Lounge Access - a Hilton Club

[Eric B]

Are you “max”ed with those trade-ups or still Legacy?

We are in HGV Max.

 

[JohnPaul]

You can make a meal of warmed over microwave quality food? I was at W 57th and the lounge was nothing special. We were able to check it out to see if lounge access was worth buying a contract there. I found nothing but garbage wine and warmed over microwave food. Definitely not worth the price of a Bhc contract. The Alaska lounge at JFK was far superior. Maybe the District is better?

We get it. You weren't impressed. Perhaps your comparison to an airline lounge is part of it since one doesn't typically spend a lot of time at a given lounge. The other is that you couldn't possible experience the benefits of the lounge by just sneaking in and glancing at the food and wine.

While I wouldn't remotely agree with your characterization of the food it is indeed not Michelin star quality nor is it NY Michelin star prices. I'll come back to the food in a minute but it isn't the main attraction of the lounge.

The space, the staff and the other guests are what makes the lounge so special.

Having a great outdoor space is one aspect. A second is the ability to be able to go somewhere besides your room if you need to work or just have more space. The lounge is open from 7am to 10 pm and you can pop in any time for a soda, a cup of coffeee or a latte and some quiet.

The staff is amazing. Super friendly and helpful. The manager, Doria, has been there since the beginning. Unfortunately, now that she is over the lounges in The Quin, The Central AND W 57th St we don't get to see her as much. I have always said that if all she did was to schmooze the guests she would be worth every penny they pay her. She makes everyone feel like a long lost friend that she can't wait to catch up with.

The other guests. People love visiting with each other and discussing the plays, museums or other aspects of NYC they are enjoying. You become friends with many of the people you see over and over and learn their backgrounds and history. Even people we have only met once or twice have left a mark on us.

Back to the food. At $6 a pop at Starbucks by comparison, we drink $36 - $48 a day just in lattes at no additional cost. How much would breakfast, even of the dismal quality you perceive, be each day in Manhattan.

So....the lounge is not for you and you don't understand the appeal. That's fine. Obviously, people see things about the lounge that you don't.

 

[TolmiePeak]

We get it. You weren't impressed. Perhaps your comparison to an airline lounge is part of it since one doesn't typically spend a lot of time at a given lounge. The other is that you couldn't possible experience the benefits of the lounge by just sneaking in and glancing at the food and wine.

While I wouldn't remotely agree with your characterization of the food it is indeed not Michelin star quality nor is it NY Michelin star prices. I'll come back to the food in a minute but it isn't the main attraction of the lounge.

The space, the staff and the other guests are what makes the lounge so special.

Having a great outdoor space is one aspect. A second is the ability to be able to go somewhere besides your room if you need to work or just have more space. The lounge is open from 7am to 10 pm and you can pop in for a soda, a cup of coffeee or a latte and some quiet any time.

The staff is amazing. Super friendly and helpful. The manager, Doria, has been there since the beginning. Unfortunately, now that she is over the lounges in for The Quin, The Central AND W 57th St we don't get to see her as much. I have always said that if all she did was to schmooze the guests she would be worth every penny they pay her. She makes everyone feel like a long lost friend that she can't wait to catch up with.

The other guests. People love visiting with each other and discussing the plays, museums or other aspects of NYC they are enjoying. You become friends with many of the people you see over and over and learn their backgrounds and history. Even people we have only met once or twice have left a mark on us.

Back to the food. At $6 a pop at Starbucks by comparison, we drink $36 - $48 a day just in lattes at no additional cost. How much would breakfast, even of the dismal quality you perceive, be each day in Manhattan.

So....the lounge is not for you and you don't understand the appeal. That's fine. Obviously, people see things about the lounge that you don't.

Agreed. The staff and chatting with other guests are the highlights here. Well put.


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[CalGalTraveler]

Well said @JohnPaul! The W57 staff has been there for years and it makes all the difference in the experience. They know owners by name and seek them out to say hello. Doria is fantastic. A member of the front desk staff hugged me last time I visited ( and we don't visit very often!) The other front desk staff and the doormen know us and follow up on requests. The lounge food is fine, I've seen fresh guac, sushi, fresh pasta, fresh veggies, fajitas. What more do you need? They don't have a formal kitchen but the food is delivered directly from a local restaurant.

