Aspire Lounge Manchester Terminal 2 in Manchester

As a Priority Pass holder I'm used to Manchester Airport's pivot away from business travellers towards the bucket and spade crowd. But this place is infuriating. Always denied entry with my Priority Pass. Happened again 12/10/24. Lots of space inside and I was travelling alone - just a place to do some work, have a coffee and sandwich, I begged! "No, sorry". I guess I'll wear a skimpy frock and a wig with an "L" plate on my back next time and see how I get on.

I am currently sat in the aspire lounge awaiting to board. Seriously if I could do a 0☆ review I would. Not worth the money. Food is awful, extremely limited, if you're a veggie the choices even worse. Basic drink selection included in the cost but you pay extra for thing like flavoured gins, vodkas which I think are pretty standard choices now a days. Just go to the other lounges they are by far better than this.

Terminal 2 Aspire Lounge is the worst I have experienced, dull, dingy, messy - much less pleasant than concourse services. How it can be described as "Executive" when it feels more like a dodgy Wetherspoons I just dont know.

As many reviewers have said do not waste your money or free passes here. Extremely limited choice of breakfast items. Couldn't find me an Earl Grey teabag. Really? I'd say these days thats quite a common type of tea. Very limited views of the apron. Tables extremely small. Staff at welcome desk have jackets on. Not exactly a positive vibe. Complete waste of money in my view.

What a dump dirty glasses miserable staff Business class what a laugh went to Pret instead

The lady at the reception was very nice, friendly and helpful.

Three tables were reserved for the entire time we were here....sorry but if the people don't show take the signs off....lunch veggie choice consisted of one option only...not as advertised. Save your money and stay away!

The best place to sit and enjoy a drink or a decent breakfast the staff are very friendly and will go that extra to satisfy the most particular of traveller. Love this place it’s quiet and not busy as the lounge. The only negative point was I asked for toothpicks and was given wooden stakes lol.

Sterile atmosphere, have to go through stern attitude of bar staff for alcoholic drinks, of which lager tasted watered down. Food minimal breakfast choice which was dry, tasteless and not replenished. Compared to the lounge on return from Helsinki is the difference between the savoy and a greasy spoon. Manchester airport is in dire need of an overhaul, starting with this place.

Rubbish filthy grumpy staff and NO VODKA dont book this lounge

Don’t waste your money! Thankfully we got into the lounge with your Amex passes for free, but how they can charge £40+ for this lounge I don’t know! It’s tiny, minimal food (better drink selection though, but we weren’t on the p*ss), no atmosphere. If you want a lounge, I’d try every other option first - or save your money!

Well definitely not worth the money, arrived and the 3 yes 3 window seats were either reserved or full, changing over to lunch, chilli, rice, pasta, garlic bread, some cold salad options, no nibbles, no Sandwich, no crisp, crackers, 3 beer choices and red/white/rose wine pretty poor show for prices they charge, pretty dark space, soft drinks available as is tea and coffee, tried numerous times to connect to WiFi without my success, would I recommend No definitely not, other options are better value

Awful experience the hot food is actually cold not worth the money currently paid £90 basically for a coffee.. avoid at all costs

Do not pay to come here we paid £125 to come here, no ice , chairs and floor dirty, hardly any drinks and a massive que , food is discusting and hardly anything to offer , raw chicken and cold food , fruit is out of date and soggy and it’s just horendous. Will not be coming back

Absolutely the worst start to a holiday. Staff seemed liked they begrudge being there. The blonde lady should not work in hospitality. 2 choices of hot food. Pasta or chilli. Both average at best. Salad selection awful. Just depressing at the start to the holiday! £50 each is an absolute joke avoid at all costs!!!

With a clearly semi empty lounge, and having Priory Pass, we were not allowed to get in without a reservation

Don’t believe the web page menu. We have the option of chilli con carne and macaroni cheese. Glad we didn’t pay for this. I know if id parted with £30-£40 I wouldn’t be happy. On the upside it’s a lot quieter than escape but lacks food. Guess we will just fill up on drinks

Despite having a priority pass, we were denied entry. Although the lounge was relatively empty, business class passengers would be given priority. Alternatively, you could have reserved a place for a fee. However, this must be booked 48 hours in advance...

