Review: Pearl Lounge T5 at Stockholm Airport (ARN)

• By Niko Suominen
• 14 December 2024 - 9 min read

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On our way back from Porto to Helsinki, we decided to make the most of our layover in Stockholm Arlanda by visiting the Pearl Lounge in Terminal 5. The lounge was nice-looking with Scandinavian decoration but, perhaps, a little too simple. Read more from our review.

Pearl Lounge in Terminal 5

Stockholm Arlanda Airport has three Pearl Lounges, but the one we're focusing on this article is the busiest. Unfortunately, the popularity can lead to crowding during peak hours. The reviewed lounge is at Pier E in Terminal 5. The other Pearl Lounges are in Terminal 4 and 2.

Review of Pearl Lounge by C37

Formerly known as Norrsken Lounge, Pearl Lounge has undergone a name change in recent years. While we've visited this lounge multiple times before the rebranding, this was our inaugural visit as Pearl Lounge. Despite the name change, the lounge remained largely unchanged. This article shares factual information and personal experiences about the lounge.

Location

This Pearl Lounge is in Terminal 5. Arlanda Airport has four terminals, but only Terminal 2 is separate. You can easily walk between the other terminals in the airside in under 15 minutes.

The Pearl Lounge in Terminal 5 is by Gate E1. The strategic placement offers easy access to Piers F and D. If your flight departs from Pier C, consider visiting Pearl Lounge near Gate C37 instead.

Some sources may indicate that the lounge is on the third floor, but it is on the fourth. To find the lounge, you need to take the elevator. Once you exit the elevator, you'll find the lounge right next to the Scandinavian Airlines lounge.

Pearl Lounge T5 is in the Schengen Zone.

Access

The Pearl Lounge offers multiple access options. It's open to business and first-class passengers of select airlines. Additionally, members of Priority Pass, LoungeKey and DragonPass are welcome.

To manage capacity during peak times (9 - 15), the lounge may limit access for membership cardholders.

Pearl Lounge offers discounted access to holders of the following credit cards: Nordea First, Eurocard, Agrol Mastercard, Forex Credit, Nordea Gold, SEB Gold, and Everyday Card. The discounted rate is 24 euros.

Walk-in customers are welcome, but the fee is higher at 37 euros. We recommend pre-booking your visit through the Lounge Pass service to avoid potential disappointment at the entrance.

How to Use Lounge Pass

Our Visit to Pearl Lounge

During our November 2024 getaway to Porto, we had layovers at Stockholm Arlanda Airport both ways. On the outbound journey by SAS, we visited American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, while on the inbound journey by Noreegian, we experienced the Pearl Lounge. We used our Priority Pass membership to get complimentary access.

In the following sections, we'll share our impressions and experiences of the lounge.

Finding the Lounge

Finding the lounge was easy since it is by Gate E1, and the gate signs at Arlanda Airport are good. We took the elevator to the upper floor and arrived at the lounge's entrance. Since the lounge is on the airside, there is no security check after the visit.

Getting In

We were the second guest in the queue when we arrived at the lounge. The guest before us attempted to use his credit card to access the lounge but was unsuccessful. After verifying that the guest's card didn't provide lounge access, the staff asked him to pay the walk-in entrance fee, 37 euros.

While waiting to be served, the lounge displayed a notice indicating potential access limitations between 9 and 15 for Priority Pass users during busy hours. Despite this, our entry process was smooth, involving a simple scan of my digital Priority Pass and boarding pass.

First Impression

The lounge was nearly full upon arrival. It had only one section, which was not especially large. We found a place to sit on the right side, but its table was dirty. A staff member cleared the dishes fast but didn't wipe down the surface. Several seats meant for groups were occupied by solo guests, limiting available seating.

The lounge's design was almost identical to what it was years ago when it was still called Norrsken Lounge at the same location. Its light colour palette, subtle shadows, and simple furniture created a comfortable but simple atmosphere. As residents of the Nordic countries, we appreciated the lounge's simple Scandinavian design, but some people may find it boring. The right side of the lounge featured older, worn-out sofas and chairs.

