Phuket Airport Coral Lounge Access

I accessed The Coral Executive Lounge at Phuket International Airport through my Malaysia Airlines Platinum membership and lounge access benefits. Unfortunately, this was one of the weaker airport lounge experiences I have had. The biggest issue is simply the size versus the number of guests. The lounge is very small, and when we arrived it was almost completely full. Seats were occupied everywhere and with passengers and luggage around, the whole space felt congested. For me, this defeats one of the main purposes of an airport lounge. I don’t expect luxury every time, especially at an older or busy airport, but I do expect a lounge to provide a more comfortable and relaxing environment than sitting at the gate. Here, I really couldn’t feel the “Executive” part of the Executive Lounge. The food selection was also quite limited. There were several hot dishes and some lighter choices, but overall the spread was basic compared with many other international airport lounges I have visited. Beer was available, while from what I understood, some of the other alcoholic drinks were chargeable. That is worth knowing if you’re expecting a full complimentary lounge bar. On the positive side, the lounge was reasonably clean and the design itself is pleasant enough. If the lounge were operating at perhaps half the number of guests, I think the experience would be very different. But at the level of crowding during my visit, it felt more like a holding/waiting area with some food and drinks rather than a place to properly relax before a flight. I travel frequently and use airline lounges regularly, so naturally I compare the experience with lounges at other airports. I understand that not every airport has the space for a large premium lounge, but capacity management matters. For complimentary access through airline status, it’s still better to have the option than not. But I certainly wouldn’t arrive at the airport early specifically to spend extra time here.

+1

The food is unique, but the massage is free. The tip is autonomous, but please. Massages really qualitatively for 15 minutes. A special service.

+6

Ok. I have always held the belief that airport lounges are better than wondering around the airport waiting to get onboard. However, this was a surprise. Nothing in these pictures are accurate and I can only assume they must be going through renovation and where I was must have been temporary. 1. It was a tiny lounge. The seats cramped together 2. They had to use fans because it was so hot. You cannot feel any AC 3. The food is not average. It was terrible. I even could not finish my coffee In the end, I took a bottle of water and went and sat by the gate. I even went to get something to eat inside the airport instead of trying the food at this lounge. There must be something wrong to what I am seeing in the pictures to what I experienced. Cathay Pacific... please take note and don't send your members there! You should just give THB20 voucher and I would be happy.

Cockroaches. My little girl dropped a few crumbs on the floor and immediately cockroaches appeared. There was also some insects near the food area on the counter. Food was like warm which was concerning. I won’t be returning