Had very good beautiful place recommend everyone to go and check the place one thing is not right You can improve by you can improve by recruiting more stuff with the security and it will be better for your company as well and for the customers will come to your business and it is for future your benefit. 👍

Not a great selection of food and drink as promised.

Overall a very positive experience - albeit the food isn’t 5 star, but what are you to expect for the price you’re paying? I’d say it was sufficient for what it is and what we paid. Honourable mentions to the staff (Janis, Paula & Toni) who made our experience so enjoyable from the initial conversation with Janis on the door - can’t fault that and we were very well looked after. A real credit to both the lounge and Manchester airport.

I think there has been a general decline in lounges recently, but this one has fallen off a cliff edge. Food choice🤣 Food quality 🤪 Dingy, dirty,uncleared tables. Only gave a star for service as working there would make anyone miserable...and they were. Honestly, save your money and enjoy a good start to your holiday. This lounge is truly appalling.

Very disappointing. Staff were noisy, too interested in themselves and cutlery was filthy, still had old food on the spoons. Food choice is limited and not labelled. Save your money. Go somewhere else

Walked in, walked out. Old, tired and badly in need of updating. Comfier seats outside of the lounge, food looked disgusting…lighting and general ambience was just so poor, we literally walked in a walked out. Easy to see why no one else was there. Shame.

Great experience and definitely worth the money. Food and drinks selection was great. Staff all friendly, especially Maria, who was really warm and friendly. Would recommend to others and will be here again

Fortunately didn’t pay for this awful excuse for a premium lounge. Simply do not waste your time / money. The breakfast available was some dry scramble egg, beans with the only bread option being a muffin. Just stay in the main area or another lounge.

Poor value for money. Very small gloomy lounge. Very limited food. I don't recommend. Staff very helpful. Totally different from Aspire Lounge in Terminal 1. Will not return.

DO NOT COME HERE! This is the worst value for money experience I have ever received! The standard of the food is utterly appalling, you wouldn't give it to a stray dog! The choice of food is very limited, often little of it and drinks included are limited without upgrading to 'Premium'. Every single person in the lounge was complaining about the standard of it particularly given the incredibly hefty price tag! (1 family had paid £130 for 2 adults and a child). The staff aside from Pedro were rude, sarcastic, questioned why people weren't happy despite the clearly poor level of service and food. Pedro was the only reason this place deserves 1 star - he apologised for our experience and how unhappy people were. He was respectful, hard working and tried his best to make the environment relaxed, clean and happy. Not a good start to the holiday... Do not waste your time by coming here - going to any of the restaurants outside would be cheaper, far more enjoyable and of a much better standard!

very limited selection of food, chilli or a pasta dish, no actual deserts just some mini muffins or a biscuit. Then to add insult to injury, after paying almost £90 for the 2 of us to enter, when ordering drinks from the bar, Prosecco wasn't included, that would be an additional £6 per glass, just a very poor house wine. I will be contacting holiday extras for their take on this.

Worse customer service I’ve had at an airport lounge, the lady at the front desk was very rude (blond, short hair), seemed like we were just bothering her. On top of that, the lounge is very uncomfortable, the lady had to control were we sat, so complicated. Seems to me, priority pass is going downhill with the lounges they have. If you can avoid this place, please do.

Food cold , not much choice in drinks compared to Escape lounge. Drinks like prosecco & rum you had to pay for. Would not recommend this lounge at all. Escape lounge 100% better

Absolutely ridiculous, waste of money. We paid for three, 2 adults and a child. There was nothing for children food wise. The food on offer was bean chilli and rice, there was cheese, crackers a couple of dips and some fruit. If we wanted anything else we had to pay. Coffee, soft drinks and draught beer was free but most drinks were extra charge. I will definitely not use this lounge again.

Couldn't even get in as they aren't taking priority pass at the moment. Seem to be prioritising people who are paying to get in...... so what's the point. Won't be back to try again in future

Apparently 5.00 am is the busiest time (so I was told) and that's why there wasn't any porridge and the scrambled egg was dried and hard. Decided I would just have a banana - "sorry, they've all gone". Absolutely a waste of money!

