Originally Posted by
lincolnjkc
Also the pandemic did not start the decline of executive lounges -- it hastened a trend that was already well under way. Just like a number of restaurants around the world that may have limped along for years with the status quo ante that permanently closed amidst the economic realities of the pandemic (i.e. it's a $ thing, not a health thing)
I agree. I was in the "Executive Lounge" in a Hilton in Seattle 10+ (20+?) years ago and it was clearly an ordinary room with the bed and other furniture removed, and a lot of chairs. Soft drinks and chips, etc. only. Lots of people. It looked like the stateroom scene in the Marx Brothers movie
. Pitiful.
The lounge in the Hilton Des Moines closed during COVID and never re-opened. Another example of services taken away after the hotels got used to saving money by eliminating or curtailing them.
I do look forward to the lounges in Europe. It's been awhile but in spring of 2022 the lounge at the Hilton Malta was superb. My stay was two nights, one paid with a bit extra for lounge access plus another on points. Well worth it.