Review: Balaka Lounge Dhaka Hazrat Airport
Intro
Before my flight from Dhaka to Bangkok onboard Thai Airways in Business Class, I had the opportunity to visit the Balaka Lounge at Dhaka Airport. This lounge is slightly confusing as there is the traditional Balaka Lounge, and then in the back is the American Express X Citi Lounge (which I will review separately.
Overall, this lounge isn't the best. It's a comfortable place to relax and isn't too busy until late afternoon, but it certainly isn't somewhere I would recommend accommodating extra time to visit before a flight.
Access+Location
In terms of location, the section of the lounges is realtively easy to find. Once clearing security, make an immediate left, follow the signs, and head upstairs to the lounge.
Don't worry if you are confused, there are people all over the airport attempting to get passengers to visit the lounge... Lol.
The Balaka Lounge is open 24 hours, meaning it covers all of the departures at the airport (obviously). If you are looking to gain access, the requirements are as follows:
Priority pass members are eligible for access
Business Class passengers on certain airlines (most Star Alliance carriers from what I have heard)
Star Alliance Gold passengers on a same-day Star Alliance ticket (not 100% sure but met someone there who said they had access)
AMEX Platinum cardholders automatically gain access, as you have to gain entry through the front to get to the more prestigious lounge in the back
Seating
Considering my tour earlier that day, I wasn't expecting much in terms of a lounge (just look at certain lounges in Africa), but I was pleasantly surprised to see that this lounge has had a major overhaul. There are two main rooms, one being more of a sitting space, and the other one directed towards the bar, buffet, and more sitting space.
Unfortunately, not many power ports were present on this side of the lounge, minus a few near the walls. Other than that, I found this room to have a very sleek design.
Off towards the back of the lounge lay the other room featuring even more seating. For some odd reason, more people tended to sit in this room than in the other room. Perhaps due to the food and drink being closer.
There were more power ports from what I could tell in this room, as most of the seating is closer to the wall due to the narrower room.
Food+Drink
While the seating might have been nice in this lounge, the food and drink selection was a little bit of a letdown. In the former room, there is a buffet featuring hot and a cold selection of food.
The selections were just about okay for a business-class lounge but certainly nothing special. I will say that the staff did a nice job of keeping the food filled up, as I never saw a tray empty.
When it comes to drinks, this is where it gets interesting. Across the lounge, there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks available for purchase such as soda, coffee, and fresh water. However, if you are looking for an alcoholic drink you must go to the bar.
If you happen to be flying Turkish Airlines or Singapore Airlines, you are allowed 2 alcoholic drinks free of charge. However, if you are flying other airlines or were accepted using priority pass, you must pay for drinks. Nor are they cheap, at 4 USD a beer and 8-9 USD per cocktail, it's certainly interesting to see.
Bathrooms
Located near the entrance in the back of the lounge is where you will find male and female bathrooms. Unfortunately, this lounge doesn't have any showers, but it does have some decent** bathrooms. Throughout my time they were kept clean and functioning; isn't that pretty much all you can ask for?
Final Thoughts
If you happen to be flying out of Dhaka Hazrat International Airport on a Star Alliance business class ticket, or have a priority pass membership, you will most likely be directed towards the Balaka Premium Lounge. While the seating and design is nice in the lounge, it doesn't offer much more than that. The food is mediocre at best, and unless you are flying Turkish or Singapore Airlines, you will have to pay for any drinks. At least you get free wifi!
Oh side note: the staff here are really nice, and came to check on me a couple of times asking if I needed anything. Props here to the staff.
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