by Allison Tibaldi
Photo: Courtesy of Conrad Washington, DC
A recent stay at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix reminded me why it’s worth upgrading to a hotel room with access to a club lounge. I already knew the Arizona Biltmore had great service, but I craved additional pampering and booked a room with Citrus Club Lounge access. From the moment I arrived, I felt like the red carpet had been rolled out. Private concierge check-in? Of course. Complimentary breakfast? Yes, with piping hot coffee ready at 6 a.m. Elegant afternoon tea with petit fours and finger sandwiches? Mais oui. Evening hors d'oeuvres hearty enough to replace dinner and served with unlimited bubbly? Indeed. Long popular in Asia, the club or executive lounge concept is gaining global steam as hotels discover that guests are willing to pay for a private space with upscale amenities and a dedicated team ready to indulge them. Club lounge fees vary, but count on it costing at least $100 extra per person, per night. Large chains, such as Renaissance and Marriott, sometimes offer club lounge access as a courtesy to top-tier members of their loyalty clubs, and some hotel chains allow guests to upgrade using reward points. During my vacation at the Arizona Biltmore, I made excellent use of the Citrus Club. There was an open bar and food was so plentiful and delicious, I ended up eating all of my meals at the club. Of course, not all club lounges are created equal. Meet 10 of the best club lounges around the world we love.
