Duringmy long journey to Abu Dhabi,I flewGaruda Indonesias Boeing 777 business classfrom Jakarta to Jeddah. In addition to visiting the underwhelming Garuda Indonesia Lounge, I also checked out the Plaza Premium Lounge, which I’ll be reviewing in this installment.
During my long journey to Abu Dhabi, I flew Garuda Indonesia’s Boeing 777 business class from Jakarta to Jeddah. In addition to visiting the underwhelming Garuda Indonesia Lounge, I also checked out the Plaza Premium Lounge, which I’ll be reviewing in this installment.
The Plaza Premium Lounge is great — it has lots of natural light, a modern design, very high ceilings, barista coffee, and even some menu items you can order. Let’s get into the review…
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta location
The Plaza Premium Lounge is located in Terminal 3 at Jakarta’s Soekarno-Hatta International Airport (CGK). It’s located near gate six, so if your travels are originating in Jakarta, just turn left and walk down the main part of the terminal.
Jakarta Airport Terminal 3 signage
Jakarta Airport Terminal 3
Then eventually on the left side of the terminal, you’ll see the entrance to the Plaza Premium Lounge. This also has “Saphire” branding. Anyone know what exactly the story is with the “Saphire” branding? I’m trying to search online, but instead get results about things related to sapphires.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta entrance
This lounge is in a separate building from the main terminal, as you can see in the below picture. I’m curious, is that a hotel above the lounge, or what’s otherwise in the building?
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta exterior
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta hours
The Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta is open daily from 3AM until 12AM, so that covers a vast majority of departures from the terminal, as the lounge just closes for a few hours each night.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta entry requirements
When it comes to accessing the Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta:
The lounge can be accessed with a Priority Pass membership, and select American Express and Capital One premium cards also offer direct access to the lounge You can purchase access to the lounge on the Plaza Premium website This is a contract lounge, so many airlines send their premium passengers here; Singapore Airlines even has a private section of the lounge for its passengersPlaza Premium Lounge Jakarta layout & seating
The Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta has a long entryway, with the main part of the lounge straight ahead.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta entrance
Compared to the Garuda Indonesia Lounge, the Plaza Premium Lounge has a gorgeous design, as it feels modern and has very high ceilings. As you can see, the lounge primarily consists of one large, rectangular room. Most of the seating in the lounge is arranged in rows, with seats facing one another.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
There’s also a row of seats by the windows. Unfortunately don’t expect any airport views here, as this faces in the opposite direction. I believe this area overlooks a parking garage (though at least there’s some greenery).
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
In the very back of the lounge, there are some dining tables, as well as some high-top seating.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
Back near the entrance is the bar area, which also has some cafe-style tables, in addition to some chairs at the bar.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta seating
The lounge also has a play area for kids.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta play area for kids
Lastly, in the very back right corner of the lounge is the entrance to the Singapore Airlines portion of the lounge, which is open ahead of Singapore Airlines departures. Since I wasn’t departing on Singapore Airlines, I wasn’t able to visit this.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta Singapore Airlines section
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta food & drinks
The Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta has quite a solid selection of food and drinks, especially in comparison to the Garuda Indonesia Lounge. The lounge has an open kitchen area, where you can order a variety of dishes. Over my visit during breakfast hours, options included chicken congee, bakso daging sapi, custom eggs, and oatmeal.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta buffet
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta buffet
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta buffet
In addition to that, there was a selection of fruit, salad, yogurt, desserts, pastries, bread, cereal, chips, nuts, and more.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta buffet
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta buffet
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta buffet
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta buffet
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta buffet
The lounge also has a fridge with water and soda, as well as a soda fountain, a coffee machine, a tea selection, and more.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta drinks
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta soda fountain
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta tea
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta drinks
At the bar area by the entrance, there’s a selection of barista coffee, as well as a variety of alcoholic drinks.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta bar
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta coffee menu
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta espresso machine
I was delighted to see some proper coffee, and had a delicious latte. Yum.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta latte
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta bathrooms & showers
The Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta has bathrooms back near the entrance, which are clean and modern.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta bathroom
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta bathroom
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta bathroom
The lounge also has a massage area and shower rooms, though it’s my understanding that these are all paid services, so I didn’t have a chance to check them out. However, if you’re interested, these are services that are offered.
Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta massage area
Bottom line
The Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta is great. It’s modern and has lots of natural light, it has a good selection of food (including freshly prepared items), it has barista coffee, and it even has alcohol. This is better than the Garuda Indonesia Lounge in just about every way, which is really sad for Garuda Indonesia.
The only catch is that showers in the lounge will cost you extra, at least if accessing through Priority Pass, though that’s not a huge deal in the scheme of things.
What’s your take on the Plaza Premium Lounge Jakarta?