Here’s what it’s like in Honolulu’s most exclusive airport lounge

Hawaiian Airlines is set to receive a fancy new premium lounge in Honolulu by the end of next year. In the meantime, the carrier has been quietly catering to premium flyers with a special, exclusive outpost at Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL).

And if you’re one of the lucky travelers allowed to access the quiet space, it could be quite the pleasant surprise before a long flight over the Pacific.

I recently experienced the new space before boarding a New York City-bound flight from Honolulu. I was about to enter Hawaiian’s existing (and crowded) Plumeria Lounge when an airline attendant told me to hold on for a moment, as I could access a different club.

Moments later, a Hawaiian team member came to escort me to a nearby, nondescript door that led to a special space separate from the main lounge.

Related: True aloha: What it’s like flying Hawaiian Airlines’ longest domestic flight in first class

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The Plumeria Loft

Behind that door was the whole other lounge that Hawaiian is currently calling the “Plumeria Loft.”

It’s an invitation-only space that once served as a private lounge called Apartment 1929, which Hawaiian previously sold access to as part of a short-lived VIP service that included concierge services for passengers.

That paid service ended not long after Alaska Airlines purchased Hawaiian.

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But this airport oasis is still here — and has a new life, of sorts.

A spokesperson for Hawaiian told me the space has been reimagined as a premium lounge, “with access extended on a surprise‑and‑delight basis to guests traveling in international business class” (including my flight from HNL to JFK).

I was certainly surprised and delighted to access the space, which includes outdoor and indoor seating options and a host of food, drinks and amenities.

Here’s what I found inside.

Amenities at the Plumeria Loft

Behind the entry door was a long hallway with two bathrooms. One had a full shower. Inside the restrooms were amenities that will be familiar to passengers in first or business class on Hawaiian, including lotion and lip balm from the airline’s private skincare line Lōli’i.

Even though this lounge technically only has enough room for 24 guests at a time, the space wasn’t at all crowded — even with a very full Airbus A330 set to depart that afternoon for New York.

The best feature, by far, was the outdoor terrace. While the AvGeek in me would have loved a view of the runway, the space was full of greenery and offered a wonderful spot to sit outdoors and soak in a few more minutes of beautiful Hawaii weather before the long flight home.

Food and drink at Plumeria Loft

Inside the Plumeria Loft, there is a full buffet serving Hawaiian and Asian specialties, such as sweet-fried chicken with stir-fry vegetables and Spam musubi with teriyaki. There were plenty of breads and sweets, too.

I got to make my own noodles, too, which was fun.

Plus, there was an amenity sure to be familiar to Alaska Airlines frequent flyers: a pancake machine, which is a fixture in Alaska Lounges (though this one was adorned in more tropical colors).

A separate “snack station” section had a selection of potato chips (Maui Style, of course), pineapple gummies, a large selection of sodas and Aloha Maid juices. Check out the super cute Hawaiian shirt-style condiments.

There’s also a full bar, where friendly employees make espresso-style drinks or cocktails to order.

I enjoyed a filling meal and a nice bit of relaxtion before heading to the gate.

Bottom line

If you can get into the Plumeria Loft at HNL, I highly recommend taking advantage of the access.

It’s a major upgrade over the regular Hawaiian Airlines lounges anywhere else in Hawaii. Of course, once Alaska Air Group opens its new premium lounge at the airport, that will become the most enticing new option, though.

That new HNL club comes amid a major $600 million investment in Hawaiian’s airport facilities over the next five years. Parent company Alaska Air Group is also planning a huge new high-end lounge in Seattle, accessible to high-level elite status members of Alaska and Hawaiian’s joint Atmos Rewards loyalty program.

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