Emirates First Class Dubai Lounge concourse A
The brand new Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Concourse A is both the flagship lounge at Dubai, and the one you really want to visit out of the possible seven Emirates lounges in the terminal you can visit.
There are two large dining rooms (both identical), full a la carte dining, an amazing bar and spa, private duty-free shopping, meeting rooms and a business centre, and some of the biggest wide open spaces of any lounge anywhere on the planet. As a waiting room for your plane, this is as good as it comes.
Don't miss the artworks, including a great ceiling glass ball installation, and some great vases just sitting around at the far end of the lounge.
The only downside is that it can be a little, how should I say, dull.
Dubai Emirates First Class lounge review concourse A
The Dubai Concourse A Emirates First Class Lounge is the nicest and biggest first class lounge at Dubai, and it is really big, with seating for nearly a thousand first class passengers.
To find the lounge, in the middle of Concourse A, head up one level above the main departure concourse using the lift (or the stairs if you can face it after the long walk here).
Once inside, take a walk. A really long walk. The lounge spans the entire length of the Concourse A terminal building. Don't worry about missing your plane - you can boarding directly from the lounge.
Because of the size, there's no shortage of seats, and you can choose your view and amount of sunlight, or darkness if you are here in the middle of the night, like most long haul flights.
There are also separate 'quiet rooms' within the lounge, with day beds for a nap. There are in small walled in glass boxes.
Don't miss the walled-in cigar bar, which at least offers some variety in terms of surroundings, and a nice pannelled room.
There is also a children's play area, which is very colourful, and private duty-free shopping.
There are some of the nicest seats of any lounge near the entrance. However, it all has a rather deserted, rather beige, rather dull feel about it.
Food
There is a full a la carte restaurant, with dining that matches some of the best in the world, complete with full table service. Ask for a menu as soon as you sit down: and then you can customise dishes just how you would like them.The menu alas is timed to the hour you are in Dubai: even if your tummy says it is dinner time, you'll still be offered breakfast. However, there are other items like burgers or steaks which stay on the menu. Just allow plenty of time, as it can take 45 minutes to get a steak to you. You can also order small side dishes of mushrooms, or chips, for example.
There is also a small buffet if you are pressed for time, with cold cuts, cheese, rolls and small dishes. However, this is pretty basic. If you don't have a lot of time, the Business Class lounge has a better choice.
Bar
There is an impressive selection of self pour spirits in the Emirates First Class Lounge, Dubai Concourse A.Fine wine is also available, with the 'house' bubbles being Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial. It's non-vintage, and only retails for about 35 quid in Tescos, but it's quite drinkable.
However, the basic wine, if you just ask for 'white' is pretty basic. It is sitting on the counter tops of the many bars, and really isn't great. Some more variety, or even a wine list, would be nice.
Business Facilities
There is a dedicated business centre, with numerous PCs plus a printer and photocopier. It is rare to see anyone ever use it, although occasionally someone pops in to watch the TVs that are on the walls.There are a number of meeting rooms that can be booked in advance.
However, power sockets are not that common. If you don't have a charger, you can use Emirates' own charging station, which locks away your phone.
There's also free WiFi, but be aware it is not that fast. At best, it delivers adequate 'at home' speeds.
Bathrooms
In lounge, and there is rarely a queue, unlike in the Business Class lounge.There is a large spa in the Emirates First Class Lounge, Dubai Concourse A. Every passenger who can visit the lounge has access, with one complimentary 15-minute treatment. However, it can be busy, so book a slot as soon as you get into the lounge, to ensure you can get a treatment before your aircraft departs.
The Timeless Spa offers 'reflex therapy' leg and foot options, de-stress back massages, and lots of other treatments.
There is also a hairdresser in here, including a manicure, a hair trim and shape or a professional blow dry in the beauty salon.
Access
There is of course free access for First class passengers on Emirates.
Emirates Skywards Platinum frequent flyers and Qantas Platinum frequent flyers when travelling with Emirates. No access to oneworld flights if booked on the Emirates EK flight code.
You can also buy a daypass, for a three hour visit if you have neither a first class ticket, nor the right kind of Frequent Flyer card. An Emirates Lounge daypass costs US$262.50 (£220GBP, A$370). However, there is a discount for Skywards members.
Video: Emirates First Class Lounge A
Also view: Video 4
