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Pearl Lounge at Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi [Review]

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Keri Stooksbury
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Keri Stooksbury

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With years of experience in corporate marketing and as the executive director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Qatar, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and r...
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Terminal A of Zayed International Airport (AUH) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, opened in late 2023 and only has 1 Priority Pass lounge, Pearl Lounge. As my family was transiting through AUH in economy class with no status, we made a beeline to the lounge after clearing the transfer screening.

With a 4-hour connection in the middle of the night on virtually no sleep, I was happy to have any comfortable place for my family to crash and enjoy a snack.

Pearl Lounge is a high-capacity lounge with varied rooms and spaces and unique seating arrangements. There was even a blink-and-you-miss-it exit to a lovely-looking terrace that I … you guessed it … blinked and missed. Learn from my big mistake and see if this lounge is worth a stop when traveling from Abu Dhabi.

Pearl Lounge Location

The Pearl Lounge is airside in Terminal A, after security near gate D43.

AUH Terminal A
Image Credit: Merely another passerby, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Our flight arrived via a remote gate, so after the bus transfer and transfer screening, we followed signage toward the Pearl Lounge.

Pearl Lounge AUH signage
Signage toward the lounge.

The final sign pointed toward a cavernous holding area where a queue to enter the lounge was cordoned.

Pearl Lounge AUH directional signage
Signage to the escalator entrance.

Signs on a large column pointed right toward an escalator, but a queue was being managed to the left of this space.

Pearl Lounge AUH entry signage
Lounge signage.

My kids were disheartened to see such a big line, but it only took about 20 minutes from when we entered the line until we entered the lounge.

Pearl Lounge AUH queue to enter
The queue to ascend the escalator.

Gaining Entry to the Pearl Lounge

The check-in desk for the lounge was to the left of the escalator.

Pearl Lounge AUH check in desk
Pearl Lounge check-in desk.

However, my visit was around 11 p.m., and all check-ins were coordinated at the AUHotel desk across the way.

Pearl Lounge AUH AUHotel check in desk
AUHotel check-in desk.
Hot Tip:

The lounge is open 24 hours a day. The maximum stay is 3 hours, and children under 2 are admitted free.

Day Pass

Day passes for up to 3 hours cost AED 263 (around $72). Children 2 to 11 are AED 175 (around $48). This rate can also be booked online.

Lounge Networks

Signage in the lounge indicated that it accepts ALLWAYS by Plaza Premium Group, DragonPass, DreamFolks, Diners Club International, LoungeKey, Nice, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Priority Pass.

Pearl Lounge AUH Priority Pass signage
Priority Pass signage.

I gained entry to the lounge using my Priority Pass membership, which I enrolled in as a benefit of my Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card.

Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit CardTerms Apply / Rates & Fees
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The rating for this card has been determined by our own industry experts who know the in's and out's 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.

The Capital One Venture X card is an excellent option for travelers looking for an all-in-one premium credit card.
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
$1,350
$395
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
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 cardapplication.
Excellent (740-840)

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
  • 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 (rates & fees)
  • 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
  • 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
  • Unlimited complimentary access for you and two guests to 1,300+ lounges, including Capital One Lounges and the Partner Lounge Network
  • 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: 19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
  • Foreign Transaction Fees: None
Rewards Center

Capital One Miles

 

Airline Partners

Airline partners of Pearl Lounge include Air India, Badr Airlines, EgyptAir, Gulf Air, KLM, MEA, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, SriLankan, Turkish Airlines, and Vistara.

First Impressions

After checking in, the representative noticed I was traveling with kids and advised us to take a specific path into the lounge to find the best seats. I’m not sure this advice helped in the long run, but I appreciated the thought.

The lounge was busy, like good-luck-finding-4-seats-together busy. The layout had a variety of seating areas separated by walls and corridors. In our search for seats, we passed a buffet spread so busy that I assumed we would be battling other guests over serving spoons.

