The Emirates First Class Lounge in Dubai’s Concourse B is well-suited for the huge crowds that pass through it each day, but lacks the intimacy and luxury that typically characterizes a first class lounge.
I say it is huge–and it was–but not nearly as big as the Concourse A lounge, which I’ve reviewed before here. The lounge is undergoing a remodel of sorts, which is desperately needed. On the one hand, the lounge is just fine the way it in that is still functional and clean. But it is bereft of character and simply dated in appearance.
We walked down the long hall from check-in, though security and passport control, upstairs, down another concourse, and finally up another escalator to the lounge..it was quite a hike from curbside to lounge and Emirates offers no escort (or gulf cart).
The lounge is open 24/7, but was virtually empty when we arrived at 4:30 AM. I used the “calm before the storm” to capture some photos of the lounge.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Concourse B Seating
Seating is spread out around the lounge and includes chairs, couches, and desks.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Concourse B Spa
The spa is currently under renovation (or perhaps just closed). There was still an attended “Timeless Spa” desk in which spa treatments could be scheduled. First Class passengers were then directed to the business class lounge for treatment. I took advantage of a complimentary 15-minute back massage shortly after arrival and had no wait for a treatment. It’s a small gesture, but an appreciated one.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Concourse B Dining
Actually, the plan was to eat first…both John and I were hungry. But the restaurant does not open until 5:15 AM so we ended up having to wait. A buffet is available 24/7 and included mostly breakfast selections.
Shortly after the restaurant opened, we sat down for breakfast…dinner actually. I wrote about it here. Here’s the a la carte menu:
As you can see, if you’re not in the mood in the for breakfast there are lunch/dinner items available. The nice leather-bound, multi-page menus have been replaced by oversized menu cards.
I enjoyed some berries and juice from the buffet followed by a filet mignon with French Fries and a salad. The food was excellent, although the coffee was quite disappointing. Best to stick to Arabic coffee and avoid the machine-dispensed.
Around the lounge there are a couple of additional food stations, one offering Mediterranean food and the other offering Japanese food. There’s also a full bar is self-serve and was open during Ramadan.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Concourse B Shoe Shine
Complimentary shoe-shine is available. There’s a station in the middle of the lounge, though the shoe shiner approached us in the restaurant and asked if he could take our shoes. In their place, he offered us slippers.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Children’s Room
The children’s room, with video games, was roped off.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Concourse B Restrooms + Showers
The restrooms reminded me a bit of the Concorde Room in London Heathrow…that’s not a good thing. I’d call the showers and restrooms still functional, but past their prime.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Concourse B Smoking
Rather than a separate room for smokers, an area directly adjacent to the dining room has been designated for smoking. While there are no walls, barriers, or other partitions, I did not smell any smoke (and there were plenty of smokers there). Perhaps the super-high ceilings were helpful in that regard. It’s fairly rare to see smoking so integrated into a lounge.
Emirates First Class Lounge Dubai Concourse B Service
The staff in the lounge was all Filipino and provided friendly and attentive service. Some of the passengers did not treat them well, especially in the restaurant. They barked orders and were simply rude. As I remind myself, I remind you: let’s treat everyone with respect.
CONCLUSION
You cannot really compare an Emirates First Class Lounge to ones like Air France or Lufthansa. Emirates offers first class on such a wider scale that it has a larger and less-personal first class ground experience by necessity. I did appreciate the tasty lunch and spa treatment during my three hours in the lounges. That said, now that I have reviewed both lounges next time I will just stay a bit longer in my hotel.
“Around the lounge there are a couple of ethnic stations”
Technically, the food you ate would also be classified as “ethnic”, seeing as how you were in the UAE…
Yep.
“gulf cart” – attempt at a pun? 😉
I am an Emirates Skywards Platinum member for many years and use the First Class Lounge in A,Band C terminals.
I find your report to be negatively biased and over expectant.
We are well catered for with great Al La Carte food, prepared by fantastic chefs, who would also cook anything you requested , if necessary. I have met the Chief Chef many times and he is accommodating every passenger.
Fine wines and bespoke waters could not be better.
The staff are so courteous and attentive.
Regarding decor and furniture, the new A lounge is much better than the older C and B lounges. They are all sit better than any other airport lounge worldwide.
If any area is closed for renovation, we should appreciate Emirates efforts to upgrade, when most airlines are cutting back.
Reporting with a more positive eye is a better way to inform the audience.
Visiting Emirates first class lounges, repeatedly ( weekly ) after so many years, is still regarded, by me, as a privilege and I am always grateful.
I think you read too much negativity into my report. The design is quite tired…that does not change the fact that I certainly appreciated the service and food…and the lounge itself.