Eva Air Bangkok Lounge
The funky, modern design of the Bangkok Eva Air lounge almost sets off the vibe in Bangkok - and is a world away from the staid lounges of Thai or Singapore Airlines.
The lounge is famous - infamous even - for its light show, which make it seems like you are entering a disco before your flight.
There are distinct, mood-based seating zones, lots of Thai food, and a basic if functional bar.
But just for the disco lights, and the amazing bathrooms, it is a lounge like no other.
Bangkok Eva Air lounge review
From the outside, the Eva Air Bangkok Lounge stands out for its deep black marble entrance, and the pulsating red and purple strip lights, along with the illuminated Eva Air logo. And that's before you enter the lounge. It's on the third floor, on the right hand side at the far end of concourse F, up from the Turkish and Singapore lounges.
Once inside, you'll see that the area makes extensive use of mood lighting and colour effects to produce what the airline calls 'an engaging ambiance', or a blinding light show, depending on your aesthetic bent. These lights come in a variety of quirky pinks and purples to go with the displayed orchids, up to thicker borders that serve to divide the open area into specific lounge room zones.
There are also soothing blues tones that extend down the far end of the room.
Some of the lounge's décor are also illuminated and change colour, such as the small objet d'art that are strew around, while other lighting schemes provide the appearance of a tunnel within a rather narrow wall. Once you have a look around, you'll be struck by just how fascinating it is.
Although the lounge appear overly bright or almost like a nightclub, the lighting effects here aren't overbearing or overdone because they are a natural part of the scene in the Eva Air Bangkok Lounge.
Don't miss the fish tank in the central VIP room of the nightclub - I mean lounge - which has little illuminated jelly fish. Or on the ceiling the amazing fibre optic light strands, which make it look as if you are under water. It's fascinating.
As you enter, the Business Centre alcove is on the right, while the bathrooms are on the left, up the neon lit corridor. There is a small sleeping alcove with two massage chairs behind a curtain on the right before you enter the main lounge room.
Here, the main refectory area is on the right, while the central area has large heavy chairs and a chunk high marble bench with an incongruous pot plant at the end - which is one of the few places you'll find power sockets. Here there is also a large memorial wall to Eva Air past and present, and a few odd touches, like a plastic bird in a plastic cage. It's nothing if not wacky.
Go further in, and there is a strange corridor that leads nowhere, but has infinity mirrors with large circles leading the eye up the corridor.
Next up is the central VIP room, which really wouldn't be out of place in an upmarket nightclub, around the central fish tank, under the forest of fibre optic lights.
Further down at the end of the lounge is the main lounge area, with a variety of high backed chairs screwed to the wall, despite its easy-to-miss power points, a bank of armchairs, and a few chairs in the window overlooking the apron: the end wall overlooks the terminal. Incidentally, this used to be the Qantas lounge in Bangkok, nearly two decades ago, and it had a very different vibe back then.
All in all the Bangkok Eva Air lounge is an excellent spot to unwind before a lengthy travel to Australia or even a quick trip across Asia; there is a large TV Screen showing the time in the few destinations served by Eva Air.
Food
The Eva Air Bangkok Lounge's buffet corner is surprisingly well stocked: it is in the first corner you come to when you enter the main lounge room.
There are plenty of Thai and Asian delicacies with pork bao and prawn dumplings among the options, along with Pad Thai, a Thai dish of stir-fried pork with basil and rice, is served in individual portions.
Western options include a hot cabinet with pizza, pork sausages, chicken and ham & mushroom pies, as well as quite a few packets of sandwiches, tightly wrapped in cling film.
Deserts include some delectable banana tarts, along with fruit flans, and ready-to-drink coconuts in the fridge. Magnum ice cream is also available for dessert.
Bar
Alas, and quite oddly for the Eva Air lounge, it all falls apart with the bar area. There is a very limited selection of alcoholic beverages in what seems almost like and afterthought beside the coffee machine.
Here beside the Heineken beer tap is a bucket with one woeful white wine, and a matching red on the worktop. Champagne is absent, and the spirit selection is also rather poor, with just half a dozen bottles of lower end range.
The espresso coffee machine is however very good, and there is a decent selection of juices in the fridge.
Business Facilities
There is a small Business Centre, with three rather antiquated PCs behind reception.
Wifi is available, but it is woefully slow.
Mains power outlets are available but not easily accessible from most seats. They are built into benches, cocktail tables, the floor next to other seats, where you have to lift the metal flap to find them. There are even sockets hidden in the cocktail tables in the lounge room where they are built into the main pillar.
However, be aware all sockets are of the usual Thai type, and don't fit most international standard plugs.
Bathrooms
In lounge, and you really have to try them to believe them.
As you walk up the bathroom corridor you can see what you are in for with the neon signs for the bathrooms. Then the actual rooms are amazing, with a great view - even from the latrines - out to the airfield, with brand new, and very bright tiling and lots of amenities and soaps.
There are two unisex shower suites that can be reserved if both are full by asking the front desk for a key. In the shower rooms all the towels and other supplies that you might need.
There is no spa, but you can use the massage chairs in private by turning around the green "vacant" sign.
Access
Business class and first class passengers of Star Alliance carriers and on EVA Air.
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands Gold and Diamond members prior to Star Alliance flights.
Other Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers departing on Star Alliance flights
EVA Air Infinity MileageLands Silver cardholders prior to EVA Air flights only.
Paid lounge members of Air Canada Maple Leaf Club (Worldwide plan only) and United Club, before Star Alliance flights.
Selected American Express and Cathay United Bank cardholders when flying with EVA Air only.
Video: Eva Air Lounge
Generally pretty quiet
Great bathrooms
Poor bar
The decor