Escape Lounge, Stansted Airport Date of Visit: September 2025 (last updated February 2026)
Time: Evening (6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)
The Escape Lounge London Stansted Airport is one of the busiest Priority Pass lounges in the UK. I visited in September 2025 to see whether it’s really worth paying the £48.99 entry fee. From the check-in experience and seating to the food, drinks, and Wi-Fi, this detailed review will show you exactly what to expect before booking.
Location and Access Options at Escape Lounge Stansted Airport
The Escape Lounge Stansted Airport is open from 4:00 AM to 7:30 PM daily. You can enter the Escape Lounge by purchasing a Priority Pass lounge membership here (up to 20% off through this link), or by purchasing a pass beforehand at LoungePass.com for £48.99 per person. After clicking, search for the airport to check availability and book your lounge spot.
Unfortunately, Stansted Airport’s security and check-in process is often chaotic and crowded, meaning you’ll need to arrive early (at least 2 hours before the flight) if you plan to enjoy the lounge. To get to the lounge itself you need to walk through the long winding duty free passage, then pass the main departures seating area. Walk past the left-hand side of the Pret, and the lounge is located just on the right.
Please note that if you have a Priority Pass, YOU SHOULD PRE-BOOK for £6 per person. The relatively small lounge fills up very quickly, and the situation will be even worse during school holidays.
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Book Your Lounge Access
To access the Escape Lounge, compare Priority Pass membership (up to 20% off through our link) versus a one-off lounge booking at LoungePass using the buttons below.
After you click LoungePass, simply search your airport name, choose your lounge, then pick your date and time to book your spot.
London Hotel Options
If you are flying early, arriving late, or connecting through Stansted, staying nearby keeps things simple. If you are heading into the city, Central London is best for sightseeing. See below for excellent hotel deals on Booking.com, filtered based on our top picks.
*This section contains affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Check-In Experience
With a virtual queue system set up for Priority Pass holders in front of me, I was immediately asked if I had pre-booked. As I had paid the £6 to pre-book, check-in was straightforward, and I gladly skipped the line. After a quick swipe of my Priority Pass card from the friendly receptionist, another attendant showed me to my own designated seat tucked in the corner.
Ambiance and Seating At The Escape Lounge Stansted Airport
The Escape Lounge Stansted Airport doesn’t do much to stand out in terms of ambiance. The furniture was functional, although the layout felt like I was sat in a standard Café. There were comfier armchairs dotted around, which I was lucky to be seated in, although the seating was not particularly spaced out and felt like you were encroaching in on other passengers space. The view from the lounge was practically non-existent as the tiny windows overlook Stansted’s monorail, which meant natural light was scarce.
LoungePass – No membership needed. Pre-book the Escape Lounge for £48.99 per person. After clicking, search for the airport to check availability and book your lounge spot.
Food and Drinks at the Escape Lounge Stansted Airport
The food options at the Escape Lounge Stansted Airport were pretty standard for a contract lounge and were set out in the usual buffet style.
• Hot items: The selection included thick bacon, sausages, cooked tomatoes, baked beans and scrambled eggs. I’ve been to this lounge several times before and I must say, the breakfast offering is better than the lunch and dinner. After breakfast, you’ll find dry tomato penne pasta and either relatively bland beef goulash or vegetable curry. Still, it is good that the lounge does have hot food options.
• Cold items: For breakfast, there was fruit, yoghurt, granola, cereal, muffins and pastries. This was more than adequate for a contract lounge. After breakfast, the cold selection often includes sandwiches, scones and salad items.
• Drinks: Self-serve coffee machines were abundant and served a perfectly adequate Americano. I felt like I was saving money by not purchasing one outside the lounge at Pret! There was a self-serve soft drink machine, dispensing Coke, Coke Zero and Fanta. To access any alcoholic drinks, you’d need to go up to the staffed bar. Now the drinks selection was actually quite extensive. Champagne was the only extra (charged at £28 a bottle) however there was a range of complimentary spirits, wines, lagers, and ales available. There was this ‘Volare’ Prosecco on tap, both a dry and a rose version. I had a large Baileys and also a delicious Manchester Pale Ale. The drinks selections were overall certainly the highlight of the lounge experience.
Wi-Fi and Amenities
The Wi-Fi connection was surprisingly decent, offering fast speeds that made browsing and catching up on work a breeze. In terms of amenities, this lounge is very basic. A particular gripe of mine is that the lounge doesn’t have its own toilets. This means you have to exit the Escape Lounge, walk up the stairs and use the normal toilets. Whilst not the end of the world, it does mean you have to awkwardly pass through the queue at the entrance.
Want access to the Escape Lounge? Simply purchase a Priority Pass Membership here for up to 20% off the standard price and to access over 1500 lounges worldwide.
Pros and Cons
Pros:
• Abundance of power outlets, and the Wi-Fi is fast and reliable.
• A well-stocked bar, with very welcoming staff. The hot food options were more than adequate for a contract lounge.
Cons:
• The lounge was exceptionally busy, so didn’t feel like much of an escape from the main hustle and bustle of the terminal.
• The lack of natural light/runway views, along with having to exit the lounge to go to the loo, took away the premium feel to the lounge.
Final Verdict – Is the Escape Lounge Stansted Worth It?
The Escape Lounge Stansted Airport is functional but underwhelming, especially considering the steep £48.99 entry fee. The busyness and uninspiring ambiance make it difficult to get excited about. However, the well-stocked bar, along with tasty (all be it limited) food options rescue this review. As Stansted is by no means my favourite London airport, due to the lack of seating and constant crowds, I would still say that the Escape lounge is worth a visit if you have lounge passes. The £48.99 entry fee is punchy, but if you were to eat and drink in the overcrowded and pricey Windmill Wetherspoons upstairs, you could easily spend this.
Staff: 8/10
Food & Drink: 7/10
Ambiance and Views: 3/10
The Airport Lounge Bro Rating: 6/10
Escape Lounge Stansted Airport FAQs
Where is the Escape Lounge at Stansted Airport located?
The Escape Lounge is airside in the main departure area, just past duty free near Gate 17. It’s well signposted after security.
Can you access the Escape Lounge Stansted with Priority Pass?
Yes, Priority Pass members can access the lounge, but pre-booking for £6 per person is strongly recommended due to high demand.
Does the Escape Lounge Stansted serve alcohol?
Yes, there’s a staffed bar offering complimentary beers, wines, and spirits, including Baileys and Manchester Pale Ale. Champagne is available for an extra charge.
Is the Escape Lounge Stansted worth it?
If you already have lounge access through a program like Priority Pass, it’s worth visiting for the food and drinks. However, at £48.99 per entry, it can feel expensive during busy periods.
What are the Escape Lounge Stansted opening hours?
The lounge is open daily from 4:00 AM until 7:30 PM, with entry limited to three hours before your flight.
Does the Escape Lounge Stansted have toilets inside?
No, the lounge doesn’t have its own toilets. You’ll need to exit and use the main terminal facilities upstairs.
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