Chelsea Lounge JFK
Sometimes it’s best to leave something alone after doing it once, particularly if the first experience was fulfilling enough. Did we need a Joker sequel? Should I visit the Chelsea Lounge JFK a second time? I can’t answer the former since I haven’t taken it in, but the masses have clearly spoken. My curiosity led me to answer yes on the latter. Today, I’m describing my second experience several days ago at one of the more exclusive domestic lounges available to certain American Airlines and other Oneworld travelers.
The First Two Hours
I arrived off my initial flight in the early morning hours, and the Chelsea Lounge JFK front desk reps warmly welcomed me. Initially, I asked if I also had access to the Soho and Greenwich spaces, and they confirmed, as I expected. Given my long layover, I appreciated the option of visiting these other two clubs again, as well. I planned to get a shower first but didn’t ask about arranging that, knowing that an attendant was available in the area during my prior visit.
Upon Chelsea entry, I proceeded to the bathroom and shower area. I passed more travelers than the entirety my first visit, maybe 30 or so. Still, the lounge was nowhere near capacity, and this was the busiest the Chelsea got during this entire stay. After waiting about three minutes in the lounge hallway around the showers, I returned to the front desk and queried. The agent didn’t provide any useful help – something along the lines of, “someone will be there.” I chose not to push, opting to return to the shower area, to no avail.
I’m also not one who enjoys trying doors to shower rooms to see if they’re available. Oddly, the club’s shower rooms don’t have any vacant/occupied indicator, but the normal bathroom stalls do. A minute or two later, I talked with Chelsea waitstaff, who encouraged me to have breakfast while waiting out the shower uncertainty. I acquiesced, opting to move past the hamfisted shower situation.
Breakfast
My first meal this visit was fine enough. I went with the lounge’s breakfast sandwich, knowing I didn’t want anything too heavy to start off this longer stay. I’m in a bit of a breakfast sandwich renaissance lately – two in as many months. Fortunately, this one wasn’t the visible debacle of the first. The sandwich’s egg was perfectly over-medium, Tabasco was plentiful, and contents behaved themselves.
My server was minimally attentive, interested in other non-busy waitstaff just outside the dining area more than checking on my beverage situation. Rather than taking that as a sign to avoid another cappuccino, I extended my meal a bit to order a second. But ultimately, the server provided perhaps the most useful assistance I was hoping for – a shower suite. At the end of my breakfast, she offered to arrange one and did so promptly.
Shower
The Chelsea offers three shower suites, with one out of order during my visit (immediately facing the walkway). I vaguely recall this same unit was out of service during my first visit in mid 2023. When looking at the two remaining suites, I received the left one; I used the right suite on my previous visit. This trip’s room was markedly smaller than my first experience but still substantial enough.
Clearly, the room had been freshly cleaned, and I received a wash cloth, bath towel, and mat. I didn’t have a hand or face towel, though; apparently, the Chelsea deems the dispenser of paper towels as sufficient there. More importantly, shower pressure was strong and bath products were stocked.
Now, I’ll address a few design nitpicks. The shower door clearance is too low, as opening the door pushed the bathmat away from the shower. I craned my legs to reach it and found myself just a step from the sink. Lighting in the vanity area is misaligned. While shaving at the sink, I couldn’t see the right side of my face. It’s as if my left half was under an interrogation lamp, and the other was peering out from a cave.
The Next Few Hours
Looking to jump on my laptop for a bit, I chose the center part of the lounge not far from the fireplace. But I found many of the lounge outlets in this area don’t properly function – some USB ports are visibly broken, and I couldn’t find any outlets which actually provide power. I awkwardly hopped around multiple seats but couldn’t find any juice to top off my phone. Unsurprisingly for AA, the fireplace wasn’t on, either. I asked a waiter if the fireplace worked, but I just received a shrug and an “I don’t know.” (Of course, they were finally able to turn the fireplace on just a bit before my departure.)
I flanked to a lounge corner on the small side of the champagne bar and was delighted to discover plenty of connectivity. Another waiter promptly approached and provided impeccable service the next few hours. She offered drinks and light snacks throughout, with just the right amount of attention.
About an hour before my flight, I enjoyed the restaurant’s decadent waffle sundae in my cozy corner. It’s a special splurge I encourage to others, particularly if you’re not full from separate endeavors. But what about those other experiences?
The Soho and Greenwich Lounges
I hopped over to the Soho a couple times and the Greenwich once during this Chelsea visit. The Soho’s adjacent to the Chelsea, a quick walk across the hall, while the Greenwich is a short jog away, requiring a couple elevator rides or flights of stairs. I’m a big fan of the Soho’s aesthetic, similar to the newer designs of Admirals Clubs but clearly a step above. Soho guests have plenty of self-serve food and drink options, something virtually non-existent in the Chelsea.
The Greenwich is a sprawling space – a bit patchwork, but still a fun experience. Indeed, points and travel hobbyists can have fun exploring all the nooks and crannies of the winding Greenwich – I know I did. Remnants of JFK’s Flagship First Dining are still obvious. This lounge offers multiple food and beverage stations, both self-serve and bartender-staffed. With the pending departure of Flagship First, many travelers will lose access to the Chelsea. Some of these individuals will then obtain access to the Greenwich, and I’ll be happy enough there.
But not yet. After a bit of grazing in these two lounges, I opted out of a big lunch and into the Chelsea sundae I described above.
Chelsea Lounge JFK – Conclusion
The Chelsea and their two sister premium lounge spaces are holding up nicely enough. Nothing felt dusty or ignored, short of the powered-off fireplace for a few hours. The biggest wild card with the Chelsea will always be the level of service one can expect. In my experience, this varies widely by server and is obviously impossible to predict. This is probably my last visit to the Chelsea, even though I said that before. I’m glad I returned, but I’m okay with it being the final one for me. I’m losing the exclusivity and maybe a bit of stuffiness for the practical utility of the Greenwich. When it comes to these three premium lounges, that’s probably where I most belong, anyway.
How have your recent experiences been at the Chelsea, Soho, and Greenwich Lounges?
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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.
When BA moved from T7 to T8, it lost its Concorde Room. It remains a fond memory. The Chelsea, seemingly controlled by AA, is a shadow of the T7 Concorde Room. Alas.
Not surprised to hear this, Fred. Thanks for reading!