I recently visited the IRCTC Executive Lounge in Ahmedabad located on the ground floor of the station on Platform no 1 side. Here's a quick review from my recent visit about the same.
Cards for complimentary lounge access and an a la carte menu.
Here's a list of all the cards with complimentary Railway Lounge Access In India. Currently, they are accepting SBI, ICICI, and IDFC Credit Cards out of the following.
Since this all-vegetarian lounge also serves as a restaurant you can order a-la-carte as well which is of course chargeable.
Buffet section near the Dining Area.
The lounge has separate dining and resting spaces. There is a Relaxing Zone with recliners available for a cost of ₹120 per hour. Though the lounge was clean, the washrooms were not hygienic at all.
Seating Area.
There is a Relaxing Zone inside which offers recliners at a cost of ₹120 per hour.
Further, you are also entitled to free Wi-Fi and newspapers/magazines.
Recliner Zone.
Apart from complimentary facilities, you can also access paid facilities which include a shower, changing rooms, and resting lounges. Recliners are available for a cost of ₹120 per hour.
So there is a scope for improvement but they are the best bet when you are travelling via railways.
Have you been to this lounge or, maybe any other IRCTC Executive Railway lounge? Do share your experiences in the comments below.
Experience
Check-in
This lounge is accessible from both Platform 1 and outside the station and since I reached early to pick someone up and was not travelling I preferred to enter from outside. The check-in was simply seamless and I used my ICICI MakeMyTrip Signature Credit Card for complimentary access and it was gladly accepted. A simple authentication of ₹2 on my card was done as validation charges which are non-refundable same as in Airport lounges.
Cards for complimentary lounge access and an a la carte menu.
Here's a list of all the cards with complimentary Railway Lounge Access In India. Currently, they are accepting SBI, ICICI, and IDFC Credit Cards out of the following.
Food
This lounge serves just what is a typical Gujarati thing which is Thali. So I was asked to grab a dining chair and was served a thali and I must say the food was surprisingly delicious. Earlier to my information they were serving a one-time thali meal but now there is no restriction on multiple servings which is exactly as per the IRCTC rulebook for Executive Lounges.
Vegetarian Thali
Since this all-vegetarian lounge also serves as a restaurant you can order a-la-carte as well which is of course chargeable.
Ambience
Buffet section near the Dining Area.
Seating Area.
Facilities
With complimentary access to the lounge, you are entitled to two hours of lounge stay in the normal seating area. Meals are served as per the time of the visit. Other facilities include air-conditioning, and charging sockets.Further, you are also entitled to free Wi-Fi and newspapers/magazines.
Recliner Zone.
Bottomline
IRCTC Executive Lounges are a genuine try from Indian Railways to change the whole experience of travelling via railways. I must say this is a step in the right direction. They definitely give the traveller quality food and comfort better than the crowded waiting rooms. But the journey is far from over as they are currently concentrating more on their expansion and not on sustaining the service levels promised. IRCTC should have a 24x7 complaint centre related to their complaints since they are being tendered to private players.So there is a scope for improvement but they are the best bet when you are travelling via railways.
Have you been to this lounge or, maybe any other IRCTC Executive Railway lounge? Do share your experiences in the comments below.
