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Only two lounges operate at Clark International Airport in the Philippines. Finney Travel visited the VIP Lounge in Terminal 1 after security control. Please read our review to learn how we rated this lounge.
Our Flight from Clark International Airport
Finnoy Travel had a flight departing from Clark International Airport. Our flight to Hong Kong was scheduled to depart at 15:10 in March 2019. Due to infrequent direct bus connections from Baguio City to Clark International Airport, we opted to take the first direct bus trip (4 hrs, 17 mins) of Genesis, which departed Baguio City at 3:55 am. This resulted in an early arrival at Clark International Airport at exactly 8:20 am. Once check-in for Cathay Airlines opened at noon, we checked in quickly at the Cathay Airlines counter and then passed through immigration and security.
Lounge near the Depature Gate
Initially, there was no plan to visit the lounge then. But it is because of the proximity of the VIP lounge to our departure gate that prompted us to make a quick decision to have a relaxing break at the lounge before our flight. Our connecting flight to Hong Kong International Airport was leaving from Gate 5, located on the second floor of Terminal 1 of Clark International Airport in which the VIP and Smoking Lounge is located (note: the closest gate to the VIP Lounge is Gate 6).
After passing the first floor’s final security check, walking straight a little is necessary, and an escalator will lead you to the second floor. Once you have reached the second level, you will easily find the VIP Lounge on your right, about 7 feet away. The reception is located just in front of the lounge’s two-glass doors. You may also access the lounge through an elevator. Once you exit the elevator, proceed to your right; you will notice the lounge premises immediately. The smoking lounge is on the right side of the door.
VIP & SMOKING LOUNGE
For clarity reasons, the lounge has an official name of VIP Lounge as listed in Loungebuddy’s site. When writing this review, we couldn’t find information about the IP Lounge on Clark Airport’s website. However, if you visit the lounge, you will notice signage that the management is using, which reads, CAD VIP & SMOKING LOUNGE.
The lounge has two separate rooms on the left, labelled as VIP 2 LOUNGE, a non-smoking area, while on the right side is the VIP 1 LOUNGE or the smoking lounge. There are different entry rates for each lounge.
Operating Hours
VIP Lounge was open only from 8:00 am to 2:00 am daily during our visit.
Access Options
VIP Lounge is a pay-in lounge that admits customers who are clients of Priority Pass, Asiana Airlines, Asiana Lounge, Lounge key and Collinson Group. For walk-in guests, this lounge admits guests at the door for a rate of PHP 800.00 (US$18.00) per person, with payments accepted only by Visa and Mastercard credit cards. For admission to the smoking room, the rate is about PHP 300.00 (US$7.00).
Unfortunately, VIP Lounge does not accept Diners Club or DragonPass membership cards.
Our Rating
Easiness to Find the Lounge
We give five stars for this category. It may benefit the lounge to be easily located, since Clark Airport is small. To repeat, the VIP Lounge is located in Terminal 1. International departures are after the immigration and security check. You need to walk a little and take the escalator to the 2nd floor; the VIP Lounge is located on the right side near Gate 6.
Comfyness
At the time of the visit, around 12:37 pm, we were the first customers to come in at VIP 1 Lounge since the food at the catering table remained sealed and untouched. However, a few customers have already come into the neighbouring smoking lounge. It was so peaceful inside VIP 1 Lounge, as you would expect, being the only customer in a large room. Two other customers came in later before we exited the lounge premises. When asked by the staff why the lounge was empty, she gave a wise response:
It is not busy hours yet; more customers are coming later.