Pearl Lounge AUH line at buffet
A packed buffet.

After settling in our seats, I heard just how unrelaxed the ambiance was. Loud, smooth jazz played over the speakers, and frequent announcements reminded guests not to lie down and to keep their feet off tables.

Seating

Pearl Lounge has plenty of seating and can accommodate 500 guests. From clusters of chairs to banquettes to high-top tables, there is a seating type for every guest or group (so long as you can find an open seat).

Pearl Lounge AUH seating from entry
Entryway.

The high-top table seemed ideal for solo travelers or those looking for a workspace.

Pearl Lounge AUH seating near exit
Seating near the exit.

My family initially landed at the green banquette seating surrounding the tree in the center of the main area. However, this was not a comfortable place to face the next 4 hours, so we quickly scouted out another option.

Pearl Lounge AUH seating area around tree
Main seating area.

Paths trailed throughout the lounge, with pockets of seating throughout.

Pearl Lounge AUH seating nook
Seating nook.

The area we ultimately landed in was a quiet zone in the rear of the lounge. While it was great to have room for our bags, this area was a bit problematic for charging devices. The power outlets in the tables and cabinetry seemed to only be for show. They were not wired into anything and were non-functional.

Pearl Lounge AUH private area
Quiet area.

This space also extended into another room, but when I exited that room, I noticed it was designated for first and business class passengers. Nothing about this space was really different than any other part of the lounge, and no one was gatekeeping access.

Pearl Lounge AUH first class
Designated area for first and business class.

Finally, another passageway led to the bar.

Pearl Lounge AUH seating near bar
Seating near the bar.

Terrace Lounge

My biggest failure during this visit was not knowing that the lounge had a terrace space that was open to the terminal. You’ve made it this far in my review — there’s a terrace, go find it!

When the front desk representative told me to zig to a better seat, I should have zagged and attempted to find the gray, unmarked double doors leading to this area.

From images online, this terrace looks like a real showstopper, with tons of overflow seats and a large bar with drinks and snacks.

Pearl Lounge AUH terrace
Image Credit: Priority Pass
Bottom Line:

There is signage for the Terrace Lounge and Terrace Bar; make a point to find the signage and follow the arrows.

Food and Beverage

Buffet

The primary buffet was packed when we arrived but eventually cleared out.

Pearl Lounge AUH buffet
The buffet during emptier times.

Self-serve juices and a soda fountain and juices were available. The buffet started with bread, pita, cookies, seeds, and nuts.

Pearl Lounge AUH breads and juice
Breads, juices, and a soda tap.

Next on the line was tomato basil soup, vegetable sambusas (a Middle Eastern version of a samosa), and warm whole wheat focaccia.

Pearl Lounge AUH sambusa
Sambusas.

A cooler contained mezze options like zaatar labneh (a thick yogurt), pickled vegetables, and hummus. You could also assemble a salad with lettuce, tomatoes, and cucumbers.

Pearl Lounge AUH salad bar
Salad options.

The hot options started with white rice and included dal tadka, Thai curry vegetables, chicken biryani, chicken with saffron sauce, and beef pot roast.

Pearl Lounge AUH entrees
Beef pot roast.

When we arrived, the dessert cooler’s stock was demolished but quickly replenished. It included peanut butter New York cheesecake, basbousa (a sweet semolina cake), red velvet cake, and brownies.

Pearl Lounge AUH desserts
Desserts and fruits.

Drinks

The lounge featured a selection of complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, with premium drinks for an additional charge.

Complimentary alcohol included beer (Heineken and Carlsberg), wine (Camino de Chile; Pasqua, DOC; Ventisquero, Tantehue; Jacques Dunay), and spirits (Bacardi Carta Blanca; Famous Grouse, Gordon’s; Absolut Blue).

Pearl Lounge AUH bar
The interior bar area.
Hot Tip:

Alcoholic drinks are not available during the holy month of Ramadan.

