Oman Air First Class Lounge
Oman Air First Class Lounge - Bar Area
Arguably one of my best First-Class Lounge experience so far. With immaculate service, superb overnight rest and high quality cuisine (complemented by a complimentary massage!), this First Class Lounge is an absolute essential experience in one's lifetime.
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I arrived at Muscat Airport close to midnight, and found myself somewhat disoriented by the directions. The signage directing towards transit security was obstructed, and being the sole passenger in the vicinity, I was redirected to another security gate before eventually finding my way to transit. Phew!
Directions To Lounge
From the transit area, take the escalator to the floor above, where you'll find all the lounges situated in a circular layout, easily visible. Following the signage, I made my way to the Oman Air Lounge.
This lounge comprises both First and Business Lounges, with the Business Lounge located on the right upon entering.
Upon presenting my first-class Oman Air ticket, the staff warmly welcomed me and promptly escorted me to the First Class Lounge area on the right side of the lounge. Impressive!
Facilities
The amiable staff graciously invited me to sit at the lounging area, where plush sofas adorned with luxurious Middle Eastern furnishings awaited. Handing me a hardcover menu, they promptly took my drink order (including alcohol of course), and after that assured me that he will be back shortly.
Surveying the surroundings, A large TV broadcasted a sports channel, albeit I secretly hoped it would be the inauguration of the Qatar World Cup. Directly across from me stood the main bar and dining area, where I would enjoy my breakfast later on.
Moments later, the staff arrived with welcome snacks and drinks: Arabic sweets and nuts presented on a lavish gold-plated (or so I imagined) platter, accompanied by a revitalizing (definitely the apt term when it was near midnight) lime drink. Opting for the Oman Air Special cocktail, I found it quite refreshing, with the mint leaf garnish particularly appealing.
Eager to freshen up and have my beauty sleep, I quickly requested for a shower room and a quiet room in the Business Lounge, which seemed to surpass the First Class amenities according to online reviews. The staff casually acquiesced to my request (“Sure why not?” He said 😝), so professional!
Once I was done with my welcome snacks and drinks, the staff promptly inquired, "Time for your shower?"—an attentive gesture that greatly relieved my (self-proclaimed) introverted sensibilities!
The shower room, while not overly spacious, exuded opulence with its golden accents, even down to the rain shower and fixtures. I found the bathroom amenities by Euphoria Collection particularly noteworthy, with a really delightful scent, crafted from a blend of natural fragrances and essential oils. Moreover, the bathroom amenities were individual wrapped in plastic, further attesting to the cleanliness of the bathroom towels. A nice touch!
After a rejuvenating shower, the staff was already on standby to escort me to the quiet room in the Business Lounge. Passing through the Business Class section, which boasted a slightly larger crowd but remained uncrowded, I reached the quiet rooms. It also seemed to be not utilized, as the staff even obliged on my wake up time of 7am, which was almost 7-8 hours.
The daybed proved spacious and comfortable, was really big and long enough for me to lie down flat perfectly. It was complemented by a generously sized table ideal for working on a laptop. A well-stocked basket with water (still and sparkling), drinks and some snacks were also on the table. I also appreciated that there was both USB and main charging outlets available, felt like a mini hotel room! It was one of the most restful sleeping experiences I've had in a lounge setting so far.
Despite that, I still woke up at 6am, earlier than my scheduled time, and decided to freshen up and head back to the First Class lounge for an early breakfast.
En route, I couldn't resist capturing some snapshots of the Business Class lounge, which was undeniably also impressive, boasting a secluded daybed area conducive to overnight stays, a spacious buffet dining area, and a bar area too. Additionally, there was a designated family area for travellers with children.
First Class passengers also get a complimentary 15 minute massage, and I chose the shoulder massage. I was directed to the Spa room after my breakfast, situated above the dining area and accessible via lift.
Dining
A dedicated made-to-order menu is available for First Class passengers, and as I sat at the First Class dining table, a staff promptly came by to take my order. Opting for scrambled eggs elicited a playful remark from the waiter (not having more? Said the waiter🤣). While awaiting my meal, I was served with the sweet treats and a bottle of Evian mineral water to occupy my stomach. Would have been ideal for the missus!
Soon after, my order arrived, comprising a generous platter of fruits, bread, and blueberry yogurt and impeccably presented, akin to a fine dining experience!
I was particularly impressed by the amiable Service Manager, with whom I engaged in a brief conversation. He graciously shared insights into the attractions of Oman, piquing my desire to visit in the near future!
Others
Following breakfast, it was time to head to my gate. First Class passengers receive personalized escorting to the gate (which was quite a distance and took nearly 10 minutes). Although it definitely felt exclusive, I did felt that a buggy service would have perfected the experience. The Service Manager helped me with my luggage along the way, and we further chatted and briefly shared insights into each other's backgrounds. Having dedicated a decade to serving at the First Class Lounge, his passion in ensuring guests have a truly enjoyable experience was evident. Looking forward to encountering such hospitality again soon!
Conclusion
In my view, the Oman Air First Class lounge experience surpassed even the renowned Qatar Airways Al Safwa Lounge, making it one of the best experiences I've encountered thus far. The exclusivity and quality of service were truly impressive. Kudos to Oman Air for delivering such exceptional service! 👍
I hope to be able to return soon (hopefully with the missus in tow), and will be keeping a close lookout on my Aeroplan account for any award availability.
