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Relax and Refuel at the Essence Lounge Stansted
Start your trip the right way at the Essence Lounge at Stansted Airport. Swap the busy terminal for a calm, comfortable space where you can unwind with complimentary buffet-style food, drinks, free WiFi and charging points before your flight. Whether you're tucking into pastries, cereal and fresh fruit at breakfast, building the perfect sandwich for lunch, or treating yourself to muffins and sweet snacks, everything is included in your visit. Help yourself to tea, coffee, soft drinks, wine and beer while you settle into holiday mode. Children under 2 enter free, and the lounge is fully wheelchair accessible for a smooth start to your journey.
Reasons to book
- Escape the busy terminal with light bites & drinks. Not for Ryanair/EasyJet customers.
Lounge Facilities
- Children allowed
- Disabled access
- Flight announcements
- Free drinks
- Internet
- Wifi
Price
Adult: £32.99 *
*Date valid for 18-07-2026 booking, checked on 18-05-2026
Opening times
Open: 04:45
Close: 20:15
Children permitted
Children are welcome in the Essence lounge, and under 2s go in for free. Children aged 16 and over will need to pay the adult price.
Dresscode
Dress code – The lounge has a smart casual dress code and may refuse entry to customers not wearing suitable clothing. Tailored shorts are allowed, but the lounge suggests you don't wear sports clothing, camouflage patterns, clothing with offensive slogans or anything that exposes midriffs or shoulders. Hen and stag do themed clothing isn't allowed.
Food and drink
Spanish have tapas, Italians have antipasti, but we Brits love our picky-bits – and buffet-style picky-bits are the name of the game with Essence lounge. Help yourself to a breakfast plate piled high with blueberry and chocolate chip muffins. Go all in for the croissants – whether that's pain au chocolat, classic butter, or one of the delicious filled options. Don't forget to grab a bowl for your favourite cereal, or go wild with Greek yoghurt and all the toppings.
When lunch time and dinner rolls around, it's time to get serious with your sandwich selection. There's plenty to choose from, including classics like tuna mayonnaise, bacon lettuce and tomato, traditional ham salad & cheddar ploughman's with Branston pickle. If you fancy something lighter, there's a selection of fresh salads too. And don't skip dessert – you're in holiday-mode now, which means dessert is mandatory. Take your pick from muffins, doughnuts or yum-yums. Yum indeed!
Gluten-free and vegan diets are covered. Speak to the team if you have any dietary needs – they'll be happy to help.
Don't forget the pre-flight hydration. At the Essence Lounge, help yourself to tea, coffee and soft drinks, as well as wine and bottled beer. Everything is self-service, so you enjoy what you want, when you want. Fancy a breakfast beer? Holiday rules apply!
Disabled facilities
The lounge is fully wheelchair accessible with accessible toilets close to the lounge.
Directions
Head through Security and follow signs for All Gates. Follow signs for Gates 1 to 19 and take the Stansted Transit System. Leave the transit system when you reach Gates 1 to 19, then take the escalator up to the departure level and follow signs for 'Premium Lounge'.
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