Best Lounge Awards 2023 (World Travel Awards)
The 30th 2023 World Travel Awards Gala took place at the Burj Al Arab in Dubai on December 2, 2023, and the winners have been announced. These awards recognize winners and nominees across numerous regional and global categories, highlighting the top airline and airport lounges worldwide. There were 19 lounge categories with 75+ selected lounges, and the highlights are listed below.
World Category Winners
- Best World Airline Lounge (First Class): Etihad Airways - First Class Lounge & Spa - Abu Dhabi (AUH)
- Best World Airline Lounge (Business Class): Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge - Doha (DOH)
- Best World Airport Lounge: Club Aspire Lounge (T3) - London (LHR)
- Best World Airport Lounge (First Class): ADANI Lounge International - Mumbai (BOM)
Regional Category Winners
Regional winners highlight the best-in-class facilities across specific geographic zones.
- Asia: Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge at Singapore (SIN) won for Business Class, Cathay Pacific Lounge (The Wing) at Hong Kong (HKG) for First Class, and Plaza Premium First Lounge at Hong Kong (HKG) for Best Airport Lounge. The ADANI Lounge (T2) in Mumbai (BOM) secured the win for Best Asian Domestic Airport Lounge.
- Europe: THE LOFT by Brussels Airlines & Lexus at Brussels (BRU) was named the Best Airline Lounge, while Club Aspire Lounge (T3) at London Heathrow (LHR) took the top European Airport Lounge.
- Middle East: Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Doha (DOH) won for Best Business Class Lounge, and Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi (AUH) was the primary airline winner, with Plaza Premium Lounge at Dubai (DXB) winning the Best Airport Lounge.
- Oceania: This region featured a unique joint win for the Qantas First Lounge at both Melbourne (MEL) and Sydney (SYD) for Airline Lounge, while the Aspire Lounge at Perth (PER) won for Best Airport Lounge.
- North America: Cathay Pacific Lounge at San Francisco (SFO) won for Best Airline Lounge, and the Star Alliance Lounge at Los Angeles (LAX) won for Best Airport Lounge.
- Caribbean and Indian Ocean: Club Mobay at Montego Bay (MBJ) won the Caribbean category, and the Air Mauritius - Amédée Maingard Lounge at Mauritius (MRU) won for the Indian Ocean.
The "Double Crown" Winners
A notable highlight of the 2023 results is the overlap between regional and global winners. Three specific lounges were recognized as the best in their region before going on to win the world title in their respective categories.
- Qatar Airways Al Mourjan Business Lounge at Doha (DOH) won Best Middle East Business Class and World Business Class Lounge
- Etihad Airways First Class Lounge & Spa at Abu Dhabi (AUH) won Best Middle East First Class and World First Class Lounge
- Club Aspire Lounge (T3) at London Heathrow (LHR) won both Best European and World Airport Lounge
Related
Closing Thoughts
It's great to see lounges in various places worldwide nominated for awards. I have only been to one of these lounges on the list (the Centurion Lounge - DFW), but I have been to many Sky Club lounges and other Centurion lounges with outstanding service. I hope to get a lounge review in soon for some of the lounges in the near future.