TAP Air Portugal Lisbon Lounge
The TAP Lounge Lisbon is a rarity among the world's Star Alliance lounges: something just a bit different.
Modern and new, it IS a bit small, there is no getting away from that, but it has a nice selection of food and drinks, including amazing Pasteis de Nata.
Decent bar, which makes cocktails, and with 3 different types of sparkling wine.
There are showers and the wifi is free and fast.
All in all, worth a visit, but be prepared for the crowds.
Lisbon TAP Air Portugal lounge review
TAP Air Portugal's new flagship lounge at Lisbon Airport is quite a small lounge for TAP's main hub, but after the recent revamp works well. It is the only lounge at Lisbon airport, and is in the Schengen area. Passengers on non-Schengen flights have to use this lounge, and then go through passport control.
To find the TAP Air Portugal Lisbon Airport business class lounge, at the oval entrance to the terminal, head up the escalator which has all three of the lounges (TAP, ANA and the Blue Lisbon lounge) and then turn left.
The lounge welcomes TAP business class passengers, as well as Star Alliance Gold members, bus listening to the desk, there are a lot of 'try it ons' who try to get access, and fail.
Covering an area of 850 square metres with space for 260 people, it should be big, but the first thing you notice about the lounge is normally how small it is, and how packed. At peak morning times before the transatlantic flights, it can be uncomfortably crowded with passengers sitting on the floor.
To the right of the entrance is a swish circular room with some of the most uncomfortable furniture imaginable: while the design of the lounge may have looked good in a mock up, clearly it doesn't work in reality, and a few more comfortable chairs would be most welcome. The use of cork on many of the design elements, including the floors, coverings and sofas, in line with the house colours of TAP aircraft, should gives the space an ambience that you identify with Portugal, but the problem is you just can't see it for the people.
Strange, thin, TVs overhead show some of the main news channels, but there is no sound.
Towards the back of the reception area there is a corridor with plenty of long sofas which look good, but are neither comfortable nor well spaced. For a new lounge it is also odd that there are so few power sockets.
The TAP Lisbon Lounge also has a small play area, and a small snooze area at the back of the lounge.
Miguel Arruda, the architect responsible, wanted avant-garde decorative elements, and have a design intended to make it pleasant. Hmmm, opinion is reserved on that.
Right at the back of the lounge is the dining area, with ten tables, which is just the wrong number when a hundred passengers all want to dine at the same time.
There is a good view runway, however slats on the outside of the building obscure the view somewhat. Don't miss the large display cabinet with TAP items for purchase, from day bags to model aircraft.
Food
Food is OK in the TAP lounge, and the lounge has a fairly good food selection. There are two main refectory areas, with a large buffet for hot items, and a smaller buffet with mostly desserts.In the main buffet area there are two hidden tubs at the far end with a pasta dish and another hot variant.
The long trays of cold cuts and cheese are worthy of note, and are really good. Plus there are some salads at the far end.
Don't miss the dessert buffet too, on a different stand. Here there are some sweet treats, and egg tarts too, because you really can't go to Portugal without having one. They go great with the champagne from the bar.
Bar
Decent staffed bar in lounge. However, The TAP Air Portugal Lounge Lisbon Bar is notable for the huge delay in getting even the most basic of drinks. There used to be a self service bar in the lounge. No more.Instead, there is a bar man who will pour wine or hand you a can of beer. Now, one would have thought that technically he should have been making imaginative cocktails, but that just isn't happening thanks to the queues of people. However, do try asking for a classic gin and tonic. It comes in a large bowl of a glass, with a curl of orange, and it's great.
The huge rack of spirits behind the bar is worthwhile looking at too, because you can often find some unusual Portuguese spirits in here.
However, in the buffet area there is a wine wall and a draft beer tap, plus a wine dispensing machine. This is great, and pours great Portuguese wine from the Douro valley straight into your glass. Don't spill the red, it will stain your clothes!
Business Facilities
Free wifi. You'll need a password, which is displayed on top of the wine dispenser.The Lisbon TAP Air Portugal Lounge has a small business centre with two PCs and a printer, in a wide open space: generally this area is used by people who just want to sit and nurse their carefully found glass of wine, so work takes a back seat.
There is also a rack with magazines and newspapers right by reception.
Bathrooms
In lounge, behind reception.Access
TAP Business Class passengers (TAP Portugal tap|executive, tap|plus and tap|topexecutive passengers).
TAP Portugal Victoria Gold and Silver members departing on a same day intercontinental flight operated by TAP Portugal.
TAP Corporate and TAP Platinum American Express cardholders.
Star Alliance Gold.
No paid access - there is a Priority Pass lounge next door if you are in economy and need to buy access.
Video: TAP Air Portugal Lounge
| TAP Air Portugal Lounge | ||
|---|---|---|
Loungeindex
rating:
6 out of
10
| ||
| Location: | Terminal 1, airside, up escalator | |
| Open hours: | 0500-2100 | |
| Lounge for: | TAP Air Portugal | |
| Access: | TAP Business Class passengers. Star Alliance Gold. | |