• Singapore Airlines SQ34 Singapore to San Francisco A350-900 – Premium Economy
• Carmel Valley Ranch
• San Francisco Marriott Marquis
• United Polaris Lounge, San Francisco International Airport
• Singapore Airlines SQ1 San Francisco to Hong Kong 777-300ER – Business
• SilverKris Lounge, Hong Kong International Airport
• Singapore Airlines SQ1 Hong Kong to Singapore 777-300ER – Business
• The Haven, Changi Airport Terminal 3

[Warning: picture heavy post ahead]

I don’t think there has never been a Business Lounge I was so excited about.

Why?

Because this lounge was named the Best Business Class lounge in the world by the 2019 World Airline Awards from Skytrax (voted on by more than 21 million airline customers representing over 100 nationalities). Based on my extensive online stalking, they even do “custom scent, a curated music playlist, and subtle mood lighting”. Not bad huh.

Time to find out.

I was so so SO stoked when the opportunity arose for me to be able to try this much heralded lounge. I mean, this is what the SilverKris Lounge made way for when they closed in October 2017.

Even though my flight was 2355, I had planned to arrive at SFO via BART @ 7:30pm as I wasn’t sure of the immigration line situation. But turned out, I breezed right through security (they waved me to a line which was closed and opened it – not sure if I was lucky or was it because I was flying J), and there was no immigration procedure to clear ie I didn’t need my passport stamped upon exit.

I was bouncing up to the entrance by 8:15pm. Yays to ALOT of time to rot!

Location – G concourse of the international terminal (closest to gate G92). Basically turn right after you clear security and you should see the sign.

Opening Hours –  6:30am – 1:00am daily

Access to the lounge is listed as follow:

• Only open to Star Alliance premium (ie. business or first) cabin passengers who are flying non-stop Star Alliance business or first class out of San Francisco the same day.
• Additionally, passengers must be traveling on a long-haul international flight.
• If you are flying from San Francisco to Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean, you do not qualify for access.
• Star Alliance Gold members traveling in economy class will also be denied access.
• Those who do not qualify for access will be directed to the United Club nearby.

SIZE / LAYOUT

This is a massive lounge standing at two-story, 28, 210 square feet / 2,612.4SqM with a 500pax seating. All that housing over 19 different seating options but mainly divided into 2 sections:

Downstairs: Beverage station with water, coffee, tea, light snacks, Shower Suites, and Quiet Suites with bedding by Saks Fifth Avenue.

Upstairs: Self-serve buffet, Manned bar, and private dining room with restaurant service and ala carte menu.

The above 2 signs greet you as you enter the space – possibly to remind you of how awesome they are and how exclusive you should be feeling.

Heeding sage advice, I made a beeline for upstairs dining room to secure a seat. And I just realized I did not take any pics of the dining room itself, opps. But here’s the menu to compensate:

I ordered my own no carb version of the Polaris Buger – this was really good!! (the staff did not even blink an eye) and a glass of bubbles (one for the road!):

I skipped dessert as none appealed to me and went to check out the rest of the upstairs spaces.

Buffet area:

Manned Bar:

Various seating options:

Toilets were spotless (I like those lights!):

I then headed downstairs to freshen up and snag a nap room – the entire of downstairs were evidently a lot more quiet which was rather nice.

Pics of the space:

There was also a little refreshment / snacks area:

Shower suites have to be booked via reception desk and I got one without any issues. They’d also ask you if you like a hairdryer and if so, bring it in as you collect your key. Toiletries were Sunday Riley brand – never heard before. Towels, hand towels, and floor mats were also provided. Water pressure was great! In any case, it was my first time showering before a 20-hour flight and it felt super luxurious to be able to do that!

After that, it was time to check out the nap rooms!

Similar to the showers, you have to book a nap room at the reception and you’ll be assigned a room, which comprises of a small bottle of water, charging stations, a day bed which does not lie flat, and a interesting speaker where you can take your pick of white noise to fall asleep to. I wasn’t about to risk falling asleep and missing my flight of course, but I would imagine this is useful for people with long layovers.

But what I found strange is that these suites cannot be fully closed off – they have static half glass doors. I don’t know about you but if I want to actually sleep, I really would prefer not having passerbys being able to walk pass me in the interim?

In total, I spent a good 4hours in the Lounge and it did not feel that long at all.

This is definitely one of the best business class lounge I’ve been to and it deserves its accolades for sure. Would love to come back to try the other dishes on their ala carte menu.

Bye SFO for now 🙂

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