For my second of three lounge reviews from China, today we will visit the domestic First Class Lounge North at Zhengzhou Xinzheng International Airport. (If you’re not so familiar with the name Zhengzhou, it’s in a particularly historic region, located between two ancient capitals of Kaifeng and Luoyang.) Not to mention, given it’s central (to population centers) position in the country, Zhengzhou is the train hub for the country.
Location and Check-In
Right, so if the Priority Pass website is any guide — which it debatably is — there are a few choices for domestic airline lounges in Zhengzhou. I just happened to walk into the one en route to my gate. Naturally, reading the Chinese signage proved to be a much more useful guide, as the Chinese mentioned that it was the First Class Lounge North (北), but the English mentions nothing more than First Class Lounge (SOL).
Checking-in was easy, as I was one of only two passengers in the cavernous lounge at that early time of day.
Ambience
Never get your hopes too high for a Chinese lounge. In fairness, the food selection has gotten a bit better on average, and some of them look more polished. The lighting may be odd, and other amenities lacking, but for me, it’s all about grabbing a bite, and trying to do some writing.
There was plenty of seating in the morning around 08:00-08:30. Chairs were comfortable; I could have easily taken a nap in the furthest seating section, and probably not have been bothered for hours.
Which reminds me to post this highly unusual photo of a randomly empty space in this lounge:
What the …?! Comparing Winnie the Pooh with the Chinese leader is quite polemical these days, so I was surprised to see A.A. Milne’s most famous creations framed on display in a Zhengzhou airport lounge.
Food and Drink
Breakfast at the First Class Lounge North in Zhengzhou was ho-hum. Boiled feed corn and garlicky cucumbers didn’t quite fit the bill at the time. I asked one of the lounge attendants if they’d be serving anything local, but he said that was just for lunch and dinner.
In spite of the less appealing food options, the drinks worked out nicely. Bottled water and tea for the plane, and tea and meh coffee for the lounge.
Conclusion
Once again, I’d have to say the First Class Lounge North staff at Zhengzhou’s airport were nice and attentive, telling me how far my gate was, and even preparing a tea for me.
However, don’t expect any frills. If you’re fine with taking a seat, having a couple of snacks, and furiously typing away at your keyboard or phone screen, that’s what it’s all about.
Bonus
Somewhere near my gate, I encountered this vending machine selling 3-D printed chocolate. That’s odd, but I was more in the market for a 2-D printer for an airline ticket to anywhere.
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