Review: Escape Lounge Fort Lauderdale (American Express)

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Fort Lauderdale is an incredibly busy airport and the Escape Lounge Fort Lauderdale (from American Express) allows respite from the hectic terminal. 

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Access

Visitors to the Escape Lounge – Centurion Studio in Fort Lauderdale can pay $45 to enter the lounge per person either by pre-booked reservation or on the day of use. American Express Platinum cardholders can enter for free with the same rules as the American Express Centurion Lounges with up to two guests permitted after crossing the $75,000/year threshold. Delta SkyMiles Reserve card holders can also use the lounge for free with a corresponding Delta boarding pass valid for the day of entry.

The lounge is open every day from 5:30 am to 9 pm.

Location

The lounge is located in Terminal 3 on Level 2, after the security checkpoint and walkway to Gates E1–E10. It is in between the F and E gates, closer to E. Here’s a map via Escape Lounges.

Escape Lounge Fort Lauderdale Map courtesy: Escape Lounges

Seating

There is an awful lot of seating for this Centurion studio concept. I didn’t see the seating capacity but I would estimate it greater than 100 travelers.

Behind the reception desk there were two sections of seating in a combination of couches, booths, tables, and loungers.

More chairs, tables, and couches are against the wall with great views of the tarmac.

Opposite the coffee station there were more tables and seating including a long table perfect for collaborating professionals.

Food And Beverage

We arrived at the tail end of breakfast, about 10 AM and sampled some of the offerings, a mix of hot and cold items. A selection of breads and juices were available against the wall. On the buffet, scrambled eggs, homefried potatoes, and a sausage and pepper mix were in the center. A make-your-own yogurt station was at the end of the buffet with a mix of granola and fruit for toppings.

While Escape Lounges are “Centurion Studios” this is not quite up to the level of food quality I have found at Centurion Lounges for the breakfast offering but lunch was much, much better and really played to the regional strengths of the area. We were getting ready to leave as they brought the food out so the most comprehensive image I had the chance to capture was on the tray coming in.

An elote-like corn dish, chicken and rice, parmesan broccoli, macaroni and cheese, and then for cold options chips and fresh salsa, salad and cold cuts.

Alcoholic beverages were available from the bar, though even in the morning with about 10 seated on the high chairs, the bartender was outmanned as soft drinks were also from the bar. There was a coffee station near the bar as well serving regular, decaf and offering tea. There were some creamers as well as self-serve cereal.

Centurion Room

One strength of the lounge is that there’s a separated, closed-door room reserved solely for Centurion card members (American Express “Black” card) but during our visit this was mostly unused. What would have been helpful for my family and others is a kid’s room where a door can be shut and a child can be free to make noise, watch an iPad with headphones off (younger children struggle with headphones sometimes) and families can relax knowing they aren’t disturbing other guests. This should also be welcomed by busy professionals who are using the lounge to get a quick bite and work and don’t want to be distracted.

However, during our hourlong stay in the lounge, there was one member who occupied the space right before we left though it was empty otherwise. If I were a Centurion card member, I would appreciate the extra space and privacy, something that’s not offered in most full Centurion lounges.

Conclusion

The Escape Lounge Fort Lauderdale was a great fit for my family on visit before our flight. I found breakfast to be slightly elevated above a Hyatt Place or Hampton Inn but lunch appeared to be on par or at least in the range of a Centurion lounge. The bar needed more staff and the coffee was a bit of a disappointment. I have mixed feelings on the Centurion room as I mentioned and I think the greater benefit would be for a family room based on how it was utilized and who was in attendance and that would align with Centurion lounges as well. If we didn’t have access included and had a longer stay over we would still be inclined to visit at a $45/person charge.

What do you think?