Bali and Berchtesgaden: International Business Lounge Moscow

You know, between your mullet/Daisy Dukes observation and the staggering number of women I saw wearing parachute pants in Italy, I think Europe may be stuck in the 1980s

Yeah, I had a similar experience at the LX lounge. But it looks like I missed out on transit lounge. Looks much better then than the LX lounge.

"And it was also probably the worst airport shower I’ve ever seen"

Good thing you didn't get in on the 2006 Alitalia $33++ business class fares to Cyprus, and thus didn't wind up showering in the Malpensa Botticelli lounge.

Me, I was lucky, they actually HAD shower kits when I was there. The kits had make-your-own flip flops, which was really good since you wouldn't want to step on the floor in bare feet. The drain was clogged and there was only cold water. OMG.

OK I have to ask Lucky, do they give you shower shoes to wear in these showers? And does someone come in and clean them in between passengers using them?

@Gary - Yikes! I can imagine what those Italian showers must have looked like! YUCK...

Listen, the AA lounge in Terminal 3 in LHR was not much better (and this was in 2006 before the refurb). The whole thing was about 15 sq ft and the water went everywhere. There was no place to put luggage.

The Etihad showers in Abu Dhabi are also stuck in 1980s. The bathroom does not have a toilet (you have to go separately for that). The shower stalls leak everywhere and the whole place while clean and full of marble, is VERY slippery (and this is 2012).

I won't even get started on the one in DEL in 2007....

@ Stacey -- Someone does come in to clean between visits. No shower shoes, though!

@James, not sure where you are from but in terms of Fashion most people think of Europe especially Italy as being pretty decent or even better dressed than the rest of the works. I lived in Europe and the US and I can confirm.

While I've never been to the lounge at DME, I once used the male restroom as soon as I passed the security and passport control. Went inside and while other guys and I were doing our thing, a female cleaning staff came in and cleaned the bathroom as if we weren't there. I was in shock.

Ed, apparently the Europeans aren't prudish about such things, 'cause I observed the same practice at a London Holiday Inn public restroom recently.

Ben, really enjoy reading through your blog daily. You capture the necessary details and unique perspectives. Great job.

In normal Star Alliance lounge (not in DME), isn't the access policy allows any passenger traveling in first or business class Star Alliance international flight to go to any of its member lounges, even not being a Star Gold passenger? Thank you.

@ Christopher -- Thanks! That's correct, usually you can, though Moscow is an exception since the airlines don't own the lounges.

Hey Lucky, I'm curious as I'm taking the SIN-IAH in March thanks to your heads up back in July 🙂 Do they stamp your passport in Moscow? Would be cool. Thx!

@ CanesLawMarty -- They don't since you're just in transit, if I recall correctly. Enjoy the flight!

Lucky,

I'm taking the SQ61 flight in a couple weeks. Is the lounge you showered at in Moscow have a name or is it just International Business Lounge? I want to make sure I know exactly where I'm going so I can be the first to get the shower.

Do they make you take all your stuff off the plane? I guess it's probably safer so I will plan on that I guess.

Thanks!

@ Milezjunkie -- Yes, it's called the "International Business Lounge." You have to take all the stuff off the plane with you in Houston.