To Lounge or Not to Lounge (CGK)

A quick weekend trip to Jakarta closed and it was time for me to depart. A short flight from CGK to TPE was scheduled 3 hours from now. I arrived a bit early because myfriend I was visiting, was flying out 2 hours before my flight departed. So I decided to just Lounge-it.

Flying a Skyteam affiliate gave me the opportunity to expirience Garuda Indonesia’s Lounge. To enter after leaving security and Immigration you need to stop at the top of the escalators and read the signs. One set of escalators takes you to the mainfloor, and the second set takes you to a mezanine level with restaurants and further down the hall the Garuda Indonesia lounge.

Checkin was quick and normal. The lounge, a long narrow on the edge of the mezanine with a view of the terminal, seemed a bit clausterphobic yet functional. Maybe i’m wrong, but I do not see Jakarta Airport being a major international transfer hub. More of a domestic hub. The Lounge was a bit older-looking and simple. As soon as you enter the food and drinks, all self-serve was open and presented. If I can pick one thing that I didn’t like it would be the smell of cigarette Smoke. Not that it is Garuda Indonesias fault, the entire airport had a wiff of the smell as is common throughout many asian airport. Smoking is simply a part of life, it seems.

The Food was simple, yet tasteful. I went back for seconds. Which I should not have.

After sitting for so long, I decided to explore the airport. I will soon be on a 5 hour flight followed by another 12 hour flight. I thought I should get some exercise in before being sedentary for so long.

While exploring the vast jungle of gates I came across the Saphire, Plaza Premium Lounge, which i have access to with one of my Credit Cards. The enrance looked welcoming. this caught my attention, and I was compelled to check it out.

Once passing through the grand entrace, there were two options. First Class lounge or the Plaza Premium Lounge. I was not allowed in the First Class Lounge. So, I teleported into the Plaza Premium Lounge. Once crossing the threashold, I felt like I was inside a vast tropical jungle hideaway. The amount of sunshine and brightness shocked me into a pause. After realizing I was holding up people behind me I continued looking for the best seat. Which I couldnt find as most of the seats were “the best”.

Outside the windows is the parking lot, which was difficult to see as it was cleverly hidden by rows and rows of greenery.

I ate too much in the Garuda Loung which at this point I regretted as the food in this lounge looked more appetizing but, I was going to be eating again on my soon to be 5 hour flight. So i drank a coke zero and just stared at the food salivating. I should also mention there was a staffed bar in this lounge.

What did I learn from this expirience? If you are able, go to the Saphire Plaza Premium Lounge at CGK International Terminal.