Rome Lands a New Luxury Airport Lounge — and Plaza Premium Group Picks Europe’s Gateway City for the Debut
Plaza Premium Group is preparing to open its first Plaza Premium First Lounge in Europe, and Rome Fiumicino is the airport chosen for the launch. The group has been expanding its presence across major hubs, and this new lounge marks a significant step in that strategy. The space opens in mid-December 2025 inside Terminal 1’s Schengen departures area.
The lounge spans roughly 700 square metres and seats 115 guests. The size alone signals that Plaza Premium Group expects strong demand, but the design story goes much further. The company has leaned into Italian identity, pairing it with service patterns travellers already associate with the brand. The result is a lounge built around a mix of local character and consistent global standards.
A New Lounge Concept With a Distinct Roman Identity
Every design element was selected to signal a sense of place. Travertine stone, oak finishes, bronze accents, and small touches of greenery shape the room. Art from a local gallery adds a curated feel and anchors the lounge in Roman culture.
Guests can access an à la carte dining space called the “Primo Dining Room,” which serves Italian and international dishes. The lounge also features crafted cocktails, small bites, and culinary experiences that rotate throughout the year. A DJ patio brings an unexpected feature for a Schengen lounge and reflects the broader push to give travellers a lounge that feels memorable rather than routine.
Services Designed for Multiple Traveller Types
The lounge includes private suites for guests who want a quiet space for rest or work. Business travellers can book meeting rooms equipped for briefings, video calls, or small group sessions. Each room can be configured for different needs and comes with food and drink arrangements.
Families have their own section as well. A nursery space supports parents, and a digital game area gives younger travellers an activity that does not involve standing in another queue.
Restroom and shower facilities include premium toiletries, towels, and personal care items. These features aim to give travellers a reset before long flights or after tight connections. Plaza Premium Group intends to host ongoing art exhibitions as well, giving local artists a platform that reaches thousands of international visitors.
Leadership Explains the Strategy Behind the Launch
Founder and CEO Song Hoi See described Rome as both a cultural beacon and an entry point to European travel. His remarks echo the company’s ongoing push to build lounges that reflect local style and identity rather than create uniform templates for every region.
Marco Troncone, CEO of Aeroporti di Roma, added that the new space fits into Fiumicino’s focus on customer experience. The airport holds a 5-Star Skytrax rating, and the addition of Plaza Premium First aligns with its plan to support travellers with higher service expectations. Troncone emphasized that Rome continues to seek partnerships with international operators that raise the airport’s profile.
Access Options and Future Growth
The lounge accepts all travellers regardless of airline. Access can be arranged through Smart Traveller membership, advance booking, or walk-in purchase. This inclusive entry model has been a consistent part of Plaza Premium Group’s business plan, allowing passengers without elite status to access premium spaces.
The Rome location joins established lounges in Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Macau, Vancouver, and Phnom Penh. New lounges are planned for Riyadh, Dallas, and New York. Each new opening pushes the company deeper into competitive airport markets.
The debut in Rome signals a calculated move into Europe with a lounge that blends Italian detail with global service consistency. Travellers passing through Fiumicino now have a new option designed to stand out rather than fade into the long list of lounges across major airports.