This is an experience and a second home.

 

[letsgobobby]

Your right that the Alaska Lounges are nothing special. That is hoe little regard I had for the owners lounge at W 57th.

seattle N lounge is nice, sometimes good.

I do like Chase BOS JFK and HKG and will be in LAS PHX and possibly PHL this year to check those out.

But I also like W57th. I'm not trying to make a "meal" but rather a substantial snack between lunch and a late dinner. And I really enjoy the breakfasts - nothing better after a run in the park. Still have room to grab an even better bagel before lunch

 

[h2oflyboy]

Y’all are stuck on the east coast lounges - I’ve stayed in the GI, GQ Penthouses in the HHV. The staff are very nice at the GI, but I felt we were being pointed out at the GW with all their hidden rules! I have seen mostly an Asian clientele in these lounges and they’ve been coming to Hawaii since forever - the Pandemic is the only reason I have stayed there as much as I have. The hostess made shire to point out ALL of the rules with taking food back to your room.

I standing picking up 2 pieces of bread and a man walked around me reached to 4 pieces of bread in front of me and then slammed 2 pieces of bread into the toaster. Before he got to the other 2 toaster openings - I kinda made a disappointing noise - to which he realized, YES going around me was definitely rude and he “allowed” me to use the toaster for my 2 slices.

But back to the Hostess… You can take breakfast back to your room but you need to take paper plates! AND NO you can not take back the happy hour food to your room, you must consume it there. Maybe I’m over sensitive, but clearly… there rules were not spelled out at checkin.

Never once did the GI hostess tell us we were breaking “the rules” But then again… maybe we didn’t. BOTH lounges are PH lounges and not OL - they are very small and like someone posted earlier - The airline lounges are much better.

We had to pull teeth to get a 2nd water pitcher ! When we left the GW to stay at the GI we took said water pitcher with us.

I have stayed at LIberty in Charleston and I have never seen anyone entering/leaving the OL. Nor have I seen anyone sitting inside it - leaving me to wonder if it is open yet?

Okay, here are a few memorable ones (with many dip chip lounges in-between!):

I like SJC Priority Pass. They serve eggs and bring it to you.
SFO United Polaris offers sit down restaurant style meals. Must have a Polaris ticket so usually international.
There was one at Calgary, I cannot remember what airline (Air Canada?) or PP but it had a great food and drink selection.
Emirates business class lounge at JFK.

I miss the restaurant benefit of PP. Those were really great value.

Since I am a UA 1K - I had to comment my 2 cents on the PLs.

I had a 2 hour connection in SFO on my way to CDG. The walk was :15 minutes and finding a seat was challenging but I located a 2 good ones on the lower floor - well one good one. The first had no power, and the USB didn’t work either. Thankfully the 2nd choice had both electricity and a good USB connection. Then I decided to walk to the restaurant - this lounge is way too long - where there was a :45 minutes wait - and the buffet looked like WILD ANIMALS had attacked their prey. By the time I would be seated, boarding would have started.

I went back to my cozy downstairs seat with my glass of champagne and decided, “I would eat on the airplane” If we are comparing notes, The IAD PL is the only lounge UA built from scratch - ALL the other PLs were UC, or FCL (LAX) before their rebirth. The furniture in the EWR PL was inherited from the old UC; it was worn out at the beginning. I could run down each lounge - but what’s the point. IAD is the best PL in the system - layout, electric outlets, and USB connections.

Just read DEN is up to 22 International destinations and It’s got more flights than any other hub - Where’s their PL? Rumor is the East B terminal lounge is closing for a refurbishment - Which I thought it just underwent 2 years ago. I’m guessing this might be a good location for a PL??

 

[brp]

You can make a meal of warmed over microwave quality food? I was at W 57th and the lounge was nothing special. We were able to check it out to see if lounge access was worth buying a contract there. I found nothing but garbage wine and warmed over microwave food. Definitely not worth the price of a Bhc contract. The Alaska lounge at JFK was far superior. Maybe the District is better?

To each their own. We find the offerings at the W. 57th lounge quite acceptable. If it doesn't work for you then, yeah, no reason to buy there.

Cheers.

 

[brp]

I am curious. How did you get in as a non-owner?

IMO I've been in the AK lounge in Seattle and it was nothing special. Crowded and a bunch of chips.

