When you travel a lot, airport lounges give you respite from the hustle and bustle of the main terminal. The new Aspire Lounge at Edinburgh Airport near Gate 16 stands out for its size, meaning you can find a quiet(ish) corner to spend an hour before continuing your busy journey. But who can access the Aspire Lounge Edinburgh? The lounge is open to business class ticket holders (from partner airlines), holders of a Priority Pass or Dragon Pass and anyone willing to pay the entrance fee. Let's see if this lounge offers value for money for business and leisure travellers who want that convenience and comfort in Edinburgh.
Location and Accessibility
Where is the Aspire Lounge Edinburgh? There are two Aspire Lounges at Edinburgh Airport. This review is of the new Aspire Edinburgh Airport Lounge, near Gate 16. This is a bit of a prime location and you'll know you've found the right spot when you see the large “Premium Lounges” sign (see above). The position is right in the main part of the terminal and perhaps farthest from the lower numbered gates which are used by budget airlines. Aspire has a lounge at Gate 4 that will work best if your flight goes from that end of Edinburgh Airport.
The frontage is reminiscent of a French bistro with big open windows and brass signage.
Variety of Seating Options
The Aspire Lounge is trying to cover all the bases with its seating options. For business travellers who want a quiet corner with a flat surface to work on, there are both high and low tables with plug sockets and USB charging points. Plus the wi-fi is fast, limitless and included.
There's also softer club chairs if you want to relax with some food or a drink, private booths for small family groups and dining-style set-ups for two. The panoramic windows offer a gorgeous view of the runway, allowing guests to watch planes take off and land, adding to the overall ambiance of the lounge.
Food and Drink Offerings
One of the standout features of the Aspire Lounge is the size of its food and drink selection. What is included in the Aspire Lounge at Edinburgh Airport? It totally depends on the time of day. I was there late morning, so breakfast was still on offer.
The layout offered everything from croissants and yoghurts to fresh fruit and a full Scottish cooked breakfast.
I asked about the vegetarian options and was offered vegan sausages. The beverage options are equally impressive, with a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available to guests free of charge.
Toilet Facilities
When it comes to airport lounges, toilet facilities can often be a hit or miss. They are located to the rear of the lounge, behind the food area.
There are a series of individual toilet cubicles for the use of any gender and, while there were shower facilities, I didn't get to see those on this occasion – handy though if you have a long flight ahead or you're transferring and have a long layover. One thing I'd mark Aspire down for is the quality of the hand soaps. What they had on offer was pink goop.
Value for Money
How much is Aspire Lounge access? The cost varies slightly depending on ticket type and any ongoing promotions.
- Standard Cost: for pre-booked adult passengers, the cost is £39.99. Seniors get a small discount at a cost of £35.99 each. Children (2-11) are charged at £26.99 and babies under 2 are free of charge. Bookings are via Aspire's website.
- Free: if you are travelling on a business class ticket which uses the Edinburgh Aspire Lounge for customers.
- Lounge Passes: people with a Priority Pass or Dragon Pass may be able to access the lounge at no additional cost (if there is room).
*Note: if you are curious about the Aspire Lounge Edinburgh cost, keep an eye on Aspire's website as pricing can change from time to time.
There are also occasional Edinburgh Aspire Lounge Discounts that travellers can take advantage of. Don't be fooled into clicking on some random website for a promised discount, those rarely work. Instead, Aspire usually offers two sales a year – around Black Friday and a pre-Christmas holiday special. Keep an eye out for those.
Conclusion
Honestly, the airport lounge game is a tough one. They try to offer a sense of luxury, but both overpromise and underdeliver. Check out my Plaza Premium review at Heathrow to see why. Aspire Lounge at Edinburgh Airport surprised me, in a positive way. Lots of space, spread out, good food options, a friendly service overall. Part of that is the usual excellent customer service in Scotland, and some of it is down to the new-ness of the lounge. I hope they can hold on to that magic formula which made my trip with Aegean Airlines to Athens a bit more special.
Have you visited the Aspire Lounge at Edinburgh Airport? Share your experiences in the comments below. And for those looking to explore more airport lounges, stay tuned for more reviews and insights.
Video Tour of Aspire Lounge Edinburgh Airport
Note: This article aims to provide an unbiased review of the Aspire Lounge at Edinburgh Airport. All opinions expressed are based on personal experiences and observations.
