Starlux offers a cozy but comfortable lounge in Terminal 1 of Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), with an a la carte menu and buffet.
Starlux Airlines Galactic Lounge Taipei Terminal 1 Review (TPE)
After checking in for my Starlux flight, I checked out the Starlux Galactic Lounge in Terminal 1. As Starlux describes it:
The STARLUX airlines lounge is designed to be both elegant and fashionable. Upon entering, our guests are welcomed by our Polaris logo. It is our hope that every one of our passengers can fully relax in this comfortable and luxurious environment before starting their journey.
Polaris? Don’t tell United!
Location + Hours + Access
The Starlux Lounge is located on level four of Terminal 1. After clearing security, follow signs to the lounges (all clustered near one another in T1) and you’ll find the Starlux Lounge next to the China Airlines Lounge. It is open daily from 5:00 am to 7:00 pm (the Terminal 2 lounge is open until 11:30 pm).
Access is reserved for Starlux Business Class passengers (no guests) as well as elite members in the Starlux “COSMILE” frequent flyer:
- Explorer members – one guest
- Insighter members- two guests
Seating
This is a small lounge but I had it all to myself and thought it was a very nice space. The lounge is styled in two shades of brown with unique oblong couches that help to avoid the sterilized feeling of many airline lounges. Lamps offer warm light and a black mirrored walls make the lounge look even bigger than it is.
There’s a less comfortable seating area in one corner with small round tables, each with two chairs, and a buffet on the other side of the lounge.
Each seat is equipped with an electrical outlet, including a universal power outlet and USB-A charging port.
I can imagine this place filling up in the early afternoon, but only one other passenger showed up during my visit.
Food + Drink
In addition to a small buffet, there was an a la carte menu that included:
- oven-roasted salmon
- steamed dumpling (seafood or vegetable)
- ciabatta sandwiches (egg salad or smoked beef)
- miso ramen
The buffet included:
- nacho bar
- salad bar
- beet salad
- deep-fried pork loin with sweet & sour sauce
- chicken korma
- Japanese-style steamed rice with Shiitake mushrooms
- braised red quinoa and edamame
- lotus root chicken soup
Beverages included a pedestrian selection of wine and spirits, plus a beer tap, coffee machine, and canned juices, soft drinks, and water (including Evian and Sanpellegrino).
I was not all that hungry, but enjoyed a refreshing beet salad…I rarely pass up the chance to eat beets.
Restroom + Shower
Interestingly, this lounge has no restrooms or showers…the restrooms are down the hall.
The Starlux T2 lounge does have shower suites and restrooms.
CONCLUSION
I quite liked this small Starlux (“STARLUX” as it is stylized) lounge, though it is a bit odd that are no restrooms or showers. That said, I had it to myself and had I been hungry, I suspect I would have enjoyed eating here.
Looks really nice. Shame about no showers; for connections, that’s my go-to, especially after a 14+ hour flight and before a 4+ hour onward journey.
I’m going there in December. Any chance you’re gonna do a review of your trip in Taipei? Taking Starlux biz as well…. pretty psyched. Now I just gotta figure out a way to get home!
Check out all the posts tagged with Taipei. I’ve already written extensively about my time on the ground. Enjoy! I LOVE Taipei. Wonderful people and nation, so different from Mainland.
You passed on the nacho bar? “Great Mexican food in Taipei”
ROLF snorted out wine ugh