Usually when I arrive in Frankfurt, I am just passing through. With my new home in Germany, however, when I arrived last month on my Lufthansa flight from Los Angeles, Frankfurt was the final destination. That gave me a chance to check out Lufthana’s Welcome Lounge.
Opened in 2009, the lounge is exclusively for arriving business and first class passengers on longhaul Lufthansa flights (LH400-799) as well as LH Senators and Frequent Travelers (LH Star Alliance Gold and Silver members who also must be arriving on one of the specified longhaul flights). Star Golds from other carriers who traveled in economy class on Lufthansa do not have access. Lounge hours are from 5:30a-12:00p and the lounge is beyond passport control and customs. Those with luggage can check it in with Lufthansa staff when entering the lounge and claim it upon departure.
The two-level lounge features a spacious seating area on the top floor with wireless internet (which you have to pay for) and four desktop computer stations with free internet. A breakfast buffet with hot and cold items is available for those who skipped breakfast onboard the flight (and for those like me who just felt like a second round).
Downstairs is even more impressive with 26 shower rooms and even complimentary garment pressing for LH HON Circle and Senators.
My flight was delayed by over an hour so I did not get to the lounge until 11:55a. The guy at the front desk was just closing up, but he let me in and told me I could stay till 12:30p. I decided to shower first (the bathrooms are very nice), but when I returned, all the food had been cleared away. To make matters worse, all four computer stations were not working and the wi-fi was down too!
Nevertheless, the shower hit the spot and I must tip my hat to Lufthansa for offering this great amenity to their premium arriving passengers.
The Swiss arrivals lounge at Zürich, while much smaller, is very similar and just as pleasant.
@MrLincon: Indeed, the LX arrivals lounge is great.