Encalm Prive Lounge, T3, International Airport, New Delhi

The hustle and bustle of travel can often leave one weary and longing for a moment of respite. Gone are the days when traveling was mundane. We are at a time when journeys at times can as exhilarating as the destination themselves.

During my recent trip to Italy, while passing through Terminal 3 (T3) International Airport in New Delhi, I stumbled upon the Encalm Prive Lounge—a sanctuary of luxury and comfort that undoubtedly ranks among the world’s finest.

With a staggering capacity of over 550 guests, the Encalm Prive Lounge caters exclusively to business travelers, accessible either through business class tickets or higher with various airlines, or by paying an entry fee. Unlike other lounges, complimentary card benefits do not apply here; however, cardholders can access another Encalm lounge, albeit not as lavish as the Prive lounge.

Culinary delights await at the extensive buffet which is rivalling with the leading star hotels selection and offers separate selections for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians. I loved the watermelon cheese as a canape, prawns and garlic cream kebabs, Chicken biryani and even the simple but tasty beetroot halwa. The lounge’s leaf-shaped bar is a visual delight, offering a range of complimentary and paid options that cater to every palate. Given current Delhi’s excise policy issue, there were many brands including Prosecco that weren’t available at the time of my visit.

The lounge boasts of four sleeping pods, providing weary travelers with a private sanctuary to rest and rejuvenate before their next journey. Of course this is a paid facility at Rs1000+taxes per hour.

One of the standout features of the Encalm Prive Lounge is its expansive conference room, which doubles as a personal dining room, perfect for business travelers or senior bureaucrats and VIP’s looking to conduct meetings or enjoy a meal in a private setting.

For those looking for entertainment, the lounge offers a small gaming zone and a dedicated kids area, ensuring that travelers of all ages have something to enjoy during their visit. The virtual gaming zone and Xbox games comes as a chargeable feature separate from the lounge charge though it can be availed by only the lounge users. A small fitness centre and kids play area comes complimentary along with the lounge facility.

In addition to its luxurious amenities, the Encalm Prive Lounge also offers excellent spa services. I had the pleasure of trying their 30-minute foot massage, which left me feeling relaxed and rejuvenated, ready to embark on the next leg of my journey. Currently this 30-min spa came complimentary by using my DreamFolks card else one will have to shell out Rs1500 for using this facility.

Had there been a provision of complimentary foot massage machines and the massage chairs like at Singapore airport, I would have rated Encalm Prive lounge the best in the world without even blinking an eye.

While the lounge service came complimentary with my flight tickets, Encalm has another facility called Atithya Meet and Greet Service. So if you are a first time traveler or just worried about your parents or kids traveling alone, just avail this service from their portal that comes in various options – Silver, Gold and Elite. This service provides you with a guest manager who will escort you from the entrance without having to wait in the queue, help you through check-in and immigration services. They try to help you go through business class immigration service but it depends upon the government official to allow it. And then they help you get the buggy till your boarding gate. If you have a business class ticket or are planning to use the lounge through credit cards, in my opinion, Silver tier option gives you the best value for money.

Overall, my experience at the Encalm Prive Lounge and Atithya Meet and greet service was nothing short of exceptional. From its elegant ambiance to its impeccable service, the lounge sets a new standard for airport hospitality. Next time you travel, consider experiencing the luxury and comfort of Atithya Meet and Greet Service and Encalm Prive Lounge apart from the usual shopping.

This article first appeared in Exotica and The Pioneer