Have you ventured into more than one Priority Pass lounge? If so, you’ve likely realized that these lounges come in all shapes and sizes, from cozy nooks to luxurious havens. And that, my fellow explorers, is precisely why I’m whipping up a rulebook. A guiding star, if you will, to help us discern the crème de la crème among lounges, especially in those airports where choices are abundant.

My mission? To toss a little more info your way than what the Priority Pass app reveals. Consider it a backstage pass to lounge access, aimed at making your lounge time as rewarding as possible. So, brace yourselves, because we’re launching a new series – Lounge Reviews – as we grade them across an array of categories that are the cornerstone of a enjoyable and relaxing lounge experience.

So, without further ado, let’s crack the rule book open. We’re dissecting these lounges across six pivotal categories. Plus, hold on to your seatbelts, there’s an extra layer of excitement in the form of bonus points. (This are like Mario Party Bonus Stars but better)

Now, you’re probably wondering, “Well, what’s are these six magical categories?” Here’s the scoop: our ranking categories are Access, Booze, Food Availability, Curb Appeal, Customer Service, and last but not least Wi-Fi Connectivity. Now what about these mystery bonus stars? Unlike Mario Party, I’ll tell you ahead of time and these won’t come as a surprise, these are Shower availability, Views from the lounge, Availability of Flight Information screens, Business area, and lastly Bag storage.

So are you ready to dive in?!

🎟️ Access – The Golden Ticket

Access, the unsung hero. Sure, it might sound like a snooze-fest, but guess what? It’s the cornerstone metric of lounge rating. Think about it – you can have the fanciest food, the smoothest Wi-Fi, and the comfiest chairs, but if you can’t come in and enjoy, it’s rather pointless. It it’s like having to stare at some delicious food you can’t eat you know.

So here’s are the rules for this category:

• 1 Star – A lounge will get one star if ANY of these restrictions are in place:
  • Access is restricted to PP members
  • Lounge has a stay limit of 2 hour or less limit
  • Had to wait 1 hour or more to come into the lounge
• 2 Stars – In order for a lounge to get a two star rating the lounge must meet ALL the following criteria:
  • Lounge has a stay limit of 2 hour or less stay limit
  • Had to wait 45 minutes or more to come into the lounge
• 3 Stars – In order for a lounge to get a three star rating the lounge must meet ALL the following criteria:
  • Lounge has a stay limit of 3 hour or less stay limit
  • Had to wait 30 minutes or more to come into the lounge
• 4 Stars – In order for a lounge to get a three star rating the lounge must meet ALL the following criteria:
  • Did not see any signs ristricting entry to Priority Pass
  • Lounge has a stay limit of 4 hour or less stay limit
  • Had to wait 15 minutes or less to come into the lounge
• 5 Stars – In order for a lounge to get a five star rating the lounge must meet ALL the following criteria:
  • Did not see any signs ristricting entry to Priority Pass
  • No time limits on lounge stay or it was more than 4 hours
  • Access to the lounge was immediate

✨ Curb Appeal – Love it or List it

Look I know this might sound superficial but it’s true we want to relax in a place that looks nice, is well maintained and is clean. Lounges are supposed to be premium experiences, and one way or another we are all paying to get in there. Wether that is through credit card fees, upgrades to business class or first class or even just paying for entry we are spending some additional amount of money to relax in said lounge. Therefore there is a level of expectation here given that we are spending some additional money to enjoy this places.

So how are the stars determined for this category?

• 1 Star – A lounge will get one star if the lounge did not look that nice, was not well maintained, and cleanliness is questionable.
• 2 Stars – A lounge will get two stars if the lounge looked dated and/or felt like it has had better days, but was still clean.
• 3 Stars – A lounge will get three stars if the lounge was average looking and/or had some wear and tear issues.
• 4 Stars – A lounge will get four stars if the lounge was fancy and well maintained and looked clean
• 5 Stars – A lounge will get five stars if the lounge was spotless everything looked well maintained, it was well decorated and the very clean.

💁🏽‍♂️ Customer Service – The Lounges’ Heartbeat

At the core of every great lounge experience is exceptional customer service. Our Customer Service category delves into how lounges provide that heartbeat, from friendly welcomes to ensuring your needs are met, making your journey memorable.

While this category can be subjective here is how I’m breaking it down;

• 1 Star – A lounge will get one star if the customer service was absolutely trash.
• 2 Stars – A lounge will get two stars if the customer service was bad but could be worst.
• 3 Stars – A lounge will get three stars if the customer service was very average.
• 4 Stars – A lounge will get four stars if the customer service was good.
• 5 Stars – A lounge will get five stars if this was Disney level customer service.

