As a Jet Airways business class passenger I had access to the Marhaba Lounge, which I reviewed in the last installment. However, the SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Terminal 1 is also part of Priority Pass, so I decided to check that out, to see how it compares, and because it is a bit more accessible for anyone via credit card. As a reminder, here’s a table with some of the major credit cards offering Priority Pass™ memberships, as well as their respective guesting rules:
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Dubai Airport Terminal 1
The SkyTeam lounge was a very short walk from the Marhaba Lounge, near the center of the lounge area on the second floor of Terminal 1. The lounge has a modern exterior that’s similar to the other SkyTeam lounges I’ve visited around the world.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport exterior
At reception I presented my Priority Pass card and was asked to sign. Then I was admitted into the lounge.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport reception
Since I was there midday, the lounge was pretty empty. This lounge was much more my style than the Marhaba Lounge. Past the entrance and to the right was most of the seating, with a selection of seats set up in rows. There was tons of seating, though I was a bit annoyed at the lack of easy to access power ports.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport seating
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport seating
Along the far wall was a counter with high-top seating.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport seating
To the side of this section was a TV room and a kids room.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport TV & kids room
The TV room consisted of an “L” shaped couch facing a TV. Personally I really like the concept of a TV room, since it drives me nuts when there’s a TV on at full volume in a lounge. Personally I have a hard time concentrating when that’s the case.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport TV room
Then there was a kids room, which wasn’t really a traditional kids room with toys, etc., but rather just another TV room.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport kids room
There was also a business center with some PCs and a printer.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport business center
Back near the entrance was a roped off area. My guess is that this is for Air France first class customers and other VIPs, given that SkyTeam lounges often have these private spaces for those purposes.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport private area
Near the buffet was a magazine and newspaper rack.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport magazine & newspaper selection
There was a bit more seating on this side of the lounge, including a dining area.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport seating
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport seating
The dining area had tables with two seats each, as well as some tables with one seat along a bench.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport dining area
There was also some seating along a counter.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport dining area
The buffet was near the entrance to the lounge, and was visually appealing, as it was set along a wall with a bunch of plants.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport buffet
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport buffet
The selection was pretty good, with lots of fresh veggies, hummus, pasta, salad, etc.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
There was a large selection of desserts, yogurt, whole fruit, etc.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
There were also half a dozen hot dishes.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
Below is just a sampling of the hot food in the lounge.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport food selection
Then there was a station with soft drinks, water, and a coffee machine.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection
Next to the buffet area was a circular room with the alcohol selection, which was gorgeous as well. I really dig the SkyTeam lounge design.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection
For a lounge that can be accessed with Priority Pass, they have a pretty decent alcohol selection, in my opinion.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection
There were also some basic bar snacks, as well as beer, soft drinks, and water.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport drink selection
The lounge also had a few private shower rooms. While the showers themselves looked nice, the rooms were tiny, and there were no toilets in the shower rooms.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport shower room
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai Airport shower room
I spent about an hour in the SkyTeam Lounge before eventually heading to my gate.
SkyTeam Lounge Dubai bottom line
The SkyTeam Lounge Dubai is gorgeous, and I far preferred it to the Marhaba Lounge. The lounge has a bright and modern design, a good food and drink selection, showers, and wasn’t crowded at all when I was there. If you have a Priority Pass™ membership and are departing from Terminal 1, this is the lounge to use, in my opinion.
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees).
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