Lounge Review: Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg
Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg is one of three South African Airways lounges at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport. This review is about the Baobab Business Lounge in the international departures area. The lounge which opened in 2010 is modern. It also offers a decent buffet with several cold and warm choices as well as comfortable seating.
Check out our rating of Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg!
Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg is the most important international departure lounge at Johannesburg O.R. Tambo Airport.
The tarmac views at the Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg are very enjoyable
Located on the Mezzanine Level, Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg is located not too far away from most departure gates.
The lounge may be accessed either by holding a business class ticket or a frequent flyer card by South African Airways or any other Star Alliance carrier.
First view of Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg
Be aware that there is also a special lounge for first class passengers of South African Airways and Lufthansa.
Seating at Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg
Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg is a somewhat average lounge at first sight. When you enter, you’ll see several different seating areas.
Seating in the Baobab Busienss Lounge Johannesburg is very diverse
These are modern and comfortable, but only a few offer nice views of the tarmac. Moreover, the nice seats on the tarmac side are taken most of the time which means that you have to sit in the area without natural light.
Nevertheless, seating is decent as you’ll find different areas for working as a team (large tables) or alone (working stations) as well as areas for lounging and relaxing or dining. Even though the interior is five years old, it was not any worn out which is definitely a positive aspect to mention.
Buffet at Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg
Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg got three different buffet areas. In the back of the lounge, there’s a small buffet with two coffee machines and sweet offerings like muffins and cookies.
In the main area, there are two rather big buffets with cold and hot dishes. Surprisingly, the hot dishes at both buffets were not the same.
Snacks on one of the mian buffets
While the hot dishes (noodles and chicken) on offer were not very creative, they were actually tasty.
Additionally, we liked the salad and antipasti buffet as well as further choices like cheese and other small snacks like cold chicken breast. Surprisingly, we only found water as a drink on the buffets.
The buffet at Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg is average, but sufficient to grab a snack
As we usually don’t drink anything else anyway, we didn’t bother to ask for another drink. Yet, everybody seemed to just drink water at Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg.
Entertainment at Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg
Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg offers its guests a relaxed atmosphere for reading. That’s an option for all travelers as there are not only South African, but also several international newspapers, for example English, German and Italian ones, available.
Entertainment options at Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg are plenty
Moreover, a small selection of magazines is available. If you are looking for “more modern” entertainment, you may enjoy one of the tablet computers provided in one corner of the lounge or the business center with computers and printers on the other end.
We also liked the fast Wi-Fi at Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg which only slowed down when the lounge got really crowded prior the most important international departures.
Computers in the Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg
Three other things worth mentioning are the number of different international plugs throughout the lounge, the Kids Corner to entertain the little ones and the several large flat-screen televisions showing news channels.
Bottom line Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg
Even though we were impressed by SLOW Lounge Johannesburg and SLOW Lounge Cape Town, I can’t say that I “loved” Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg.
Children’s Area at Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg
The South African Airways flagship lounge is absolutely decent and definitely better than many American and European lounges, but it is worse than the two domestic lounges used by Comair. Nevertheless, the buffet was okay, the seating is comfortable and the entertainment options are decent.
The international plugs are a brilliant idea
It’s also worth mentioning that the restrooms were clean and modern. Overall, I can’t say a bad word about Baobab Business Lounge Johannesburg, but there is nothing to rave about either.
Curious what the world of lounges has to offer in comparison?
Anna
Moritz
I see you’ve recently been in South Africa, have you visited any other cities other than Johannesburg? And how have you enjoyed South Africa? 🙂
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Hey Claire, thanks for stopping by! We had an amazing time in SA, visiting cities like PE, Cape Town, Hermanus or Swellendam. If you scroll down on this page (https://traveluxblog.com/cities/) you’ll find all our content on South Africa we released so far, but there’s a lot more to come in the next weeks!
South Africa is a country I can just recommend to everyone. We rarely had such a good time in years 🙂
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I just read your other blog posts about Swellendam, The Garden Route and Port Elizabeth :). I’m so glad you had a great time in South Africa, it has got a lot of beauty! I look forward to the upcoming articles 🙂
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South Africa is indeed an amazing country. We’ll definitely return and hoepfully amaze you with more articles in the upcoming weeks 🙂
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