Swiss Alpine Zurich Lounge

The latest Swiss lounge is a wacky one, that's for sure. Forget the blandness of the main A concourse Senator lounge, and instead you can head to the alpine lounge which resembles a mountain hut.

Quality Swiss tree trunks are used as tables, there is a large open-plan dining area with a mountain lodge type atmosphere, and several inner areas, all made out of plywood.

Even the dining is more than oddball. There is a communal approach to dining with deli meats and cheeses, plus a large rustic oven, where you can get Swiss cheese treats, pizzas and fondue.

There is even a granite water fountain. NEWS: The latest Swiss Airlines lounge has opened at Zurich Airport, resembling more of a mountain hut built from the mountains of Switzerland, and where you sit on tree trunks
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Zurich Swiss Alpine lounge review

The 500 square metre SWISS Alpine Lounge is in the heart of the Schengen area of the airport at Terminal A, and can accommodate up to 100 passengers who are offered a 'multi-sensual airport lounge experience'. It blends all the charm of a rustic yet contemporary mountain hut with the design of Swiss lounges.

There are plenty of light bleached pine elements and bespoke furniture, much of it hand-made by Swiss craft people. The quality alpine-style carpets and cushion covers are also hand-crafted and sourced from small Swiss manufacturers. Large communal wooden tables underscore the hut-like ambience, carved tree trunks serve as tables, while the high windows offer fabulous views of the apron area and its flight activities.

Don't miss the plywood - indeed, you'd be blind not to see it, as every inch of the walls, plus all the furniture, is made out of plywood.

The lounge is easy to miss though: it isn't in the main lounge complex, and instead the entrance is tucked away in a corner of the A gates of Terminal 2, in what looks like a concrete circular fire escape. Go in through the curved sliding doors, and head upwards. As you enter there is an eye-popping immersive video wall that tracks your progress up the stairs and birds follow you as you climb, while a mountain goat looks sternly on as you descend.

Then, take a walk around the Swiss Alpine Zurich Lounge forested with acres of plywood.

There is an inner area, vaguely resembling a dentists waiting room, with lots of metal framed chairs, and square bookshelves, plus the obligatory tree trunks. At the end of this area there are windows, and probably the nicest area to sit with views and armchairs. And what a view, of the main airport runway and apron.

Keep on walking, and you get to a couple of inner corridors, with zoom rooms for phone calls.

Right at the back of the lounge is the communal dining area with three large plywood dining tables, and tree trunks to sit on, under Ikea lamps. Against the windows are six booth like enclaves with tables against the windows, and this is almost certainly the best place in the lounge to sit./

At one end is the buffet dining and bar, while at the other is the large oven, where the staff do interesting things with cheese.

Replacing the old First Class lounge in the A gates of Terminal 2, the new Alpine Lounge helps provide some respite to large numbers of mid afternoon Schengen departures.

Food

In the main room at the plywood counter, there is a modern buffet concept around a rustic oven, in which seasonal dishes are prepared, and a the self service buffet has a large number of rustic salads, cold cuts, cheeses and breads.

At the other end is a more standard buffet, with a couple of hot dishes, typically potatoes with cheese, and cheesy pasta.

On the opposite side of this there are two hotplates, where speciality dishes hot from the oven are plated up. These can be very good.

Next to the hot plates is a vast coffee machine.

There is also a small salad bar, and an excellent cheese board. Made of plywood.

Bar

There is a small bar, including a selection of local Swiss wines and spirits, beside the oven counter.

Red wine is on the worktop, while white wine is in plastic tub.

There are also two beer taps with Swiss beer.

However, for those wanting to remain pure, The eye-catching granite water fountain is a notable feature, which operates as simple tap water fountain, serving Zurich tap water - which is some of the cleanest in the world.

Business Facilities

This really isn't a lounge for Business, but never the less there are a couple of Phone/Zoom rooms in the middle corridor should you need to make a private phone call.

There are also good desks, made out of plywood of course.

Plus where is free wifi, but no computers or newspapers.

Bathrooms

In lounge.

The bathrooms meanwhile use all natural Soeder toiletries, which naturally are in glass bottles to reduce waste.

Access

The new SWISS Alpine Lounge is open Mondays to Fridays from 05:30 to 18:30. The lounge is available to Miles & More Senators, Star Alliance Gold Members and Business Class travellers on SWISS and other Lufthansa Group airlines.

However, mere Business Class passengers are not admitted.

Video: Swiss Alpine Lounge

Swiss Alpine Lounge video - Click to play

Swiss Alpine Lounge video - Click to play