Dan and I spent a little over two hours in the Marhaba Lounge in Dubai International (DXB) Terminal 3, Concourse B in December 2024, after spending a week in the Maldives and a few days in Dubai. While we were sad to leave, the Marhaba Lounge provided a decent send off. We arrived in the Marharba Lounge before 6:00 AM (we had an 8:30 flight) and had a pleasant, albeit crowded, experience. We would certainly return.
Dubai.
LOCATION OF MARHABA LOUNGE
To avoid any confusion, there are multiple Marhaba Lounges, and this article only discusses the Marhaba Lounge in Terminal 3 of Dubai International, Concourse B. This Marhaba Lounge is open 24 hours a day and located airside in Terminal 3, very close to Gate B21. Numerous signs (in Arabic and English) direct guests to Marhaba’s dedicated lounge, which transports guests from the main level of the terminal to the lounge.
The elevator to the Marhaba Lounge.
There was a small line for the elevator when we arrived before 6:00 AM on a Sunday morning, but it moved pretty quickly and the delay was just to take the elevator checkin, not that the lounge was at capacity. That being said, even in the very early morning, the Marhaba Lounge was crowded, and I could see it reaching capacity at busier hours. About 10 minutes after joining the line (and honestly maybe less), we presented our boarding pass and Priority Pass to the lounge attendant and were admitted into the lounge.
I would also point out that the other popular Priority Pass lounge in Terminal 3, Concourse B, the Ahlan Lounge (formerly the Cadiz Lounge) was under major construction during our visit and was operated out of a smaller, and much less nice, space, so Marhaba may have been seeing some of that traffic.
The temporary space of the Ahlan Lounge.
THE SPACE AT MARHABA LOUNGE
Despite my description as “crowded,” the Marhaba Lounge is a large lounge. It spans a large rectangular area on the second floor of Terminal 3, Concourse B. Most of the lounge is filled with comfortable red and grey chairs, nooks for those working, and tables near the food area. There is a lot of space – just keep walking away from the entrance. We sat near the entrance, grabbing the first chairs that we saw, but we probably could have found better seating further back.
Seating at the Marhaba Lounge.
Nooks for seating.
Dining style seating after the bar.
A large buffet serving hot and cold food is located in the middle of the lounge, and grab-and-go foods are located at a few areas around the lounge. A proper bar is located near the food area. Showers and restrooms are located behind the bar.
The proper bar area.
The Marhaba Lounge was decked out on our visited for the UAE’s National Day, which is December 2nd. So no, its not always this festive.
UAE National Day decor.
THE FOOD AT MARHABA LOUNGE
Even at 6:00 AM, the Marhaba Lounge had a decent spread of food, including breakfast and lunch foods with both Middle Eastern and Western dishes. The majority of the food, at least at 6 AM, was served via a hot buffet. I didn’t eat much (really at all), but the food looked pretty good.
The primary food buffet.
The selection spread around the corner.
The only food I got a close up of was a selection of bread…
There were also a couple sandwich grab-and-go areas around the lounge. The sandwiches looked pretty decent and they were replaced regularly.
Sandwich selection at Marhaba Lounge.
THE DRINKS AT MARHABA LOUNGE
Despite it being very early in the morning, Marhaba Lounge’s proper bar was manned and open. No one batted an eye when I requested a beer and wine at about 6:15 AM. And, they even gave me some chips, a la Aperitivo style, to go with my wine.
Wine and potato chips.
I also tried a Heineken.
Aside from alcohol, the Marhaba Lounge offered numerous coffee machines, juice and infused waters, tea, and several coolers serving soft drinks.
Cappuccinos from the espresso machine.
A cooler with soft drinks.
Juice and infused waters.
OTHER AMENITIES AT THE MARHABA LOUNGE
I didn’t do too much at the Marhaba Lounge except for eat and drink. But, I did log into to wifi and that worked very well, like WFH well. I also noticed that the lounge offers lockers and a closed in room for private phone conversations. I thought this was a nice touch.
This phone booth is for private conversations.
The restrooms were quite clean and showers are available, although I believe use of the shower cost extra. The lounge also had a few in-flight items for sale, such as an eye mask, blanket, etc. if you forgot something. That being said, there are plenty of stores just outside the lounge to pick up these types of things.
STEAL OUR LOUNGE
Marharba Lounge: Dubai International, Terminal 3, Concourse B. Located airside, near Gate 21. Visitors take a dedicated lift to the lounge entrance. Open 24 hours per day. Priority Pass members receive complimentary access (as of March 2025). All guests can purchase access online at approximately $70 USD for 4 hours (or $140 USD for 8 hours).