Five-star comfort for travellers

pon reaching Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport, Shahriar Mahmood, an executive of a multinational company, learnt that he needed to use the internet to look into an important official matter.

Previously, he would have worked up a sweat trying to figure where he would find internet connection for his work laptop.

But nowadays, he stays relaxed when such work emergencies crop up, as he knows there is a fast Wi-Fi hotspot awaiting him at the EBL SkyLounge after completion of immigration procedures.

Launched in January, Eastern Bank's airport lounge has quickly become a favourite for business travellers like Mahmood, overtaking the five already in existence.

Spread across 3,000 square feet, the airport lounge has state-of-the-art amenities that include separate shower rooms complete with toiletries for gents and ladies -- a facility which the other five do not provide.

Mahmood, who often has to make urgent business trips, says the scope to freshen up at the airport is a great timesaver.

“It is a godsend. I do not need to leave early from work to go home to freshen up. I can come to airport straight, which given our traffic conditions, is of great help.”

The lounge also has an in-house kitchen that is maintained by The Westin Dhaka.

“We make all the food at the lounge kitchen except for pastries,” said Abdul Alim, a staff of The Westin, who has been transferred to the SkyLounge for four months.

He is one of the 23 staff of the five-star hotel chain posted at the EBL lounge to ensure that the catering is first-rate.

Large high-definition televisions are mounted on the walls of the spacious lounge along with world clocks. It also has infant changing rooms, prayer facilities, high-speed internet access, luggage racks and charging stations for gadgets.

Riyadh Ferdous, senior brand manager of EBL, said the private bank plans to add on more facilities to the lounge. 

The lounge, operated and managed by Karim Associates, has 10 staff from EBL to provide banking services such as dollar endorsement and credit card limit rearrangement.

Signature and Platinum cardholders of EBL and their immediate family members, Diners club cardholders and business class travellers of Malaysia Airlines and Singapore Airlines are eligible to use the lounge.

SkyLounge, which remains open round-the-clock, has seating capacity of around 100, said Md Rozar Ibna Azad, the in-charge of the SkyLounge. It serves 100 guests on average daily, with the number scaling above 300 during Eid holidays.

The five other lounges are Amex Lounge run by City Bank, Balaka Lounge run by Ruposhi Bangla Hotel, The Maslin Lounge run by Biman Bangladesh Airlines, Thai Airways Business Class Lounge and the Icon lounge by Banglalink.