MSP - Best Lounge options
#91
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 183
Other then soup there is no hot food at C skyclub. If you want anything more then snacks go to the F/G club.
#92
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: BUR
Programs: AA, DL Platinum, AS, AF/KL, UA, VS, HA, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold, Hertz Presidents Circle
Posts: 1,788
The Escape Lounge at MSP reopened last week. The hours are from 8 am to 4 pm daily. I had a chance to stop by today. The layout is almost the same as pre-closing and the restrooms are still located outside the lounge. Unfortunately, they appear to have completely eliminated the buffet and any self-service food options. I saw a fridge with some soda beneath a self-service coffee station but I did not look to see if it was in operation. Other then that, all food and drinks are ordered from your table. Here is the food menu:
<image>
The Cesar salad was pre-made and soggy but the remainder of the items that I tried were fine. The portions were tiny, Think cocktail party hors d'oeuvre, not entrée. The servers were attentive and came by every few minutes to ask what else they could bring you but it was awkward to have your food served to you a few bites at a time. I really missed the self service antipasti and salads that the lounge used to have.
Pre-covid, I strongly preferred the Escape lounge to either of the Delta Skyclubs or the PGA lounge. It was quiet, rarely crowded and the food was pretty good. Now I think it would depend. If I needed a quiet place to work for a couple of hours I would choose the Escape Lounge. If I was hungry I would probably go to the Skyclub outside F and G.
<image>
The Cesar salad was pre-made and soggy but the remainder of the items that I tried were fine. The portions were tiny, Think cocktail party hors d'oeuvre, not entrée. The servers were attentive and came by every few minutes to ask what else they could bring you but it was awkward to have your food served to you a few bites at a time. I really missed the self service antipasti and salads that the lounge used to have.
Pre-covid, I strongly preferred the Escape lounge to either of the Delta Skyclubs or the PGA lounge. It was quiet, rarely crowded and the food was pretty good. Now I think it would depend. If I needed a quiet place to work for a couple of hours I would choose the Escape Lounge. If I was hungry I would probably go to the Skyclub outside F and G.
#94
Suspended
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Watchlisted by the prejudiced, en route to purgatory
Programs: Just Say No to Fleecing and Blacklisting
Posts: 102,095
#95
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Verdi, NV, SFO & Olympic (aka Squaw )Valley.
Programs: Ikon Pass Full + AS Gold + Marriott Titanium + Hilton Gold. Recovering UA Plat. LT lounge AA+DL+UA
Posts: 3,823
Agree with this assessment. Used to prefer the Escape Lounge over the SkyClubs too, but visited the the re-opened BDL Escape lounge and found the stay-at-your-seat operation less than ideal. (Wrote my report on the BDL Escape lounge thread.) If traveling though MSP, I'd prefer the DL Skyclubs until the Escape lounges revert back to buffet style self-serving.
#98
In Memoriam, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Durham, NC (RDU/GSO/CLT)
Programs: AA EXP/MM, DL GM, UA Platinum, HH DIA, Hyatt Explorist, IHG Platinum, Marriott Titanium, Hertz PC
Posts: 33,857
I just visited three options at MSP.
PGA Lounge:
I used my Priority Pass to get a $15 credit for dining here.
As you can see you're going to be out of pocket on everything. But my turkey burger and fries were decent and worth the $7 plus tip (once you added in my soda). It's a nice place to relax too.
Escape Lounge:
This was at 2 PM. Space wise I think it's the best looking Club at MSP. I love the sweeping tarmac views, the wide variety of seating and the lighting.
Food wise I think they still have a long way to go. I'd eaten at the PGA Lounge and I'm glad I did because the quality of that beef and chicken made my stomach turn over just looking at it.
They're also a little cheap on what drinks are free
I don't like paying $5 for a beer at a lounge but that's life.
United Club:
It's tiny, one of their smallest lounges I think, but the staff are really friendly and it was nicely empty. I'm glad I popped in.
PGA Lounge:
I used my Priority Pass to get a $15 credit for dining here.
As you can see you're going to be out of pocket on everything. But my turkey burger and fries were decent and worth the $7 plus tip (once you added in my soda). It's a nice place to relax too.
Escape Lounge:
This was at 2 PM. Space wise I think it's the best looking Club at MSP. I love the sweeping tarmac views, the wide variety of seating and the lighting.
Food wise I think they still have a long way to go. I'd eaten at the PGA Lounge and I'm glad I did because the quality of that beef and chicken made my stomach turn over just looking at it.
They're also a little cheap on what drinks are free
I don't like paying $5 for a beer at a lounge but that's life.
United Club:
It's tiny, one of their smallest lounges I think, but the staff are really friendly and it was nicely empty. I'm glad I popped in.
#99
Join Date: May 2015
Posts: 183
American Express Platinum, Centurion, and Delta SkyMiles@ Reserve Card Card Members at Escape Lounges - The Centurion® Studio Partner, enjoy access to an exclusive menu of premium snacks, wine and liquors in addition to the full food and bar menu available to all guests.
I have never seen this exclusive menu but I wonder if any of the premium selections may be offered complimentary for the asking...