🍸 Booze – Help Us Start the Trip Right

In the world of airport lounges, the right libations can be the key to starting your trip on the perfect note. Whether you’re a wine enthusiast, cocktail aficionado, or simply in the mood for a refreshing beverage, the Booze category is your guide to making the most of your pre-flight experience. Not all lounges are created equal in this department, and our Booze category is here to help you discover which ones offer a delightful array of drinks, ensuring your journey begins with a satisfying sip. So, let’s raise a virtual toast and explore the world of lounge beverages together, because a great start to your trip often begins with a well-crafted drink in hand.

This category I can rate on a pretty subjective scale, so here how this goes;

• 1 Star – A lounge will get one star if no Alcoholic Drink options where available and only non alcholic options were to be found.
• 2 Stars – A lounge will get two stars if they have a 1 Drink limit per person limit.
• 3 Stars – A lounge will get three stars if they have a 2 Drink limit per person
• 4 Stars – A lounge will get four stars if they offer unlimited drinks but have a limited drink selection.
• 5 Stars – A lounge will get five stars if they offer unlimited drinks with many drink options.

🥐 Food/Snack – You’re Not You When You’re Hungry

When hunger strikes at the airport, a great lounge can be your savior. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty meal, a quick snack, or a taste of local flavors, the Food/Snack category is here to ensure you’re well-fed and ready for your journey. Not all lounges are equal in their gastronomic offerings, and our guide will help you discover which ones serve up the tastiest treats, because travel is always better when you’re well-fed. So, let’s dive into the delicious world of lounge cuisine together!

Here is the tea;

• 1 Star – A lounge will get one star if all they have is a very limited snack availability.
• 2 Stars – A lounge will get two stars if they have limited snack options available.
• 3 Stars – A lounge will get three stars if have a very good snack selection.
• 4 Stars – A lounge will get four stars if they offer some hot food and snack options available.
• 5 Stars – A lounge will get five stars if many hot food options available.

🌐 Wifi – The 21st Century Lifeblood

In our connected world, Wifi is the 21st-century lifeblood of travel. Whether you need to catch up on work, stream entertainment, or stay in touch with loved ones, a reliable Wifi connection in the airport lounge can make all the difference. Join us as we assess the strength, speed, and reliability of Wifi offerings in lounges, because staying connected is essential for a smooth, stress free journey.

• 1 Star – A lounge will get one star if had no wifi or the internet was unusable.
• 2 Stars – A lounge will get two stars if a speed of at least 3 Mbps
• 3 Stars – A lounge will get three stars if a speed of at least 7.5 Mbps
• 4 Stars – A lounge will get four stars if a speed of at least 10 Mbps
• 5 Stars – A lounge will get five stars if a speed of at least 15 Mbps

The Extras

The following categories are categories were lounges can gain additional points for their rankings.

This bonus categories are:

• Showers
  • A lounge will get an extra points if paid showers are available.
  • A lounge will get two extra points if free showers are available.
• Business Area
  • A lounge will get an extra point if they have a dedicated shared and quite working space.
  • A lounge will get two extra points if they have dedicated private working spaces.
• Views
  • A lounge will get an extra point if the lounge has a good view.
  • A lounge will get two extra point if the lounge has an amazing view.
• Flight Information
  • A lounge will get an extra point if the lounge has flight information screens.
• Bag Storage
  • A lounge will get an extra point if they have free bag storage.

Calculating The Final Score

Now after this long journey through my slightly judgmental mind you are probably wondering who we use all of this categories to formulate our final score. And the formula is surprisingly easy, what we will do is take all the points gained in the main categories and add them up lounges can gain up to 30 points here. Then we add up any additional points gain in the “Extras” with one little caveat. Lounge can only gain up to six additional points. This can lead up to a lounge gaining an additional star. Meaning our Ranking system is actually 1-6 stars.

• Less than 1 Star: You might as well skip this one.
• 1-2 Stars: Just slightly better than waiting at the gate.
• 2-3 Stars: Pretty average experience.
• 3-4 Stars: These lounges make the airport experience significantly better.
• 4-5 Stars: The lounge are like a Time Machine to the peak of Air travel in the 70s.
• Above 5 Stars: The lounge is heaven on earth.

So now that you have seen how we will be ranking lounges, are you ready for our first review? Hint hint: our first Lounge will be Carlsberg Aviator Lounge in The Copenhagen Airport (CPH).