I’ve visited a number of the most spectacular lounges all around the world. Lots of the greatest will solely grant entry to these with a premium first or enterprise class boarding go. However after visiting the new Amex Centurion Lounge in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta Worldwide Airport (ATL), I can say that it’s unequivocally the most effective lounge I’ve ever entered that may be accessed solely from carrying a journey bank card. It’s not with out its foibles, however it brings some distinctive and hyper-premium facilities that you simply gained’t discover at most different airport lounges, particularly throughout the U.S.
I visited this lounge on opening day. I’ll take you on a fast tour to exhibit how airport lounges can revolutionize your journey—and present you how one can simply entry them your self.
Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta hours and site
Attending to the Centurion Lounge from any of Atlanta’s seven concourses is a cinch. All terminals are related by a speedy Airplane Prepare that operates under the walkway. In different phrases, you may go to the lounge even when your flight departs from a special concourse.
This lounge is positioned in Concourse E close to gate 11. A number of indicators assist to make sure you’re on target. Of all of the Centurion Lounges I’ve visited, this lounge reveals maybe the least thought-out entry level. It’s positioned behind the gate’s ready space.
Stroll by the heavy glass doorways, and also you’re instantly on one other planet. The large signature “dwelling wall” discovered in any respect Centurion Lounges ambushes you from the fitting, with three check-in lanes shepherding people towards the entrance desk. Let’s hope three lanes proves to be overkill.
First strolling into the lounge, the dimensions is straight away spectacular. Its open-concept 26,000 sq. toes makes it a Manhattan three-bedroom condominium greater than the earlier king-of-Atlanta-lounges, the Delta Sky Membership in Concourse F.
As you’d anticipate, there have been a variety of seats. However a shocking quantity had been occupied. The Centurion Lounge is open from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. My go to was round 9 p.m. It wasn’t overwhelmingly crowded—however it was busier than I had anticipated for a newly-minted location about which many vacationers presumably have but to study.
Lounge format and options
The lounge accomplishes the botanical environment American Categorical crowed about in its preliminary press launch. Its 50-year previous olive tree provides oxygen to the atmosphere of the room. Equally, the hanging lights all through the lounge are supposed to evoke a way of sitting underneath a forest cover.
A number of home airport lounges these days try and convey a way of tranquility by sprinkling beds of greenery across the house. Whereas it’s actually a pleasant effort, the vegetation on this new Centurion Lounge brazenly mocks its rivals.
A spotlight of this lounge is the ubiquity {of electrical} shops. Some Centurion lounges, even comparatively new ones, supply inexplicably few shops. You possibly can’t swing a useless cat on this lounge with out hitting an outlet. They’re constructed into the middle of tables; they’re within the seat backs of (practically) each bench; they’re on the base boards of couches; each six toes of wall options an outlet.
Maybe probably the most thrilling characteristic of the brand new Atlanta Centurion Lounge is its two massive out of doors terraces. Every terrace is surprisingly prolonged and provides an entry level at every finish.
The primary terrace is close to the eating room. It’s brightly lit with a big number of backyard beds in each route. Lots of the greenery seems to be newly planted, exposing the less-than-photogenic irrigation system partially buried within the soil. The fantastic thing about this terrace will solely improve because the backyard beds fill out.
You’ll discover stellar 180-degree views of the tarmac from this terrace. If plane-watching is your type of exercise, that is the place you’ll dwell throughout your go to.
On the opposite facet of the lounge is one other terrace with a completely totally different persona. It’s quieter and extra dimly lit, and it provides no airside views. It feels extra like a again alley—in a great way. This terrace is hooked up to The Reserve, the lounge’s whiskey bar (we’ll get to that in a minute).
These terraces are open all 12 months. To fight the weather are a number of followers and radiant heaters. The temperature was within the excessive 30s throughout my nighttime go to, and the warmers ran at varied settings. The choose items that had been working at full blast might brulee a cheesecake. The winter months will probably be completely hospitable with these ceiling fixtures.
Extremely, this lounge doesn’t have a kids’s space. A number of (a lot smaller) Centurion Lounges possess a small sound-proof room with toys and a TV to present children a spot to decompress throughout a connection. This one doesn’t.
Nonetheless, it’s obtained just a few areas that folks might be able to use. There’s a reasonably quiet multi-purpose room beside the principle eating space. And farther alongside are a sequence of “telephone rooms” which will assist to suppress the sound of horseplay.
The lounge options three bathe suites. They’re free to make use of for quarter-hour—simply make a reservation on the entrance desk, present your telephone quantity, and also you’ll get a textual content when it’s prepared for you. Bathe suites are significantly extra spacious than an everyday restroom stall and may very well be a way more nice expertise for these with a incapacity. It’s nicely value a reservation on an extended layover.
It’s nice that the lounge provides free bathe privileges; many lounges require fee for inferior amenities.
Joseph Hosteler
Foods and drinks
The Reserve is the Amex Centurion Lounge community’s first devoted whiskey bar. It’s a darker, extra intimate house than the remainder of the lounge. The inside resembles a contemporary speakeasy; a manila envelope discreetly exchanging palms wouldn’t look misplaced.
At The Reserve, you’ll have a alternative of six complimentary whiskey-centric cocktails. The bartender divulged that the “Drink A Peach” possibility was working circles across the different menu objects. Actually, it was scrumptious—and powerful. On its correct whiskey menu, The Reserve provides 10 bourbon choices, seven rye whiskey choices, three Tennessee whiskey choices, and 4 others.
If whiskey isn’t your jam, the principle eating space homes a totally stocked bar, in addition to an not easily seen smoothie bar for the flyer who enjoys touring sober. It additionally provides fruits, yogurt, juices, and extra. The smoothies had been unbelievable, however the choices had dwindled fairly a bit by the late night. The workers didn’t appear pressing to replenish this bar, and it remained principally empty at some point of my keep.
The Centurion Lounge has two massive buffets and several other standalone circumstances with quite a lot of desserts and fruits. Just like the smoothie bar, the buffets had been restocked with excessive leisure. Throughout my hour-long lurk, I witnessed little food-related upkeep. Even so, the objects I attempted had been completely tasty. The identical meal bought within the concourse would’ve simply value $50.
The lounge additionally provides a number of espresso machines that may do absolutely anything you ask of them.
Learn how to entry the Amex Centurion Lounge Atlanta
To enter an Amex Centurion Lounge, it’s essential to have one of many following journey rewards playing cards:
Moreover, it’s essential to have a same-day boarding go that departs inside three hours (except you’re connecting, during which case you may enter earlier).
You possibly can carry as much as two visitors into the lounge with you, although you’ll should pay $50 per grownup and $30 per little one (age 2 by 17). The exception is in the event you’ve spent $75,000 in your Amex Platinum or Enterprise Platinum Card inside a calendar 12 months, during which case you may carry as much as two visitors free of charge.
The Platinum Card® from American Categorical
Intro bonus
Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards® Factors after spending $8,000 on purchases on the Card in your first 6 months of card membership
| Annual Charge | $695 |
| Buy APR | See Pay Over Time APR |
| Overseas Transaction Charge | None |
Backside line
As different bank card issuers start rolling out fancier and fancier lounges, American Categorical is doing its bit to maintain tempo. The contemporary Amex Centurion Lounge in Atlanta is the brand new flagship location for the premium lounge community. It’s a welcome addition for individuals who fly by the world’s busiest airport.
Please be aware that card particulars are correct as of the publish date, however are topic to alter at any time on the discretion of the issuer. Please contact the cardboard issuer to confirm charges, charges, and advantages earlier than making use of.
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