Were you in the Satellite N lounge at SEA? That is the really nice one.

Cheers.

 

[brp]

Okay, here are a few memorable ones (with many dip chip lounges in-between!):

I like SJC Priority Pass. They serve eggs and bring it to you.

I don't know if the model has changed, but the last two times we were at SJC PP lounges (both A8 and !15), the breakfast was self-serve and ordering was "unavailable." Most recent was last Tuesday. Like the old days. Very nice offerings, and I'm good with this.

Cheers.

 

[cowboyfan]

I am curious. How did you get in as a non-owner?

IMO I've been in the AK lounge in Seattle and it was nothing special. Crowded and a bunch of chips.

My wife and I own at West 57th and I find the Owner's Lounge very nice. We always stop for a drink and some snacks before going out to an evening show. I know that non owners don't get to use the lounge. Our M/F is $1881 annual in 2025 and it gets us a week at West 57th and owner's lounge access. I can't say enough about our week in NYC each year at West 57th.

 

[TolmiePeak]

Were you in the Satellite N lounge at SEA? That is the really nice one.

Cheers.

Yes they still have halfway decent eggs there. C and D lounges just have the egg preformed ovals which aren't nearly as good.

 

[ljmiii]

Since I am a UA 1K - I had to comment my 2 cents on the PLs.

…The furniture in the EWR PL was inherited from the old UC…

I’m also UA 1K and we fly out of EWR a *lot*.

No complaints about the EWR PL…except that it’s always too crowded. And that 1K + domestic business class still puts us in one of the Terminal C UCs unless (shudder) UA puts us in the new Terminal A.

 

[h2oflyboy]

I’m also UA 1K and we fly out of EWR a *lot*.

No complaints about the EWR PL…except that it’s always too crowded. And that 1K + domestic business class still puts us in one of the Terminal C UCs unless (shudder) UA puts us in the new Terminal A.

Since you are EWR based, you probably have never used the showers - Well I tried, They wouldn’t even allow a waitlist - other PL do. I work over nights in Houston and used the PL showers there, they took my phone # and text me when my shower was available - EWR would do that. I flew into EWR and my bag (Priority) was the last to arrive at customs. I was the first to arrive at the customs carousel with my GE, but the last to leave. How hard is it to unload the priority bags first? At the far right of the seating area nearest the 100s gate were furniture that I recognized from the UC - the leather? Had been worn off, and it was OLD UC furniture. People at the buffet doing questionable things - I addressed it with the food manager, “saying you need staff in this area at all times” - I can’t remember what the guest did - but it was akin to licking the serving spoon or double dipping. It was gross.

AND It has no decent views - It wasn’t until the New UC in the 120-130s opened that you could see the NYC skyline. I agree, Term A sucks - If I have a flight leaving from Term A - I will enter at Term C and take the inter-terminal shuttle. I can’t seem to figure out HOW the TSA does the lines in Term A. AND the Term C club is CROWDED! I prefer LGA over EWR - and I get the option because I live near a UA HUB.

 

[brp]

I prefer LGA over EWR - and I get the option because I live near a UA HUB.

We're AA fliers and the SFO-JFK with lie-flat seats is our go to for NYC visits. I do like LGA, but the JFK flight is better, and I prefer the airport lounges. Also, transport from JFK to W. 57th/Quin is very simple. Easier than LGA. Did EWR once. That was enough...

Cheers.

 

[h2oflyboy]

We're AA fliers and the SFO-JFK with lie-flat seats is our go to for NYC visits. I do like LGA, but the JFK flight is better, and I prefer the airport lounges. Also, transport from JFK to W. 57th/Quin is very simple. Easier than LGA. Did EWR once. That was enough...

Cheers.

We’ve had this discussion before, I lived in the LA and swore up and down it’s JFK or no-way! Now that I in the middle of the country LGA non-stops are an option and since they’ve upgraded it from JB “3rd world airport” it is a very amiable choice. I do not need a full-recline seat for a 3h30m flight.

My record time is :27 minutes from plane blocking to standing at the check in desk at w57th; that is using public transport. If I choose UBER/Lyft/Taxi/Car service - triple that time! The last booking was private car, I arrived in NYC and it was the Puerto Rico Parade - We got into Manhattan via the Queensborough Bridge and had to descend to 37th street - closures for the parade - then back up 6th Ave.

