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Ho Chi Minh City airport (SGN) has fairly limited lounge options for travellers and most, if not all the lounges in the international terminal are non-airline, independently run operations. Access to these lounges are either by airline invitations or lounge pass memberships. On a recent trip from Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) to Kuala Lumpur (KUL), I had the opportunity to fly Malindo Air business class and with extension a chance to visit the Rose CIP Lounge.
Lounge invite – Malindo Air
Rose CIP Lounge
The lounge is located near gate 9 in the international terminal and open 24/7. My understanding is that the lounge is exclusively for passengers with airline invitations. Priority Pass and other lounge pass members can access the Orchid lounge which is located across from security, near gate 10-14.
Rose CIP Lounge – Entrance
Airlines that use Rose CIP Lounge
The entrance to the lounge is peculiar, you enter an unassuming hallway that leads to a set of stairs or elevators that you take down to the welcome desk.
Rose CIP Lounge – Welcome Desk
The lounge is bright with natural light and offers great views of the runway. The eclectic decor of the lounge immediately caught my attention as I walk past the food stations. The several seating options included booths, couches and cushioned chairs.
View from the staircase
The long stretches of live wall along one side and fresh orchid plants (not just flowers in a vase) were a treat to the weary eyes and made me feel rejuvenated.
Live wall and Orchid arrangements
Looking towards the main entrance, the coffee station was on the left, bar and food on the right.
The tall lamp/lighting fixtures with spread out seating and plenty of natural light were welcoming and offered good views of the gates and the runway. Large screen tv’s mounted on each big pillar and across the walls offered passengers a chance to catch up with world news and sports.
WiFi codes available at each table
WiFi codes were printed and placed on each table, it was easy to connect and the speeds were sufficient for audio/video calling and streaming shows online. Mind you, the lounge was not busy and that may have a lot to do with my share of the bandwidth.
Window seating – Rose CIP Lounge
The business centre was underwhelming and very basic. It offered a chair and a table with dividers that made for a tight squeeze. And Not every station had power outlets.
Business Centre
Drinks and Food
Now to the real reason I visit lounges 😉 . I was impressed with the well stocked beer fridge and other non alcoholic pepsi products.
CHEERS! Saigon Special, Sagota, 333 (Local brews)
Plenty of wine was on offer as well but I was all too happy with chilled beers in hand.
Not Beer 😉
The food on offer was a good array of traditional to continental. DIY Pho along with shrimp and veg rolls, quiche and meat cuts lined up the food table.
Pho station and other warm food selections
Fresh Fruits and Cold food section
Last but not least, the lounge staff was extremely warm and courteous. They also did an incredible job of maintaining the lounge’s impeccable clean and refined look.
Take Away
My two hours in Rose CIP Lounge were comfortable and exceeded expectations. The design, decor with the beautiful live wall and orchid plants were the highlight of my stay. WiFi was great and so was the Pho and other food offerings. There were no shower rooms but this lounge is a solid 4/5 in terms of comfort, decor and basic amenities.
