Dublin Airport Lounge- Which would you recommend?

I’ve been in quite a few UK and European airports lately and Dublin airport is by no means the worse (have seen major queues lately in Barcelona, Birmingham, Manchester and Gatwick etc through mix of status and dragon pass, couple of times status has gotten me bumped up the line!) I’d never actually thought to ask could I grab a coffee or a sandwich if full.

The Aer Lingus lounge in Dublin seems to have quietened down a bit since April but needs a revamp, it’s feeling very old and tired but I forgive it for the barista coffee and the porridge in the mornings. I wouldn’t pay full price for any of them though unless I needed very quiet corner for work as agree T1 is jammed.

Agree the lounge is much improved but really they need considerably more capacity, people are already having trouble accessing it and it's just open !! There was also a 3 month plus window with no lounge !! Was there the other day and pass holders were being turned away. I do agree though paying 35 quid to access a lounge seems very odd unless you have a long layover. Like yourself I either access on a business ticket or via one of the pass schemes so it's not costing me anything per se but yeah on a normal day when you may be handing around for an hour paying 35 quid or more for a lounge doesn't seem good value to me.

The Martello has good apron views but is tiny

Hot breakfast buffet and staffed bar

Service on board is fine(ish) dining,lots of quality alcohol and a seat that slouches or converts to a bed at the touch of a button

It’s a very very comfortable way to fly

They're doing something, in so far as the showers are now out of use for unexplained works too!

Dublin Airport are saying since the refurb that PP aren't giving access to the T1 lounge (recently renovated) , this seems to be causing some heated exchanges between passengers and staff. If it's true that it's PP pulling access to that lounge that isn't good as it leaves no PP lounge in Terminal 1 at all. Liffey Lounge which in my experience is very very busy is actually in Terminal 2. Suggest if you have PP complain to PP as really not having a lounge in T1 Dublin is pathetic if it is their fault. Of course I don't know what exactly has occured and can only go on what Dublin Airport staff have told me so perhaps Dublin Airport post refurb had changed terms for PP and they pulled or perhaps it's entirely PP's fault, who knows what is happening ?? What is frustrating if you only have PP is that you used to be able to access the T1 lounge before it was refurbed.

Bottom line is it's a bit of mess for PP card holders. Of course I suspect from recent experiences that the Liffey Lounge is now under higher demand than before as PP holders are forced there (it was busy before anyway) and that will cause more problems. I can see a situation where Dragon Pass people flying out of Terminal 2 can't get Liffey Lounge as it's too busy and either don't bother or head for the Terminal 1 lounge well inside Terminal 1 !!

All a bit of shambles for customers whoever is to blame. Hopefully things improve.

Phoniex is pretty much booked up with DAA sales after the €25 offer.

Their prioritizing their own sales which is their right to do. I wouldn't hold your breath, DAA can say no as long as they want.

In fairness to Dublin Airport I don't think they are the problem re PP, PP seem to have decided post lounge refurbishment to not offer the T1 lounge to their customers. Commercial decision maybe but Dublin Airport are clearly saying it's PP's decision. Fortunately I get access anyway but regularly seeing disgruntled PP holders and it's causing friction with staff. From a PP holders point of view can kinda see the issue, no lounge in Terminal 1 for them. Would suggest PP card holders complain to PP not Dublin Airport.

Anyways refurbished lounge is a big improvement.

Revolut ultras new lounge partner lounge key is not providing access to the phoenix

Only the vastly inferior tiny over crowded Liffey lounge

Dragon pass still does but at $299,it equates to about €26 per visit and you get just 10

That’s still good value versus DAA’s normal price plus you get to use the 10 visits at other airports

However a major downgrade as dragonpass with Rev ultra was unlimited and included 1 free guest

You can only enter 2 hours 45 minutes before your flight afair.

They're not going to kick you out if your flight is delayed though

I've been refused for being too early before in Dublin in the last couple of months.

No she wasn't a lounge dragon at all, she's one of my fav on the desk.

She just explained they're more strict now especially when business. In the order of Priority Pass / Dragon Pass and similar, then bookings, then business class.

I was a direct booking that week as was flying FR, normally would be getting in through airline status