On a recent trip from Seoul to Phuket, Thailand we had a stopover at Bangkok (BKK) airport. Lounges and other options are game changers for our travel, giving us attractions to look forward to on long trips. Before our flight onward, we stopped in to the Blue Ribbon Club Lounge, accessible through our Priority Pass. While there are over a dozen choices for PP holders at BKK, the Blue Ribbon Lounge is the only option for domestic flights. Thus, if you’re heading to Phuket, Chiang Mai, or other locations in Thailand, this is your Priority Pass lounge.

BKK Blue Ribbon Lounge

Blue Ribbon Club Lounge Access

The Bangkok Blue Ribbon Club Lounge is officially a Bangkok Airways’ lounge. Access is available for Blue Ribbon Club class and Flyer Bonus Premier Members. As the boutique airline isn’t a member of any alliances (though it codeshares with a number of partners), most travelers will gain access through PP or Loungebuddy. Note that Bangkok Airways has a separate departure lounge for “regular” passengers next door, which PP members cannot access.

BKK Airport map, courtesy of Bangkok Airways

The lounge itself is located on the domestic concourse (Concourse A), across from gate A3. It’s mainly a bare airport hallway, so the entrance is hard to miss: a few steps lead up from the hall through the wood-toned and blue entryway to the lounge. Sadly my photos of the front desk didn’t save, so I can only give you a map view. It is open from 4:30 am until 10:00 pm, with no listed restrictions on Priority Pass access.

Bangkok Blue Ribbon Club Lounge Seating

The Blue Ribbon Club lounge is essentially one room to the right of the entrance, with 2 small sections at the far end of a rectangular space. A large circular bench seat surrounds a support column in the middle, breaking up the space. When the lounge is crowded this could cause issues, but during our lunchtime visit the lounge was maybe half-full. So seating was plentiful and comfortable.

BKK Blue Ribbon Lounge Seating

Aside from the large bench, there are several groups of 4 large upholstered chairs and couches surrounding medium tables. The tables were at a height for snacks and drinks, but work for laptops too. The seats themselves were quite comfortable, and I nearly dozed off in one when I tried it out. The lounge probably seats around 50 people total, and during busier times for Bangkok Airways’ departures it might get cramped.

Bangkok Blue Ribbon Club Lounge Food & Beverage

BKK’s domestic Blue Ribbon Club offers a pretty solid selection of foods. At first glance, late breakfast/early lunch seemed mostly breads and salad, with some cold dim sum as well.

Cold food selection & service window

But I realized that the kitchen also had 5 made-to-order dishes ordered through a service window. Dishes were served quickly, piping hot, and seemed very good. I stuck with dim sum and the hot rice and chicken dish; 3 plates later I give it a thumbs up.

Made to order options

Drink options included a version of the ever-present coffee/espresso machine seen in most international lounges. The coffee here, as in every location we drank it in Thailand, was strong with the beans well-cooked. If you like weaker coffee or less “burnt” coffee beans, choose the teas for caffeine. There were also fresh juices and sodas available in a cooler. Beer and wine was available through the service window as well, and while I was served a large draft beer I could not tell you the brand served.

Hot and cold drink selection

The staff of the lounge was extremely pleasant and attentive. Front desk staff were pleasant and positive, and answered questions easily. The kitchen staff were fast, as I noted, and served with a smile. Cleaning staff kept the seating areas neat, with dishes picked up promptly. I cannot commend the staff enough for their excellent service.

Extra Amenities

Probably the main attraction aside from the good food were massage chairs available to all lounge guests. These were located in the two small rooms I mentioned were located at the end of the main seating area. Both rooms had 2 massage chairs; 4 in total. These provided a vigorous if not necessarily completely effective muscle-kneading (review courtesy of my wife). But they were extremely comfortable, so much so that guests had a tendency to sack out in them. That included cat naps in bare feet. While a sign requested no more than 15 minutes per guest, several chairs were occupied by individuals for up to an hour during our stay. Not a major problem, but it limited access for most guests.

Massage chairs in the brief period they weren’t occupied.

There are also a coupe of computers available for work, though power plugs for personal devices were available at most seating areas. A meeting room to the left of the entrance was also available, complete coffee and tea. A quiet seating area led to the meeting room, with no occupants. Aside from my wandering in for pictures, I saw nobody enter the space the whole time.

Quiet area leading to meeting room

Conclusion

Overall, this lounge seems to mirror Bangkok Airways as a whole. It’s pleasant but not pretentious, small and friendly, and better than you might expect when viewed from the outside. Since it’s the only PP lounge for domestic travel in BKK, other options are limited. Star Alliance status holders would probably choose Thai Airways lounges, given their stellar reputation. But for the rest of us the Bangkok Blue Ribbon Club Lounge is a comfortable rest stop.

(SEE ALSO: Priority Pass Crowns Its Global Lounge Winner)

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