Hamburg Airport Lounge Review - Priority Pass Experience
Here's a detailed review of the Priority Pass lounge at Hamburg Airport (HAM), covering everything from location and access to food quality and overall experience.
👍 What's Good
Location & Access
The lounge is conveniently located on Level 3 (Airport Plaza), just behind security.
Open quite early (around 05:15) and closes at ~21:00 daily.
Duration max usually about 3 hours stay allowed with the card.
Comfort & Amenities
Spacious lounge with varied seating: sofas, armchairs, tables, some workspaces.
Nice architecture/design features: large windows, good view of the apron/runway, high ceilings that keep things light and airy.
Solid amenities: clean restrooms, showers (you need to request / check-in to use them), magazines/newspapers, WiFi.
Food & Drink
Decent non-alcoholic and alcoholic drink selection (beer, wine, soft drinks).
Buffet is okay: salad bar, cold cuts/cheese, fruit, snacks, some bread / rolls.
Warm food options are limited — typically things like sausages, maybe one warm item. It's not a full hot kitchen buffet.
Ambience & Usefulness
Generally pleasant, especially if you arrive outside of peak times. The lounge offers a calm refuge compared to busy gate areas.
The view of the apron is a nice perk. If you like to watch the planes or just have a bright, open space it helps.
👎 What's Not So Great
Food Quality & Variety
Although there's variety, warm food is very limited and often the same items. For many visitors this is a disappointment if they expect more substantial offerings.
Some of the salads or ready-made dishes can be bland, watery, or not well-kept.
Crowding / Noise
At busy times the lounge can feel crowded; seats near windows or good spots fill up early.
Because of its open design, noise from the terminal (security queues, gates, etc.) is perceptible. If you're after total quiet, it may not deliver.
Cost vs Value (for pay-in guests)
If you don't have lounge access via a program / credit card and need to pay, the cost is relatively high (~ €30-€45) and depending on how long you can use it, some feel you might get similar value eating in a nicer café nearby given the limited hot food.
Weekend hours are more restricted.
Service / Maintenance Quirks
Some visitors mention slow restocking of buffet, or delays in cleaning up.
Shower supplies (soap, shampoos) are inconsistent. Sometimes missing.
⭐ Verdict
If I were you, here's how I'd think about using this lounge:
If you have Priority Pass / Amex Platinum / similar lounge access as part of your ticket, this is a solid place to relax before a flight out of Hamburg. Especially good if you arrive early and want a quiet place to work, drink something, catch up.
If you're paying out of pocket, it's only "worth it" if your time value is high (you value comfort, preview views, showers) and you have enough time (so the lounge stay gives you real benefit). If you're just killing 30-45 minutes, maybe better to grab something outside the lounge.
Arrive outside peak times if possible. Morning and early evening are likely to be less crowded.
Bring your own toiletries if you plan to use showers — don't count on all supplies being available.
📋 Disclaimer
This review is based on personal experience and observations during visits to Hamburg Airport's Priority Pass lounge. Lounge amenities, hours, and services may change without notice. Readers should verify current information directly with lounge operators before visiting.