Review: THAI Royal Orchid & THAI Royal First Lounge, T1 Osaka Kansai Airport

Trip To Osaka and Hong Kong Flying Thai Airways First Class & Turkish Airlines Business Class

Since I knew Mike would be in Australia and New Zealand with his Singelresor group in February, I needed to travel somewhere for a few days and thought I'd book a flight from Europe to Japan and back from Hong Kong using my Turkish Airlines miles. So last November, I redeemed 67,500 miles for a first class award flying from Frankfurt to Osaka via Bangkok in Thai Airways First Class. The taxes was just about 800 SEK which was very reasonable. On the flight back from Hong Kong to Stockholm, I redeemed (I actually borrowed miles from Mike) 45,000 miles to fly Turkish Airlines in Business Class. I've been to both Osaka and Hong Kong a few times in the past so my plan was not really to explore them but rather to just see a few sights during this period. I have to admit, to be able to fly on one of my favorite airlines in first class (thanks to their Rimowa amenity kit and excellent first class lounge in Bangkok among others) and visit two amazing cities is just awesome 😉



Photo Review: Holiday Inn Frankfurt Airport
Review: THAI Airways A380 First Class, Frankfurt to Bangkok
Review: THAI Airways A380 First Class, Bangkok to Osaka
Review: THAI Royal Orchid Lounge, T1 Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX)
Review: THAI Airways Boeing 747 First Class, Osaka to Bangkok
Review: THAI Airways First Class Lounge Concourse E, Bangkok (BKK)
Review: THAI Airways Business Class, Bangkok to Hong Kong
Review: Hilton Garden Inn Hong Kong Mongkok
Photo Review: Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge, Hong Kong (HKG)
Photo Review: THAI Airways Royal Orchid Lounge (HKG)
Photo Review: Plaza Premium Lounge, West Hall T1 (HKG)
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Hong Kong to Istanbul
Review: Turkish Airlines Business Class, Istanbul to Stockholm

THAI Royal Orchid Lounge Osaka Kansai Airport reception

Date of visit: February 18, 2017

Location: Terminal 1 International, North Wing, by gate 5
Access: THAI Royal First Class passengers departing on a same-day flight +1 guest; THAI Royal Silk passengers departing on a same-day flight; THAI Royal Orchid Plus Gold members departing on a same-day THAI or Star Alliance flight +1 guest; THAI Royal Orchid Plus Platinum members departing on a same-day THAI or Star Alliance flight +1 guest; First class passengers departing on a Star Alliance flight +1 guest; Business class passengers departing on a Star Alliance flight, no guests; Star Alliance Gold Members departing on a Star Alliance flight +1 guest; United Club members departing on an international Star Alliance flight, no guest; Air Canada Maple Leaf Club members departing on an international Star Alliance flight, no guest
Opening hours: Daily, 8:00am - 12:30pm; 10:45pm - 1:30am

Lounge Entrance

THAI Royal Orchid Lounge, Osaka Airport entrance

THAI Royal First Lounge

Private room reserved for first class passengers.

Here's a short video of the THAI First Class Lounge in Osaka Airport

Leather chairs facing the tarmac

More leather chairs

Thai art 👍

THAI First Class Lounge, Osaka Airport

Snacks and magazine/newspapers trolley

Assorted biscuits

Magazines and newspapers

Drinks menu

I was escorted to the private room reserved for first class passengers and was offered something to drink. From the drinks list, I chose a cup of green tea which was served with some snacks and a refreshing towel.

Fantastic view of the Boeing 747 which is our ride to Bangkok 😉

Note: Access to the reserved first class room is only for first class passengers.

THAI Royal Orchid Lounge

Seating

Lounge seating

Lounge seating

Bar style seating

Dining

The buffet offered sandwiches, cup noodles, fruits, crackers and miso soup among others.

There's also an espresso machine, Asahi draft beer and self serve bar

Sandwiches (curry, custard, cheese, sweet bean) and onigiri (salmon, seaweed and tuna & mayonnaise)

Ginger Ale, Coke, Sprite, orange juice, milk, iced tea, oolong tea, yogurt, French wine Le Mazet de Salleles

Coffee machine

Asahi draft beer

Campari, Johnnie Walker, Chivas Regal, etc.

Entertainment

Magazines and newspapers.

There are also several TV screens and wifi is complimentary.

Coat Storage Area

Coat storage area

Toilet

Gentlemen's toilet

CONCLUSION

Having a first class boarding pass, I was able to access the private room reserved for THAI first class passengers. The best thing about this reserved area was the privacy and that you get to seat on those leather chairs with great views. For your drinks order, you get to be served by a staff but other than that, I had to get something from the buffet myself as there were only snacks available on the trolley. The business class lounge which was not really that big in size was crowded during my visit apparently because the Boeing 747 was full, plus those with Star Alliance gold status also have access to the business lounge. I thought the food and drinks offering were not that extensive specially if you compare it to their own lounges in Bangkok. I have to say their yogurt was one of the best I've had though 😋 Of course there's very few airlines who really have gorgeous lounges outside their hubs, like Qatar Airways with their Premium Lounge in Dubai and Etihad Airways with their First & Business Class Lounge in London. Overall, a nice lounge with friendly staff where you can have a decent meal and relax a bit before your flight although I would suggest visiting the ANA Lounge if your flight departs near gate 15 since the lounge is larger and the food selection slightly better (understandably) because Osaka Kansai Airport is one of ANA's four hubs.


Related Posts:

Review: ANA Lounge, T1 Osaka Kansai Airport (KIX)

Review: Japan Airlines Sakura Lounge, T2 Satellite Bldg. Tokyo (NRT)