During my stay at Phuket airport’s domestic terminal, I was able to visit both the Bangkok Airways Blue Ribbon lounge and Thai Airways’ Royal Orchid Lounge, which are located nearby one another. Here’s my review on the lounge and how I rate its food, aesthetic, and amenities.
How I Accessed The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge
The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge is easier to access than you might expect—it’s surprisingly considered a Priority Pass lounge, meaning anyone with an active Priority Pass can access the lounge.
Here are some popular cards that give you Priority Pass Select, which you can also use to access lounges like this one:
You can also access this lounge if you have eligible status. According to the Thai Airways website, here are other ways you can access this particular lounge:
- Present a THAI Royal or Star Alliance First Class boarding pass
- Present a THAI Royal Silk or Star Alliance Business Class boarding pass
- Have THAI Royal Orchid Platinum status
- Star Alliance Gold status cardholders
- Star Alliance paid lounge membership cards (Air Canada Maple Leaf Club – Worldwide and United Airlines United Club)
In most cases, you need to have a same day Thai or Star Alliance flight to get into the lounge.
When Does The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge Open / Close?
Where Is The Thai Airways Royal Orchid Lounge Located?
This lounge is located in domestic departures, after getting through airline security. It is located closest to Gate 5, with several other lounges located nearby, including the Bamboo Airways Blue Ribbon lounge. If anything, just keep your eyes peeled for purple.
Accessing The Royal Orchid Lounge
Even though I have Priority Pass, I was able to quickly access this lounge using my Star Alliance Gold status that was already attached to my card. I merely gave the attendant my boarding pass and they scanned it alongside a quick glance at my passport. Super quick, super easy.
Initial Thoughts On The Royal Orchid Lounge: Very Small, But Cozy
According to the Thai Airways website, this lounge is just 200 square meters with a maximum capacity of 70 people or less. While small, there is ample seating around with many comfortable areas to sit and relax. Each seating area has outlets, which is great for charging your devices while lounging around a bit before your flight.
Lounge view after turning right after entering
I decided to seat myself on the individual chairs located on the side, with each having individual outlets and little side tables for holding food/drinks. I liked the privacy here since I was by myself in this lounge.
Right hand side of lounge with chairs
Thai Royal Orchid Lounge Food: Interesting Options
For some reason, I wasn’t particularly moved by the food options here, but maybe you might have a different viewpoint than I do. There was a general self-serve buffet section with fruits, pre-made salads, and prewrapped sandwiches. On this same station, there was a rack of fried dough snacks and water stations.
Assorted prewrapped foods
Against the wall just behind the food here, there was also a coffee machine with a milk station. Right above there, you could find a wide variety of instant ramens. Additionally, on that same side, there was a refrigerator filled with a bunch of drinks, ranging from sodas to juices.
Right hand side of lounge
Coffee machine + instant ramen
There was also a hot buffet foods section closer with an open style “kitchen” where some Thai Airways staff could help you make some food. Here, you could find self-service fish curry, shrimp wonton soup, and some vegetables. Additionally, to your immediate right were the utensils and some other refrigerated Thai snacks.
Assorted self-service hot meals
Assorted cold foods + utensils
So what’s interesting is that you can apparently order a la carte meals from the staff, who can make you fried eggs and even Pad Thai. However, what was frustrating was that this was never made clear to me throughout my stay at this lounge. The hot, self-service food wasn’t particularly appetizing, so I feel like this lounge really misses out on a good opportunity to elevate its service to the next level by openly presenting its seemingly (hidden) delicious food.
My Overall Rating Of The Phuket HKT Thai Royal Orchid Lounge: 5/10
I rate lounges based on a few general criteria:
- Food Quality & Variety: 4/10
- Cleanliness: 8/10
- Interior Design: 7/10
- Unique Amenities: 2/10
I think this is a pretty average, standard lounge. Food was ok all around, but nothing that really impressed me. While I do admit I never got to try the a la carte menu, it was not made clear to me at all that there was even an a la carte menu, which was a bit frustrating and disappointing on many fronts. Additionally, outside of the fast WiFi and supposed a la carte ordering, this lounge basically no other significant amenities that caught my attention. However, design and cleanliness wise, this lounge does a pretty good job.
