- Mr Plane Guy
- Jul 27
- 6 min read
Phoenix Lounge Dublin Airport Review: From the Scaffolding Rises Dublin's Best Lounge
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The Phoenix is a mythical bird, famous for rising from the ashes. At Dublin Airport, it appears to have risen from several tonnes of scaffolding.
With Terminal 1 currently surrounded by cranes, construction work and temporary walkways, I wasn't expecting to find what could well be the best airport lounge in Ireland hiding behind it all.
Yet after spending a couple of hours enjoying proper Irish comfort food, relaxing to the sound of Enya and working my way around one of the biggest airport lounge buffets I've ever seen, I left wondering...why isn't every lounge like this?
At just €35 when booked in advance, it's also one of the best value airport lounges I've visited anywhere in Europe.
Let's take a look around what I think could be the best Dublin Airport lounge.
Location: Terminal 1, immediately after security.
Opening Hours: Daily from 04:00 until 21:00.
Price: From €35 when booked in advance or €40 if you pay at reception.
Booking: Book through the Dublin Airport Official Lounges website or the Dublin Airport app.
Drinks: Two complimentary alcoholic drinks are included. Premium spirits and cocktails are available at an additional cost.
Showers: Yes.
Children: Families are welcome.
Wi-Fi: Uses Dublin Airport's free Wi-Fi.
Mr Plane Guy Verdict: If you're looking for the best airport lounge at Dublin Airport, this is it.
A Warm Irish Welcome
Finding the Phoenix Lounge Dublin Airport couldn't be easier. Once you've cleared security in Terminal 1, it's only a few yards before you arrive at the impressive reception area. The first thing that struck me was how welcoming it all felt.
There wasn't a queue. Just a friendly smile, a quick check-in and within a couple of minutes I was walking through the doors.
Then I stopped.
"This place is massive."
After visiting the nearby Liffey Lounge on previous trips, where finding a seat can sometimes feel like winning the lottery, the Phoenix Lounge Dublin Airport almost felt empty in comparison.
There are comfortable armchairs, dining tables, quiet booths, high benches, private pods for getting some work done and plenty of different seating areas depending on your mood.
You could probably fit twenty Liffey Lounges in here. Alright... maybe not twenty, but it certainly felt like it.
The whole lounge has a calm, relaxing atmosphere. Soft piano music drifted through the lounge during my visit, with the occasional Enya track making me wonder if I'd somehow left Dublin Airport and wandered into a luxury hotel in Donegal.
The Buffet That Nearly Became a Parkrun
I'll be honest. Airport lounge food can be a bit hit and miss.
Sometimes you're lucky if there's a sandwich that hasn't been sitting there since breakfast.
The Phoenix Lounge Dublin Airport couldn't have been more different. Working my way around the huge food selection, I genuinely thought I'd accidentally entered the Dublin Parkrun.
The buffet included:
Chicken stew
Rice
Carrots
Proper Irish mashed potato
Curry
Wraps
Hummus
Fresh salads
Vegetable soup
A dedicated gluten-free section
Cakes
Irish scones
I don't think I've ever walked so far just deciding what to eat. Naturally, in the interests of journalism, I sampled quite a lot of it. Everything I tried was fresh, hot and genuinely delicious. This wasn't just airport lounge food. This was food I'd happily pay for in a restaurant.
Drinks at the Phoenix Lounge Dublin Airport
Soft drinks, tea and coffee are all self-service, with plenty of machines dotted around the lounge.
Alcohol is included too, although there's one small catch. You're limited to two complimentary alcoholic drinks per person.
If you fancy cocktails or premium spirits, you'll need to pay a little extra.
Personally, I thought that was perfectly fair considering I'd only paid €35 to get in.
It's the Little Things
What really makes the Phoenix Lounge one of the best Dublin Airport lounges isn't just the size or the food.
It's the little details. There are charging points everywhere. If you need a shower before your flight, they're available too. The staff couldn't have been friendlier throughout my visit, quietly clearing tables and making sure everything stayed spotless without ever feeling intrusive. Even the toilets deserve a mention. I know that sounds ridiculous, but they smelled more like a boutique hotel than an airport. Little details like that make a difference.
The Only Things I Didn't Love at Phoenix Lounge Dublin Airport
For all the things the Phoenix Lounge gets right, there were really only two things that disappointed me. The first was the view. Considering how impressive the lounge is inside, looking out over scaffolding, construction work and the multi-storey car park isn't exactly inspiring.
Depending where you're sitting, you can even watch people queueing for security.
That's hardly the lounge's fault though. Once all the redevelopment work around Terminal 1 is finished, I imagine the views will be much better.
The second was the Wi-Fi.
The lounge doesn't have its own dedicated network and instead uses Dublin Airport's free Wi-Fi, which, in my best Irish accent... was utter shite.
Dublin Airport Terminal 2 Lounges
Liffey Lounge: Located in the connecting corridor between Terminals 1 and 2, this lounge provides a quiet space with refreshments and runway views. The Liffey Lounge Dublin Airport Review
Martello Lounge: Also located in the connecting corridor between Terminals 1 and 2. The Hidden Gem Airport Lounge of Dublin Airport
Is It Better Than The Liffey Lounge?
Without a shadow of a doubt.
If you've got Priority Pass or LoungeKey, you'll probably end up in the Liffey Lounge because the Phoenix Lounge doesn't accept either programme. That's a shame.
The Phoenix Lounge is on another level. It's bigger, quieter. The food is miles better.
There are showers. Far more seating. More charging points and you never feel like you're fighting someone for the last empty chair.
If I was paying myself, I'd happily spend €35 to use the Phoenix Lounge Dublin instead.
It's that much better.
Should You Choose Phoenix or Martello?
If you're flying from Terminal 1...
Choose Phoenix. If you're flying Business Class with an airline you may end up using the Martello Lounge, that's still an excellent lounge. Qatar Airways uses the Martello Lounge for eligible Business Class passengers; I used it when flying from Dublin to Doha.
I've reviewed both. Martello Lounge: The Hidden Gem Airport Lounge of Dublin Airport
Lounge Access Programmes
While some lounges at Dublin Airport previously accepted lounge access programmes like Priority Pass and LoungeKey, please be aware that policies have changed. It's recommended to verify the current access policies with the specific lounge before your visit.
Priority Pass members may be able to access the Liffey Lounge at Dublin Airport.
The biggest problem with the Phoenix Lounge isn't actually the lounge.
It's what comes afterwards. After spending a couple of hours eating proper Irish comfort food, relaxing to Enya, enjoying one of the nicest airport lounge experiences I've had in Europe and convincing myself I'd found airport heaven...
...I walked straight onto a Ryanair flight. Middle seat 4B was a reality check.
At €35, I honestly think this is one of the best value airport lounges in Europe.
Yes, the views and the Wi-Fi aren't great, but those are tiny complaints when everything else is this good.
The Phoenix may have risen from the scaffolding, but for me it has also risen to the top of my Dublin Airport lounge rankings.
If you're looking for the best lounge at Dublin Airport, this is the one I'd book.
Mr Plane Guy Rating: 9.5/10
Would I return? Absolutely.
Plane related articles:
Things to Do in Dublin: The Ultimate Guide to 24 Hours in the City
How to Get from Dublin Airport to the City Centre (Without Losing the Craic)
Flying from London Gatwick? Check out my reviews of the best lounges at Gatwick
Priority Pass Benefits Explained: More Than Just Airport Lounge Access
Priority Pass Review 2026: One Year of Lounge Access, Was It Worth It?
Phoenix Lounge Dublin Airport Review: From the Scaffolding Rises Dublin's Best Lounge
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