Turkish Airlines Bangkok Lounge
The Bangkok Turkish Airlines lounge is one of those rare things: an outstation lounge that can sometimes be better than the main airline lounge, and is even worth diverting to even if you are on Thai Airways, or a Singapore flight.
With rare Turkish delights, such as freshly-made Turkish Pide, a great bar, and complimentary at-seat massages it certainly beats the main Thai lounges.
And, to boot, the lounge is open 24 hours a day, so you can overnight in the lounge.
Bangkok Turkish Airlines lounge review
Finding the Turkish Airlines Bangkok Lounge can sometimes be a little bit of a mission. The lounge is located right at the end of the main 'drag' of lounges, pretty close to the Eva Air lounge.
After the Immigration Control proceed to the right towards Gates D1-D8. Take the escalator down to Level 3, turn right and walk pass Gate D8. The lounge is located on the right hand side, but the entrance is so subdued, you might miss it. Once inside there is a large slogan saying 'Widen your World' and a few chairs if you are waiting for a companion, and fresh orchids greet visitors outside reception.
The Turkish Airlines Bangkok Lounge is one of Turkish Airlines' newest overseas lounges, and it is also open to Priory Pass. This can be good and bad, as it can get packed in the early evening, but is almost a delight during the day.
The whole lounge is very long and thin, having portions. In effect the two main seat areas either have large sofas, or armchairs arranged in groups of 1+1 over a high coffee table. The sofas are good, but often you will find a solo passengers occupying sofas designed for six, with their belongings spread over the sofa to keep others away: it isn't a good use of space.
The lounge itself has a very modern design, with everything from in vogue overhead light fittings to bespoke cocktail tables.
Further up the lounge to the left is the most quiet area, and at the far end are the bathrooms, while inland is the large office space and business centre.
There is another alcove with Z frame recliners, and this area is often kept dark, for those overnighting in the lounge.
In the middle of the lounge is the large walk up bar, with bar stools arranged around it, and this can be the most social area in the evening.
Up at the other end of the lounge is the central dining area, with a large island buffet, and also what appears to be a serving hatch but is actually the Turkish open kitchen, where you can be served Pide.
At the far end of this is a second large dining area, and indeed another slogan announcing you are again widening your world.
Food
Turn right as you enter the lounge where there is a small refectory area serving hatch; this food counter is where you can get hot Turkish Pide,a and other Turkish specialities.
On the island refectory area, you can get hot meals, including ones including vegetables and chicken, in the the hot tubs, as well as lighter alternatives like pita bread with dips like hummus.
There is also a variety of fruit, sandwiches, and sweet delights.
The salads are very good, with a variety of bowls of fresh ingredients to create your own salad: don't miss all the bowls with various sauces and condiments.
Bar
One of the highlights of the lounge is the large staffed bar. It is right in the middle of the lounge, with large blue chairs, and in the evening is a great place to sit: however, the barman is only in place for 3 hours before the evening Turkish Airlines flight.
You'll find a lot of bottles of spirits, beer, and wine here, including a French sparkling (which varies from Champagne) and an Italian sparkling (which is also not Prosecco).
Alas there are no proper Champagne glasses, just standard wine glasses.
There are also four large self serve fridges under the worktop, with cans of beer and soft drinks, while on the worktop is a more limited selection of wine.
Business Facilities
There is - amazingly - a small business centre, with a meeting room, and a couple of macs, which can operate in PC mode.
There is also a large meeting room table. It is rare it is in use, but occasionally passengers do block book it for meetings, and will shoo out other customers.
Wifi is free and fast - way faster than in the Eva Air or Thai lounges.
However power sockets are few and far between, and all are of the Thai, rather than international, design.
Bathrooms
Shower facilities are available, and are in the fairly dull bathrooms at the end of the lounge.A complimentary 15-minute head and shoulder messages are also provided between 3pm to 11pm daily.
Access
Despite the fact that Turkish Airlines only operates flights from Bangkok in the morning, and 12 hours later in the evening, this lounge is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and serves customers flying with a variety of partner airlines as well as many other carriers. Just after the main Turkish flight leaves at 8am is a great time to visit as the lounge is deserted.There is access for Business Class passengers on Turkish Airlines, plus Business on other Star Alliance carriers.
Turkish Airlines Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus frequent flyers prior to Turkish Airlines and Star Alliance flights are also admitted, as are other Star Alliance Gold frequent flyers.
Usefully, there is also access for Priority Pass, LoungeKey, and Diners Club cardholders.
Note that the lounge is open 24 hours a day, making it one of the few lounges that are good for an overnight stop at Bangkok Airport.
Video: Turkish Airlines Lounge
Clean and tidy
Walk up bar
Few power sockets