The Coral Executive Lounge Phuket Airport
The Coral Executive Lounge Phuket Airport Interior
A decent lounge which had nice interior and seatings, but too small and crowded for me for a long layover. But there is the complimentary massage though!
The Coral Executive Lounge Phuket Airport
HKT-DOH (Qatar Airways B787-8 Business Class)
DOH-AMS (Qatar Airways QSuites)
AMS-LHR-HEL (British Airways and Finnair Economy Class)
Hilton Helsinki Strand
GLO Hotel Kluuvi
Helsinki Highlights
HEL-SIN (Finnair New Premium Economy Class)
Check-In and Location
As soon as I got out of Customs Control, I took the elevator up to the Departures level, where I found the Qatar Airways Check-In Counter.
Qatar Airways Business Class Check-in Counter (Phuket Airport)
I was issued a whopping 3 boarding passes (HKT-DOH, DOH-AMS, AMS-HEL), which later on turned out to be 4 instead (more on that in a later post).
Check-in process was pretty smooth and soon I was finding the Coral Executive Lounge with about 1.5 hours to spare.
Reaching the gates (with a breathtaking view of the Andaman Sea), go up the escalator to Level 4.
From there, I went pass the Coral First Lounge……which was closed and right opposite the Coral Executive Lounge. You will also go past the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge, which was also closed during my time of visit.
Coral First Lounge entrance
And reached the Coral Executive Lounge entrance, located beside a King Power Sports Shop.
The Coral Executive Lounge Phuket Airport Entrance
Access, Interior
The Coral Executive Lounge accepts a wide range of range of programmes, but the main ones are Dragonpass, LoungeKey and Priority Pass holders. This lounge is also the default lounge for most Business Class passengers, including Singapore Airlines Business Class and KrisFlyer Gold/PPS passengers. Although these passengers are also able to visit the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge, Milelion mentioned that it is an either/or policy: the latter will refuse entry if you visited the Coral Executive Lounge first.
The Coral Executive Lounge Phuket Airport (Beer Serving Counter)
The first impressions of this lounge is that the interior is very nice! And of course the beer machine……
As the lounge was very crowded, I could only take snapshots of certain areas. However, there was plenty of communal seating, with sofas and long dining tables and additional top tables elsewhere in the lounge. There is also a more private corner close to the buffet area, with a tall opaque screen separating from the communal areas.
The Coral Executive Lounge (Communal Areas)
Food and Beverages
The food variety consists of a buffet area with hot local food and cold options, and a beverages area. As mentioned, there is also a walk-up bar counter serving complimentary beers, although wine and cocktails were also available.
For more pictures, Milelion took much more nicer photos of the food and beverages in his article.
I chose a bit of food (in anticipation of the food in my Qatar Airways Business Class flight), and of course a pint of beer to pass the time………
Toilets and Showers
The Coral Executive Lounge does not have toilets or shower facilities, instead guests could only use the public toilets beside the lounge entrance. For guests with long connecting layovers (which is not many), do take note if you wanted a shower when you land at Phuket Airport and visiting the lounge.
Service
An interesting feature of this lounge is that it offers a complimentary 15 minute neck and shoulder massage. Although the staff was asking guests, I did not partake as it was too crowded, and did not get the chance!
Conclusion
Although a compact lounge, I can see that it would be a great place to spend an hour in while waiting for your flight, although I would not be able to be in the lounge for more than that. The lounge would also not be ideal to visit when crowded.