I’ve also have stories about the subway/NJTransit that match this energy - but those are rarer than driving into the city.

Curious what is your route and mode of transport to Midtown from Term 7 (AA) JFK? If it’s something good, I might switch - not Airports just service.

I’ve come to realize when driving into the city, Taxi is the best way into the city and PC/Lyft out of it. My PC i use is Blacklane - I’ve had many inbound issues - but they are great for a return to the airport and I use them before I use Lyft.

 

[muscae]

We’ve had this discussion before, I lived in the LA and swore up and down it’s JFK or no-way! Now that I in the middle of the country LGA non-stops are an option and since they’ve upgraded it from JB “3rd world airport” it is a very amiable choice. I do not need a full-recline seat for a 3h30m flight.

My record time is :27 minutes from plane blocking to standing at the check in desk at w57th; that is using public transport. If I choose UBER/Lyft/Taxi/Car service - triple that time! The last booking was private car, I arrived in NYC and it was the Puerto Rico Parade - We got into Manhattan via the Queensborough Bridge and had to descend to 37th street - closures for the parade - then back up 6th Ave.

I’ve also have stories about the subway/NJTransit that match this energy - but those are rarer than driving into the city.

Curious what is your route and mode of transport to Midtown from Term 7 (AA) JFK? If it’s something good, I might switch - not Airports just service.

I’ve come to realize when driving into the city, Taxi is the best way into the city and PC/Lyft out of it. My PC i use is Blacklane - I’ve had many inbound issues - but they are great for a return to the airport and I use them before I use Lyft.

JFK: airtrain to subway, OR airtrain to LIRR Jamaica to Penn then taxi. I used to use the NYC Airporter.

 

[brp]

Curious what is your route and mode of transport to Midtown from Term 7 (AA) JFK? If it’s something good, I might switch - not Airports just service.

AA are in T8 at JFK. And our transport mode won't work for LGA. We take the AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station. Buying the 10-ride pass for $25 makes each of the 4 trips (2 for each of us) cheaper. And I have something to gift to someone else as we leave. Then it's the E train to the F at any of several transfer points. F stops at 57th and 6th. SW corner for W. 57th; NW corner for Quin.

Simplest way to go.

And, yeah, for a mid-country flight lie-flat is not as important. Being on the west coast, we like the lie flat. We take early morning flights in and evening flights back. And it's nice to be able to recline or nap.

Just came back from MSP (to SJC) and a regular reclining Comfort+ on DL was fine.

The lie-flats in J are reasonably-priced.

Cheers.

 

[h2oflyboy]

JFK: airtrain to subway, OR airtrain to LIRR Jamaica to Penn then taxi. I used to use the NYC Airporter.

I did the Airtrain to the subway once and never did that again - I used LIRR after the one subway trip.

AA are in T8 at JFK. And our transport mode won't work for LGA. We take the AirTrain from JFK to Jamaica Station. Buying the 10-ride pass for $25 makes each of the 4 trips (2 for each of us) cheaper. And I have something to gift to someone else as we leave. Then it's the E train to the F at any of several transfer points. F stops at 57th and 6th. SW corner for W. 57th; NW corner for Quin.

Simplest way to go.

And, yeah, for a mid-country flight lie-flat is not as important. Being on the west coast, we like the lie flat. We take early morning flights in and evening flights back. And it's nice to be able to recline or nap.

Just came back from MSP (to SJC) and a regular reclining Comfort+ on DL was fine.

The lie-flats in J are reasonably-priced.

Cheers.

Thank you for sharing…

You must be young and spry. The time I took the E from Jamaica I stood the entire ride and my mother (whose age I am now plus 10 years) stood for 1/2 the ride. We took Taxis after that one subway ride. When I went alone, I rode the LIRR.

EWR isn’t an awful commute into Manhattan. I found NJTransit to NY Penn then a Taxi works the best for me.

- T8 - What was I thinking! UA was in T7

 

[brp]

I did the Airtrain to the subway once and never did that again - I used LIRR after the one subway trip.


Thank you for sharing…

You must be young and spry. The time I took the E from Jamaica I stood the entire ride and my mother (whose age I am now plus 10 years) stood for 1/2 the ride. We took Taxis after that one subway ride. When I went alone, I rode the LIRR.

