While the Helsinki Aspire Lounge checks off many boxes when it comes to basic lounge amenities, I found it too crowded to enjoy.
Aspire Lounge Helsinki Review
Ah, crowded lounges. Perhaps such experiences will be nothing but relics of our imagination in the new pandemic era we live in. But this lounge was packed when I arrived, though emptied out a bit as I left. As a Priority Pass lounge plus a business class lounge for many airlines, it certainly filled up during the 8:00AM hour.
The lounge is located in Terminal 2 opposite Gates 27-28 on the second floor. It is currently closed due COVID-19, but traditionally open from 5:00AM to 9:00PM daily. Take the stairs or elevator up…the lounge is clearly marked from the terminal concourse.
I actually had trouble finding a seat in this lounge. When I arrived it was so crowded I had to wait for a seat to open with a plug. Seating includes a mix of chairs and couches of different shapes, sizes, and colors. The decor was a bit too IKEA-ish for me, but serviceable. Most seats, however, do not have a plug within reach.
Breakfast buffet selections included bread, deviled eggs, cold cuts, cheese, salad, yogurt, berries, cereal, and hot porridge.
A self-service bar included a limited selection of alcohol, soft drinks, juice, coffee, and tea. The centerpiece seemed to be a bottle of Meukow VS, a Cognac with honey and vanilla tones with hints of licorice, orange, and wood.
Coffee was horrible, by the way. Horrible!
Showers and restrooms are available, though they were crowded so I don’t have any pictures.
Internet speeds were very poor.
Honestly, what annoyed me about this lounge were all the plates, cups, and glasses everywhere. This stuff just sat there for 20 minutes (though in fairness, I suppose the lounge attendants may have though the people were coming back to finish their drinks).
CONCLUSION
The Schengen gate areas are not great at HEL, so the lounge is better than the gate. Still, the nearby Finnair Lounge offered a far better experience.
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