Etihad The Residence Lounge
Etihad The Residence Lounge

Review: Etihad Airways The Residence Lounge

The Residence Lounge is exclusive only to guest who travels in the A380 Residence on Etihad.

It is located inside the First Class Lounge of Etihad Airways at Abu Dhabi.

Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
 
Entrance of Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
Entrance of Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa
  The Residence lounge is hidden towards the back of the First Class Lounge. The only admission to the lounge is to fly the Residence. No other ways, period. When I arrive at the lounge, my lounge butler; Mr Salah is already waiting me at the door to welcome me.
Welcome to the Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
Welcome to the Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
 
Welcome to the Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
Welcome to the Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
 

Upon entering the lounge, it really took my breath away.....

It is luxury, private, spacious and please to the eye. The lounge has the right size, not too large or small.

The lounge design is in the same contemporary luxury style that underpinns Etihad lounge design.

The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
 
The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
 

Apart from a generous lounging area, it offers private dining up to 4 passengers at the sametime.

It also has a own bar setup on the side table with coffee machine.

The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
The Residence Lounge of Etihad Airways
 

My personal lounge butler gave me a tour of the Residence Lounge, it has its own private bathroom include shower.

It also feature a private prayer room with cleaning area.

Personal bathroom with shower at the Residence Lounge
Personal bathroom with shower at the Residence Lounge
 

After the tour, before I ask anything. My personal butler Mr Salah already have the champagne open and ready to pour....The hospitality was so wonderful.

a man in a suit holding a bottle of champagne

Bollinger La Grande Année 2005

a person pouring a glass of champagne

What an amazing book on the table!

a book on a table

a man standing next to a man on a couch

My butler Mr Salah is French-Algerian, he is incredibly friendly and humble. We have a good connection from the beginning!

After some lounging, it is time for lunch in the private setting of the Residence Lounge.

Dining at the Residence Lounge Etihad Airways
Dining at the Residence Lounge Etihad Airways
 

The dining ware is designed by Vera Wang specially for The Residence.

Vera Wang designed dining ware at the Residence Lounge
Vera Wang designed dining ware at the Residence Lounge
 

The canapes is Abu Dhabi farmed Caviar.

I have my share of doubt about this before trying, but it was surprisingly good and creamy.

I love how the Caviar is presented, with 3 set of silver spoon and a pearl spoon!

a tray with bowls of food and spoons

a bowl of black caviar

a bowl of black caviar

a hand holding a piece of bread with black and white caviar

I enjoyed talking with my butler, Salah a lot, he has incredible knowledge about all the lounge offering.

We found out we have a few common friends at Etihad and we shared our love of France, of course.

a man in a suit and gloves standing next to a man in a suit and gloves

a man in suit and tie looking at a phone

My butler insist I should try some of the signature cocktails the lounge offers. He asked me what kind of flavour and strength I like.

Based on my answer, he recommended me; Melbourne (Etihad name all the signature cocktails after its destination)

a glass of liquid with a slice of orange on top of it

Later we moved on to try "Los Angeles" with a cloud on top of the Pacific! How creative!

a glass with a blue cotton candy on top

The Executive Sous Chef of Etihad, Steve personally came to deliver me the first course and every course after.

What an honour to dine like this!

a man in a suit giving a microphone to a woman in a restaurant

Starter: Chicken Liver Pate, beautifully plated.

a plate of food on a table

Interval: Lemon Sorbet

food on a plate

a man in a chef's uniform holding a plate of food

Main Course: Grill Duck Breast

I think Etihad probably have the best plating I've seen in any airline fine dining.

a plate of food on a white plate

a man in a suit holding a plate of food

Dessert: Mille Feuille

a plate of dessert with fruit and ice cream

The food taste fine despite the ongoing challenge to get the fresh produce and ingredients in the Middle East.

I love the presentation even more than the taste! On a personal level, I still think Air France Salon La Premiere offer the best food but Etihad have certainly tried very hard here and deserve good recognition.

After a full lunch, Salah suggest we walk over to the Cigar Lounge to try some of the fine cigar it has on offer.

Residence passenger are entitled to try any cigar free of charge.

Salah has incredible knowledge on Cigar, he patiently explained every Cigar on offer.

I eventually settled on Hoyo de Monte.

My butler explaining the difference of each cigar.
My butler explaining the difference of each cigar.
 
Cigar Lounge at Etihad First Class Lounge
Cigar Lounge at Etihad First Class Lounge
 

a cigar in a ashtray

a man sitting in a chair

a man sitting in a chair

Etihad have 8 A380 in the fleet now. The A380 flies three times daily to London, daily to New York, Sydney, Melbourne and Mumbai.

The departure time to Sydney, Melbourne in the evening are very close. Also in the early morning London and New York departs within an hour of each other. So what if we have 2 Residence guest from 2 flights came at the same time?

The answer is Etihad have a 2nd private Residence Lounge!

The 2nd Residence Lounge is a little smaller in size, but offer all the luxury amenity like the first lounge. I have the opportunity to see it and took some pictures.

The 2nd Residence Lounge
The 2nd Residence Lounge
 
The 2nd Residence Lounge
The 2nd Residence Lounge
 
The 2nd Residence Lounge
The 2nd Residence Lounge
 

a man sitting at a table with a book

Well, I have too much fun and time is my enemy. I ran out of time quickly while I was enjoying everything it has on offer...

In case you have more time, there are many more facilities you can enjoy in the First Class Lounge.

Gym inside Etihad First Class Lounge
Gym inside Etihad First Class Lounge
 
Ladies Salon (Style) inside Etihad First Class Lounge
Ladies Salon (Style) inside Etihad First Class Lounge
 
Shave/Salon inside Etihad First Class Lounge
Shave/Salon inside Etihad First Class Lounge
 
Six Sense Spa inside Etihad First Class Lounge
Six Sense Spa inside Etihad First Class Lounge
 
Relaxation area inside Etihad First Class Lounge
Relaxation area inside Etihad First Class Lounge
 
Children's area inside Etihad First Class Lounge
Children's area inside Etihad First Class Lounge
 

Bottom Line

The Residence Lounge is almost like a 2nd home but in a great luxury way. I feel totally relaxed with unmatched attention, care, privacy and luxury. The butler is at my service anytime. I strongly recommend to arrive the airport at least 4 hours or more prior to your flight departure time to enjoy the excellent facilities and benefit associated with your Residence Flight. Residence guest are entitled for complimentary Spa and shave/style. Also not to mention the fine cigar and a glass of cognac!

Sam’s Travel Hacks

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a screenshot of a website
As a frequent flier, I recommend book flights and compare prices on Skyscanner and JustFly for the best deals on the internet. We have put together many useful travel tips and airfare promotions in my Smart Travel section to guide you travel in more luxury with lower price!  

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