The lounge had only two unisex restrooms, each with its lock. Perhaps a few more toilets could be helpful.

The location near the tarmac provides excellent opportunities to view airport activity under favourable weather conditions. Unfortunately, the rain-streaked windows hindered any runway view this dark winter afternoon. In winter, there is not much daylight in Nordic cities.

As a funny detail, we noticed that one of the Christmas tree ornaments near the glass windows at the end of the lounge had fallen to the floor. It remained there unattended by the staff.

The lounge was experiencing a steady increase in visitors during our visit. When we departed at 6:30 pm, we observed a queue of guests waiting to enter. Considering the high traffic volume at Stockholm-Arlanda Airport, expanding lounge options for Priority Pass members would be advantageous. We understand that Pearl Lounge may not be able to affect the size of its premises.

Food and Drinks

The cold buffet featured a selection of salads, salami, ham, turkey, gouda cheese, chicken meatballs, green olives, and pepperoncini. For Halal dietary needs, the buffet included turkey and beef salami. Two pasta salad options were available: a pesto salad and a smoked salmon pasta salad. Fresh fruits, including bananas and apples, were offered.

The only hot item was creamy tomato soup. In addition, there were two types of bread: gluten-free bread and crackers to enjoy with the soup.

The lounge provided a limited selection of snacks, primarily sweet biscuits and salty chips. Compared to other lounges, the snack options were somewhat disappointing. For example, candies would have been nice.

The buffet did not feature other warm food than soup.

A soft drink machine provided still, carbonated water and apple juice for non-alcoholic beverages. Alcoholic options included wine and beer. Additionally, a sign was placed next to the beer tap that said that non-alcoholic beers were available per request.

Services

The lounge provided complimentary Wi-Fi access. While we didn't test the connection ourselves, considering the generally high standard of Wi-Fi in Nordic countries, we anticipate it would be adequate for work purposes.

The lounge had a television and a flight information screen. Flight information screens are crucial for travellers, but we have never noticed anyone watching the television in the lounge. Especially when the sound is off, and the majority of the visitors would not even understand the local language.

The lounge's internet description promises that printing in Pearl Lounge is possible. To take advantage of this service, you need to contact the staff.

The cleaning standards in the lounge were not perfect. One of the staff members primarily focused on removing used dishes from tables, often neglecting to wipe tables. Another staff member, however, made an effort to clean the tables while clearing the dishes. Overall, the cleaning process could benefit from increased attention to detail.

Rating

The lounge's interior design appeared outdated, featuring worn-out soft chairs, tables, and sofas that could benefit from refurbishment. The cleanliness standards were inadequate, with poorly maintained toilets and windows marred by visible dust and hair against the white paint. Otherwise, the lounge provided a decent experience. The food and drinks were good, but we would have appreciated more warm food.

Pre-Purchasing Access

The walk-in rate for this lounge is a steep €37. Not everyone can get in as the lounge often reaches capacity. To ensure access at a more affordable price, we suggest booking a single access pass through Lounge Pass. Upon arrival, present the voucher to the reception staff.

Membership

For frequent travellers, a lounge membership program like Lounge Pass can offer significant benefits. Priority Pass often comes with select credit cards or is available for direct purchase, which provides access to over 1,600 lounges globally, including those in Stockholm. With the appropriate membership tier, you can enjoy unlimited lounge access.

Bottom Line

Although it was our inaugural visit to the Pear Lounge in Terminal 5, the experience felt remarkably familiar. The lounge's design and level of service were virtually identical to its previous iteration. Even the furniture appeared to be unchanged.

The visit to the Pearl Lounge was pleasant but left room for improvement. The lounge could benefit from enhanced cleanliness, a more peaceful atmosphere, and the availability of warm food options. Nevertheless, it fulfilled its primary purpose, allowing us to rest and enjoy a light meal between flights.

Have you had the opportunity to visit any of the Pearl Lounges at Stockholm Arlanda Airport? We'd love to hear about your experiences. Please share your thoughts and feedback below.

Tags: airport, lounge, review
Destination: Sweden