Amenities

Restrooms

The number of bathroom stalls seemed adequate for the size of the lounge, and I never experienced a wait.

Pearl Lounge AUH female restroom
Female restrooms.

The stalls were spacious and clean.

Pearl Lounge AUH female toilet
Female toilet stall.

Showers

A fact sheet for the lounge indicated that it had 10 shower rooms, but these must have been hiding throughout the lounge, as I only saw a few. Reservations must be made at the reception desk. Towels, shampoo, shower gel, and a hair dryer are provided.

Pearl Lounge AUH showers
Showers.

Smoking Room

The lounge had a smoking area with high-top tables and a few seats.

Pearl Lounge AUH smoking room
Smoking room.

Meeting Rooms

Several meeting rooms, which would have been great for a family or group that wanted space to spread out, were locked with the lights off.

Pearl Lounge AUH meeting room
A closed meeting room.

Wi-Fi

The lounge had a dedicated Wi-Fi network, but I found speeds comparable to the airport’s public network. I got download speeds of 39.5 Mbps and upload speeds of 45.7 Mbps.

Pearl Lounge AUH wifi
Image Credit: Speedtest

Additional Amenities

Pearl Lounge offered a mix of magazines and advertised a few amenities I couldn’t find, including prayer rooms, a play area for kids, and luggage lockers.

Pearl Lounge AUH magazines
Magazines.

I could not locate the wellness center, but a screen in the lounge indicated that it offered a variety of massages and reflexology.

Staff and Service

The lounge staff did a good job of managing the queue to enter the lounge. Staff members were constantly buzzing throughout the lounge and bussing tables, but I would have appreciated someone directing guests to the overflow seating in the terrace area.

Final Thoughts

For my overnight connection in Abu Dhabi, the Pearl Lounge was a comfortable place to crash for a few hours. My kids enjoyed the food options, particularly the desserts. I didn’t sample too much, as I was running on zero sleep and in no need of a midnight snack.

The layout was a bit of a maze, with new seating areas to discover around every corner. However, not all these areas offered easy access to power outlets, and keeping devices charged is one of my primary objectives when traveling. The constant, loud PA reminders to avoid lounging at the lounge were also a bit annoying.

What would have benefited my visit most was knowing that the signage for Terrace Lounge meant a much bigger, more comfortable space was just outside of the random gray doors, waiting to be explored. Next time, Pearl Lounge, next time.

The information regarding the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card was independently collected by Upgraded Points and not provided nor reviewed by the issuer.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get into Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi?

Day passes for up to 3 hours cost AED 263 (around $72). Children 2 to 11 are AED 175 (around $48). The lounge participates in ALLWAYS by Plaza Premium Group, DragonPass, DreamFolks, Diners Club International, LoungeKey, Nice, Plaza Premium Lounge, and Priority Pass. Airline partners include Air India, Badr Airlines, EgyptAir, Gulf Air, KLM, MEA, Qatar Airways, Royal Jordanian, Saudia, SriLankan, Turkish Airlines, and Vistara.

Is there a free lounge in Abu Dhabi airport?

First and business class passengers generally have access to airport lounges, as do specific elite tiers of loyalty programs. If you are flying in economy, you can purchase a day pass to several lounges in Abu Dhabi or utilize a credit card that offers lounge access as a benefit.

Is alcohol free in Pearl Lounge Abu Dhabi?

Pearl Lounge features a selection of complimentary alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, with premium drinks for an additional charge.

Where is Pearl Lounge located?

The Pearl Lounge is in Terminal A of Zayed International Airport (AUH). It is airside after security near gate D43.

Keri Stooksbury's image

About Keri Stooksbury

With years of experience in corporate marketing and with a nonprofit, Keri is now editor-in-chief at UP, overseeing daily content operations and reviewing thousands of UP articles in the process.

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