Aspire Lounge Manchester Terminal 1 — Attraction in Manchester

We arrived at the lounge on 25/04/2024 approximately after 7am. I was accompanied by my wife, a 14 years old child, a 10 years old and 14 months old. I presented by Priority pass card and requested myself and a guest on that and then my wife’s priority pass card and requested her and a guest on that (the 14 months old child as per your policies were supposed to be entered for free) but he swiped the card for 3 guests and charged us for a 14 months old child as well. The male colleague on the the Checkin desk was rude and very unhelpful. The moment we arrived, we were felt unwelcome. Rather checking us in, he decided to go and ask someone else after seeing our boarding cards because he made a rule up himself that maximum stay in the lounge is 90 minutes and because our flight was departing at 10am and we were checking in at 7am, it was more then 90 mins. This was strange as I am a frequent traveller and never heard of this things before. He went and came back after few mins and there was already few people behind us and I was feeling ashamed. He was told by your colleague that it’s perfectly ok for us to check in. He was taking his time and it was well over 30 mins for a simple Checkin to complete. By that time my wife wasn’t feeling well and I requested him few times if she can at least go and sit inside with kids and I will stay for him to complete checkouts to which he didn’t reply. My wife fainted and fell on the floor and I started to give attention to her and other passengers helped me as well. She was pregnant and we found this later on after coming back from holidays. I requested him to get me a chair or let WIFE and KIDS in as he was taking ages for checkin for some strange reasons which he ignored and I literally had to yell for the chair after which he got us one. The request of water was denied and he pointed me towards water. I helped my wife to sit on the chair, got her water and she started to feel better. Other colleague started to ring medical staff but after my wife confirming she’s feeling better, they disconnected the call. I can not remember your colleague name but you can check CCTV footage. During all this, he was still busy on checking us in with a straight face. He checked me and a guest (14 years old child) on my priority pass and checked on my wife together 2 guests (10 years old and 14 months old) on my wife’s priory pass. I pointed out that 14 month old should be free to which he replied that he is not putting him on which was a lie as the priory pass statement shows that we were charged for him as well. Unfortunately we had to cut the trip short as wife was not feeling any better in Turkey and came back a day later, we lost our unborn child (only found that when we got back to uk) I am very unhappy to the way we were treated and can definitely say that some of your staff desperately needs retraining and especially him. A simple check in process should take half n hour and a 14 months old shouldn’t be charged unless you have changed your policies in last few days.

Breakfast was terrible, no vegan option unless you ask them. No water bottles. No toilets inside. SHOCKING … AVOID...

The view is great! Unfortunately there ends the positive.

I usually use the Escape lounge which is streets ahead in every aspect. The lounge is uncomfortably hot, like ridiculously hot; when asking staff they say its not them it's Manchester Airport! Escape seem to manage more reasonable temperatures.

The lounge itself is tired, carpets worn, seat arms look disgusting with ingrained dirt. Tables all over left uncleared. It's certainly not what I expect from a 'Premium' lounge experience.

Moving to the food and drink... very poor selection and not great quality. Lunch selection was either Chicken Tikka Masala or Spicy Bean Chilli. Rice and garlic bread available as sides. Now the curry tasted OK but not amazing. On the cold side there is a very limited salad selection of ham, a cheese, mixed salad and Caesar dressing. The bread rolls looked to have had freezer burn and were dry and uninspiring.

If you were hoping for pastries or deserts then sad l y you have a choice of a double chocolate muffin or blueberry muffin.

Drinks were OK, the usual selection but very small glasses which with the heat meant multiple journeys. Only one hot drink machine had milk in it and despite reporting this it was not refilled during my stay. Incidentally the coffee tastes like the milk is powdered rather than steamed fresh milk - horrible and creamy.

All in all a real disappointment, I only paid a reservation fee thankfully as if I'd had to pay for entry I would have requested a refund.

Steer clear, Escape is far far better in...

I regularly have the pleasure of visiting the Aspire Lounge at Manchester Airport Terminal 1, and I must say, it always meets my expectations.

First and foremost, the lounge's ambiance is inviting and relaxing. The modern and stylish decor creates a comfortable atmosphere that's perfect for both business and pleasure. The seating options are varied, from cozy armchairs to spacious workstations, catering to all types of travelers.

One of the highlights of my visit was the selection of food and beverages. The buffet offered a range of delicious options, from hot dishes to cold salads and a variety of snacks.

The service at the Aspire Lounge was exceptional. The staff members were attentive and friendly, always ready to assist with any requests or questions. It's evident that they take great pride in providing top-notch service to their guests.

The lounge also offers complimentary Wi-Fi, which worked seamlessly during my stay, allowing me to catch up on work or stay connected with loved ones. Charging stations were readily available, ensuring that my devices stayed powered throughout my visit - some however don't work, so it is worth a check before getting comfortable at your chosen seat.

Overall, my experiences at the Aspire Lounge in Manchester Airport Terminal 1 are great. It's a haven of tranquility amidst the bustling airport, offering comfort, great food, and attentive service. Whether you're traveling for business or leisure, I highly recommend treating yourself to this lounge experience. It truly enhances the...