Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia
Perhaps you’ve heard that the Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia just opened a few days ago. MtM covered this news, and I visited on day two. After a New York City rendezvous with DDG, I allotted extra time to visit this new club as my last stop on a lively LGA lounge hop (more on that in a future article) before my return flight home. I’m glad I reserved (heh, heh) plenty of time to visit this lounge. Here’s my overall experience and why I plan to return.
Access
Chase Sapphire Reserve (CSR) primary cardholders and authorized users obtain unlimited access to the lounge. JP Morgan Reserve and Ritz-Carlton cardholders enjoy the same privileges. Ensure to bring your affiliated Priority Pass card or virtual credential to enter, as the front desk agent asked for this membership at check-in. Cardholders can bring in two complimentary guests, and additional ones are only $27 each. Ritz-Carlton doesn’t have the two complimentary restriction, and any Priority Pass member beyond Chase can access a Sapphire Lounge once annually and $75 for each subsequent visit.
Time will tell how this access policy impacts the guest experience, but my gut tells me Chase will probably adapt to any crowding issues better than Capital One has.
Location
The Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia is located just off the main shopping and dining arcade in Terminal B, toward gates 30-49. In what I want to believe is a troll job, Chase’s shiny new lounge entrance butts up next to the Centurion. With a bit of extra transit time, curious visitors can conveniently visit each. Via elevator and a few golden hallways exuding a 2001: A Space Odyssey vibe, I arrived at the entrance’s sliding door and reception.
Interior
Cozy feels immediately start at entry, with a couch, chairs, and attractive decor to the right of the front desk. I first noticed the expansive breadth of the lounge at that point. At check-in, I could see beyond into lounge’s main area, which is primarily one large space centered around bar with a few other smaller rooms and nooks on the perimeter. The sweeping design, paneling, mirrors, lighting, and a not-to-be-forgotten second floor make the already big lounge seem even larger. Designers committed to the color pallete – lots of blues, golds, and yellows.
Sitting just off the base of the staircase is the bar, the centerpiece around a variety of seating for dining and lounging. I arrived right in the thick of it – around 6 pm – and the lounge was busy without feeling crowded. Perhaps we have the designers to thanks for that. A few smaller seating and refreshment areas pepper the perimeter, including the fun game room.
A more relaxed seating area floats upstairs – visitors can feel detached but also part of the action with unobstructed views of the first floor. Toward the back of the second floor are the more exclusive rooms available by reservation only and for a not insignificant amount of cash money. Smaller beverage and bathroom areas for merely-normal visitors are conveniently located across.
Incidentally, not once did I think about how I couldn’t find an exterior window in the place.
Food and Beverage
The Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia food and beverage offering truly shines. The self-serve buffet sports a variety of savory and sweet dishes in small portions. Elevating the open concept, visitors can see directly into a large portion of the kitchen. Think of it as a more refined, aesthetically-pleasing version of the Capital One Lounges’ self-service area. I didn’t partake of any of the substantial offerings here, though, holding my appetite for a more intriguing option.
Table Service
I plopped down at a table and simply scanned the QR code for the menu. With a few simple clicks, I completed my order, which was delivered by a perky attendant about five minutes later. The Roast Beef Sandwich and an IPA satisfied overall. It’s worth noting I saw QR codes on most all side tables throughout the lounge, inviting guests to kick back, relax, and order anywhere.
Here were the available entrees during my visit:
- Seared Salmon
- Lentil Ragout
- Roast Beef Sandwich
- Sapphire Burger
- Sapphire Noodles
Beer Options:
- Peroni
- Paulaner Munchen Weissbier
- Other Half Brewing Forever Ever IPA
- Talea Sour
The table menu also offers a variety of kid/picky adult items and fancy-sounding cocktails. Finally, I’d like to highlight that the lounge has a nice selection of bottled beverages available – somewhat of an endangered species in domestic clubs. I like bartenders but firmly believe I shouldn’t have to bother them for a Diet Coke.
Other Amenities
The Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia houses a wellness area where guests can receive a variety of complimentary treatments (menu above). A couple relaxation area are also available in this space. The main bathrooms are located on the first floor, but there are a couple individual restrooms on each floor, as well. Guests can play pinball and shuffleboard in the arcade or enjoy the fun photo booth next door. Reliable wifi, outlets, and USB ports are available throughout.
Showers aren’t on offer here, but I didn’t expect them to offer such an amenity in this type of lounge, anyway. A few phone rooms are located just off one seating area. They were spacious but not particularly effective. I heard plenty of noise outside while using one, and I figure visitors outside could hear me, as well. I actually prefer the smaller, more effective versions in Delta Sky Clubs. But overall, I found the lounge amenities more than adequate.
Service
Of course, on day two, the Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia still had plenty of new car smell and was ready to impress. Thus, the lounge was generously-staffed during my visit. All employees were good-natured and eager to please.
After checking in, the front desk rep offered me a tour of the lounge – something I’ve never been offered – and I happily accepted. The entire dining staff – bartender, kitchen workers, table attendants – were bubbly and attentive. While I didn’t book a session, two wellness workers summarized their entire offering and invited me to view their spaces.
While checking in, the front desk rep surprised me with a Sapphire luggage tag, a simple type of item which I happen to love. If you visit soon, inquire. I doubt these will be permanently available.
Conclusion
There’s much to appreciate about the substantial Chase Sapphire Lounge New York LaGuardia, and I doubt this space will be outgrown any time soon. As I departed the lounge after a three-hour visit, I wish I could have stayed longer. Perhaps wanting to unnecessarily loiter in an airport is the biggest compliment I can give the lounge. Even if you don’t love NY, give this lounge a try – I’m confident you’ll find something to adore.
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Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed or approved by any of these entities.
I am wondering if Priority Pass members can only go once per calendar year to any of the CSR lounges, or rather, if they go to any one lounge that is it for the calendar year for all the lounges. I went to the one in Boston and it was outstanding as well. I am not sure if that now excludes me from the LGA one until next year or if I am allowed to visit each one once per year.
Thanks in advance Benjy
Tom
Tom,
Looks like the former. Check out this from Priority Pass: “Members will be able to use one of their inclusive or pay as you go visit entitlements to visit one US Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club location once per calendar year, subject to availability.” That said, individuals holding multiple cards with separate Priority Pass benefits can theoretically activate different memberships and go once on each of those.