Matina Lounge at Seoul Incheon International Airport Terminal 1 West [Review]

With a mid-afternoon departure from Incheon International Airport (ICN) in Seoul, South Korea, my kids and I aimed to grab lunch at a lounge before our flight to Osaka, Japan. We didn’t anticipate the lengthy queue at immigration and security, but we ended up being just 1 gate away from Matina Lounge in Terminal 1 West.

We had more than enough time to enjoy the vast variety of Western and Korean food options, but this lounge may not be a great fit for those looking to slump down in a cushy chair and relax. In my detailed review, you’ll learn more about where the lounge is, how to access it, and what amenities to expect.

Matina Lounge Location

We entered the queue for the passport and security queues at entry gate 5 on the west side of the terminal. Entry gates 5 and 6 are closest to terminal gate 43, where Matina Lounge is located. A whopping 50 minutes later (pack your patience), we cleared the screenings and headed toward the lounge.

If you enter passport control near entry gates 1 or 2, you may be closer to the Matina Lounge at terminal gate 11. The gate 11 lounge also has 35% more seating should you run into space constraints at the gate 43 lounge.

As the security screening left us near gate 42, we just had a quick travelator walk to gate 43 where the entrance for Matina Lounge was.

When you see the sign for Matina Lounge, you’ll take an escalator up 1 level from 3F to 4F.

The level with the lounges held a variety of spaces, including duty-free pick-up, a prayer room, a relaxation zone with computers, a kids zone, a nursing room, restrooms, a shower, and a transfer desk. Other lounges in the area included the Sky Hub Lounge, Asiana Lounge (Business Class), and Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge.

Matina Lounge does not have its own restroom, but the toilets and shower are 50 meters to the right outside of the lounge.

Once you have ascended the escalators, make a left U-turn and follow the path to the right. The lounge will be on your right.

The lounge is located directly across from a relaxation zone area.

Gaining Entry to the Matina Lounge

The Matina Lounge is open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., with food service ending at 9:30 p.m.

Day Pass

A 3-hour day pass costs $39 for adults and $17 for children ages 3 to 10. Children under 3 are free.

Priority Pass

I gained access to the Matina Lounge using the complimentary Priority Pass membership I’ve enrolled in as a benefit of my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

U.P. Rating 

The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the ins and outs of credit card products. Bonuses, rewards as well as rates and fees are all taken into account. Compensation from the issuer does not affect our rating. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.

Welcome Offer

Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel.

75,000 miles

UP's Offer Valuation*:

$1,350

Annual Fee

$395

APR

Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)

Credit Recommended

Upgraded Points credit ranges are a variation of FICO^® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

Excellent (740-840)

Why We Like This Card

The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card is the premium Capital One travel rewards card on the block.

Points and miles fans will be surprised to see that the Capital One Venture X card packs quite the punch when it comes to bookings made through Capital One, all while offering the lowest annual fee among premium credit cards.

Depending on your travel goals and preferences, the Capital One Venture X card could very well end up being your go-to card in your wallet.

 

Pros & Cons

Pros

• 10x miles per $1 on hotels and rental cars purchased through Capital One Travel
• 5x miles per $1 on flights and vacation rentals purchased through Capital One Travel
• 2x miles per $1 on all other purchases

Cons

• $395 annual fee
• Does not offer bonus categories for flights or hotel purchases made directly with the airline or hotel group, the preferred booking method for those looking to earn elite status

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Card Highlights

• Earn 75,000 bonus miles when you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
• Receive a $300 annual credit for bookings through Capital One Travel, where you'll get Capital One's best prices on thousands of trip options
• Get 10,000 bonus miles (equal to $100 towards travel) every year, starting on your first anniversary
• Earn unlimited 10X miles on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Travel
• Earn unlimited 2X miles on all other purchases
• Enjoy access to 1,300+ lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
• Use your Venture X miles to easily cover travel expenses, including flights, hotels, rental cars and more—you can even transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
• Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
• Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck^®

Financial Snapshot

• APR: Purchases: 19.99% - 28.99% (Variable)
• Foreign Transaction Fees: None

Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Priority Pass members can also access the adjacent Sky Hub Lounge and nearby Asiana Lounge when on an Asiana or a Star Alliance-operated flight.

Hot Tip:

The Capital One Venture X card is one of my favorite credit cards for large families that love lounge access. Authorized user cards can be added at no charge, and those authorized users can enroll in their own complimentary Priority Pass membership.

