dip in to my pocked a little, but we'be done some research in terms of food/drink options out there, so I'm prepared for a bit of a fleecing in the hotels!
Having said that I'm quite looking forward to trying out some of the 'local' places to eat rather than just the hotels, and the booze restrictions will probably do me good.
Range of activities are somewhat limited by my wife being with-child, but we're only there for a few days so I think we'll mainly be loafing around on the beach/in the sea. I don't think rollercoasters or dune bashing will be preggers-friendly. I wouldn't mind doing a spot of diving whilst I'm there (any reccos?).
I've checked the sticky thread above out re motorsport, but nothing seems to happening.
Any suggestions for good places to eat and drink will be gratefully received!
cheers
Ian
Booze restrictions? There is plenty of booze in the Emirates, don't you worry about that.
Check out Time Out Abu Dhabi for a good listing of restaurants (and bars), including reviews;
http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/
I would also recommend planning a trip to Dubai while you are here. Its only 50 minutes down the road.
Check out Time Out Abu Dhabi for a good listing of restaurants (and bars), including reviews;
http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/
I would also recommend planning a trip to Dubai while you are here. Its only 50 minutes down the road.
Edited by 6th Gear on Thursday 20th January 07:11
6th Gear said:
Booze restrictions? There is plenty of booze in the Emirates, don't you worry about that.
Check out Time Out Abu Dhabi for a good listing of restaurants (and bars), including reviews;
http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/
I would also recommend planning a trip to Dubai while you are here. Its only 50 minutes down the road.
Yeah, you've got to take the wife up the Burj Khalifa whilst you're here. Amazing experience. Check out Time Out Abu Dhabi for a good listing of restaurants (and bars), including reviews;
http://www.timeoutabudhabi.com/
I would also recommend planning a trip to Dubai while you are here. Its only 50 minutes down the road.
Edited by 6th Gear on Thursday 20th January 07:11
(Pause for childish snigger having read that back)
She'll probably enjoy a few hours spending your hard earned at Dubai Mall too.
I'd recommend Chamas restaurant in the Intercontinental - great Brazilian all-you-can-eat steakhouse, I think it's 200-250Dhs/head, plus an extra 100Dhs for unlimited Caipirinhas.
The Emirates palace is very nice, but F&D is priced to suit, lots of other options nearby in other 4* hotels if you wanted a slightly cheaper option. I used to quite like Etoiles Nightclub there, if you can ditch the missus, it's a good place for trolley dollys.
The Emirates palace is very nice, but F&D is priced to suit, lots of other options nearby in other 4* hotels if you wanted a slightly cheaper option. I used to quite like Etoiles Nightclub there, if you can ditch the missus, it's a good place for trolley dollys.
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