I was denied access with a Eurowings BIZClass ticket! Access to the lounge is listed on the Eurowings website for BIZClass.

If you are going to go to an airport lounge in T2, avoid this one at all costs. The food and drink are poor quality and the service was substandard. The bar seat I was given as my only available choice of seat was next to empty but untidied places, the "lounge" is too small and cramped for the space to feel anything but claustrophobic. The atmosphere and environment is nicer out in the main terminal,

Worst lounge i’ve ever been, little food, poor decoration, crammed and expensive. staff were friendly though

Called in last Monday for breakfast before our flight to Spain. The food was absolutely shocking, the sausages were like bullets totally inedible, the scrambled eggs were cold and the bread rolls were like cardboard, what a waste of £40. It is the worst airport lounge I have ever been in. Anyone thinking of going don't bother. Maybe instead of everyone getting a reply of 'will pass comments on to the lounge manager' they spend the time to put a massive problem right. I will definitely not be using this lounge again. Writing this whilst sitting in Alicante airport lounge which puts Aspire at terminal 2 Manchester to shame. People who have complained about this should be entitled to a refund, don't you think?

First time in and did not live up to its title… very uninspiring, food was cold and lady on the front desk clearly missed the customer service training! Also has no view of the airport and looks like it needs finishing.. avoid.

Please do not waste your money. The food was mediocre at best, the chairs were dirty the only positive side were the staff. Better to find a sport in one of the bars upstairs and pay for drinks.

Every time I fly from T2 it is always ‘at capacity’. I have both dragon pass and priority pass both of which they advertise as accepting to the lounge but yet never allow in. Other terminals always seem to have space why is it only this one that does not?

Aspire Lounge at Man. terminal 2. Very quite during my Thursday afternoon visit. Usual Aspire layout, facilities and setting. The bar alcohol options are a bit confusing... some beer is complimentary, others aren't, cider has to be paid but wine is included. Very friendly staff though, they made me feel right at home.

Nice place to eat and drink without the Manc scatters.

Absolute waste of money. It’s like being in corner cafe but with less choice. Would recommend anyone flying from Manchester to opt for escape lounge 100% better

Limited capacity , poor decoration . I did not find a place to sit so I asked to have coffee in paper cup to go , they told me they do not have one. So I left with a negative experience.

Food was cold very small plates not big enough to cut your breakfast up was told I need to pay for a flavoured gin that I didn't really want because they didn't have my usual pink gin they wanted me to pay for a other flavour why? So i ended up with a glass of flat tonic as they also had no bottled tonic very poor I asked staff if this has changed she said It was only a pop up unit but this wasn't advertised online as I've used aspire before never had any issues but this time I didn't feel I got the experience I always expected waste of money lighting was very poor to I went to sit by the window with my husband and got told i had to move as its meant for a party of 4 i said i would move if they needed it as i like looking out at the planes she was persistent on movring us i felt very embarrassed just no chilled atmosphere very disappointed and stressed this time

We paid £48 for our visit which was terrible. The food was inedible, the coffee was made with that horrible milk stuff and the alcoholic drinks were extra. Never again will I visit one of these lounges!

Disappointing business tactics.

No chance you go in with dragon pass as they keep space for online booked passengers,who’s paid full price. You can join to online queue but didn’t get notifications about empty place in 1,5 hours… I could understand as people who paid full price and booked timslot is priority but been there 3 times and was half full empty.

Worst vip lounge I've ever used Only 6 sausages available on the hot food section or porridge. Poor service and dull interior.

Small executive lounge seat from the other lounges. Nice and quite. Good selection of beers available.

Absolutely awful. Food was terrible.

I’m currently in the Aspire Lounge and what a waste of money! Only 2 choices of hot dishes (of which one is vegetarian), soup, and a small selection of salad, no desserts!!! I had soup and cream crackers with ham and cheese. Shocking! Never again unless it’s for breakfast! There are four tables around me and everyone has complained - one even had mouldy bread! Avoid!!