Other Entry Methods

The lounge’s signage indicated that it participated in Diners Club International, DragonPass, Lounge Club, The Lounge, and LoungeKey. It is also part of the Plaza Premium Lounge network. Eligible cardholders of American Express, BCcard, JCB, Lotte Card, Samsung Card, UnionPay International, Visa, and several other Korean credit cards may also have access.

First Impressions

The lounge was very busy but still accepting passengers. My kids and I quickly found seats near the interior terminal window, where I could drop our bags while the kids checked out the buffet.

While the seating areas were quite tight and congested, I was impressed with the variety of food offered.

Seating

Matina Lounge was packed with seating options optimized for dining vs. lounging. Dining tables set for groups of 2 or 4 were along the right wall, and a long counter with seats (ideal for solo travelers) stretched along the interior terminal window.

The central dining area had dining tables set for groups of 2 or 4, and the area along the left wall past the departures monitor had larger club-style chairs with pillows and dining tables for 2.

The counter along the window had obstructed views of the check-in area. This seating area had the most accessible outlets for charging.

Food and Beverage

The diversity of food options was so abundant that I immediately texted my husband (who was waiting for his flight’s check-in desk to open) that he’d find everything he needed at Matina with no need for lounge-hopping.

From protein-heavy dishes to kid-friendly favorites, I appreciated the lunch menu.

Hot Tip:

Food labels did not indicate allergens. A placard instructed guests with allergies to speak with the restaurant manager.

Buffet

The hot dishes were plentiful, starting with ratatouille and fried chicken bites.

I enjoyed the sliced smoked duck breast and barbecued pork immensely.

The lounge featured mussels as a nod to the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris. Other hot dishes included fried rice, spinach gnocchi, spicy stir-fried rice cakes, and seaweed soup with dried pollack and clam.

Tempura squash, french fries, and gimmari (crispy seaweed noodle rolls) were fresh and replenished frequently.

A rice steamer was set up for a bibimbap station. To enjoy this traditional Korean dish, create a bowl with rice, kimchi, lettuce, radish, mushrooms, bean sprouts, or carrots, 2 spoons of red pepper paste, and sesame or perilla oil.

The salad bar area also had lettuce, cherry tomatoes, potato salad, pasta salad, lotus root salad, and mung bean jelly salad, with many vegetarian options. A nearby bread station had croissants, donuts, rolls, and sliced bread.

If none of the hot options spoke to you, cups of instant noodles were available next to a hot water dispenser.

My kids demolished the dessert area, which featured a variety of cakes, muffins, and puddings. The fresh fruit seemed most depleted, with cut bananas, whole snake fruit, fruit salad, and watermelon.

And since the fries, nuggets, and desserts clearly had not done them in, my kids each finished with an ice cream.

Drinks

The cooler had an unusual mix of canned beverages, including sweet coffee, a vitamin drink, and a sweet rice drink.

Standard sodas were available by fountain only. My kids enjoyed having Fanta Pineapple on tap.

Self-service coffee makers were available to prepare an espresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte, etc.

Cass beer, a Korean brew, was available via this cool ReverseTap system.

The wine fridge had 2 varietals: Don Simón Seleccion Tempranillo and Don Simón Selección Airen.

Amenities

Although the lounge had a prayer room, restrooms, and a shower just outside its entrance, it was light on amenities.

Computer Station

I suppose if you needed to print something quickly, you could access this computer station and printer. However, it was wedged in a corner next to dining tables and didn’t look like a welcoming space.

Hot Tip:

Matina Lounge has a dedicated Wi-Fi network, though I wasn’t able to test the speed.

Staff and Service

When we first entered the lounge, I noticed dining room staff lingering together rather than proactively cleaning. However, due to the lounge’s seating, which encourages grabbing a bite and leaving, the turnover of tables was quite speedy, and I never thought the space looked cluttered with tables waiting to be bussed.

I also didn’t notice any issues with hot food looking stale or needing a refill on the buffet. Everything looked fresh and tended to.

Final Thoughts

If you’re searching for a lounge at Seoul’s Incheon International Airport for a filling meal and a variety of beverages, Matina Lounge near gate 43 in Terminal 1 West is the place to be. However, if you’re after a quiet corner to lounge in a cozy armchair or need a place to charge multiple devices, you might be better off setting up shop in the relaxation zone just outside the lounge.