The Seattle American Express Centurion Studio is dropping the studio name as the much anticipated expansion opened early on March 22, 2017. The dainty 3,100 square foot lounge opened in 2015 has expanded its footprint by 1,400 square feet and added a shower and full service bar.
The newly refreshed 4,500 square foot lounge now offers more space, tarmac and Mount Rainier views again, and the standard amenities found across the American Express Centurion Lounge network. The only thing Seattle is missing is a Spa. Then again, even Vegas and New York do not offer Spa services; therefore, Seattle is not really missing out. I mean sure a massage is nice, but often times when passing through Miami or Dallas, it is impossible to partake.
The expansion at the Seattle American Express Centurion lounge is actually just a new large square room. The new bar takes up the majority of the space, and there are tables and chairs throughout the new room. There is seating for approximately 50 people in the expanded lounge, but no seats at the bar. Silly Washington state laws do not allow seats at the bar in locations where minors are present. Standing by the bar and watching CNN is encouraged.
The craft cocktail menu and wine menu is Seattle centric. Each cocktail has a Pacific Northwest theme and draws from the culture in the area. The only issue, American Express had Jim Meehan design the menu. This would make sense for a lounge in Chicago, New York, Wisconsin, or Portland. But Not Seattle! Jim Meehan is a Chicago native educated in Wisconsin, who became famous in New York City;and now lives in Portland. Seriously, American Express could have done better. At least he stock to true northwest flavors. Like the Via Veneto. Who doesn’t want an egg and coffee cocktail? Protein anyone?
In the back corner of the room is another bathroom and shower. This brings the total number of bathrooms in the lounge to three. Each bathroom is an individual private bathroom. The shower is currently not open, but per the staff should be ready for use by April.
The only downside to the lounge expansion is there is still not a kitchen. Food options have improved greatly in the last 18 months, but there still is not hot food beside soup. The kitchen is decent size, but is not an actually commercial kitchen. This limits the food options made available for guests. Food is better than other lounges in Seattle, but nothing like the lounges at other American Express lounges. Food options in the morning are among my favorite.
I am thankful that American Express is investing in Seattle. The American Express Centurion Studio was a nice place to relax during delays, but the Centurion lounge is better. I am optimistic that a larger better lounge will emerge one day, but for now, I will gladly take the full bar with an extended beer and wine menu and craft cocktails. All drinks are free in the lounge, along with the food and other amenities.
If you are traveling through Seattle and have the American Express Platinum card stop in to see the newly expanded space. It is definitely a step in the right direction and a win for Seattle! Curious what the rest of the lounge looks like? See Kevin’s review of the American Express Studio.
