- Introduction: Star Alliance To South Africa
- Review: Four Points By Sheraton Vancouver Airport
- Review: Air Canada Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge Vancouver Airport
- Review: Air Canada Business Class 787 Vancouver To Toronto
- Review: Air Canada International Maple Leaf Lounge Toronto Airport
- Review: Air Canada Business Class 787 Toronto To Frankfurt
- Review: South African Airways Business Class A340 Frankfurt To Johannesburg
- Review: South African Airways Domestic Lounge Johannesburg Airport
- Review: South African Airways Business Class A319 Johannesburg To Cape Town
- Review: Westin Cape Town
- Review: South African Airways Lounge Cape Town Airport
- Review: South African Airways Business Class A340 Cape Town To Johannesburg
- Review: South African Airways International Lounge Johannesburg Airport
- Review: Mashonzha Lounge Johannesburg Airport
- Review: South African Airways Business Class A330 Johannesburg To London
- Review: Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge London Heathrow Airport
- Review: Air Canada Business Class 777 London Heathrow To Toronto
- Review: Air Canada Domestic Maple Leaf Lounge Toronto Airport
- Review: Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport
Due to the inoperable Wi-Fi in the South African Airways Lounge, I figured I’d visit the Mashonzha Lounge in hopes of having better luck there. That contract lounge is located immediately across from the lounge I was in.
Mashonzha Lounge location Johannesburg Airport
Mashonzha Lounge exterior Johannesburg Airport
You can look into the lounge from the outside, thanks to the zebra-patterned frosted glass windows separating the lounge from the terminal.
Mashonzha Lounge exterior Johannesburg Airport
This is a contract lounge used by many airlines, and also a Priority Pass and Diners Club lounge. On top of that you can also directly pay for access to the lounge. This is a great benefit of a credit card with lounge access, since it offers a much better value than purchasing access outright.
Mashonzha Lounge signage Johannesburg Airport
The lounge was tiny, and when I arrived virtually every seat was taken (I took the pictures at the end of my stay, after most passengers had left). What you see below is more than half the lounge.
Mashonzha Lounge Johannesburg Airport
The lounge was furnished quite nicely and felt like it had potential, but it only had a few dozen seats, and roughly the same number of guests.
Mashonzha Lounge Johannesburg Airport
In the far corner of the lounge was a smoking room, which probably took up about a quarter of the square footage of the lounge.
Mashonzha Lounge Johannesburg Airport
In the left corner were some couches, as well as some comfortable individual chairs.
Mashonzha Lounge seating Johannesburg Airport
The same was true of the section next to it.
Mashonzha Lounge seating Johannesburg Airport
Mashonzha Lounge seating Johannesburg Airport
Then there was another seating area sort of awkwardly placed between that area and the buffet. The lounge is densely furnished, so when it was full it was tough for everyone to keep their carry-ons near their seat while still allowing other people to easily pass by.
Mashonzha Lounge seating Johannesburg Airport
In the center 0f the lounge was a communal table with plenty of outlets, which were otherwise in short supply in the lounge.
Mashonzha Lounge Johannesburg Airport
The buffet was located near the reception desk.
Mashonzha Lounge food selection Johannesburg Airport
There were a few hot dishes, which didn’t look especially appetizing, to put it mildly.
Mashonzha Lounge food selection Johannesburg Airport
Then there was a coffee machine, along with some croissants, tea, etc.
Mashonzha Lounge coffee machine Johannesburg Airport
Mashonzha Lounge food selection Johannesburg Airport
In terms of fresh options, the lounge had a fairly random selection of sliced veggies and fruit.
Mashonzha Lounge food selection Johannesburg Airport
The only part of the food selection which looked decent were the packaged sandwiches, as well as instant noodles.
Mashonzha Lounge food selection Johannesburg Airport
Mashonzha Lounge food selection Johannesburg Airport
There were also plenty of soft drinks, beer, wine, and self serve liquor.
Mashonzha Lounge drink selection Johannesburg Airport
Mashonzha Lounge drink selection Johannesburg Airport
The lounge had a couple of restrooms as well, which weren’t in especially good condition.
Mashonzha Lounge restroom Johannesburg Airport
The reason I stayed in this lounge was because the Wi-Fi actually worked. Towards the beginning of my stay in the lounge the Wi-Fi was extremely slow, though still better than at the SAA lounge, where it simply wasn’t working. However, once the lounge emptied out (most passengers in the lounge seemed to be flying on Etihad or Swiss), the Wi-Fi speeds improved considerably.
Mashonzha Lounge Johannesburg Airport bottom line
The Mashonzha Lounge was surprisingly nicely decorated for a contract lounge, though was also tiny, and had no views. I think it goes without staying that the South African Airways Lounge I visited first is considerably nicer, though the fact that this lounge had functioning Wi-Fi kept me here for the duration of my layover.
It’s not a bad option for those with a Priority Pass membership, or if you’re in a bind and need functioning Wi-Fi.
Definitely picked the wrong one Ben. As DCTA said, there's another downstairs that is poorly signposted but way better.
I was just in this lounge last week. Weird to see it on your blog.
Should have gone to the Shongololo Lounge. Also a PP lounge, it was rated as the best in Africa. Beatific decor, good food/drink.