Travelling can be stressful, especially at a busy airport like Dubai International Airport (DXB). During my recent trip to North Cyprus, I started my journey with a visit to the Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3. Thanks to DragonPass for Mastercard, included with my RAK Bank Mastercard credit card, I have access to many lounges worldwide, including this one.

If you don’t have complimentary access through an airline or credit card benefit, the lounge costs $59.88 for 4 hours and $119.11 for 8 hours at the date of my visit.

Morning Arrival

I arrived at the Marhaba Lounge around 6:30am, just in time for breakfast. As expected during peak travel hours, the lounge was very busy. It’s not a large lounge, so it fills up quickly and has limited walking space.

The staff at the reception were welcoming and efficient, quickly checking me in and providing an overview of the amenities. They also informed me that I might need to share a table to find a seat. Despite the crowd, the atmosphere remained mostly quiet and calm.

The lounge was busiest near the entrance, likely because the more comfortable chairs were there. However, if you walk towards the back, you’ll find a small dining area with high tables and chairs, leading to the bar and another dining area with regular tables and chairs. Continuing on, there’s a narrow dining area with high tables and chairs. While exploring the lounge, I found an empty two-seater table at the back. It was perfectly placed in front of the screens, allowing me to watch for my flight boarding.

The crowds eased up during my stay. I was there for only 45 minutes, leaving the lounge around 7:15am to board my flight. Please note that the pictures were taken as I was leaving the lounge, which is why it looks less crowded than it was when I arrived at 6:30am.

Breakfast Offerings

There are two separate buffet areas in the lounge, both offering the same menu. The breakfast spread included scrambled eggs, hash browns, grilled tomatoes and baked beans. There was also a selection of cereals, baked pastries, croissants and toast, along with apple juice, orange juice, tea and coffee. Additionally, they had a salad bar, a sandwich bar and a small selection of cakes.

I chose the hot items: scrambled eggs, hash browns, grilled tomatoes and baked beans. It was decent and kept me going for the rest of the journey.

It was quite chaotic at times to access the buffet and drinks fridges however despite being busy, the dining area was well-maintained. Staff members efficiently cleared tables and replenished food items, ensuring the breakfast buffet remained stocked.

Facilities and Amenities

The Marhaba Lounge offers a range of facilities, including high-speed Wi-Fi, ample charging stations, a bar and somewhat comfortable seating arrangements. If it hadn’t been so crowded, it would have been a more relaxing environment.

For those needing to catch up on emails or conduct business, there are individual workstations. Additionally, the lounge has a private conversation booth, perfect for making confidential calls or having a conversation without any disturbances.

For travellers looking to freshen up before their flight, the lounge offers shower facilities for an extra charge, a much-appreciated amenity after a long journey or before a long-haul flight. The lounge also provides the service of a massage chair.

Each table has a QR code that allows you to book services such as the shower facility and purchase travel essentials like compression socks, travel pillows and travel adaptors, which is great if you’ve forgotten anything.

Complimentary and Premium Drinks

All food, soft drinks and basic alcoholic drinks in the lounge are complimentary, offering guests a variety of beverages, including soft drinks, coffee, wine and spirits, at no extra cost.

For those wanting something more luxurious, premium drinks like champagne, mocktails, cocktails and premium soft drinks are available for an additional charge. This ensures there’s something for everyone.

The prices for premium drinks are quite reasonable compared to restaurants and bars outside the airport. You simply scan the QR code provided at your table to order and pay for your premium drinks, which will then be delivered right to you. You can also order and pay at the bar.

Final Thoughts

My experience at the Marhaba Lounge in DXB’s Terminal 3 was satisfactory, especially since I had complimentary access through DragonPass. Given how crowded the lounge was, I wouldn’t have paid for entry if I didn’t have this benefit. For the price, I don’t think it’s worth visiting during peak periods due to the limited space and high volume of guests. However, I imagine the lounge would be much more pleasant and relaxing during off-peak times, though such times can be rare at DXB T3.

Despite the crowd, the lounge served its purpose during my 45-minute stay. The amenities were adequate for a brief rest before my flight, and the staff managed the busy environment well. As a complimentary perk, it provided a reasonable level of comfort and convenience.

Stay curious, stay wandering — The Wanderpreneurs Diary