The lounge is small, packed in with customers and fairly noisy. It's also badly decorated with HVAC and electrical ducts on show overhead. The coffee is terrible, food is ok but not a lot of choice. There was hardly anything at the to go section. Not worth the money.

Visited this venue on 4th October 2023 before a 6 pm flight. Having visited Luther lounges I expected this one to be comparable or better being in a larger airport. I was unfortunately much disappointed. There were 2 staff members on reception who checked us in fine, however at the bar there was only one other staff member who was constantly not at the bar and in a back room which meant waiting or finding someone else to go and fetch them. Also having ordered a glass of Prosecco was informed this was an additionally paid item. Now at £6 extra per glass I thought this was extortionate as this was not a supplement charge it was extremely over charged. However as this was a holiday I wanted this for my partner so opted to pay this amount. The bar staff then informed me they did not have facility to take money so I had to go back to reception, inform them of what I was buying, pay and get a receipt, to return to the bar and receive my purchase!! The food on offer was limited. The chicken tikka had skinned over. The rice had solidified. There were actual other guest who had left the area and bought alternative food and brought it in. All in all a very disappointing visit to this lounge and one I would not look to repeat any time soon. As you will see I have received a reply to my review, the reply is identical to all other replies to all poor reviews in the last year and nothing has changed so it would appear there is a major issue.

These lounges are now an absolute joke for any users of Priority Pass, Dragon pass etc. We joined the “virtual queue”, and the app reported that we were in 1st position, under 10 minute wait. When I told the staff I would wait at the door they got quite defensive telling me I would likely be waiting around 30 minutes. What transpired is that there isn’t just one queue, and the queue we were in was in fact the last queue! I was told that they have “sold” areas of the lounge to airlines like Tui - and that it’s not big enough. Slightly annoying when looking through the windows at empty tables! This isn’t the first time we’ve experienced this here. This is the third time through Manchester over 18 months and have seen similar each time. We did get in last time but the quality just isn’t there any more. I would NEVER pay extra for these lounges at Manchester, and when directed to join the queue; I simply wouldn’t bother.

After a bad visit to another lounge, this was great. No queues and great food. Lovely stafff

First time in an airport lounge. Much smaller than I expected, and the view was disappointing, would have been good to be able to see the runway rather than a couple of parked up planes and a wall! Overall was good value though when you tot up what you spend on food/drink in the terminal and the time you waste searching for a seat sometimes. Food was nice, although a bit salty.

Sundays food stops at 5. Whole place closes at 5.30. Pointless if you’ve. Flight at 7 onwards.

Lovely to get away from the general bustle of the airport. Comfortable lounge. Could eat what I liked and felt unrushed

Lovely and quiet. Staff were very friendly. Breakfast was good.

Very limited choice and ran out of a number of things

Very disappointing and an embarrassment really. I’ve used many airport lounges over the years and this is nothing like previous experiences. The guy on the desk was uncommunicative and rude. It felt like we weren’t welcome to be honest as he was huffing and puffing checking us in. He also told us where to sit too when there were other spaces we’d have preferred. All very weird. There was minimal food available- chicken pasta or dried up curry plus a tiny bit of salad. Absolutely terrible coffee on offer from a small vending machine. Some younger staff were messing about; shouting and swearing (f word etc) in the kitchen. However, there was one lovely member of staff who was helpful but clearly overworked and making up for everyone else as she was the only person I saw replenishing items. There was no-one at the bar the entire time we were there so we made do with self-serve soft drinks. Very poor value for money and I will not use this lounge again.

I have seen poor villages in China more luxurious than this lounge

Really poor and feeling ripped off. The food, only 2 options can only be described as slop. Drinks you need to line up the bar awaiting the single server to break sweat to bother serving you. The place is boiling hot, dark and unpleasant. The window only looks onto the terminal so no plane watches. This longe is used by the Arabic airlines who children can only be described as feral. ASpire Wi-Fi is absolutely useless too Do yourself a favour and book elsewhere.

