Etihad lounge AUH - extended stay?

[Deleted member 29185]

Just a thought I probably won't proceed with, but our VA flight SYD-AUH lands at approx. midnight, so is there a lounge at AUH that would be comfy enough to have a kip for a few hours (5 or 6) that is open in the wee hours of the morning before commuting up to Dubai? I'm VFF plat, wife VFF gold, daughter VFF red.

 

[777]

Just a thought I probably won't proceed with, but our VA flight SYD-AUH lands at approx. midnight, so is there a lounge at AUH that would be comfy enough to have a kip for a few hours (5 or 6) that is open in the wee hours of the morning before commuting up to Dubai? I'm VFF plat, wife VFF gold, daughter VFF red.

My Mother in Law (VFF Plat by virtue of my +1) stayed about 10 hours in the First lounge in AUH. It had day beds and she found it perfect for an extended stay. Theoretically you should be able to guest your wife and your daughter will depend on her age and their flexibility. Otherwise you could try one of the other lounges but will be a lot more crowded and a lot less enjoyable.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

My Mother in Law (VFF Plat by virtue of my +1) stayed about 10 hours in the First lounge in AUH. It had day beds and she found it perfect for an extended stay. Theoretically you should be able to guest your wife and your daughter will depend on her age and their flexibility. Otherwise you could try one of the other lounges but will be a lot more crowded and a lot less enjoyable.

Daughter 13. I hope to gain access to the EY First lounge, but I guess there's no guarantee. It's open 24/7 then?

 

[serfty]

"Commuting"?

I presume you mean flying rather than driving.

If so then does the commuter craft depart from the same terminal as the EY diamond lounge?

Any way, the lounge appears to be open 24/7 ... In January I spent 10 hours there awaiting a 7 hour delayed flight to MEL that eventually departed about 5:30am.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

"Commuting"?

By road not air. Yet to decide whether I'll drive or take transport but either way, I wouldn't like to land from the SYD-AUH flight at midnight and face a two hour drive. I suppose my options are stay in an AD hotel (currently booked for this) or not waste a night accommodation and just stay in the lounge until the next day and hopefully do an early check in at either Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Dubai or RAS.

Decisions, decisions. Good to know the lounge is open, but whether we'll be permitted access is another thing.

 

[ywwol]

The first lounge is open 24 hours, but you do require a boarding pass.
There is the Etihad travel mall coach that depart from AUH 0100 and 0200. Then taxis do park at the mall, or you can take the metro.
The arrivals lounge is supposed to be almost ready, but has not been opened yet.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

The first lounge is open 24 hours, but you do require a boarding pass.
There is the Etihad travel mall coach that depart from AUH 0100 and 0200. Then taxis do park at the mall, or you can take the metro.
The arrivals lounge is supposed to be almost ready, but has not been opened yet.

So arrivals access with no forward leg is not permitted at the first lounge? Do you know what the arrivals lounge is for? Seems it would be a fairly minimal number of pax who'd use it.

Is there something at the Mall at 2.00 am for weary travellers? I was trying to think of way to avoid going to a hotel (and paying for a hotel) for just a few hours rather than looking for transport solutions to a hotel.

 

[erkpod]

I'm writing this from the Premier Inn which is attached to T3 at AUH. The rooms here are pretty cheap & you can get VFF points via Agoda.

I could have tried the EY arrivals lounge in T3 (you'll pass it just after the Customs channels) but I had the room booked here so I didn't.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

I'm writing this from the Premier Inn which is attached to T3 at AUH. The rooms here are pretty cheap & you can get VFF points via Agoda.

I could have tried the EY arrivals lounge in T3 (you'll pass it just after the Customs channels) but I had the room booked here so I didn't.

Thanks erkpod. I'll look into that option. I wonder what the chances are like for a walkup to the Premier Inn. If they're good, we could try the first lounge and if no go, wander off to the Premier.

 

[erkpod]

You should be OK to walk up. There's 5 floors of rooms there. Worst case scenario - use the AUH free wifi to check availability.

 

[markis10]

Just a thought I probably won't proceed with, but our VA flight SYD-AUH lands at approx. midnight, so is there a lounge at AUH that would be comfy enough to have a kip for a few hours (5 or 6) that is open in the wee hours of the morning before commuting up to Dubai? I'm VFF plat, wife VFF gold, daughter VFF red.

I would just take the free bus and head to your accommodation, it will help with the jetlag versus trying to save some $$$ on hotels.

 

[ywwol]

I've not not heard of on arrivals access. The new arrivals lounge is on land side, for passengers who may want to freshen up before heading out. Shower, toilet, bite to eat, clothes pressing, barber. There is nothing to do at the Travel Mall. There's some chairs, and a kids room, but hanging around there wouldn't be my first preference. 90 minute bus ride to the mall, and I am quite good at napping on the bus.

 

[tinkybelle]

I have some friends booked at the premier in just overnight
is it ok.??
they weren't too happy to be booked there but at least its a walk and not a limo ride.

 

[erkpod]

I have some friends booked at the premier in just overnight
is it ok.??
they weren't too happy to be booked there but at least its a walk and not a limo ride.

Totally fine. Not as cheap as it might sound.