Terminal Three is the swanky new addition to Jakarta’s airport scene. While the older terminal and gates are still in use for domestic and ULLC flights, this terminal is home to most major international airlines (as well as hometown favorites Garuda and Citilink). If you’re flying international on anyone other than Lion or Air Asia, you’ll end up here. And this is a great place to be now that Plaza Premium has opened up a new Sapphire Lounge for international departures. The lounge is, in fact, even better than Garuda’s own flagship lounge. If we had access to both, we’d probably prefer this one. In this Jakarta Sapphire Lounge International T3 Review – Jakarta (CKG) we’ll tell you why.
Update: We pass throug this lounge frequently, so we’ve included photos of both day and night. The lounge is consistently excellent.
Our Trip – Jakarta Sapphire Lounge International T3 Review – Jakarta (CGK)
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and word came from the house. If I didnt come home, my mother would grouse. Right. So, it was Christmas and time and I needed to get home. This flight took me on Japan Airlines to Tokyo and then on to the US of A. The lounge is a great place to get your last serving of fresh-cooked Indonesian-style noodles and your final sip of that undistintive Indonesian-brewed lager.
The Facts – Jakarta Sapphire Lounge International T3 Review – Jakarta (CGK)
Getting in to the lougen is easy: cash. The prices aren’t cheap, but they aren’t vastly more than what you’d pay for food, drinks, and coffee in terminal, making it more or less worth it. Some airlines also have arrangements for their business class and status passengers to enter. Ask your airline at check in. Priority Pass is not currently accepted, in line with the pull back in Plaza Premium lounges (and much to our great sorrow), but that could change – check your app. The lounge is new, and they may also begin to take other cards like Dragon Pass. The current price of lounge entry has been increased to 650,000 Indonesian rupiah. Previously it was 550k. The cost is high enough to make us uncertain if we would recommend it if you don’t have a lot of cash to spend.
The Space – Jakarta Sapphire Lounge International T3 Review – Jakarta (CGK)
Like most of the lounges at CGK, this one is tucked away in terminal, rather than in its own room. That is, there’s no ceiling, really. The lounge is shielded from the unmasked masses by a wall and pressed up against the windows, giving you a decent view of the tarmac by day. The space isn’t wide, but it is long and you can space out a bit. There is a wide range of seating options to choose from depending on how you want to spent your time. There are lounge chairs for lounging, dining chairs for dining, and also work spaces with electrical outlets and such. Next to the tarmac area, there’s a kind of middle space, pictured below, that unites the two wings of the lounge.
The final room of the lounge has ample seating and virtually no one sitting there. This area has the bathroom and the showers, but that’s not much of a bother.
One of the less appealing seating areas is along the back wall of the lounge, which looks out over into the terminal. We prefer discression, and thus do not choose to sit here.
One plus point is the hexagonal cubicles that, while small, offer some type of privacy. These are clusbeted like sweet honeycombs near the bar and food counter.
Importantly, there’s also a work table with universal outlets.
And then there are the dining tables for dining.
This is the honeymoon section.
Lounge chairs for those who want to kick their feet up.
The food – Jakarta Sapphire Lounge International T3 Review – Jakarta (CGK)
The food is, as these things go, pretty excellent. There’s a number of meal options you can choose from. You give your order directly to the chef, who prepares your meal for you. You’ll need to check back and collect it yourself, but the chefs are friendly and affable, and happy to give suggestions and work around your preferences. Most of the options are Indonesian, which is a good thing. As long as you’re not too picky, you’ll fill up. Below is the menu as it was when we last passed through.
All the food was very good, though we did need to order a few portions to get our fill. Food porn to follow:
The drinks – Jakarta Sapphire Lounge International T3 Review – Jakarta (CKG)
The drinks are pretty standard for this airport. There IS alcohol, but its basically wine and beer. You need to ask for it, and then it will be produced from behind the bar. You cannot get it yourself, or really see the options. You have to be in the know. Tell ’em Lounge Sharks sent you and they’ll give you two at a time.
The internet
The internet is sufficiently fast for working. No issues.
The restrooms
Restrooms, showers, and musalla are all located inside the lounge. Showers are never crowded so if you do need one, you won’t be waiting long.
Final Thoughts
This lounge is a real delight to have in the new Terminal Three at Jakarta CGK airport. It isn’t too swanky, but it does cover all the bases well, and makes for a pleasant retreat from the rush outside. Best of all, it’s not wildly expensive either, putting the celestial pleasures of lounge life within reach of the common man. Enjoy.
Final Grades
| Connectivity: | 3/5 |
| Workability | 4/5 |
| Relaxation: | 4/5 |
| Catering: | 4/5 |
| Alcohol: | 3/5 |
| Ambiance: | 3/5 |
| Total Score | 21/30 |
