The Plaza Premium Helsinki lounge is now open for business, marking the brand's third foray into Europe after Rome and London.
Located in between gates 34 and 40 on the third floor of Helsinki Airport Terminal 2 (the non-Schengen zone), the Plaza Premium Lounge Helsinki has room for up to 140 guests.
Travellers can expect the usual amenities found in a modern lounge – shower rooms, free high-speed WiFi and business facilities. Floor to ceiling windows also offers impressive views of the airport.
Open between 5am and midnight daily, the lounge will dish up breakfast from 5am to 11am, and then an all-day menu until the clock strikes twelve at night.
International cuisine will go along selected Finnish signature dishes, all served at a live cooking station and with an emphasis on locally-sourced ingredients.
The dining will complement a wide selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks
Families aren't forgotten either, with the introduction of Plaza Premium's 'Playroom' concept. In collaboration with Australian toy brand Masterkidz, Playroom promises an educational experience for young children complete with quality wooden toys.
'Playroom' will also be rolled out to other Plaza Premium lounges in the future
The lounge's location in the non-Schengen area of Helsinki Terminal 2 means it will only be accessible after passport control for passengers travelling to places like London, Singapore, Hong Kong and Shanghai – being beyond the borders of the European Schengen Area.
The Plaza Premium Group now operate eight lounges across three European airports – six in London Heathrow, one in Rome Fiumicino and now one in Helsinki Airport. Worldwide, there are more than 70 Plaza Premium Lounges are running across 35 major international airports.
Passengers of any airline without lounge access can pay walk-in rates or book online through Plaza Premium. Priority Pass members can access this lounge for three hours per visit. If you're toting an American Express Platinum card, you'll have unlimited Priority Pass access as part of the deal along with one complimentary guest.
The opening of the Plaza Premium Helsinki Lounge comes after Finnair recently unveiled its revamped Platinum Wing and Business Lounge, also in the non-Schengen zone of Helsinki Airport, which is open for premium passengers departing Helsinki on a Oneworld member airline flight.
Also read: Finnair's new Platinum Wing lounge has its own sauna
Based in Perth, Brandon enjoys tucking into local delicacies, discovering new cocktails, and making aeroplane food look good on camera.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
08 Jul 2014
Total posts 58
I used this lounge last week, having decamped from the hopelessly overcrowded Finnair Business lounge (which admittedly is still under construction). In contrast to earlier advice, as a OW Sapphire (QF Gold) in business class, I wasn't invited to use the Platinum wing - this courtesy (not unreasonably) is apparently only being extended to Finnair golds while renovations are underway. The PP lounge was very pleasant - quiet, great views of the tarmac, lots of natural light (well into the night at this time of year!), a tended bar, and decent bathroom facilities. The lounge chairs are generic in design, but are functional and comfortable (unlike some of the more 'design forward' offerings in this part of the world). Even when the Finnair Business lounge is completed, I suspect the PP lounge will remain a compelling alternative, if only on account of its views. The AmEx Platinum card affords access in its own right (i.e. independently of Priority Pass), and allows fee-free use of the showers.
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