The vegetarian food was pretty good. Service is average with long queues here & there. But I like at most the tables views on the off road. Its amazing and luved it. I entered the lounge free of charge using my credit card, but for those doesn’t have they have to pay 40 pounds per person, which is over priced.

Great as always, fully recommend

Poor quality / choice of food, tiny plates to boot, so just as well it's not worth eating, drinks were good, service was friendly, definitely not value for money for a family of four, never again.

Food was cold and the member of staff on reception rude and unhelpful

I have travelled and been in alot of lounges never had to wait 15mins to find my reservation due to poor internet,I found the bar lady rude talked down to my husband the food was basic and bland very poor quality lady who cleaned the table was pleasant. Won't waste my money in this lounge again

Great way to start your holiday and value for money

After arriving at Manchester airport and dealing with the stress of unpacking hand luggage (baby bottles / milk) to get through security, we arrived at the aspire lounge. We had pre-booked our tickets through dragon pass (probably wouldn’t do this again though) we were first rejected entrance to the lounge by the lady at reception as it was “fully booked” (it was empty) luckily for us the manager at aspire (Yvetta) noticed the situation we were in and how exhausted we were already. She was amazing and told the lady at the reception desk to let us in. If it was not for the manager at Aspire lounge Manchester and the fact we were told it was completely full (think this was down to not booking direct with the airport) I would have left a 1 star review. Fortunately, we were in the right place at the right time and would like to personally thank Yvetta for helping us in this situation and being genuinely hospitable.

Absolutely awful lounge. The staff are so unprofessional. Everything seems too much trouble for them. Beer flat, food salty. There were no knives and forks when I got my food and I was simply told they were in the dishwasher? Should I eat it with my fingers? WiFi none existent. We have been to the other T2 lounges and they are worlds apart. Honestly don’t waste you money on this lounge!

أنصح بعدم دخول هذا اللاونج ، مضيعة للوقت فقط ، الانترنت من أسوء مايكون ، الكراسي والجلسات سيئة ومتعبه للظهر ، ومساحة اللاونج صغيرة جدا ، وريحة الأكل تفوح بالمكان لدرجة تشعر أنك جالس في مطبخ ، والتكييف لا يعمل ،،، البقاء عند البوابات أفضل بفارق كبير

Really poor service, food is eatable but the atmosphere is rubbish. Staff look down their noses at you . You have to ask for orange juice and when you ask for another they start sighing. Over all we won't bother again. We use the lounges all the time but not this one and won't be using it again either

All staff were great, Graham exceptional. Thanks all

Just left. First visit to it since T2 revamp. Allegedly it's a temporary lounge which begs the question why wasn't it replaced during the T2 refit. It is small and has such limited views over the airport and thus a lack of natural light compared to 1903 and Escape. The staff are friendly and the place is very clean. A couple who sat near us however were denied drinks because they said the man 'looked like he had had 3'. The gent and his wife had already told us he had some medical issues that were very apparent but he was certainly not drunk. A polite reminder, 'not all disabilities are visible'.

Very rude and uncooperative personal They didn’t allow me in, although I am eligible with my lounge key and dinner club membership, claiming that the lounge is booked and full and they are in a shortage of staff and literally speaking the lounge is empty. They all insist that the lounge is for business class , only under terms and conditions accept others when they have availability And I repeat the lounge was empty.

Nice lounge, good view on tarmac. However lots of tables and seats are reserved for guests, so it was hard to find a seat. Furthermore be aware you need an invitation for the 1903 lounge inside the lounge!

Don't book it's that simple, dark tiny n dingy. Food awful, no choice and what Is there is cold or overcooked and dry Prosecco chargeable and beer was flat! Lady behind bar was rude ignored me while counted bottles fir about 2 full minutes before advising if chargeable prosecco! I book lounges every time I go away this is 3rd one this year and needless to say the worst and would rather stay in main airport if other lounges nit avail I won't book again!