The lounge has all brown leather single chairs spread along the corners of the lounge, which were clean and comfortable. Also, brown wooden chairs are positioned between every two chairs. On the left wing of the lounge, all eight rows of single chairs are arranged similarly, facing the entrance door. Additional furniture is arranged similarly on the right wing of the lounge. Upon entry, the staff ushered us to sit on the backside, but it was well-ventilated. To attest to this, we went through as directed, and it was indeed cold on that side because the air conditioner was on the back left side of the lounge. We chose to sit on the 3rd row, on the window side, so as not to be too close to the air conditioner. Additionally, two electric fans attached to the ceiling lamps were working well. At first, a male staff member asked us if it was OK to let it look like the lamps were off, and we said we did not mind because there was a lot of daylight coming through the big glass windows. Later, we noticed that the supposed lounge owner came to instruct his staff, and the lights were switched on simultaneously, creating a more pleasant atmosphere.
VIP Lounge has separate toilets for each gender. They were spacious and well-maintained. At least three maintenance staff were spotted trying to maintain the order and cleanliness of the lounge despite VIP 1 Lounge being almost empty.
On the lounge walls is a NO SMOKING sign repeated a few times. However, because the VIP 2 Lounge is just beside the VIP 1 Lounge or smoking lounge, and a glass door separates the rooms, inevitably, smoke occasionally leaks into this lounge. For example, at some point, it was quite uncomfortable to breathe in cigarette smoke while fetching food from the catering table, as the glass doors to the smoking lounge were kept open so that cigarette smoke could easily get into the VIP 1 Lounge.
Another problem is the lack of power outlets. We noticed only a few on the walls, but not close to the chairs or tables. It is not a good idea to plug any device out of sight for comfort or security reasons. The lounge should add charging sockets to enhance customer comfort. After all, a traveller’s number one need is to charge handheld devices before flights. They have Wi-Fi networks; one works poorly, and the other works well. The password is written on a small piece of paper, which you can pick from a glass jar at the snack table.
A view of the tarmac is one good thing about visiting this lounge. You can do plane spotting of planes taking off and landing. Though it is not the best area for plane spotting because the window view is unclear, in some structures, a part of the ceiling blocks the tarmac view.
A flight monitor and airport announcements are also audible inside the lounge.
Food and Drinks
Fresh fruit salad was served at the time of visit. These included thinly sliced carrots, cucumbers, pineapple slices, mixed fruit salad and corn. Also, sweet bananas were served. The warm soup is freshly prepared. They had three types of loaf bread that can be enjoyed with any of their four different marmalade flavours. Warm meals, including two traditional Filipino dishes, Pork Menudo and Chicken Adobo, were served with fried rice. Desserts included cookies, cupcakes and chocolate bars of different flavours. Snack options included chips, nuts and cup noodles.
Though the lounge claims to offer unlimited food and drinks, they have limited drink options. For example, at the time of the visit, the fridge had only bottled regular Coke and cans of beer, limited to a maximum of 2 cans per guest. Additionally, a water dispenser is available where you can get warm and cold water. Three types of juices are also served. For hot drinks, Lipton tea and instant coffee are available. Unlike other lounges, the VIP Lounge offers few alcoholic drink options. They only had canned beer at the time of the visit, and each customer could consume a maximum of 2 cans.
Friendliness of the Customer Service
Filipino hospitality was felt during the visit to the VIP Lounge. The staff were friendly and accommodating. There is nothing to explain.
Overall Rating
VIP Lounge at Clark International Airport is one of the simplest lounges we have visited. Overall, for a rate of US$18.00, it is worth the money with its good services. It is worth paying a little more than airport restaurants will charge because of the good quality of food and variety of options. The lounge is tranquil, conveniently located, and offers comfortable chairs to relax in before flights. However, it should not be forgotten that the lounge will attract more visitors if improvements are implemented. To summarise, the lounge should improve its selection of alcoholic drinks and add power outlets to prevent cigarette smoke from leaking into the VIP 2 Lounge. After all, the IP 2 Lounge is called a non-smoking lounge.
Bottom Line
Clark International Airport is a small airport undergoing constant development. Being located at a small airport, VIP Lounge Clark is worth a visit, thanks to its proximity to the departure gates and the amenities you can enjoy. It is worth it to pay a little more than those expensive restaurants charge – in exchange for a peaceful atmosphere before your flights.
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