If you’re flying through Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, you may come across the PAGSS Premium Lounge as one of the available airport lounges before your flight. Marketed as a comfortable space to relax with complimentary food and drinks, it sounds like a welcome escape from the busy terminal. After visiting, however, I found that the experience fell far short of the “premium” label, with dated interiors, disappointing food, and an atmosphere that left much to be desired.
Location
The PAGSS Premium Lounge is located in NAIA Terminal 1 near Gate 2. Finding it is straightforward, as the airport has clear signage directing passengers to the lounge. Its convenient location makes it an easy stop before boarding, especially for travelers with lounge access through their airline, credit card, or membership program.
First Impressions and Atmosphere
Despite its name, there is very little that feels premium about the PAGSS Premium Lounge. The lounge is relatively small and divided into two separate sections located on opposite sides of the aisle. When one side reaches capacity, staff simply direct arriving guests to the other section.
The interior feels dated and uninspiring. The décor is dark and rather depressing, lacking the comfortable atmosphere and modern design that many international airport lounges now offer. Instead of providing a relaxing environment before a flight, the space feels cramped and functional, making it difficult to unwind.
Food Selection
The buffet offers a limited selection of hot and cold items. During my visit, the hot dishes included pasta and dumplings, while the cold selection consisted of salads, sandwiches, and a few pastries.
Unfortunately, the food was the biggest disappointment. The quality was poor, with several dishes tasting stale and as though they had been reheated or left out for far too long. The overall impression was that some of the food may have been served over multiple days, which made the dining experience far from enjoyable.
Drinks
The beverage selection is basic but covers the essentials. Guests can choose from soft drinks, fruit juices, bottled water, and coffee. While there is enough variety to stay refreshed before a flight, the drink options do little to elevate the overall lounge experience.
Is the PAGSS Premium Lounge Worth Visiting?
The PAGSS Premium Lounge in Manila offers a convenient location and a place to sit away from the busy terminal, but it falls well short of what most travelers expect from a premium airport lounge. The uninspiring atmosphere, limited space, and especially the poor food quality make it difficult to recommend unless you simply need a quiet place to wait for your flight.
If your lounge access is complimentary, it may still be worth stopping by for a coffee or soft drink before boarding. However, paying specifically to enter the PAGSS Premium Lounge would be hard to justify given the overall experience.
