Plumeria Lounge Honolulu Review: Small Snack Selection, Bland Design

The Plumeria Lounge is one of two Hawaiian Airlines lounges at Honolulu’s Daniel K. Inouye International Airport. It’s available to Priority Pass members, as well as to select Hawaiian Airlines business and first class travelers, plus frequent fliers with Hawaiian Airlines’ Pualani Platinum elite status.

Unlike the tropical paradise you'll find elsewhere on Oahu, this lounge is more like an oasis of beige. It has some snacks, but don’t arrive seeking a feast. If all you need is a comfy chair, a place to charge your devices and a brief escape from the pre-flight pandemonium, the Plumeria Lounge is just fine.

Here’s what it’s like inside:

Spaces to relax and work

The design of the Plumeria Lounge is bland, though not bad. Prepare your eyes for a steady color palette of beige on beige.

There are a few types of seating options, including counter seating, table seating, booths and armchairs. Most have access to power outlets. The Plumeria Lounge also has a strong, lounge-exclusive Wi-Fi network, so it should be easy to get connected before your flight.

Food and drink at the Plumeria Lounge

Some people judge lounges based on the food offerings. At Honolulu’s Plumeria Lounge, the food is solidly mediocre and spare. There is a self-service buffet with complimentary light snacks.

Expect some apples, cheese, small sandwiches and soup.

There are also a few types of prepackaged snacks such as pretzels and gummies. Delightfully, though, there are cookie jars with Hawaiian desserts including Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread and Mele Macs macadamia nuts.

There’s a coffee maker for lattes and espresso, as well as a standard drip coffee dispenser. A soda fountain nearby offers standard soft drinks.

The alcoholic beverages are also self-serve. There are wine bottles on the counter, so you can pour yourself a glass. Or you can grab a beer from the fridge.

Bathrooms

The bathrooms were quite clean. However, during our visit in December 2023, one of the three women's bathroom stalls was out of service.

There are some nice touches, including colorful flowers and complimentary feminine care products.

How to get into the Plumeria Lounge at HNL

Plumeria Lounge access is offered to:

• Business class guests departing Honolulu to Japan, South Korea, Australia or New Zealand.

• First class guests departing Honolulu to New York or Boston.

• Pualani Platinum elite status holders departing Honolulu to Japan, South Korea, Australia or New Zealand. These travelers may bring one guest.

• All other Hawaiian Airlines passengers who purchase a day pass.

• Priority Pass members.

The Hawaiian Airlines® World Elite Mastercard® doesn't grant Plumeria lounge access, but credit cards with Priority Pass do.

As a Priority Pass member, you don't need to fly on Hawaiian Airlines to access the lounge, but you will have to show a same-day boarding pass with an outbound departure from the HNL airport.

Purchasing a Plumeria Lounge day pass

You can purchase a day pass either as a walk-in directly upon arrival at the lounge or beforehand during check-in.

The general admission price is $40, though there are discounts for passengers with Pualani elite status. Day passes for Pualani Gold cost $30 and Pualani Platinum can purchase day passes for $25.

Though, don’t try buying a day pass if you’re flying out of Honolulu on any other airline. You must present a same-day Hawaiian Airlines boarding pass to be able to purchase a day pass.

Getting to the Plumeria Lounge inside HNL

The Plumeria Lounge is located in Terminal 1 on the third level.

Honolulu Airport has two terminals, Terminal 1 and Terminal 2. Both are connected post-security, which makes it possible to access the Plumeria Lounge even if you’re flying out of Terminal 2, but it could be a long walk. You also could take the Wiki Wiki Shuttle between the terminals.

Other HNL lounges to consider

There are about a dozen airport lounges at Honolulu International Airport, including a United Club lounge, Delta Sky Club and American Airlines Admirals Club. These aren’t available on Priority Pass, but check to see if you might qualify for access with your ticket, elite status or credit card.

Honolulu’s other Priority Pass Lounge is the I.A.S.S. Hawaii Lounge. It’s adorned with colorful walls, plumeria print chairs and a view of lush plants outside. It might be more aesthetically appealing, but the snacks at the I.A.S.S. lounge are almost nonexistent, so if you prioritize complimentary food, the Plumeria lounge is the better choice.

Is the Plumeria Lounge Honolulu worth it?

The Plumeria Lounge is hardly making any lists of best airport lounges. But if you received complimentary access anyway (by purchasing a premium airfare or having a Priority Pass membership), then it’s tough to complain about this lounge.

The food isn’t fancy, but few airport meals are. You’ll have a place to set down your bag. And don’t overlook the unlimited supply of coffee, soda and other drinks. The Honolulu Cookie Company shortbread treats are tasty, too.

As far as whether it’s worth purchasing a day pass, that’s a tougher decision. If you’ll otherwise purchase multiple adult beverages elsewhere in the terminal, then that might end up justifying a good chunk of the $40 day pass fee right there. If you’ve got a long layover, a delayed flight or just got to the airport way too early, then it might be easier to justify the day pass simply given how many more hours you’ll get out of your stay.

Sure, you’d much rather be lying on the beach in Waikiki. But, if you’re stranded in the Honolulu Airport, then the Plumeria Lounge has some complimentary food and drinks to help pass the time, but not much else.