Hello from the Etihad Residence Lounge at Abu Dhabi Airport!
O.
M.
G.
This place is amazing. I planned to arrive at the airport about six hours before my flight to Sydney, and figured that would be way too early, and that I’d be bored after a couple of hours. Nope, I’ve been busy nonstop, and sort of regret not arriving earlier. Best of all, my “butler” in the lounge is Amal, who I’ve known for years. He’s one of my favorite Etihad employees out there, so I was thrilled when the door to the lounge was opened and he was standing there.
I started off with a shave, then had a hand massage in “my” private lounge rather than in the spa, now I’m having a wine tasting, then I’m having a five course dinner, and then soon enough it’ll be time for departure.
Anyway, I’d like to try something new today. I’ve never done a Facebook Live before, so I’m going to be doing one at 11:30AM ET, shortly before my flight to Sydney boards. Head over to the One Mile at a Time Facebook page at that time if you’re interested in tuning in.
I’m not sure how it’ll go. I’m really tired and haven’t slept well in days. I’m about to have a five course meal and sample 11 wines. And I may or may not do the Facebook Live while wearing a bathrobe with the Residence logo on it.
In the Facebook Live session I’ll share my initial thoughts on the experience, provide a tour of the lounge, and also answer any questions you guys have (feel free to leave them below, or you can ask them during the session). Like I said it’s my first time using Facebook Live, so my apologies for any technical challenges or incompetence.
https://www.facebook.com/onemileatatime/videos/1538586636173361/
And thanks for following along and making this so fun for me!
Very interesting video thanks for posting. Nice to see what you really look like. I enjoy reading your blog even though I don't comment much. Feel that these residence posts have been entertaining to read and hope the content is worth the $7,000 so you can do more stuff like this in the future.
@Lucky That was my first use of Facebook Live too. I gotta say, you seemed a lot less nerdy than I'd expected. I guess cos of the OCD stuff, etc. I was expecting something different, but you came across quite confident and relaxed. Makes sense, cos you're good at what you do.
@Lucky So that's how you sound like!
... way to go my American tourist, are we to believe this to be an honest review or an elaborate stunt given all the warnings provided ahead of your traveling dates to the Etihad PR reps to ready them for you. SMART!!
OMG.. YES your readers ARE NAIVE, NO Amal doesn't think you're crazy, he's just amazed at what some of you rave about behind 4 walls while 7k miles from your home, sleepless,...
... way to go my American tourist, are we to believe this to be an honest review or an elaborate stunt given all the warnings provided ahead of your traveling dates to the Etihad PR reps to ready them for you. SMART!!
OMG.. YES your readers ARE NAIVE, NO Amal doesn't think you're crazy, he's just amazed at what some of you rave about behind 4 walls while 7k miles from your home, sleepless, half drunk with the world there is to explore how there and all these culture to learn... but who he is to open his mouth and anyone of you could just ruin his life and that of his family, white man world my friend!!
"The traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.."
Gilbert K. Chesterton
That looks amazing!
Welcome to sydney
It'd be great if you could check out my website ~ https://3624ben.wixsite.com/sydhkgskl
Ben, i love OMAAT!!
You are so much cuter 'live'. Yeah, just wanted to say that. :)
Mixed about this new website look. Looks a bit boxy, and the font seems a bit odd, but it still looks fantastic! Nice work Lucky!
@ J -- Fun (maybe?) story about the font. Basically it's a Google font, and they made some update to it that deleted all the punctuation marks in certain weights/sizes. So we're punting for a bit until someone in Mountain View checks their email, but didn't want to delay the whole roll-out just for that.
More to come in the next few weeks on the boxiness as well -- have to do some of this in stages, but it will be great at the end.
Pics/Vids of the GE/PW engines on takeoff? Come on bro. Get with it.
@ Cregor
I think a private lounge would be amazing. But I generally hate people so that makes the decision easy.
Mark, who don't you leaver your player hatergade at the door. You need to stop drinking that stuff, it only makes you a miserable individual. If you can't celebrate this event with Lucky then why not just keep your comment to yourself. Really, what kind of question is 'were you born on the wrong side of the tracks?' What if he was, so what? Who cares? Were you born on the right side of the...
Mark, who don't you leaver your player hatergade at the door. You need to stop drinking that stuff, it only makes you a miserable individual. If you can't celebrate this event with Lucky then why not just keep your comment to yourself. Really, what kind of question is 'were you born on the wrong side of the tracks?' What if he was, so what? Who cares? Were you born on the right side of the tracks? Are you an elitist snob that you get your rocks off on posting condescending comments on his blog? Grow up.
Lucky, you rock!
Hype gets hits Mark. Either it has to be amazing or a nightmare to get the most engagement. Nothing to do with wrong side of the tracks, just an eye on how to maximise the number of people who will click through.
Were you born on the wrong side of the tracks?
Spare us the O.M.G. nelly drama.
Love it that you still get sooo excited. Can't wait to read the trip report. Have fun!
Enjoy your flight. I'm surprised your SO passed on the experience, but then again not everyone is willing to travel on such an intense travel schedule to have this type of experience.
Ben,
Just wondering if you tipped Amal? Or plan on tipping the butler on board? Curious to get your thoughts on the idea/practice?
Enjoyed the live Facebook post!
Just watched the recorded Facebook Live video. Enjoyed the Q&A. Awesome that you reconnected with Amal!
Ben I saw your Instagram stories and never have I heard such excitement in your life before, so by all means I hope you have the most wonderful experience on the residence. Can't wait to see your full review of it
Amazing! Reading this from my F seat in an AA E175 RJ. While my seat is actually quite comfy, when compared to your story it's certainly an illustration of how wide a spectrum "First Class" encompasses :)
What happens if there is another Residence passenger on another flight leaving around the same time who wants to use the lounge, is it a first come first serve situation or would you share the lounge?
I am LOVING this! I cannot wait until one way having the experience as well. However Is it true that you cannot earn EQM from this trip just miles? What program will you be crediting them to?
Looks great but when i travel I value one thing more than anything... SLEEP! Eating and drinking when not sleeping is self-destruction!
Lucky,
My question is:
Does it feel weird to be in a private lounge, not with other people?
There's quite a difference between being in a very quiet lounge and a lounge by yourself...do you prefer a private lounge, or not?
I may not be able to join the Facebook live, but if you can address this question that'd be great:
How does the lounge work if there are 2 parties flying in the residence on 2 different flights at similar times? Will you have to share the lounge, or take turns?
If we can't watch live will you be posting so we can watch at a later time? So excited for you Ben....I'll hopefully be taking that flight next year.
Also please (if you don't mind?) have a separate post on how the Residence compares to a Private Jet.
@Lucky- do you already know the butler who's going to serve you on the flight or is that a surprise too?
Also, will you plan to make any last minute request just to see if the concierge can pull it off this late?
This is awesome, Lucky!! Enjoy!!
Does anyone know if Facebook Live videos can be watched after they are created? I can't make it at 11:30 ET, but would love to watch later in the day.
@ Jason -- Yep, you should be able to watch a replay of it.
How do you know Amal? Really looking forward to read about the rest of the trip!
@ Ole -- I first met Amal the night of the A380 inaugural where I totally screwed up my ticket, as outlined here:
https://onemileatatime.com/etihad-a380-inaugural-is-on/
I've known him ever since, and say hi to him every time I pass through Abu Dhabi. He's a class act.
Exciting it started!!!!