Measuring up Indonesia's many airport executive lounges, waiting around in luxury.

One of the few things I like about Indonesian airports is that executive lounges are in general much less exclusive and cheaper to visit.

Where visiting the executive lounge overseas can cost hundreds of dollars in an annual membership, in Indonesia all you need is the correct type of credit card, VIP mobile phone membership, premium bank account or (with Garuda Indonesia, Lion Air, Mandala Air) an executive class/priority ticket. Or you just pay a nominal fee in cash, often about Rp50 000.

What you need: some ways to enter an executive lounge

Plus - as many Indonesian airports are often dirty, very crowded and/or in poor condition - the benefits of visiting an executive lounge are perhaps greater than normal.

You can:

• Enjoy unlimited free food and drinks. (Like in other countries, food at airports is often very expensive, so the price of a meal could be the same as entrance to the lounge).



• Sit in comfort. (Despite Indonesia being home to a major furniture export industry, airports' seating is often insufficient, uncomfortable and/or dirty).
• Get extra value for money when flights are delayed. (Late departures are a frequent occurrence for domestic flights, especially during the wet season - Nov to Mar).
• In some lounges, free wi-fi internet or computers with internet access, phone chargers, newspapers, magazines, etc. (Facilities you almost never find elsewhere in airports).


A 3-star toilet at Soekarno-Hatta Airport, Jakarta

• Use a clean airport toilet. (Many airports' public toilets are often dirty, smelly and/or out of order).
• Enjoy other priceless benefits: some rare peace and quiet, good customer service, along with personal space and anonymity/not being stared at. (For tourists and expats at airports, the latter two can be an issue; the first two can be problems for everyone).

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However, I am aware from my own experiences travelling in Indonesia that quality at some airport executive lounges is ummmm... variable.

So let's rate the best and the worst of Indonesia's airport executive lounges, the good, the bad and the ugly.

Please include the following information:

Name and/or Location: It's handy to know, especially when there are multiple lounges in the one area. With the latter, please be as specific as possible.

What you need to enter: Which airline's or credit card's executive lounge, and/or how much you need to pay.

Special features: What you particularly liked/disliked about it

Footnote: If you travel by train, you may not be aware that many trains stations also have executive lounges also. However, these are just nicer waiting rooms with e.g. a/c, nicer chairs and a communal TV.