Here’s why hotel lounge access is my favorite hotel elite perk overseas

Here’s why hotel lounge access is my favorite hotel elite perk overseas

The membership lounges at many U.S. motels could be hit and miss. Some motels will not be investing in lounges like they as soon as did, and plenty of have closed their lounges altogether.

Lounge access is probably the most publicized perks for top-tier elite members of hotel loyalty applications, similar to World of Hyatt Globalists and Hilton Honors Diamonds, but it usually looks like an afterthought at home motels. That’s not true at many motels overseas, although.

While it won’t at all times be essentially the most helpful advantage of holding hotel elite standing when touring within the U.S., lounge access in different areas, together with Asia, can remodel a hotel keep from humdrum to extraordinary. In truth, it is my favorite elite standing perk when touring internationally.

I lately took a multiweek journey via a number of nations in Asia, and my standing unlocked some fabulous lounges … and all of the free meals, drinks and helpful workspaces that access opened up. Here’s a have a look at a handful of the lounges I skilled throughout my travels and why lounge access stays my favorite hotel perk.

What does hotel lounge access sometimes get you?

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Most hotel lounges provide a (normally quiet) sanctuary the place you will discover free or virtually free drinks and meals. Some lounges serve a full buffet breakfast and even made-to-order dishes like omelets. Some additionally provide mild bites all through the day or perhaps a buffet for dinner. Often, each nonalcoholic and alcoholic drinks are free, although some lounges cost for top-shelf spirits, and ideas are typically anticipated.

Some of the opposite perks of hotel lounge access might embrace:

  • High-speed Wi-Fi
  • Business facilities and workstations
  • Machines for self-serve espresso and tea drinks
  • Free water, juice and soda in fridges
  • Snacks accessible for many of the day
  • Happy hours and/or dessert spreads

Some lounges even provide garment-pressing or shoeshine companies. You’ll normally discover loads of snug seating choices. Some hotel lounges have terraces, usually on increased flooring with good views.

One of the best options of some worldwide hotel lounges is the flexibility to examine in or out with devoted reception areas in addition to extra strong concierge companies. Sometimes, you will be escorted to the lounge from the foyer — speak about a VIP expertise.

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Conrad Seoul

Executive lounge at Conrad Seoul. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

This was the very best lounge I skilled on my journey, considerably to my shock. The unbelievable govt lounge on the Conrad Seoul in South Korea is on the highest flooring of a skyscraper and has sweeping views of town’s futuristic skyline and the Han River. When I booked my keep, I didn’t even know that the hotel had a lounge, not to mention this spectacular house.

The dramatically lit partitions held cabinets of artwork, and there have been loads of locations to take a seat for a meal or work session. There was even a flickering hearth.

Fireplace within the Conrad Seoul lounge. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

I had access because of my top-tier Hilton Honors Diamond standing, which I’ve on account of having the Hilton Honors American Express Aspire Card in my pockets.

The info for the Hilton Amex Aspire card has been collected independently by The Points Guy. The card particulars on this web page haven’t been reviewed or offered by the cardboard issuer.

Hilton Honors Diamonds and people who reserve lodging with membership lounge access included of their keep can make the most of this profit.

It needs to be famous that some applications award lounge access even to mid-tier elite members. Marriott Bonvoy members, for instance, with Platinum Elite, Titanium Elite or Ambassador Elite standing get lounge access at sure properties.

You have a tendency to seek out lounges at motels in Hilton’s premium portfolio, similar to Conrads, Waldorf Astoria properties and full-service Hiltons.

This specific lounge had a full breakfast unfold, and there have been snacks out at lunch and a full buffet at dinner. There was at all times one thing scrumptious to eat or drink in any respect hours of the day. Breakfast standouts included pancakes and pastries like croissants, contemporary fruit (the candy grapefruit was scrumptious) and noodles. There had been additionally a formidable collection of cheeses, together with chilly cuts, contemporary greens and cereals.

You may actually eat right here for each meal throughout your total keep totally free. That can result in some critical financial savings on a visit like mine, although I used to be additionally wanting to get out and expertise town’s unbelievable meals scene. Still, understanding I may pop in anytime for a snack was a useful profit throughout a busy keep. The greatest a part of my visits was taking within the sundown after a chilly day of sightseeing round Seoul.

