Trip Report & Review – Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang

by Enoch

There are two major airports serving Bangkok: Suvarnabhumi Airport, which serves most major airlines and international flights, and Don Mueang Airport, which has become the low-cost carrier (LCC) airport in the past decade.

For this journey, I was flying AirAsia from Singapore to Chiang Mai. AirAsia Thai is based in Don Mueang airport, and my friend and I transmitted through the airport on our way to Chiang Mai. I went in thinking there wouldn’t be a lounge in an airport that primarily serves low-cost carriers, only to be (gladly) proven wrong. It turns out, the Coral Executive lounge opened just a few months prior to my visit, and it was a pretty good one!

This trip report/review is part of a series. See also:

Access

The Coral Executive Lounge in Don Mueang Airport is part of the Priority Pass network. I had my Priority Pass membership card that came with my Citi Prestige card, so I was able to bring my friend in as well. You can also get a Priority Pass membership with a number of other credit cards.

The Lounge

Don Mueang airport was pretty rundown, and with water leaks and tan brown walls, I wasn’t expecting a super nice lounge. To my surprise, however, the lounge had a very clean, almost Parisian design that exudes some sense of understated luxury.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang

The lounge was subtly divided into a few areas by wooden screens or thin pillars, with the central buffet and reception desk tying them altogether. Turning left first, there wast a dedicated restaurant-style seating area.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Restaurant-Style Seating

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Restaurant-Style Seating

Towards the terminal end, there were armchairs arranged in fours, as well as couches lining the wall. In the center, a bar-height table with stools complete this end of the lounge.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Seating

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Seating

DSC_0901

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Seating

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Seating

One thing I did notice was signs on almost every coffee table saying “sleeping is prohibited.” I am not sure if they’ve had a problem before, but most flights to/from Don Mueang are usually pretty short, so that shouldn’t be a huge issue.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang No Sleeping Sign

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang No Sleeping Sign

In the middle of the lounge was the buffet area. It was marked by a giant center table with cookies, other sweets, and coffee.

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Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Center Table

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Center Table

Behind the table were refrigerators with a variety of beverages and desserts. I didn’t see any alcohol selection, but I also didn’t ask whether they offer any on request.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Beverages

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Beverages

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Beverages and Dessert

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Dessert

On two sides across the center table were hot and cold food options. They offered pasta, fried rice, grilled chicken, and a soup during my visit.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Hot Food Option

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Hot Food Option

There were also salads, finger sandwiches, and fruit skewers. The sandwiches and canapé were saran-wrapped; I know some people think that’s cheap looking, but on the up side it’s (hopefully/usually) sanitary.

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Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Cold Food Option

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Cold Food Option

There were also other beverages available, including orange and guava juice, a selection of tea.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Juices

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Juices

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Coffee

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Coffee

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Tea

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Tea

Turning right from the buffet tables, there was a similar seating area with chairs in fours. The were also bathrooms were also in this area of the lounge, though there were no showers.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Seating

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Seating

I settled down after grabbing some dessert, which were surprisingly good.

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Dessert

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Dessert

I also grabbed a Fanta that totally shocked me upon pouring. It was delicious and refreshing, but it sure looks like it should be on the set of Wicked or something!

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Fanta

Coral Executive Lounge Bangkok-Don Mueang Fanta

Overall Impression

This lounge is a nice addition to a otherwise pretty depressing airport. It was truly an oasis, and made me glad about my Priority Pass membership. It wouldn’t score very high as a international First or even Business Class lounge. As a lounge serving mostly low cost carriers though, it’s absolutely stellar. If anything, I know wouldn’t purposefully avoid AirAsia Thai because I know I’d have a place to recharge when transmitting in Don Mueang!

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2 comments

DWT September 6, 2016 - 9:55 am

I was here last month and was also pleasantly surprised by the physical state of the lounge, how uncrowded it was, and the food and beverage selection, which I thought was pretty decent for a Priority Pass lounge. My only complaint was that that there were glass walls separating the lounge from the terminal area (which in itself is good as it lets light in), but they didn’t do enough soundproofing so the gate announcements from the adjacent gates seemed to be as loud in the lounge as in the waiting area!

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JD April 16, 2017 - 7:49 pm

hey, were you on an international or domestic flight? priority pass says domestic only, but i’m hoping that’s not strictly enforced..

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