Before ending our week in paradise (Europe), we had one last airport lounge to visit before our flight back from Rome to New York

(SEE ALSO: Trying to plan a European airport lounge strategy)

Although we were flying business class on American Airlines, I actually was not sure if we’d have Rome airport lounge access – American (and most of the other US-bound carriers) fly out of Terminal 5, while everything I was able to see was that the Rome airport lounge sites were in Terminal 3, and these terminals were NOT close together.

When we got to Fiumicino airport after staying at the Comfort Inn Rome Airport, we took the free shuttle bus to Terminal 5 (no thanks to the hotel shuttle driver who just dumped us at Terminal 3 and told us we should have told him earlier that we wanted Terminal 5).  If you’ve never been to Rome Fiumicino Airport, most services are at Terminal 1, 2 or 3, but long haul flights to the US seem to operate at Terminal 5.  You check-in and go through security at Terminal 5, and then take ANOTHER shuttle back to the “extra-gate” areas G and H of Terminal 3.

When we checked in with American Airlines, she told us we would have access to the Giotto lounge, which is the Alitalia lounge at Rome Fiumicino Airport, located near gate G11

Giotto Rome airport lounge

There is ample signage near the G11 gate for the Rome airport lounge, and you go down either an elevator or a set of stairs.  When you get to the bottom of the stairs, you’ll see 2 lounge entrances

To the left is the Le Anfore Rome airport lounge – to the right is the Giotto Rome airport lounge.  I believe Le Anfore is a member of the Priority Pass network, while the Giotto lounge is the Alitalia / Skyteam lounge, and is also accessible for business class passengers on American Airlines.

(SEE ALSO: How to access Priority Pass lounges with no card)

Giotto Rome airport seating

We got there pretty early (around 8 am for a 9:40 flight), and there was no problem finding a seat.

A little bit later, things started to fill up as passengers started arriving for their later flights, but even so, there was another area at least as big as this one on the other side of the lounge

Rome Airport Lounge Giotto lounge food

I had read other reviews of the Giotto Rome Airport lounge food not being that great.  I’d agree that it’s nothing special, but it did have your basic snacks and drinks.  Given it was the morning, there were 2 attendants working full-time getting people coffee, espresso and cappuccino behind the bar.  Personally I just went for some bottled water.

And, of course, a custard-filled croissant because… CUSTARD-FILLED croissant?!!?!?

Giotto Rome Airport lounge wifi

The main things I look for in an airport lounge are comfortable seating, food, and wi-fi.  The wi-fi here was pretty good, and you had the added benefit of still getting a signal from the main airport-wifi, which was free and had a pretty strong signal.

While nothing overly spectacular, I’d say the Giotto Rome Airport lounge surely beats hanging out in the gate area if you have access! (though I’d say that about MOST lounges :-D)

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