I am afraid the pictures shown as Aspire Lounge are not correct. The lounge is down two flights of stairs from the other lounges and very poorly sign posted. The Lounge is diabolical there is a very small counter, when we were there There was no biscuits in the jar, there was no bread in the bread bin. It is very small with only one window, I have attached some photos to show the ones shown are not of the current Aspire Lounge at Terminal 2 at Manchester. It appears that it has recently moved, the ceiling is not completed, The air conditioning pipes are not even attached to the filter boxes on the ceiling. We ask for toast as it was 06:00 in the morning and were informed that Toast is not available in the Lounge as it sets off the smoke detectors!! Unless you get the one seat next to the one window there is no view. Staff were so busy talking to each other had to wait to ask for the lot of missing items.....Avoid at all Costs, the price they charge is no where near good value!

Airport Lounges used to be a little bit of luxury. Now they’re over crowded…if you can even get a booking. Put the price up, get better food and some staff! What a joke

Limited food choice, no bread rolls, no toaster. Dark and dull, no atmosphere. Four of us travelling but could only claim points for one person.

Lovely time in here today ,Yvonne was great👍

Lounge is ok, I've a 3rd party pass and I'm rarely allowed in as it's 'fully booked'

Very welcoming and friendly service

Quite clean ,guy at the desk today was very professional, sorry I don't remember your name but tall slick hair style .... we will be back soon

What amazing service from Michelle Karin and her team! Well done!

Sehr unfreundliches und desinteressiertes Personal. Prosecco und Champagner muss man bezahlen. Lächerlich kleine Auswahl an Speisen.

Already closing at 4pm, while they officially close at 530pm. The lady was clearly not willing to service anyone. In the end she offered me to get a drink, but there was noone at the bar. Then the lady was annoyed, although I was very nice to her. I decided to leave. Trainings 'customer service' and 'smiling at customers' urgently needed.

Fabulous choices of food. Nice atmosphere!!

We had an absolutely fantastic experience here in the Aspire Lounge. The staff were so helpful & polite. The draught Heineken was absolutely perfect and my partner said the wine was also very nice. Marie was a fantastic host and went out of her way to make sure we were enjoying our time here. The selection of food is small but very tasty, we had a Cajun chicken stew with roast potatoes. We honestly didn’t find one single fault with the whole experience, we will definitely be returning.

Quite, one toilet out of order..so had to queue outside to use the other one.clean and friendly staff.

Having only booked my lounge stay 2 night ago I was so happy with my whole experience, the two ladies who greeted me on arrival were so friendly, professional and made me fell welcome. The food was fresh and the bar is well stocked. Comfortable seating and a relaxed environment added to the experience and a shout out to the bar staff who remembered my order when I went back to the bar. If I could give an extra star I would. Thanks everyone I’ll be using aspire again in the future that’s for sure!!

Just leaving the Aspire lounge, left feeling embarrassed and ashamed of the service ive received. Staff arguing with me over the quality of service. No food, no selection and not fit for purpose. £80 paid disgruntled customer

Very disappointed with the lounge no atmosphere - no bacon at all won’t be using this lounge again

In the Aspire Lounge right now. We paid £40 per person to stay in this lounge, and we come here early expecting to enjoy the beginning of our holiday. There is no selection of food, and the food served is best described as slop. Not what is advertised on your website. It is unworthy of the money and we feel embarrassed and scammed. Really poor experience, the staff told us that they are short of staffs so the food may come out late, I am here 40 mins now, only one new dishes came out. As time pass by, the extremely limited food are running out. No staffs seem care even we have complained it in person. We expect to eat here but now we gonna stay starving for the rest of the day! Avoid this place, false advertising and unworthy of the money! If they know they are short of staff, there is no chef as we are told. They shouldn’t charge and open the place at all!

Good feedback for this as it was comfy, quiet, the bar is well stocked all be it they dont offer cider anymore 😪 the breakfast selection of food is mostly alright, if a bit limited.

As I sit in the small and unimpressive Aspire Lounge contemplating why I spent £80 on utter rubbish I am minded to leave and go for a proper coffee in the terminal area. The coffee is garbage, the food looks average and the seating area is small with few tables. Save your money and stay in the terminal. The location in the basement should have been an early clue !!

Loads of empty spaces but never let you in without a booking because of “reservations” that never seem to appear. It was half empty for two hours but not allowed in due to Jobs worth receptionists