Review: Etihad Business Class Lounge and Spa in Abu Dhabi

The Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi offers impressive amenities, including a spa, showers, and great food. If you’re transiting Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), the lounge is a great place to relax and refresh in between flights.

I had heard that the food quality at this lounge had deteriorated. Some travelers even described it as a “cattle call.” That’s a definite exaggeration, though the lounge did, on occasion, get very crowded. 

But it was still nicer than the Etihad business class lounge in Dulles and a great place to hang out before my flight to the Maldives.

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Etihad business class lounge Abu Dhabi entry requirements

Passengers flying Etihad business class can access the Etihad Business Class Lounge at Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) up to four hours before a flight.

Passengers not traveling on Etihad business class can buy a pass to the lounge for $100 -$250, depending on how long they’re staying.

Alternatively, they can redeem 14,100 – 35,100 Etihad miles. I wouldn’t recommend either option, but it’s something worth noting for those who are curious.

Etihad business class lounge Abu Dhabi location

The Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi is located at Terminal 3, between the C and D gates. It is open 24 hours a day, making it convenient for transiting Abu Dhabi Airport.

When I arrived at the lounge, I had just gotten off a long flight from Washington Dulles. Etihad business class from Washington to Abu Dhabi was very comfortable, but I was still exhausted and jet-lagged.

I looked forward to getting a spa treatment, showering and maybe napping before my next flight to the Maldives.

Etihad lounge Abu Dhabi spa

The Etihad Spa in Abu Dhabi is operated by Six Senses. It offers a myriad of quick services. The Etihad Spa is past the buffets and computer station in the far right corner of the lounge. You can’t miss it. 

As soon as I arrived, I made a bee-line for the Etihad Spa. I’d spent 12 hours on a plane and wanted a shower and facial.

When I arrived, two spa attendants welcomed me and handed me a menu. After a brief look at the services, I decided on the radiance facial.

The lounge attendant walked me toward the spa shower rooms inside. She offered me a toothbrush and shower cap and then showed me how to lock the door.

The shower room was spotless. I had a flashback to my first lounge visit at London’s Heathrow Airport (LHR). The British Airways business class lounge showers were grimy and unsuitable for stepping into without slippers—a total contrast to the Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi.

Etihad’s business lounge shower room was stocked with towels, bath amenities, a hairdryer, and a laundry basket. The bath products were some of the best I’ve ever used. I don’t think my hair has ever been softer than after that shower.

After showering and changing, I headed back to the check-in desk, where the attendant put away my bag and walked me to another room for my facial.

My skin gets crack powder dry on planes and it doesn’t help that despite knowing better, I always end up eating a few peanuts. While I’m not allergic, eating them turns my skin into sandpaper. So having a facial to reverse that damage was necessary.

The facial lasted 30 minutes and left my face plump and glowing. I highly recommend it if you’re passing through. At $28.59 it was very reasonably priced.

Etihad business class lounge shower rooms

You don’t need to visit the Six Senses Spa for a shower. The Etihad Business Class Lounge bathroom, located right before the spa entry, has nine shower rooms. 

These rooms felt slightly more spacious than the ones inside the spa. That’s probably by design since there is no place to store your belongings. 

The lounge showers are stocked with the same amenities as the ones in the spa.

Etihad business class lounge food and drink

The lounge’s food selection has become a point of contention for frequent travelers. Apparently, it has been downgraded in recent years, and people are not happy.

I honestly didn’t find much to complain about.

The Etihad Business Class Lounge food selection was expansive, with multiple food and drink stations serving up kebabs, pasta, salads, and desserts.

I visited the Etihad Business Class Lounge twice during this trip and had breakfast and dinner. I sampled a bit of everything and found the food to be high-quality. The only exception was the pasta, which was dry, undercooked, and cold. 

