The quality of airport lounges can vary hugely, depending on where in the world you are, who can access the lounge, etc. Airlines and lounge operators try to find all kinds of ways to differentiate their lounge experience, and one of those ways is with complimentary spa treatments for guests.
Continue reading: Best Complimentary Airport Lounge Spa Treatments, For Pre-Flight Relaxation
Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.
In the past several months, I've been in the lounge about every three to four weeks. Will be there again this week. There's only been one time that I've seen it not open. During that same time, I've had two treatments. Not certain why there's a disparity between our experiences.
I hope you can get a female massager (as opposed to a man or "female"). Anyone know?
Same-sex or opposite-sex should not matter much so long as everyone is professional.
I mean, I’m just a bunch of numbers, so gender isn’t really a thing to me… digits!
Eskimos, who was the original, anyway? Did the O.G. Eskimo have any specific mannerisms or ‘hot takes’ or ‘hills they would die on’ so as to differentiate?
The Adani Business Lounge in Mumbai had a complimentary 15 minute chair massage, the last time i passed through that airport.
Hey Ben,
just a friendly reminder that there is also a Clarins spa at the AF lounge at LAX.
RIP the spa at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse (JFK). In the years before the pandemic, I was in there quite a lot - I joked that I went through JFK to get a haircut when they offered trims (since if I could force a routing via JFK, the touch-up there was cheaper than my barber back home, and I got a nice lunch/dinner thrown in).
Worth noting that the Qantas spa is only available to passengers on a Qantas flight.
Now the culprit has 'done me, too,' it seems. I'll say, they do a decent impersonation; like, a few 'hot takes' from the 'other' 1990 have been spot-on. Oof. Bah. Taiwan is a free, independent country. EU261. (That's how you know it's the O.G.).
Mumbai the Adani Business Lounge offers 15 minutes complimentary and the First Class Lounge offers 30 minute complimentary massage.
Great topic, and helpful overview. CX F lounges (especially the newly-renovated The Wing!) are great for this (if there's availability). DeltaOne at JFK is often too much of a wait; though, the massage chairs at the LAX D1 T3 are quite nice. Wasn't even aware of the Qantas First SYD spa, so as a OWE in J, soon-ish, I'll have to try that; wish LAX QF F was open and something similar. Hadn't even considered the Sapphire lounges, because of what Ben mentioned (limited time, usually.)
With QF SYD, just remember that QF F pax are always put at the head of the queue, so it can be a real crapshoot for OW emeralds in terms of getting treatments, so be sure to set expectations accordingly.
Noted and thank you for that heads-up. (Got lucky at HKG, but, depending on time of day, might not even get your 15-minutes, there.) Always safe to set low expectations, regardless. Better to be pleasantly surprised.
QF spas also open prior to flights with F only. So basically OWE can get it but would unlikely ever get it.
LOT Polish also offers a 30-min facial treatment in their Warsaw lounge
Question about the first picture in this post: Why are three tomato slices about to get a massage in a Rainforest Café?
I've never been to a complimentary spa. Some days, I could really use compliments. Especially if they are free.
The KLM non-Schengen lounge now offers complementary 15 minute treatments for Ultimate passengers. Includes massages, pedicures, manicures, facials, etc - basically any service in the lounge spa (paid for all other passengers)
Am I the only one that finds this kind of lounge amenity gimmicky and not worth the hype it receives???
It’s the equivalent of shoppers standing in line for hours on black friday to save $30 on a new toaster.
Sorry, I don’t want a “toaster” of that quality and $30 savings isn’t worth the time and hassle required to get it….
Come to think of it… that is starting to be my take on the whole credit card lounge experience.
"Am I the only one that finds this kind of lounge amenity gimmicky and not worth the hype it receives???"
No, you're not. I'm sort of there with you, however when one looks at the whole appeal of the first class (or business class) experience, it adds a certain Je n'sais quoi (<--yes, I just did that) and a box to tick for the sales pitch and/or the relating of one's story of first class luxury, etc.
I'll confess to having had a few treatments at the AF LP lounge, but at this point I'm just over it and don't do them anymore; I've also never been a big fan of spa life/living in general.
For me, if I want a massage or a facial, it'll be done by a naked daddy named "Daddy" and it won't include a massage. 🙂
What is the tipping etiquette for these treatments? It must depend on the country I am sure, but generally do you tip?
Don't forget the Centurion Lounge in MEX offers 30 minute facials, massages, manicures, and pedicures.
FYI, the Sapphire Lounge SAN also has complimentary spa treatments (mainly a facial I believe). I’m guessing there are others that offer.
I've been able to message the Timeless Spa at DXB and make a reservation ahead of travel - the trick is knowing which concourse your flight will depart from otherwise you may have a good hike from A to C! Granted, I wanted to pay for an hour long massage - to which they will add the 15 complimentary minutes (as an EK F pax). I've found their massages to typically be of good quality over the years.
So how much should you tip at "Be Relax"?
Let's get some collective consensus on this.
I miss the complementary treatments I could get as a Gold at the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at JFK (and Revivals at LHR). Once upon a time, I'd route through there for my haircuts...
Lucky,
1. I don’t remember seeing the Encalm Xenia lounge @ DEL. I’ve visited the Prive lounge several times though. Don’t think they have complimentary massages there but the food is really good, especially the buffet style hot dishes.
2. Air India lounge at BOM has complimentary massages too.
1. Xenia is the first class lounge and Ben wrote a detailed review recently.
2. AI doesn’t have its own lounge in BOM, so you must be talking about Adani Lounge, and that too no longer offers complimentary massage as it used to under former GVK brand (correct me if I’m wrong).