This Easy Upgrade Turns a Regular Hotel Stay Into One With All-Inclusive Perks
My favorite hotel upgrade isn’t a suite or a private balcony, nor is it a room with a view (although I like those, too). It’s a room with access to a club-level lounge. If you aren’t familiar with club-level hotel lounges, you’re missing out on perks like complimentary food, drinks, and a posh space to work and relax. Intrigued? Here’s what you need to know.What Are Club-Level Hotel Lounges?Club lounges are dedicated spaces with amenities set aside for guests who book directly into club-level rooms or pay an extra fee. In some cases, it may be possible to gain access to lounges through branded credit cards or hotel status (more on that later).Lounge amenities vary from hotel to hotel. Thus, the lounge experience in a Ritz Carlton is going to be different from the lounge experience in a Hyatt. It doesn’t end there. Club-level lounge offerings vary within brands, as well. Individual hotel websites usually detail their club-level amenities, but in general, you can expect a few things consistently.At a minimum, most club lounges offer complimentary breakfast, grab-and-go items (like packaged snacks and soft drinks), and a spread of appetizers in the evening. In many cases, evening service includes complimentary beer, wine, and/or cocktails. Luxury brands frequently go beyond the minimum with made-to-order food options and bar service throughout the day, effectively turning your stay into an all-inclusive one.You can also expect high-speed Wi-Fi, comfortable seating arrangements, television viewing areas, and dedicated staff. In addition, most hotel club lounges are positioned for the best available views so guests can gaze over mountains, the ocean, city skylines, etc., as they enjoy the space.The Ritz-Carlton, NaplesWhat Are the Benefits of Hotel Club Lounges?The general rule of thumb is that the swankier the hotel, the more upscale the lounge’s perks and amenities. The luxurious Ritz-Carlton brand is a good example. The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida is home to the largest Ritz-Carlton club lounge outside of Dubai. The 4,000-square-foot space is essentially a hotel within a hotel with a dedicated check-in area, a 24-hour snack pantry, a complimentary full-service bar, and five separate food presentations throughout the day with chef-prepared options like omelets, sandwiches, sushi, and cordials paired with dessert.Across the country, at the Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe in California, the recently redesigned club lounge is more intimate, with different amenities. Here, mornings start with made-to-order omelets, and like the Naples lounge, fresh food offerings change throughout the day. In this lounge, the bar is self-serve, and guests help themselves to top-shelf wine, beer, and spirits at their leisure.The benefits of a hotel lounge aren’t limited to food offerings, either.“One of the best things about the club is the dedicated concierge,” says Emmie Lancaster, a senior marketing manager at the Ritz-Carton in Naples. “Perhaps we can book you an air-conditioned bungalow by the pool or a cabana out on the beach. We can also make local restaurant reservations, arrange transportation, and other things like that.”Hyatt Regency ChicagoHow Do You Get Access to Hotel Club Lounges?The most straightforward way to access hotel lounge benefits is to book a room on a club-level floor or pay an extra fee to add access to the room of your choice. Although you may be able to accomplish this when you arrive at the property, it’s best to upgrade in advance.Hotel club lounges have limited availability to avoid lines or overcrowding. Space isn’t guaranteed if you wait until the last minute, especially during busy times of the year. Since each property is different, you’ll need to check with your hotel for specific costs and benefits, but the below details for a few select properties will provide you with a basic idea.Ritz-Carlton, Naples: Club guests have access to the aforementioned amenities, such as a separate check-in area, 24-hour snack pantry, full-service bar, and five separate food presentations per day. Children under 10 enter for free, those between 11 and 20 years old are $100 per person (May 1-December 20) or $150 per person (Dec 20-May1, and for people 21 and older, the cost is $150 per person (May 1 -December 20) or $250 per person (Dec 20-May1).Hyatt Regency Chicago: Regency Club access includes a full breakfast in the onsite restaurant, American Craft. Guests have access to light snacks and soft drinks in the lounge throughout the day. In the evening, complimentary hors d’oeuvres are served. Beer, wine, and liquor are available for an extra fee. The pricing is $75 per person Sunday-Thursday and $100 per person Friday-Saturday.JW Marriott Kuala Lumpur: JW Executive Lounge features two meeting rooms (complimentary for up to two hours daily), personalized business services, and exclusive culinary offerings, including breakfast, afternoon tea service with cakes and sandwiches, and evening cocktails with a selection of bites. Check-in and check-out services are also available. For travelers not booked in the Premium Club rooms and suites, Executive Lounge rates start at $50 per person per day.Grand Hyatt Hong Kong: Grand Club Lounge access includes benefits like breakfast selections, light refreshments, all-day champagne, and evening cocktails. The cost is approximately $99 per person.Ritz-Carlton, Lake Tahoe: Club access includes previously discussed amenities including made-to-order omelets in the morning, grab-and-go snacks throughout the day, rotating food selections, and a self-serve bar. Pricing is $600 for two guests.Ravindran John Smith/DreamstimeCan I Get Access to a Hotel Club Lounge Access With Points or a Credit Card?If you’re wondering if you can get hotel club lounge access through points or a credit card, the answer is maybe. Hyatt points earned through stays and/or credit card spending can be redeemed for a choice of benefits, including club access awards.Hilton Honors members who reach top-tier Diamond status through qualifying activities earn executive lounge access during their stays, even when room upgrades are unavailable. The fine print for credit cards and loyalty programs can change at any time, so be sure to check the current details of your favorite program before booking.Is It Worth Upgrading to a Hotel Room With Lounge Access?Whether or not upgrading to a club-level hotel room is worth it is really up to you, your preferences, and your itinerary. If you plan to spend a great deal of time at the property, the convenience of being able to relax with a drink or pop in for a bite can be pretty valuable. If, on the other hand, you plan to spend most of your time away from the hotel, you may end up paying for benefits you don’t use. If that’s the case, you may be better off upgrading at a later date when you can truly enjoy the club lounge life. It’s a sweet one.
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