Airline Lounge

Opposite Gate 28, this is MRU’s big two-level lounge

Airline Lounge in T1 sits airside opposite Gate 28, at the far right end of the departures concourse, and doubles as the main Air Mauritius lounge used by carriers like Emirates. It runs across two levels branded Chamarel (upstairs) and Tamarin (downstairs), with reported “open all day” hours even though exact opening and closing times aren’t clearly published. Build the buffer: it’s a decent walk back to earlier gates like 19–22.

Access runs through airline invites, Priority Pass–style programs, and paid entry, with walk-up day passes via Air Mauritius currently around EUR 55 per adult and EUR 35 per child. Separate third‑party products sold under generic “Mauritius lounge access” usually land you in this same space, opposite Gate 28 between Gates 27 and 28, so check your confirmation carefully to avoid paying twice if your card already covers it.

Upstairs in the Chamarel section, reviewers talk about roughly 20,000 square feet of seating with the main hot buffet, bar, bathrooms, and showers all on this level. Food typically includes hot mains, snacks, and desserts, with coffee machines and self‑pour soft drinks from morning departures through to late‑night banks. Prices inside are included with entry, so that EUR 55 fee mainly lives or dies on how hungry you are before your flight.

Downstairs in the Tamarin area, the mood shifts: more business centre feel, workstations, and quieter seating when it’s open, plus another check‑in desk near the entrance. Bloggers note that this lower level sometimes stays closed in off‑peak hours, meaning everyone crowds into the Chamarel level upstairs, especially around major Air Mauritius and Emirates departures in the 18:00–23:00 window.

Showers sit off the upstairs bathroom corridor; you usually ask the attendant for towels and toiletries rather than finding them stocked inside. A Head for Points review flagged that the shower rooms feel more basic than the rest of the lounge, and TripAdvisor users mention occasional drainage smells from the toilets, especially during late‑evening waves, so budget extra time if you want to freshen up properly.

Watch out for buffet timing. Multiple TripAdvisor reports mention food running low and not being refilled quickly during peak periods, particularly on late‑night flights after 22:00, and dirty tables lingering when the cleaning team falls behind. Regulars with Priority Pass aim for mid‑bank times when both Chamarel and Tamarin are open, grab a plate upstairs, then retreat downstairs for quieter seating.

Practical tip: if your gate is below 24, plan to leave Airline Lounge at least 15–20 minutes before boarding time, since the walk from Gate 28 plus potential secondary checks can eat into your buffer fast.