EWR isn’t an awful commute into Manhattan. I found NJTransit to NY Penn then a Taxi works the best for me.

- T8 - What was I thinking! UA was in T7

Spry, definitely. Young, maybe not. Based on what I saw in another thread, it looks like I will be turning 65 about 4 months before you. Then again, I visit the gym and run regularly, so standing on the subway and carrying bags is not an issue.

It's likely been at least 15 years since I took a taxi in New York.

Cheers.

 

[letsgobobby]

Without UA Elite status or CLEAR (I refuse to surrender my eyeball scan), EWR is a no-go zone for us. It was the worst US airport experience we’ve had in many decades. About 90 minutes of waiting for TSA pre, then terrible food and terrible service with long waits in the terminal. There’s no PP lounge, and while there’s an AA lounge it’s not nearly enough to make me suffer that h3ll again.

We normally do JFK-AirTrain to Jamaica to F line. Is there a faster option? Google Maps says that takes 59 minutes at 5 pm - while AirTrain to E to F (transfer at Forest Hills) takes 50 min so maybe we’ll do that - is the transfer easy?

This week we’ll probably cab it though. We’re dropping off my daughter at college next week so I think we’ll have 4 checked bags with us

 

[brp]

We normally do JFK-AirTrain to Jamaica to F line. Is there a faster option? Google Maps says that takes 59 minutes at 5 pm - while AirTrain to E to F (transfer at Forest Hills) takes 50 min so maybe we’ll do that - is the transfer easy?

F train doesn't go to the Jamaica AirTrain station. One has to take the E from Jamaica and transfer to F. Or take E to 5th or 7th avenues and walk.

There is another subway stop on Sutphin Blvd. where the F does stop, but then one has to walk from the AitTrain station to the other station in Queens. And I believe that this is longer than the walk in Manhattan. The E->F transfer is the best option, IMO. It is a very easy transfer. Right on the same platform. It can be one of several stops, including Forest Hills. Depends upon train timing. I let Google Maps tell me which station to use.

Cheers.

 

[letsgobobby]

i’m getting conflicting info now. I don’t recall that long a walk, but maybe i wasn’t paying attention.

So you think AirTrain to Jamaica, enter station “via Sutphin Blvd”, take E to Forest Hills etc, transfer to F, get off at 57th?

 

[Reddart]

Yes, the Air train —> E—>F is the way. You can transfer at Kew Gardens or Forest Hills.

If we have heavy bags, we’ll transfer to the Q at Lexington Ave/63 St from the F. All of these transfers are on the same platform.

 

[frank808]

Since you are EWR based, you probably have never used the showers - Well I tried, They wouldn’t even allow a waitlist - other PL do. I work over nights in Houston and used the PL showers there, they took my phone # and text me when my shower was available - EWR would do that.

My solution is to use the United Club showers at C123 which are nicer IMHO. Almost never a wait at showrs in UC as there are 6 or 8 shower rooms. C123 is a short 5 min walk from PL. For me since I fly from Hawaii we seem to use Terminal C often and makes using C123 easy.

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[brp]

i’m getting conflicting info now. I don’t recall that long a walk, but maybe i wasn’t paying attention.

So you think AirTrain to Jamaica, enter station “via Sutphin Blvd”, take E to Forest Hills etc, transfer to F, get off at 57th?

My point was that if you take only the E train there is a walk. There is pretty much no walk with the E->F transfer.

And to be very clear, take the AirTrain to Sutphin-Archer station. That's called "Jamaica Station" on the AirTrain. There is also a Sutphin station in Queens (also on Sutphin Blvd., and the F train does go here), but this is not the terminus of the AirTrain. The names are a bit confusing, and I probably muddied the waters by mentioning them, but was just doing so for F line completeness.

Easiest to ignore the names of the stations on the way in and just take AirTrain to "Jamaica Station" and get on the E. Then transfer to F where Google Maps suggests.

When returning, though, one should do F->E. And then one does have to know that the station name is Sutphin-Archer as there is no Sutphin on the E train.

Also, on the way back, the proper E stop is called Sutphin Blvd-Archer Av-JFK Airport, so it is pretty clear.

Cheers.