I always think of Dubai when I think of a Marhaba Lounge, but Zurich Airport has one too, and it is part of the Priority Pass network.
Marhaba Lounge Zurich Review (ZRH)
We did not leave much time, but I always like to err on the side of caution so we left our hotel a bit earlier than I may have alone just in case we encountered any unforeseen delays ahead of our KLM flight to Amsterdam.
Although I have SkyTeam Elite Plus status, we were flying in economy class and there are no SkyTeam lounges in Zurich. Thankfully, however, there are a number of Priority Pass lounges at ZRH.
It’s rare that I do not use a SWISS Lounge when flying out of Zurich, but I suppose it was nice to “try the competition” for this one trip anyway. We breezed through check-in and security and found ourselves with a half hour to spare prior to boarding.
The Marhaba Lounge is located after Security Control Check-in 1 or Check-in 2. Simply turn left towards the B-Gates. Take the elevator or stairs to the second floor and you will arrive in a lobby with the Marhaba Lounge on the left and the Aspire Lounge on the right. We could have used either one (both are part of Priority Pass), but I’ve been to the Aspire Lounge before but never the Marhaba Lounge.
This lounge opens at 5:15 am each day and is open until 10:00 pm, except on Saturdays, when it closes at 7:00 pm. Children under six years old do not count as a separate guest.
We were checked in and the desk by a friendly lady who handed us a slip of paper with a code for the internet and found the lounge mostly empty.
(As a sidenote, if you are flying business or first class on number of airlines included Air France, KLM, Qatar Airways, and Emirates, this is your designated lounge).
Seating included a number of red or green-colored chairs, some of which felt like little cocoons. Tables around the buffet offered a place to eat.
There were also a trio of easy chairs with curtains that closed around them. My wife decided to leave the kids with me and take a nap…
Kudos to the lounge for USB-A and USB-C charging ports as well as wireless mobile phone charging and plentiful power outlets with British, US, and EU receptacles.
We had just eaten a large breakfast and I was not hungry, but the buffet area included different types of bread and cereal, yogurt, fruit, smoothies, sandwiches, sliced meats, and cheeses.
Additionally, there was a coffee machine, water, wine, spirits, and a refrigerator full of soft drinks and beer.
One thing this lounge does not have is a restroom…while step public restrooms are not bad at ZRH, if you do want a restroom or shower, this lounge has no such facility.
CONLCUSION
I typically fly SWISS out of ZRH and make a beeline for the Alpine Lounge when traveling within the Schengen Area, but it was nice to try out the Marhaba Lounge, if for no other reason than to confirm that the SWISS Lounges are superior.
This is by no means a bad lounge, but there is also nothing here I would arrive early for.
Have you visited the Marhaba Lounge Zurich? Was it worthwhile?
I am almost certain that, as AF use that lounge, you would have had access on the basis of your E+ status- did you specifically ask them about it, or did you just enter with the PP without enquiring?
You mentioned in the past that your status is through ITA, what lounge do they use at ZRH?
Also, your flight was on KLM, wouldn’t your Skyteam status have gotten you into the lounge?
Nice to see beer where you can help yourself. Other lounges could learn from this. I assume the liquor wasn’t self service.
And of course, I would be remiss if I didn’t note how nice it is to see the signage written in English.
All alcohol is self service in the vast majority of European lounges – the issue is that quite a few of them don’t have much that’s worth drinking (e.g. if the choice of whisky is between Johnnie Walker red label and Jack Daniel’s, I go for sparkling water instead).
LOL. Sticking to water is a good choice considering all my clickbait naughty passenger stories!
PM, Thank you, that’s something I didn’t know. You would like the think the people that visit these lounges are responsible enough to not over pour, not you never know with some of the crowd flying FC.
Matt, I have confidence you won’t end up the subject of one of these stories. But damn, it would make for great publicity for you and the site.
Many European lounges are just carby bread-fests for breakfast and this one seems to be no different
Bread, coffee fruit is the continental breakfast. Nutritionists suggest eating the carbs early in the day is better as you can more easily burn them off. Personally I don’t find this too be true
I don’t believe it either. Many people sit their butt on an office chair for the next 8-9hrs burning minimal calories anyway, so they just get fat. But then again I believe 3 full meals a day is a sham lol
How would you compare it to the Aspire Lounge?
Both the Aspire and Merhaba lounges are just average with nothing special. However at least one can get into them without long waiting lines (unlike most of the US). If you just want a place to take a few moments to do a little work or check email with a coffee, they’re fine. Otherwise, I’d suggest taking a seat at Sprungli in the main terminal area and sample a slice of the chocolate truffle cake, or as I like to refer to it as “damn good cake”!
We were traveling to Dubai after spending 10days in zurich with most descent people around.
Unfortunately in Marhaba lounge especially the receptionist named Chandrika was exceptionally rude.
Left a bitter experience on the day of departure.