One much less tangible profit of getting lounge access is that the employees could be tremendous useful with making preparations across the hotel or out within the metropolis by way of concierge companies. They are additionally available to assist with enterprise wants like getting issues printed.

At the Conrad Seoul, the pleasant employees was keen to assist with any questions guests had. Interacting with employees members is additionally a good way to get a neighborhood’s perception right into a vacation spot, I’ve discovered, and this keep was no exception.

Related: Breakfast, upgrades and extra: 9 TPG staffers reveal their favorite elite standing perks

Grand Hyatt Taipei

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

World of Hyatt actually steps up its lounge recreation outdoors the U.S. Though I’ve had a couple of good experiences in U.S. Hyatt lounges, none holds a candle to what I’ve discovered on provide in Asia.

You’ll want top-tier World of Hyatt Globalist standing totally free lounge access, however you can additionally reserve a room kind with membership lounge access. Hyatt members can even choose two membership lounge access awards as Hyatt Milestone Rewards once they attain the qualifying thresholds beginning at 20 nights in a standing 12 months.

The Grand Club on the Grand Hyatt in Taipei, Taiwan, is one in every of my favorite lounges. It had attentive service and quite a lot of beautiful seating areas. It felt like a glamorous setting with contemporary flowers set out on the entrance together with a collection of worldwide newspapers. There was a check-in desk as nicely the place friends may request hotel companies. Servers circulated usually to verify friends had what they wanted.

Check out the unbelievable views of the well-known Taipei 101 tower from the lounge (do not thoughts the soiled home windows).

Taipei 101 constructing from the Grand Hyatt Taipei. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

There was a full breakfast unfold within the mornings that included an omelet station the place eggs may very well be cooked to order and loads of each Western and Asian entree choices.

While I used to be there, the hotel was providing friends contemporary chocolate or strawberry croissants.

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Club access saved me a ton of cash in Taipei and saved me fueled with caffeine in any respect hours of the day and evening. The lounge was open many of the day and nicely into the night, with a full breakfast unfold after which snacks accessible all day after that. In the night, there have been mild bites and desserts laid out that might simply have changed a full dinner. My favorite function was the flexibility to seize an espresso or a soda at any time of the day. Fresh juice and nonetheless and glowing waters had been additionally accessible all through the day.

Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa

Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa in Japan. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

The lounge on the Hyatt Regency Naha, Okinawa occupies a lot of the 18th flooring of the constructing it occupies within the island’s largest metropolis.

It supplied intensive views of the skyline, and friends with access may head straight there to examine in or out for his or her keep. Various rooms had been accessible to calm down or eat in. Part of the lounge was closed throughout sure instances of the day, however extra areas had been open in the course of the busy breakfast hours. A grand piano was stationed in one of many huge rooms, although it wasn’t being performed throughout my keep.

In the morning, there was a full breakfast with cold and hot buffets arrange alongside one wall. A chef ready eggs any type at an omelet station at the back of the lounge.

In the evenings, the hotel served mild snacks and wine, glowing wine and cocktails. I say mild snacks, however there was a full buffet that many individuals appeared to take pleasure in rather than dinner.

I visited for a number of meals, plus limitless espressos, throughout my keep. It added as much as critical financial savings.

Hyatt Regency Tokyo

View from the Regency Club on the Hyatt Regency Tokyo. CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

The Hyatt Regency Tokyo is well-known for its Regency Club lounge, which Hyatt loyalists have raved about for years. During my keep, it was in a short lived house as a result of the hotel was present process some main renovations, however it nonetheless had loads of tables and nice views of Tokyo.

There was a pleasant collection of meals and drinks, together with Nespresso machine-made cappuccinos, contemporary juice, Japanese snacks and cookies, to maintain me glad. The dinner unfold had been fairly picked over once I visited later within the night, however the breakfast choices had been spectacular. Choices included all the pieces from contemporary pastries, chilly cuts, yogurt and ripe fruit galore to an omelet station and varied Western breakfast meats.

I can’t wait to see the renovated membership on my subsequent journey to Tokyo. It’s anticipated to be accomplished in June of this 12 months.

Bottom line

CLINT HENDERSON/THE POINTS GUY

Lounge access can prevent lots of of {dollars} in food-and-beverage prices, even on brief stays. In truth, it is such a good way to save cash on journeys and improve your keep, particularly when touring outdoors the U.S., that it is one in every of a number of causes why I pursue top-tier hotel elite standing annually.

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