Adelaide Airport has been on the rise for many years, with the transport hub continuing to enhance passenger experience and slowly grow its international reach. The opening of Adelaide’s first and only international lounge is a huge win for passengers, as Plaza Premium Adelaide opened its doors just a few months ago.
The Plaza Premium Lounge in Adelaide is a gorgeous new space, with room for 137 of your closest friends. That’s a decent size for an airport with a relatively small number of international flights. Not to mention that with only a few international gates at Adelaide, you’ll be a matter of minutes between finishing your lounge champagne and starting a fresh glass after boarding.
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Who Can Access The Plaza Premium Lounge?
Adelaide’s latest lounge welcomes Dragon Pass members and those who have purchased a Plaza Premium Multi City Pass. You can also purchase access at the door from A$39 for one hour. Plus, Smart Traveller members enjoy 20% off walk-in rates.
You can also get past reception with an eligible credit card provided by American Express, Citibank or HSBC. Check with your banking provider to find out if you have access to Plaza Premium lounges.
Finally, Singapore Airlines allows its business class, elite KrisFlyer and PPS Club guests to enjoy complimentary access.
Plaza Premium Adelaide: Location
Sitting below the international departure gates, Plaza Premium Adelaide couldn’t be more convenient. The lounge entrance is located to the right, just steps after clearing border control. It’s pretty hard to miss, but if you start to wander through duty-free shopping, you’ve gone too far.
Plaza Premium Adelaide: Opening Hours
Plaza Premium Adelaide is currently operating under limited hours, from 7am to 10am daily. Anyone travelling after this time unfortunately will miss out.
Plaza Premium Adelaide: Overview
Bright and warm, Plaza Premium has taken the time to craft a stunning space for travellers to relax before their flight. The delightful design incorporates beautiful textures of natural stone, timber and a raked render finish, with lavish lighting elements and dividing walls to break up the space.
As you enter, there is a quiet sitting area with six segregated armchairs that could play host to a quiet workspace or several glasses of champagne.
The bar is nearby, as is a more traditional workstation and high barstools that face the window. Unfortunately, the view is of Adelaide’s taxi drop-off zone and adjacent Atura Hotel.
Relaxed booth setting and comfortable emerald leather chairs fill the remaining seating areas.
Plaza Premium Adelaide: Food And Beverage
At first glance, the buffet area looks rather small, but on further inspection is home to a suitable selection of both light and substantial foods. As Plaza Premium Adelaide is currently open during breakfast hours only, you can expect an assortment of eggs, bacon, baked beans and hashbrowns, as well as cold cuts, yoghurt, toast, cereal and sweet items.
On the far side of the buffet is a soft drinks station, a pancake maker as well as an automatic coffee machine. That said, lounge staff can also make hot drinks, and during my visit were even offering table service.
Plaza Premium Adelaide: Amenities
This lounge has something different which I love! Guests enter via a ‘wine corridor’ adjacent to reception. Although the perk is yet to become available, Plaza Premium Adelaide will offer guests the opportunity to sample a variety of award-winning Australian wines, in collaboration with Accolade Wines.
Two shower rooms are available to any guest who wants to freshen up pre-flight. While beautiful and highly functional, be prepared for a long wait before your turn.
Summing Up: Editor’s Take
International travellers departing Adelaide finally have a dedicated international lounge where they can spend some time before blasting off overseas. Among the Plaza Premium Lounges in Australia, the Adelaide facility is perhaps the best. With enough space to work or relax, as well as decent food and drinks, not much is left to be desired.
The main drawback is Plaza Premium’s opening hours, which for now, is only three hours daily. Additionally, it appears that only two customer-facing staff are provided. By the time one was tending to the bar and coffee orders, and the other was running around clearing tables and serving drinks, both reception desks were left empty. Maybe you don’t need a fancy credit card after all, as I spot a few travellers sneaking in without any checks. Despite the workload, Roberto and Vanessa were some of the best lounge staff I have ever encountered, with each going the distance to ensure a comfortable stay for their guests.
Also, it would be nice if Plaza Premium paid for Spotify Premium. Going from gentle music to advertisements about how it’s just $11.99 per month for ad-free listening is pretty unprofessional.
Full Disclosure: Flight Hacks attended Adelade’s new lounge on invitation by Plaza Premium. This does not influence our opinion of this new space!
