I’m Back from Vacation in Charlotte and Savannah!
Trip Report: Charlotte, North Carolina
Fitness Center Review – Hyatt Place Charlotte/Arrowood
Hotel Review – Hyatt House Charlotte Airport
Fitness Center and Pool Review – Hyatt House Charlotte Airport
In Love with Andaz Savannah [Hotel Review]
Cuckoo For Jogging Maps – Andaz Savannah
Congregation Mickve Israel, a Savannah Synagogue
Hotel Review – Hyatt Regency Savannah
Fitness Center and Pool Review – Hyatt Regency Savannah
Cuckoo for Jogging Maps – Hyatt Regency Savannah
Airport Lounge Review: Passport Club at Savannah Hilton Head Airport
Before returning home from my recent trip, I tried to research whether there were any Airport Lounges at Savannah Hilton Head Airport. The results were confusing, I couldn’t come up with anything definitive.
Then, after we arrived at Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport and went through security, I saw this:
The sign said: Passport Club: Passport Club Members and Airline Club Members Only. The sign might be just a wee outdated, as it listed Continental Airlines as an included Airline Club!
Nevertheless, it looked promising. It was late afternoon and I was certainly ready for a free adult beverage. I was upgraded to First Class by Delta for my flight to JFK, but that wasn’t for an hour or two. We entered and were greeted by a friendly young woman at the front desk. She was likely a college student, able to study in this quiet environment.
We checked in using an American Express Platinum card.
We walked into the lounge and I thought, for certain, there had to be another room. There wasn’t. The club was a small room with some tables and chairs and armchairs. I’ve seen Quiet Rooms at airport lounges larger than this!
What, no bar? No food spread? No alcohol? No bathrooms? Boy, am I spoiled! I expected those accoutrements at a minimum.
The beverages were minimal. A coffee machine and a list of sodas and juices available at the front desk. Also, the front desk agent had three jars of Byrd’s cookies (see photo above) behind her. Upon request, she gave you a small paper cup of cookies. This gives the term portion control new meaning!
As someone who’s accustomed to Airport Lounges, I had to laugh. I felt like this was the equivalent of the Seinfeld show about nothing. I had found the club about nothing. No alcohol, no food other than those little cookies. Never mind showers – this club didn’t even have a bathroom!
But, I have to give it credit. It didn’t pretend to be more than it is. The cookie/beverage server-front desk agent told me that this club is maintained by the Savannah Airport, admittedly a small airport, for the convenience of the passengers.
I had a Diet Coke, Won’t Run had a Sprite. We had some chocolate chip cookies. We charged our phones. And then we left and stopped at public restrooms before going to our gate and boarding our flight to JFK.
And now a word from Won’t Run:
huh? Where’d she go?
A week earlier, when we began our trip, I arrived at LGA before Kathy. I wanted to impress her that I could go to lounges by myself so I decided to go to a lounge to wait for her. Well, US airways wouldn’t let me in because they didn’t honor the Priority Pass and Amex Card anymore that I had. Next, I went to Delta which did honor the above. However, I didn’t realize that you had to be flying on THEIR airlines in order to get in (shh.. don’t tell Kathy that I did that). When she arrived, she whisked us right into the US Airways club as she has the Citibank AA Exec card. I pretended not to know the agent at the desk.
Well, coming home, we went into this lounge at Savannah Airport as Kathy has described above. All I can say is, “Thank you American Express. I am paying $450.00 and all I get is a can of soda and a some cookies.” By the way, I had to ask the desk for it. It felt like elementary school.
A New York frequent flyer who elegantly combines her passions for worldwide travel, running a gazillion marathons all over the globe and staying fit ... without sacrificing her fancy for good wine and food.
LOL when Won’t Run said: All I can say is, “Thank you American Express. I am paying $450.00 and all I get is a can of soda and a some cookies.” By the way, I had to ask the desk for it. It felt like elementary school.
Good thing the lounge wasn’t representative of the whole trip since on twitter it sounded like you guys had fun. You can’t win ’em all.
Thanks Elaine! Maybe we should buy Won’t Run a t-shirt that says “I spent $450 and all I got was this lousy soda”!
We wanted to let you know that we saw your post and we’re listening! We have fixed the signs, now offer a wider variety of snacks, we’re installing an accessible refrigerator in the lounge area, and while we cannot offer alcoholic beverages to guests ourselves, we can provide you with “To-Go Cups” at Dewars, which you can bring to the Passport Club. We are also relocating the snacks and beverages to the lounge area and no one will ever have to feel like they are in elementary school ever again! There are also private restrooms located in the Club directly across from the receptionist. We want to thank you for your feedback and hope that you will continue to make Savannah/Hilton Head International your airport of choice.
Candace, thank you so much for your response. It sounds like you are making some great improvements to the lounge!
Ha it all got rolled back snacks and drinks are back behind the counter … this is very spartan… that is being polite….