The Club SFO: Is this the Best Priority Pass Lounge in the Airport?
by Krish Patel
As the newest Club Lounge on the U.S. west coast, The Club SFO spans 12,000 square feet and offers its guests a comfortable experience. It features several amenities, a better food spread than most other domestic airport lounges in San Francisco, and an inspiring ambiance. With great seating and a gorgeous design, SFO’s The Club is a lounge in the Priority Pass network that you won’t want to miss out on.
The Club SFO Location and Entry Requirements
The Club SFO is located in Harvey Milk Terminal 1, which is where JetBlue, Alaska, American, and Delta depart from. It’s located near gate B4 and can also be accessed if your flight is departing from another terminal, but be prepared for a slightly longer walk.
Access to The Club SFO is for those with a Priority Pass membership, which is included in a number of credit cards as listed below:
Chase Sapphire Reserve
Capital One Venture X Rewards Card
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant American Express Card
Citi Prestige Card (no longer available to new applicants)
If you don’t have a Priority Pass membership, you’ll be able to purchase a daypass for $75. Note that this depends on how crowded the space may be. If it’s running on a waitlist, you will not be able to buy a lounge pass and enter.
The Club SFO Seating, Layout, Amenities, and Ambiance
Upon entry, you’re greeted by the front desk, which is backed by a dark wooden wall. The lounge takes much inspiration from Northern California and the city of San Francisco. I found the San Francisco branding and tiles on the floor to be a nice welcome touch. You can take either the staircase or elevators to reach the lounge area.
After making my way to the main level of the lounge, I immediately noticed a service desk. The seating branches off to the left of the customer service area and tucked away in the right corner is the rest zone.
The rest zone features a few lounge chairs, which come with side table space and reading lamps. Each of the lounge chairs adopts a green color, which blends in well with the rest of the room. I appreciated the various thoughtful touches in the room, such as the beautiful lighted wall feature and image of the Golden Gate Bridge.
Making your way to the left of the rest zone is a cozy seating area with a microclimate fireplace that mimics a real campfire. This was helped by the various seating options surrounding the fireplace. The back wall in the seating area takes inspiration from the redwood trees, with a lighter shade of wood that features small touches of brown. Found on the couch adjacent to the fireplace were accented throw pillows, making you feel as if you’re at home.
In the center of the lounge is a plethora of seating variants, with plush armchairs, dining chairs, and even communal seating options. The lounge feels very spacious thanks to its open layout and slightly raised ceilings. Found near many of the seats are lush ferns, which contribute to the natural aesthetic of The Club SFO.
Off to the side in a corner of the main seating area are the luminescence rooms, which include adjustable lighting and temperature controls. They can be reserved for up to 20 minutes and make for a great space to have a phone call or escape from the rest of the lounge. You’ll also notice the wellness area, which includes various yoga equipment. It was locked up during my visit and you’ll need to ask for access to use it.
Right past the wellness room along the corridor are the bathrooms and shower suites. Unlike most other airport lounges, where using a shower is free, it costs $25 to use one at The Club SFO. The bathrooms are very luxurious and feel modern, with marble countertops by the sink and sleek mirrors with a black trim.
If you venture farther to the left in the lounge from the bathrooms, you’ll notice a gorgeous seating area in front of the bar. There are many brown armchairs to choose from, as well as a long green couch at the back of the space. Small details such as the wooden ceiling and numerous tones of green and brown just feel incredibly soothing and contribute towards a relaxing atmosphere.
My favorite part of this seating area was the communal space, which featured coffee tables and shelves stocked with books and various living room decorations. It was also nice to see live ferns above the shelves.
The Club SFO Food and Drink
Adjacent to the main seating area is the buffet station, which offers locally inspired dishes. The dinner selection included curry with rice, panini sandwiches, chicken, salad, and roasted vegetables. There was also a vanilla and chai custard with blueberry crumble for dessert. I found the selection of food to be good overall, but slightly more limited compared to the Amex Centurion Lounges and Chase Sapphire Lounges.
Smaller buffet sections offered various breads and condiments, complete with a proper toaster. There was also a wine buffet serving Californian wines.
Two drink stations found near the main buffet included Eversys coffee machines, a flavored water dispenser, and selection of tea and coffee.
The bar, which is located to the far left of the buffet, is very stunning. It features an LED light fixture, shelves stocked with various books, and boasts black marble finishes. Several cocktails and mocktails are available at the bar and I enjoyed a refreshing virgin mojito.
Overall Thoughts
The Club SFO is a solid domestic airport lounge, with a modern ambiance and more comfortable seats compared to most other Priority Pass lounges. Its North Californian-ambiance makes it very unique and stands out from the vibes of other airport lounges. However, the food selection isn't the most extensive and could use a few more options. If you’re passing through San Francisco’s Terminal 1, then this is a great lounge to visit for its unique feel and just relax.