I have not been compensated in any way (financially or otherwise) to write this Plaza Premium Lounge Rio de Janeiro review. Airport, airline, lounge, hotel, and loyalty program policies may have changed since the time of writing.
The Plaza Premium Lounge at Rio de Janeiro’s Galeão airport is located on the same level as duty free, prior to a set of escalators that take you up to the domestic gates. At the time, Plaza Premium accepted Priority Pass, but that is no longer the case. Priority Pass guests can visit the GOL Smiles Lounge.
Quick Take: Plaza Premium Lounge Rio de Janeiro Review
| Category | Rating (Out of 10) |
|---|---|
| Atmosphere & Design | ✅ 7/10 |
| Food & Beverage | ✅ 7/10 |
| Seating & Layout | ✅ 8/10 |
| Wi-Fi & Connectivity | ❓ N/A |
| Cleanliness & Comfort | 😐 6/10 |
The Plaza Premium Lounge is a decent place to rest, but unlikely to impress.
Lounge Info
- Lounge Name: Plaza Premium Lounge Rio de Janeiro (Domestic)
- Location: Restricted area on Level 1 in Terminal 2 near Gate B27-B28
- Operating Hours: 24 hours daily
Access Policy
- Entry process: You must present an eligible access method and boarding pass for access
- Who can enter: Plaza Premium pass holders, Amex Platinum cardholders, DragonPass members
- Guest policy: Guest access varies.
- Credit cards or memberships accepted: Amex Platinum, DragonPass
Atmosphere & Seating
Upon arriving, you will see this pillar and a check-in desk where you provide your credentials and enter. Most of the seating is in the well-lit open space area, which includes typical chairs, tables with seats, individual seat suites, etc.
The Plaza Premium Lounge Rio de Janeiro is 10,000 square feet large, and has seating for 220 guests. That means there is plenty of seating to the right side of the lounge after you walk in, and if you walk to the left you’ll find these private single-seat suites.
Food & Beverage
There’s a drink and food station to the left side of the entrance, where you can grab refreshing water and tea, and opposite you can grab food on offer from a cold and warm food bar.
Food included eggs, sausage, pao de queijo, and other small foods.
There were also cheeses, cold cuts, and fruit on offer.
Wi-Fi & Connectivity
Complimentary Wi-Fi was available, though I didn’t have time to test the connection quality during my brief visit.
Cleanliness & Facilities
While the lounge appeared freshly cleaned, some areas had a strong bleach smell. Additionally, leftover plates and cups were scattered in seating areas, which detracted from the experience.
Amenities
Shower facilities are available upon request, a nice perk for domestic travelers. However, during my visit, the men’s restroom was out of service, requiring guests to exit the lounge to use terminal facilities.
Plaza Premium Lounge Rio de Janeiro Review Verdict
The Plaza Premium Lounge at RIOgaleão Airport’s Domestic Terminal 2 is a serviceable space to relax before a flight, but not a lounge worth arriving early to experience. While the seating options and shower availability are welcome, the food selection is basic, and housekeeping could be improved. For travelers with complimentary access through Amex or DragonPass, it’s a decent option, but I wouldn’t pay out of pocket for access.
Overall Rating: 7/10
Have you had a chance to visit the Plaza Premium Lounge at RIOgaleão? What were your thoughts?
Always remember to Live Life One Trip at a Time!
