A firsthand look at Starlux Airlines' first class lounge in Taipei, a space-themed, oddly designed experience that doesn't quite match the airline's excellent onboard product.
That red and yellow is giving me McDonalds vibes...
That is, by far, the most expensive espresso machine I have ever seen in a lounge. It's a Spirit from Kees van der Westen, a boutique espresso machine maker from the Netherlands. It's about $30,000USD - https://procoffeegear.com/products/kvdw-spirit
That's reflective of how high end coffee gets in Taiwan....
In contrast, the chairs look like they were bought from Ikea during an uninspiring season.
Most F cash passengers will fly from origin to destination on a nonstop as time is king. Your US to Japan via TPE case in F is super rare.
I fly ex London almost exclusively EK F, via Dubai. Is that a fringe case in your book?
Would I fly BA first because it’s direct? No way. Would I consider ANA or JAL F to Tokyo. Yes, but I waste Skywards. Would I consider SQ or CX to HK and Singapore? Over Emirates? No.
"Most F cash passengers will fly from origin to destination on a nonstop as time is king. Your US to Japan via TPE case in F is super rare."
What an odd thing to assert.
@ Edward -- Sure, flying from the US to Japan via Taiwan is rare, but what about people who want to fly first class to Thailand, Vietnam, etc., where there are no nonstop first class flights?
That indeed is bizarre. Was Bollinger La Grande Annee also available at the lounge?
@ Motion to Dismiss -- Moet was the champagne on offer in the lounge. I'll have the full drink list in the review. 🙂
Taiwan lounges seem to range from bad to weird.
They have some fairly decent credit card lounges actually, but then the actual airline lounges are quite average, they're very 7/11-esque, but at least Taiwanese 7/11 level, which is better than in America.
I'd say Cathay actually has one of the best lounges in the entire airport still.
We loved our stay in Taipei, but did notice that lighting and use of colour was particularly “vibrant” everywhere. The EVA Air main lounge is a bizarre shape too, and at 5.30am can be lit up in a zillion watts of neon tubes, which is not soothing at that hour.
In Taipei we found a large (and apparently famous) vegetarian restaurant, which had the best vege food we have ever had anywhere…it really was sensational and we made repeat visits….but the decor and lighting…!!! A trillion watts of white light, bouncing off the white walls and floors and furniture. You needed sunglasses to read the menu. Our generally “tasteful” hotel had subdued lighting mostly then suddenly an area with operating theatre level lighting, and odd intrusions of clashing colours. I think “unusual’ design choices are part of modern Taiwan.
As we transited through the airport a few times, we searched for and found a more generic lounge than the blasting light EVA lounges, that had unusually dim lighting and dull brown furniture. The food was slim pickings and unappetising, but at least your eyes could have a rest.