Before our Singapore Airlines First Class flight out of Narita, we had access to the ANA Suite Lounge in Terminal 1, near Gate 59. We had visited the standard ANA Lounge before, so we were curious how the "Suite" level compared. Here is the honest answer.
The ANA Suite Lounge at Narita is one of those lounges that comes up frequently in luxury travel discussions. We had seen it on plenty of "best airport lounges" lists and read about the a la carte menu and the chocolate baguette in particular. With a Singapore Airlines First Class boarding pass in hand and a proper amount of pre-flight time, we were ready to put it to the test.
Access
The ANA Suite Lounge at Narita Terminal 1 is open to passengers flying ANA First Class, ANA Mileage Club Diamond members, and holders of qualifying First Class boarding passes on Star Alliance partners. We accessed it with our Singapore Airlines First Class tickets, which connected through Narita on an ANA-operated flight.
The lounge entrance is near Gate 59 in Terminal 1. The ANA Lounge and ANA Suite Lounge share the same entrance, and check-in staff direct you to the correct side based on your boarding pass.
First Impressions
Check-in sets a clear tone: there is a dedicated First Class check-in area with a red carpet at the entrance. The lounge itself is noticeably less crowded than the regular ANA Lounge, which is the most immediate and tangible difference.
The aesthetic, though, was a little underwhelming. It looks very similar to the standard lounge. For a First Class facility, I expected more of a visual step up. The furniture, layout, and general design feel close to what you see in the regular lounge next door. If someone blindfolded you and led you in without telling you which lounge you were in, it would take a moment to figure it out.
The service, on the other hand, is impeccable: multiple concierge staff constantly available, attentive without being intrusive. Japanese hospitality is legendary for good reason, and the staff here exemplify it. Every interaction felt considered and genuine.
The crowd level is noticeably lower than the regular ANA Lounge. If you have visited the standard lounge and experienced the scramble for seats near the noodle bar, the Suite Lounge feels like a different world. Seating is easy to find, and the noise level stays low throughout.
The Food
The buffet: Good drink selection (sake, wine, beer, liquor), but the food options are light. Sandwiches, salads, nothing that impressive. Honestly not much different from the regular lounge buffet.
This is the aspect of the Suite Lounge that surprised us most. For a First Class lounge at one of Japan's major international airports, the buffet selection is underwhelming. Do not arrive here expecting an elaborate spread that matches the "Suite" branding.
The a la carte menu: This is where the Suite Lounge earns its distinction. Connect to the Wi-Fi, scan the QR code at your seat, and you get a proper made-to-order menu. No need to wave someone down or stand in a line. The ordering system is seamless and very Japanese in its efficiency.
What we ordered:
- ANA Original Chicken Curry: Decent, but we both agreed the Delta Sky Club at Haneda is actually a bit better. The flavor was mild and the sauce was thin. Still worth ordering if you want something warm and filling, but do not expect a revelatory curry.
- Udon: Tasty, slightly on the salty side. The noodles had good texture and the broth was clean. A solid choice if you want something lighter.
- Sushi: Just okay, but worth ordering as a fresh pre-flight option. The nigiri looked attractive and the fish was fresh. It is not omakase, but for airport lounge sushi it is respectable.
- Chocolate baguette (limited quantity): This sounds like nothing: a baguette and chocolate, served hot. It was incredible. Vincent was skeptical. We both agreed it was the best thing we had. The chocolate melts into the warm bread in a way that is embarrassingly satisfying for something so simple. Order this if they still have it. Ask as soon as you sit down because the quantity is genuinely limited.
The Showers
The shower area is shared between the Suite Lounge and the regular lounge. You reserve a spot at a kiosk near the entrance and get a text when your room is ready.
We had read about long wait times, but we waited about 10 minutes. It is possible they prioritize Suite Lounge guests.
Inside the room:
- Walk-in shower
- Kosé branded skincare products
- Blue Dyson hair dryer
- Shoehorn and luggage storage area
- Sealed towel, slippers, and a pre-packed zip bag with toothbrush, comb, and cotton pads
The rooms are spacious by Japanese airport standards, which is genuinely impressive given how efficient Japan usually is with space. The Kosé skincare products are a meaningful upgrade from generic lounge amenities. The Dyson dryer is the real one, not a wall-mounted imitation.
The main restrooms in this area are also worth noting, as we mentioned in our ANA Lounge review: Shiseido skincare at the sinks, zoom-in mirrors, and dedicated fitting rooms with platforms to take your shoes off and change. The restroom amenities here feel like a luxury hotel, not an airport.
Suite Lounge vs. Regular ANA Lounge
The Suite Lounge is better, but not dramatically so. The main differences are:
- Noticeably less crowded
- A la carte made-to-order menu via QR code
- Dedicated First Class check-in with a red carpet entrance
- Possibly prioritized shower access
The regular ANA Lounge has the same showers, the same general buffet quality, and the noodle bar (ramen, udon, soba) that is honestly one of the best things about the regular lounge. If you are in the Suite Lounge and want ramen, you can still walk to the regular side to order from the noodle bar.
The two spaces look nearly identical. If visual luxury is what you are expecting from a First Class upgrade, this lounge will not deliver it. If what you want is a quieter, less crowded environment with a proper made-to-order menu, the Suite Lounge absolutely provides that.
Tips
- Order the chocolate baguette first. It is limited quantity and it runs out. Ask about it the moment you sit down.
- Use the a la carte QR code menu rather than relying on the buffet. The made-to-order items are meaningfully better.
- Reserve your shower early. Even though we waited only 10 minutes, the showers are shared with the regular lounge and demand fluctuates.
- Access requires First Class on ANA or qualifying Star Alliance partners. Singapore Airlines First Class with a Narita connection qualifies.
- Manage visual expectations. The lounge looks nearly identical to the regular ANA Lounge. The value is in the quieter environment and the a la carte menu.
Verdict
The ANA Suite Lounge is good, but not dramatically better than the standard lounge. The two spaces look nearly identical, and they share the same shower facilities. The real differences are the quieter atmosphere and the expanded a la carte menu via QR code.
If you only have access to the regular ANA Lounge, you are not missing a dramatically different experience. But if you have Suite access, the calmer environment and the made-to-order menu make it worth using. And the chocolate baguette is reason enough to come here even if everything else were just average.
