Lounge Review: Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge - Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK)
When I flew back from Bangkok last weekend, I took the opportunity to check out the the SilverKris Lounge at Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK). The Singapore Airlines lounge which opened back in May 2017 is one of the most highly-rated SQ airport lounges in the region so I was actually pretty excited to check it out personally. There is a lack of signage in my opinion so if you are having trouble locating the lounge, it is actually located near to Gate D7.
Let's start with the unattractive stuff first - one of the most common criticisms here is the lack of space. The SilverKris Lounge isn't too big so if you are visiting during the peak hours of the evening (basically anything after 6:00PM is not a great time), you may have trouble finding a seat if you are traveling with a friend. Also, a lot of Star Alliance Gold members who are traveling in Economy or departing on other Star Alliance flights also visit this lounge which makes it a lot busier than it should be. Since it was pretty crowded when I visited, I took most of the interiors using my iPhone X so do not be surprised to see fairly average photos in this post.
The SilverKris Lounge at Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) is beautiful and the design definitely reflects a much more modern and homely style (as compared to say the SilverKris Lounge in Singapore Changi Airport). There is also a bar that you can access from both sides but the seats were slightly weird - they should have provided high bar stools instead. There are various seating spaces including some personal booths that are great for solo-travellers or those who wish to get some work done before the flight. These booths have become a quite a signature in the SilverKris Lounges as I have seen them in Sydney as well as in Hong Kong previously.
Three signature cocktails were offered during my visit - Singapore Pride, Suvarnabhumi Sparkling and Horizon. I opted for the Singapore Pride which was a cocktail that consisted of Bacardi rum, triple sec and tea. While the drink looked quite pretty and it did reflect the 'little red dot' in a fairly-literal sense, it was incredibly sweet and I could not take a second sip. It is definitely worth noting that the signature cocktails are not the only drinks you can order here in the lounge - feel free to order a classic and your wishes will be taken care of (so long they have the right spirits).
The standard of food offered here in the SilverKris Lounge is also quite impressive. If you are still craving for Thai food, assemble a plate of Pad Thai yourself or get yourself a piping hot bowl of laksa if you are craving for something local (assuming you are from Singapore). I was fairly surprised at how good the food here actually tastes (as far as airport lounges go) so I definitely recommend swinging by with an empty stomach.
If you are not up for a full meal, you can also select from healthier items (not photographed above) or snacks like teriyaki chicken and fried yam cake. I do appreciate how a number of Singaporean dishes have been thrown into the mix here at the SilverKris Lounge - sometimes what road warriors need is a taste of home. If all else fails, go crazy over unlimited coconuts (that seems to be everyone’s favourite) and Häagen-Dazs ice-cream.
Now in the event that you are on a strict liquid-only diet, you will be pleased to find a self-service beer tap here in the SilverKris Lounge. Honestly, the last time I saw one of these was back in Tokyo this year and I am certain that this machine has impressed various international travellers while I was there - I saw at least three person taking a video of it while I was there (and I stayed in the lounge for less than an hour). In any case, no man can turn down the temptation from a fresh pint of beer.
There is also espresso-based coffee here in the lounge so you do not have to reduce yourself to terrible brewed coffee (unless that is your thing). No Champagne or sparkling wine was served while I was there and if you are looking for a non-alcoholic alternative, mocktails are also available.
The SilverKris Lounge here in Suvarnabhumi Airport (BKK) does not come with shower facilities so unfortunately if you are here on a long layover, you may wish to check out a difference lounge instead. If you hold a valid Priority Pass card, there are a handful of lounges (e.g. Miracle First Class Lounge in Concourse D) that offer shower facilities. If you are lucky enough to hold The Platinum Card, feel free to pop in to the Miracle First Class Lounge for a shower before heading over to the SilverKris Lounge for some quality food and drinks.
A good portion of the lounge look out to the concourse but there is no real view from it. I was sitting on a communal table during my visit and the photo above shows the 'best view' that you can get. You do get some natural lighting (which is a lot better than say Hong Kong) but it is not sufficient for me to spend a long period of time - I really struggle with airport lounges that do not have natural light. With all that being said, the SilverKris Lounge in BKK is a breath of fresh air and honestly, I did not realise how many contract lounge the airport has until this visit - the Miracle Lounge next door looks great as well so I will definitely drop by the next time I visit Bangkok.
Business Class passengers now enjoy complimentary inflight Wi-Fi when traveling on Cathay Pacific.