Think the Qantas Chairman’s Lounge is tough to get into? That’s nothing, compared to China Airlines' invitation-only lounge at Taipei’s Taoyuan Airport, where not even the darkest or shiniest of VIP frequent flyer cards will get you a look inside, as China Airlines' Dynasty program doesn't have a 'secret' membership tier.
Instead, this space is normally reserved for the President of Taiwan, and the country’s other high-ranking political leaders – but Australian Business Traveller was recently invited inside for a rare first-hand look.
As with most ‘secret’ airport lounges, it’s tucked away behind an unmarked door… after all, if you’ve been invited, you won’t need a sign: you’ll already know where it is (or, your assistant or security team will).
What lies inside is, well, less exciting: it’s a small, sensible space with an array of seating…
… followed by more seating…
… and, you guessed it, more of the same seats:
Each chair has its own cocktail table, a lamp behind and an international AC power point nearby…
… but if the President is having a bad day or needs to hold a private meeting away from the group, the lounge can be split into two separate areas…
… thanks to sliding doors in the centre of the space:
There are no buffet counters here beyond a few easy-to-grab bottles of water at each end – everything is prepared fresh in the kitchen and brought into the lounge on request, and separate doors allow staff to access each half of the lounge independently, avoiding a trek through the ‘other’ zone.
But, unless privacy is critical for you, we must say you’re not really missing anything by using the regular China Airlines passenger lounges instead, which have a wider variety of seats and an arguably better atmosphere: even if they’re not as 'VIP' as this one!
Chris Chamberlin travelled to Taiwan as a guest of China Airlines.
Chris is a a former contributor to Executive Traveller.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
20 Nov 2017
Total posts 114
Yeah, the regular China Airlines lounge at TPE T1 is nicer than this. And probably serves a better beef noodle soup!
Turkish Airlines - Miles & Smiles
08 Jun 2014
Total posts 264
Where can we get seats like those in Australia?!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
06 Nov 2014
Total posts 357
Taiwan's president don't get to use it much as there are only very few country s/he can visit. That number is decreasing year by year.
China Airlines - Dynasty Flyer
22 Sep 2012
Total posts 74
We usually are across the otherside of the hallway In the old first class lounge..I say old in that it is now called the exclusive lounge now they don't have first class on Any of their planes. Anyway the seating and tables is almost exactly just coloured differently. The lounge is nice but the catering has gone down since Novotel Taoyuan stopped doing the catering.
I Did get to Have a look In this VIP room as the doors are not locked. Nothing special.
China Airlines - Dynasty Flyer
22 Sep 2012
Total posts 74
Also Chris are you doing a flight review for CI considering you were invited?
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2441
Yes, reviewing China Airlines' Airbus A350 business class from Brisbane to London, the A350's inflight Internet service, a couple of the airline's public lounges in Taipei, and the contract lounge passengers use at Gatwick.
30 Oct 2012
Total posts 23
This type of space is quite common in a lot of Chinese speaking countries for entertaining guests and it is commonly referred to as a 'lounge' in Chinese but it's much closer to a 'function/meeting room' but lack of a better term
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 317
Wow, not even a table for a meeting or similar... looks like a nice hallway... ive seen doctor waiting rooms decked out better than this.
China Airlines - Dynasty Flyer
22 Sep 2012
Total posts 74
That is great Chris. My folks are also flying Brisbane to London on CI business in September/October. Best lounge for CI would currrently be terminal 2 (D4)ex first class lounge to the left of the desk when walking in. Food wise anyway atleast.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2441
The D4 lounge is actually the oldest: the lounge in T1 is the newest and nicest these days and the food and beverage is essentially the same. Your parents should get to experience both, though: London flights depart from T1, and Brisbane flights depart from T2.
China Airlines - Dynasty Flyer
22 Sep 2012
Total posts 74
Yes D4 is the oldest and the business lounge sucks and if a business class traveller the best option is the terminal 1 lounge. But the upper floor emerald/Paragon lounge is still nice with a very high ceiling. It is where catering didnt get cut by a 3rd party operator as it is Still staffed by the airlines own ground staff.
Emirates Airlines - Skywards
30 Nov 2015
Total posts 730
What an awkward lounge.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Photos: inside the President of Taiwan's private airport lounge