Pearl Lounge in Terminal 2 at Hurghada Airport
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We visited Pearl Lounge in Terminal 2 before returning home from Hurghada. The lounge was not a typical airport lounge but it had many unique features. Although not everything was perfect, we liked it. Read more from our lounge review.
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Pearl Lounges at Hurghada Airport
Hurghada Airport on the Red Sea coast is Egypt's second busiest airport after Cairo. It is a gateway for travellers looking to enjoy activities in the country's warm climate.
Hurghada Airport has two terminals, both with Pearl Lounges. These lounges are operated by Menzies Aviation, a global ground-handling company. You can find Pearl Lounges at various airports worldwide. For example, we have visited a Pearl Lounge at Stockholm Arlanda Airport.
While the other Pearl Lounge in Terminal 1 at Hurghada Airport follows the typical arrangement beyond security and passport control, the lounge in Terminal 2 presents an unusual challenge. It's located before these checkpoints, necessitating a significant time buffer for passengers to proceed to their gates. Nonetheless, we visited the Pearl Lounge but reserved much more than usual.
Our Visit to Pearl Lounge in Terminal 2
We were embarking on a Jettime flight from Hurghada to Helsinki. Uncertain about the time required for the check-in process, we were pleasantly surprised by its efficiency. Fast check-in allowed us enough time to visit the Pearl Lounge before our departure. Below, we share our experiences.
Locating the Lounge
The Pearl Lounge in Terminal 2 is outside security, specifically after the initial X-ray security checks and adjacent to the check-in area. We found it without challenges. As soon as we walked a few steps from the check-in area, there were smiling lounge staff with placards inviting random passengers to the lounge. They guided us to another staff member at the reception at the lounge entrance.
Access
Accessing the lounge was easy. It accepted various membership programs, such as Priority Pass, LoungeKey, DragonPass, and Lounge Pass.
As Priority Pass members, we utilized our membership to access the lounge. For travellers without a lounge membership, we recommend purchasing a single-entry pass through Lounge Pass. It's a convenient and modern way to access lounges today.
Premises
The Lounge felt less like an airport lounge and more like a spacious living room, albeit one with an elegant Egyptian flair. It was a large single room, and we first noticed the ambience.
Imagine plush carpets with intricate patterns and walls adorned with paintings that captured the essence of Egypt. There was a distinct attention to detail, with subtle touches of Egyptian design woven throughout.
The ground-level lounge offered an interesting view of the tarmac through its windows, and it also had a garden. However, the garden door was locked, likely for security reasons.
Food and Drinks
The lounge provided a selection of complimentary snacks. One of the highlights of this lounge was the hospitality of the staff, who were eager to bring you drinks or snacks according to your wish. In addition to cold snacks, the lounge offered a complimentary hot buffet, allowing us to enjoy a warm meal before the flight.
The dessert wasn't that appetizing; for example, one of the sweet baked goods didn't taste fresh. However, the overly friendly staff compensated for this minor drawback. They came to clean the old dishes promptly while bringing on food items as requested.
For beverages, complimentary soft drinks were available to quench the thirst. The lounge did not serve alcohol.
Apples were the only fruits the lounge provided.
Staff
Our experience at Pearl Lounge was defined by efficiency and warm hospitality. When we stepped inside, the staff's focus was clear: the customer is king.
The staff maintained this attentive yet unobtrusive service throughout our stay. The team was readily available whether we needed refreshment, information about our flight, or a quiet, relaxing space. They offered proactive service, ensuring a smooth and comfortable experience. The emphasis on speed and friendliness created an atmosphere of relaxed luxury.
Facilities
Near the buffet table were sofas, seemingly in a lobby like in hotels. There were no other customers when we arrived at nearly 11 am, so it was quiet except for one male staff member watching TV, but he swiftly left when he noticed our arrival. Inside the lounge, there were single toilets for all genders. There were no shower facilities.
There was a free Wi-Fi service, but the female receptionist wanted to input the password by asking us to hand our mobile phones to her. A glass door towards the runway was locked, but we could see what was happening outside. It was like big glass windows. We found a few electric plugs to charge our mobile devices.
Time Needed to Reach the Gate
Following our time in the lounge, we passed passport control and a further security check. The process took around 30 minutes, after which we arrived at the departure area. We recommend reserving enough marginal because the airport may have busier hours.
Rating
Our experience at the Pearl Lounge in Hurghada Airport's Terminal 2 was positive, earning it a 3-star rating. We appreciated the tranquil ambience, the beautiful Egyptian-inspired design, and the staff's warm hospitality. The hot food was also a highlight. The tarmac view added comfort. However, the lounge's location before security was inconvenient. The added stress of estimating the time needed for passport control and security detracted slightly from the relaxation. Also, there were no flight information screens, even though Priority Pass mentioned them on their website. The electric sockets were quite far from the sofas. The issue with some foods' freshness and lacking facilities other than a TV and Wi-Fi slightly impacted the rating. The lounge had just the basic facilities without magazines, newspapers, and showers. Even though we do not mind the unavailability of alcohol, it can be disappointing for some guests.
Where to Buy Access
Access to the Pearl Lounge is available through various lounge membership programs. Priority Pass is a good option for frequent flyers, while Lounge Pass offers single-visit passes for those who travel less often. Direct access to the Pearl Lounge at Hurghada Airport is also possible but not recommended because the price is unknown.
Bottom Line
We enjoyed visiting the Pearl Lounge in Hurghada Airport's Terminal 2. The lounge offered a beautifully designed space with a distinct Egyptian flair, making it feel more like a comfortable living room than a typical airport lounge.
We were particularly impressed by the warm hospitality of the staff and the delicious hot food options available. While the lounge's location before security and the lack of alcoholic beverages were minor drawbacks, the overall experience was excellent.
Have you had the chance to visit the Pearl Lounge at Hurghada Airport? Share your thoughts and experiences below!
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