by 
Checkout from our villa, and the ride back on the resort speed boat to Ao Po Grand Marina Pier went without incident. Once on Phuket, our airport transfer included car service in a large luxury van (provided by the resort) that took us from the pier, through town and to the Phuket airport.
The Setup: Unforeseen Events
Introduction: Planning for Thailand
Review: Cathay Pacific Lounge SFO
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – San Francisco To Hong Kong
Review: The Pier, Hong Kong International Airport
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Hong Kong To Phuket
Review: Anantara Layan Phuket Resort – Deluxe Seaview Suite
Boat Transfer & Check-in: The Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort & Spa
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai – Ocean View Pool Villa Suite
Review: Santhiya Koh Yao Yai Resort
Day Trip: National Marine Park – Koh Hong Archipelago
Final Thoughts & Monkey Business – Santhiya Koh Yao Yai
Review: Thai Royal Orchid Lounge – Phuket
Review: Lux Pay In Lounge – Phuket
Review: Dragonair International Business Class – Phuket To Hong Kong
Review: Regal Airport Hotel – Superior Room
Review: Cathay Pacific International First Class – Hong Kong To Chicago
Review: American Airlines Flagship Lounge – Chicago
Review: American Airlines Domestic First Class – Chicago To San Francisco
Going to miss this place
Loading up
Boating away
There was some sort of yacht show going on at the marina
Disembarkment
Marina path out
Pick up area just outside the marina
Hotel van service to airport
Drive to the airport
At the airport we pre-cleared our baggage through a local security measure and walked into Terminal 1, the international terminal. We were early and had another 3 hours for our flight. Being my first time departing from Phuket Airport I began looking for the Dragonair check-in counter and couldn’t find it. I wondered if it was located in the other Terminal? At the time I didn’t realize Terminal 2 was only a domestic terminal. We had plenty of time and I enjoy walking Airports so we took the 10 minutes to walk over to Terminal 2. Once there we discovered it was only for domestic travel.
Security pre-clearance for landside
Main international terminal hall (Terminal 2)
Terminal 1 – domestic flights only
Waiting for the Dragonair counter to open
Susan was getting a little disgruntled at this point. I love walking aimlessly lost around airports, she does not. We got back to Terminal 1 and she found the information desk and asked for direction. There was a bit of a language barrier, but between us both we figured out the Dragonair check-in counter wasn’t opening for another 20 minutes. It was also presently configured as a Thai Airways counter, and then would change their signage into the Dragonair counter.
I had been able to find and book a return flight a few day previous. We had the same returning Dragonair flight in business to Hong Kong, and then Cathay Pacific first routing through Chicago with an overnight at the Hong Kong Airport. There was an even more direct flight in Cathay Pacific business class, but I really wanted to enjoy the first cabin again. I figured it could be some time before we would get another opportunity to do the same. Susan, the ever more practical of the both of us, wanted the more direct flight but let me have this one and my choice of our route home.
Check in desk 15 minutes before opening
Dragonair finally opened their check-in counters. We checked in and processed through immigration on to the airside international terminal. Flying in Dragonair business gave us access to the Thai Royal Orchid Lounge, which was located pretty close to our gate. I was very interested to check this lounge out since Thai Airways has a marvelous reputation for the ground experience.
Airside Terminal 1
Lounge signage
Lounge entrance
On arrival to the lounge we were presented our entry pass and were checked in by the front agent. The lounge is large square room. There are a couple elevated platforms / cubicles on one side that have a facing couches and a coffee table in them. On the table is a sign “Reserved for First Class Passengers”. During our stay no one used the first class areas.
Open area and food counter
Main lounge
Main lounge towards food counter
First class spaces
First class section
The open area is an array of high backed chairs with small tables and on first glance it looked cheerful and inviting. The lounge was small but also empty and we settled into our seats. On closer inspection most of the furniture in the lounge is very worn. Those particular pictures didn’t turn out but take my word, the furniture has seen better days. After a while you realize the entire lounge is showing wear and is a little beat up. This includes the carpet, blinds, fixtures … the whole place.
Business station
Periodicals
Behind the main check in desk is a small kitchen and a limited assortment of cold snacks were available. The hot food included pigs in a blanket, meat pastries, and fried rice. Nothing really looked appetizing. There is also a little business station with a couple computers, and against the entry wall was a literature area which displayed magazines and periodicals. I asked where the bathrooms were and the agent pointed to sign indicating they were outside the lounge. Once I used them, I realized they just the public bathrooms, which were fine but unusual for a private airport lounge.
Finger sandwiches
Warm food
Coffee station
Drinks – including cold beer
Signage to public restrooms
The lounge was thoroughly mediocre, but it was also relatively empty so normally I would have chosen to stay – except that while I was out visiting the public bathroom I noticed there was a priority pass lounge next door. Figuring it couldn’t be worse, I convinced Susan to go with me and visit it during our last hour before boarding.
In Summary:
The Thai Royal Orchid Lounge is the only Airline lounge in the Phuket International terminal. It’s interior while probably nice on opening day has since been worn and neglected. It has no private bathroom. The food wasn’t displayed very well, and tasted just ok. It did have a nice assortment of drinks (including cold beer) and some magazines and newspapers. Everything considered, I would only use this lounge if I had excess time and needed to get some work done.
