Review: Strata Lounge Auckland (AKL)

Review: Strata Lounge Auckland (AKL)

NAME: Strata Lounge
Airport: AKL
DATE: September 2022
REVIEW RATING:
BEN SAYS: The Strata Lounge Auckland has modern furniture, a good selection of food and drinks, and shower suites. For a Priority Pass lounge it's quite good.
8

While I spent most of my time at Auckland Airport at the Air New Zealand Lounge, I also checked out the Strata Lounge, which is the Priority Pass and contract lounge in the international terminal.

While most definitely not as good as the Air New Zealand Lounge, this is a modern space with a decent food and drink selection, plus it was pretty quiet during my visit.

Strata Lounge Auckland location

The Strata Lounge is located in the international terminal of Auckland Airport. After clearing security and immigration, simply follow the signs in the direction of “Premium lounges.”

Direction to Strata Lounge Auckland Airport

Eventually you’ll see an escalator and elevator leading up a level, which is also where the lounge is located. The second level in this area has the Strata Lounge, Emirates Lounge, and Qantas Lounge — this is in a different area than the Air New Zealand Lounge.

Direction to Strata Lounge Auckland Airport

At the top of the escalator just turn left, and you’ll see the entrance to the Strata Lounge.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport exterior

Strata Lounge Auckland hours

The Strata Lounge is currently open daily from 4:30AM until 12AM, so that should cover just about all departures. The lounge hours do change seasonally based on flight schedules.

Strata Lounge Auckland entry requirements

The Strata Lounge is open to Priority Pass members, and that’s available through many premium credit cards. This is the only Priority Pass lounge in the international terminal, so I imagine that’s the most popular entry method. You can also purchase access to the lounge, with the cost differing based on how long you stay.

On top of that, the Strata Lounge is used as a contract lounge for different airlines. Of course many passengers will have access to the Air New Zealand, Emirates, or Qantas lounges, but there are also plenty of airlines that send their passengers to this lounge.

That includes everything from China Airlines, to China Eastern, to Philippine Airlines, among other airlines.

Strata Lounge Auckland seating & layout

The Strata Lounge Auckland primarily consists of one huge room. The lounge was quiet during my late night visit, given that there were only two long haul flights still departing that evening, and they were both on Air New Zealand (which has its own lounge). The lounge feels modern and has some colorful furniture, though at the same time feels a bit like a nice doctor’s office waiting room, or something.

Most of the lounge has seats arranged in clusters facing one another.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating

Inside the area that looks like a wooden house is a conference room that can be reserved, as well as a business center with a communal workstation and printer.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport conference room
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport workstations

The lounge then has plenty more seating near the floor-to-ceiling windows, in a variety of different setups.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating

Unfortunately the lounge exclusively has views of the inside of the terminal, so there are no apron or runway views here.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport view

The lounge also has quite a bit of seating near the buffet, including dining tables seating two people each, communal tables, and high-top seating.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport seating

Lastly, the lounge has an enclosed play area for kids.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport play area for kids

Strata Lounge Auckland food & drinks

For a contract lounge, I thought the Strata Lounge had a good selection of food and drinks. I did get the sense that the food was no longer being replenished, which was fair enough, since there were maybe a dozen people in the lounge, and no one else entering.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet

One part of the buffet had juice, soda, water, a coffee machine (sadly there are no barista-made coffees here!), tea, a couple types of candy, and a pancake machine.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet

The other part of the buffet had a selection of cheese, fruit salad, finger sandwiches, a couple of types of sweets, salads, bread rolls, pretzels, crackers, cookies, garlic bread, and four hot dishes.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport buffet

I liked how there was a window looking into the kitchen, so you can see that there’s a bit more than just microwaving going on in the lounge. As mentioned above, though, the kitchen was shut down at this time of the evening.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport kitchen

There was a separate bar area with self-serve drinks, including several types of liquor, beer, and wine.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport drinks
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport drinks

Strata Lounge Auckland bathrooms & showers

The Strata Lounge Auckland has several shower suites, each of which had a walk-in shower, a sink, and a toilet.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport shower suite
Strata Lounge Auckland Airport shower suite toiletries

I also liked how each of the toilets was its own room, so you have a bit more privacy than your typical airport lounge toilet setup.

Strata Lounge Auckland Airport bathroom

Bottom line

The Strata Lounge Auckland is pretty good for a Priority Pass lounge, with modern furnishings, plenty of space, and a nice selection of food and drinks. Admittedly I was there during a quiet period, and it’s my understanding that this lounge can get much more crowded during other periods.

If you’ve visited the Strata Lounge Auckland, what was your experience like?

Conversations (8)
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  1. Cheryl McDuff Guest

    I am thinking of buying a four hour pass. Is it worth it?? How far is it to walk to the emirates departure gate. I am travelling on my own and dont like flying at all so thought it might be nice to relax a bit in comfort before takeoff. do you hear all the boarding calls easily. How long before your flight can you check in?? thanks

  2. Kim Guest

    Hi there, do you need to make a reservation to use the lounge via Priority Pass?

  3. Willie Idol Guest

    17th July 2024, 10pm. I am I the lounge now, it's quiet, and pleasant. Definitely recommend this lounge, good food variety and good drink choice. However I'm only here because I have a Priority Pass, if you paid for a casual visit you would be disappointed, given how much it costs for casual use.

  4. Krista Murphy Guest

    I’m in this lounge right now. It definitely feels like a doctors office waiting room.
    Food is fine.
    Chairs are not comfy and there are none that recline- not sure if other lounges have that, but I’m tired and would love to recline and rest.
    Would definitely not pay for a day pass to this lounge.

  5. cynthia and alex nz Guest

    We had a break in d lounge prior r flight n a lovely ,amazing ,kind n helpful lady name jackie assisted us in r needs of meals.You r very lucky to emply her.Reception staffs too r great but Jackie is d best with great humuor.thk u n see u again one day n God bless her.

  6. Gavin Guest

    Looks rather grim tbh …. Def a 2 in my book

  7. Kiwi Guest

    The name throws me, strata I. NZ/Australia is the equivalent to a home owners association (HoA). I guess it makes sense if this is the lounge everyone else uses. Just strange branding

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Cheryl McDuff Guest

I am thinking of buying a four hour pass. Is it worth it?? How far is it to walk to the emirates departure gate. I am travelling on my own and dont like flying at all so thought it might be nice to relax a bit in comfort before takeoff. do you hear all the boarding calls easily. How long before your flight can you check in?? thanks

0
Kim Guest

Hi there, do you need to make a reservation to use the lounge via Priority Pass?

0
Willie Idol Guest

17th July 2024, 10pm. I am I the lounge now, it's quiet, and pleasant. Definitely recommend this lounge, good food variety and good drink choice. However I'm only here because I have a Priority Pass, if you paid for a casual visit you would be disappointed, given how much it costs for casual use.

0
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