Airline lounge does good
Perhaps it wasn't THE best shower ever, but it
certainly seemed like it was.
I have a bunch of hours to spend here in Tokyo's "NRT" airport. I've been here in the United lounge many times -- I LOVE the beer machines! -- but never with this much time on my hands. So I explored a bit. I've seen the shower suites in the past, but you have to sign up for them, and I always figured they'd be snooty with my upgraded busines class seat and not a full-fare "C" seat.
But my upgrade came through with time to spare; I got a business class boarding pass; I figured I'd give it a go. Worst they can do is say no and make me feel like a second class miserable, pathetic excuse for a human being.
I’m happy to report there was not a hint of snooty. Just a "would you care for a shower today, sir?" and "here is a complimentary amenity kit". Went to my shower suite, put the sign up, and locked the door. The suites aren't spacious, but they're not small either. Kind of the size of a normal American bathroom. A sink, a commode, and a BIG shower stall. The shower stall is walk-in. Heck, you could drive a small car into it.
And it's not cheap and nasty either. All the fixtures are top notch Gröhe equipment. I set my shower temperature and turned the pressure knob to 11 and... and... it was rapture.
After the 7 hour night flight from Kuala Lumpur -- at the end of a particularly long business day, I should add -- and knowing I have another 15 hours of flight time ahead of me, this was EXACTLY what I needed.
The amenity kit included shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, razor, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and some eau de toilette (always sounds better than "toilet water"). Nothing fancy, but nothing cheap either.
Just two minor complaints. The bath towel was neither large nor absorbent. Perhaps adequate for drying a hairless chihuahua after he’s run around a bit, but NOT so for drying an American male. Fortunately, the paper towels were more than absorbent to augment.
Second, the disposable razor. Note to self: Dispose it first and THEN shave (with the razor in your dop kit) and there will be substantially less bloodshed.
Other than that, it was utterly delightful. I plan on stopping through NRT more often on these southeast Asia trips in the future, that's for sure!
Cheers,
Ken
I have a bunch of hours to spend here in Tokyo's "NRT" airport. I've been here in the United lounge many times -- I LOVE the beer machines! -- but never with this much time on my hands. So I explored a bit. I've seen the shower suites in the past, but you have to sign up for them, and I always figured they'd be snooty with my upgraded busines class seat and not a full-fare "C" seat.
But my upgrade came through with time to spare; I got a business class boarding pass; I figured I'd give it a go. Worst they can do is say no and make me feel like a second class miserable, pathetic excuse for a human being.
I’m happy to report there was not a hint of snooty. Just a "would you care for a shower today, sir?" and "here is a complimentary amenity kit". Went to my shower suite, put the sign up, and locked the door. The suites aren't spacious, but they're not small either. Kind of the size of a normal American bathroom. A sink, a commode, and a BIG shower stall. The shower stall is walk-in. Heck, you could drive a small car into it.
And it's not cheap and nasty either. All the fixtures are top notch Gröhe equipment. I set my shower temperature and turned the pressure knob to 11 and... and... it was rapture.
After the 7 hour night flight from Kuala Lumpur -- at the end of a particularly long business day, I should add -- and knowing I have another 15 hours of flight time ahead of me, this was EXACTLY what I needed.
The amenity kit included shampoo, conditioner, shower gel, razor, shaving cream, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb, and some eau de toilette (always sounds better than "toilet water"). Nothing fancy, but nothing cheap either.
Just two minor complaints. The bath towel was neither large nor absorbent. Perhaps adequate for drying a hairless chihuahua after he’s run around a bit, but NOT so for drying an American male. Fortunately, the paper towels were more than absorbent to augment.
Second, the disposable razor. Note to self: Dispose it first and THEN shave (with the razor in your dop kit) and there will be substantially less bloodshed.
Other than that, it was utterly delightful. I plan on stopping through NRT more often on these southeast Asia trips in the future, that's for sure!
Cheers,
Ken
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