Friday, March 6, 2020

American Express Centurion Lounge in Los Angeles set to open on Monday


The next American Express Centurion Lounge is set to open in Los Angeles on Monday. This is the 12th Centurion Lounge and third to open up this year after Phoenix and Charlotte. Los Angeles is a popular destination for Canadians and the airport itself plays an important connection point for many of us so this it is only fitting that this lounge should be on your radar if you are travelling from or via Los Angeles.

The lounge is located in the Tom Bradley International Terminal but is "accessible post-security from Terminals 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8." This means if you are flying Air Canada you will have access to the lounge since AC flies from Terminal 6. Sorry WestJet flyers, you can't access the lounge from Terminal 2 which is where WestJet flies from. However if you are connecting from an arriving WestJet flight to a flight that does depart from TBIT or any of the other terminals listed above you can utilize the lounge. This is a good option for those flying Air Canada (albeit it is a big of a trek) who can't access AC's Maple Leaf Lounge in T6 or if Priority Pass access is being limited at Alaska's lounge in T6 (plus you have to pay for alcohol in the Alaska lounge...)

Billed as the largest Centurion lounge yet, LAX's is nearly14,000 square feet which is good news as the Centurion Lounges have definitely been a victim of their own success as they do get crowded during peak times. Personally we've walked in and out of San Francisco's lounge and chose to use Phoenix's Escape lounge instead of the Centurion Lounge.

Recommended Reading: Lounge Review: Phoenix Sky Harbor American Express Centurion Lounge & Escape Lounge

The lounge will feature first of their kind tranquility rooms which work at the opposite ends of the spectrum to help travellers beat jet leg or relax or recharge. The Moonrise room is a nighttime themed room that is darker while Sunrise will be bright and set to help wake you up!
Moonrise

Sunrise

There will also be spa services featured from Exhale Spa:
"Guests can indulge in Light Therapy designed to hydrate skin, Reiki treatments to restore the body’s equilibrium, and Ear Reflexology to relax the mind and ease the body. Hand and nail therapies, as well as chair massages, will also be available"

And finally the food and drink - the main two items that Centurion Lounges are known for. Southern Calfornia's Nancy Silverton is the executive chef for the lounge and Amex describes what you can expect from Nancy:
"Leveraging her relationships with local farmers and purveyors, Silverton’s menu will incorporate a variety of local and artisanal ingredients, ensuring guests enjoy a meal or snack that is both seasonal and fresh. Some of these locally inspired dishes include: Asparagus Egg Pie, Panettone French Toast, Farro Salad with Fresh Herbs and Feta, Mozza Meatballs, Roasted Beets with Horseradish Vinaigrette, Butterscotch Budino and more."

Main Bar
 
Drinks wise you can expect the following:
"The new lounge will also offer premium wine selections by Wine Director Anthony Giglio, as well as specialty cocktails by renowned Centurion Lounge mixologist Jim Meehan. Meehan drew cocktail inspiration for this lounge from Los Angeles’ cocktail culture, commercial aviation and Silverton’s menu.* Meehan’s menu of unique cocktails features locally sourced ingredients such as California brandy, Miracle Mile Bitters and Dirty Sue cocktail cherries. Some of the specialty cocktails include the Maliblue Lagoon, a color-coded ode to Malibu’s own blue lagoon and the Private Plane, a playful twist on New York bartender Sam Ross’ classic Paper Plane cocktail."

The "Hollywood Hills"
As a traveller you can access the lounge if you have The Platinum Card from American Express or Centurion Card. Platinum cardmembers can get themselves + 2 guests in when you have a valid boarding pass for same day travel.

Learn more about the new LAX lounge here.

Recommended Reading: Rewards Canada's Guide to Business Class Lounge Access

All images courtesy of American Express

No comments:

Post a Comment