I can’t comment on the Etihad Business Class Lounge bar since I don’t drink. I am a coffee drinker and found the coffee to be decent. Nothing earth-shattering, just standard airport lounge coffee that tasted better than anything for sale in the terminal.

Etihad business class lounge Wi-Fi

The Wi-Ffi at the Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi was sluggish. In fact, it was so slow that I ended up using the airport Wi-Fi instead. It had a much better signal and allowed me to stream and work when I needed to.

I encountered the same issue at the Etihad Business Class Lounge in D.C. Etihad, if you’re reading: Please get a better Wi-Fi signal. It’s not a huge upgrade, but it makes a significant difference for guests visiting the lounge. In fact, I’d venture to say Wi-Fi might be the most important amenity in an airport lounge.

Etihad business class lounge seating

The Etihad Business Class Lounge in Abu Dhabi is large and offers tons of seating in an open layout. It has plenty of couches to lounge on, a bar, and individual seats.

Seating was so plentiful that I never found the lounge to be overcrowded or even full. Obviously, that varies depending on the time of day you’re visiting the Etihad Business Class Lounge.

Sleeping nooks at the Etihad business class Lounge Abu Dhabi

While the Etihad Business Class Lounge has no place to sleep, you can probably get some shuteye in the semi-private TV nooks. These feature large chairs and the area is sectioned off with high partitions.

Since they’re the only semi-private space in the Etihad Business Class Lounge, you might struggle to find one that isn’t taken. I managed to find one since it was pretty early in the morning.

I ended up dozing off there for a few hours, using my carry-on bag as a footrest while simultaneously keeping it safe.

The only negative aspects of these TV nooks are that 1.) the seats are too close to the TVs and 2.) there’s virtually no place to plug in your electronics. What I ended up doing was opening up the console, unplugging the light, and replacing it with my phone charger.

Family room at the Etihad business class lounge Abu Dhabi

Like the Dulles Etihad lounge,  the one in Abu Dhabi also features a family room. It’s almost identical, with lots of colorful decorations and toys to keep the kids happy.

The more I travel outside the U.S., the more realize how much better families are accommodated abroad. There’s an inherent dislike for kids on planes that I haven’t encountered elsewhere.

It wasn’t until I traveled with kids for the first time last summer that I noticed a huge difference. When I see things like a dedicated playroom for kids at an airport lounge, it reinforces this idea.

Business center at the Etihad business class lounge Abu Dhabi

The Etihad Business Class Lounge also has a business center with computers and a printer. If the printer is down, by all means, don’t be like this guy and make a huge ruckus about it while referring to the lounge staff as “slaves.” 

Bottom line

The Etihad Business Class lounge in Abu Dhabi is a nice place for a layover and exceeded my expectations. Yes, the place can get crowded, but there are a  few spots where you can sort of escape the ruckus.

The shower rooms and reasonably-priced spa are a huge plus. It’s definitely worth a visit if you need a quick spa treatment after a long flight.

While some people complain about the Etihad Business Class lounge food, I found the buffet to be so extensive that I had no trouble finding something to eat. Another common complaint is that it doesn’t have sleeping rooms or private spaces to relax. While that’s certainly true, I can’t imagine sleeping rooms being very practical (or accessible) in a lounge that gets this much foot traffic. 

If you find yourself in Abu Dhabi on a layover, the Etihad Business Class Lounge is worth checking out. It’s an especially great lounge choice since it’s open 24 hours a day.

Other stories from my trip to the Maldives

• How I booked a $21,200 Maldives trip for $1,686
• Etihad business class Lounge Dulles (IAD) review
• Etihad business class Washington to Abu Dhabi
• Etihad Business Class review: A320 Abu Dhabi to Male
• Waldorf Astoria Maldives boat transfer
• Waldorf Astoria Maldives review
• Waldorf Astoria Maldives beach villa review
• Waldorf Astoria Maldives overwater villa review

This story was originally published on December 9, 2019. It has been updated with current information.