SP03

Happy to report that borekas are back for breakfast and they are tasty. Eggs and potato are less dry and more flavorful. Overall a good improvement.

Lonedaddy

Is there a shower in the phl CL?

arabiamark

A search of this thread reveals that nothing has been posted about it for the last 2 years. And before that was the lovely Covid interlude where showers were all closed. So the last real post about using the shower is from 2018. At that time they were saying that a 15 minute limit was being enforced. They said towels and amenities were provided. The shower room includes a toilet and a sink. The lounge info still says a shower is available. If the lack of reporting about it is any indication, it shouldn't be too hard to get access to it as long as the lounge itself isn't backed up. After my 14 hour flight from Doha in June I'll certainly be looking to use it since it's about the only one in the airport (except maybe the Minute Suites?).

Lonedaddy

LOL do they charge your amex for each extra minute or turn off the water.

arabiamark

Shhhhsh. Don't give them any ideas. But seriously, one hopes that after 6 years the rule has either been done away with or it still exists but not enforced.

econ

They quoted the same time limit at DEN a couple months ago. I may have gone a few minutes over. There was an attendant waiting outside when I left.

arabiamark

Passed through PHL on Tuesday. Had to wait for about 15 minutes to get into the Centurion Lounge. About 4 groups were lined up in front of me but the line moved along after a few minutes. The lounge checkin lady was really nice. She noted that I was coming off the AA flight from Doha, so if anybody needed the lounge it was me. She got me set up with the shower. When you check in you get a text on your phone confirming you're on the waiting list. Then when they're ready to let you in you get another text. The 15-minute wait gave me time to get rebuffed by the BA lounge even though I was thoroughly qualified (OW Emerald, coming off the AA flight from Doha in J, continuing on AA domestically). But of course they will always claim capacity, even though the place was two thirds empty when I tried to get in. I told them I would only need about 15 minutes but still it was a no go.

When I got in there were no proper seats available. I got one of the high chair seats at the window overlooking the terminal. I decided to sample some of the specialty cocktails like Liberty Bell Ringer, Philadelphia Flyer, Blue Door, etc. They were all great and the bar service was good.

After a few minutes the shower became available. They are still saying that there's a 15 minutes limit. I didn't find out what happens when you exceed the limit, hehe. They forgot to give any amenities like shaving kit or toothbrush and by the time I noticed there was nobody around to call. I had my amenity kit from the flight so I said eff it and just made due. The water pressure was a bit on the low side. Water was just warm enough. Nice towels. In general the shower does the job but doesn't overly impress. At least they have a shower, which none of the AA lounges can say.

Back out into the lounge I had the choice of a small dining table or another high window seat, this time looking outside. I went for another window seat. The food options were pretty good. Some rice with spicy chicken and vegetables.

All in all it was a pleasant experience. I think this lounge will always have the capacity issue. It's just not very big and the number of customers is unlikely to do anything but increase. Once you get in you have to lower your expectation about getting a good seat. But the drinks and food are fine.

lowfareair

Just a heads up that they have new hours of 630am-8pm. Staff yesterday said it's temporary due to a staffing shortage and they should be back to normal hours within the next few weeks.

iahphx

This week they were serving "NY strip steak" on the buffet. Exciting, right? Nope. Not sure where they bought it, but it was about the worst steak I've ever had. They cut it into cubes, and shoe leather would be more tender. It was also cooked to "well done" which didn't help. A staff member actually asked me how I liked it, and I had to tell the truth. Maybe they'll figure out they need to cook it less.
But, as usual, the bar was great. Try the featured signature cocktail.

saunders111

I stopped by at about 8 AM on Monday of this week. The hours were still posted as 6:30 AM-8 PM. There was a short line to get in, perhaps four people in front of me, but the line was moving along. The club is of course very small, and elbow-bumping crowded inside when I was there. There was a short line for the food, and a longer line for the men's restroom. I didn't try out the bar, but it did not appear crowded. There were a few seats available, mostly at high tables.

A feature that I found strange: they had coffee available in the entrance waiting area at the top of the elevator, but no cups. This was intentional, as there was a sign saying "speak to entrance attendant for a cup" or words to that effect. So I guess it is basically free coffee for anyone as long as you bring your own cup... or have the nerve to ask the attendant for one even without access.

Braswch

that's for Togo coffee, but they won't let you bring the cup inside the lounge. That's why the odd setup.

SP03

Those attendants are the friendliest people in the airport.

iahphx

It is a very strange coffee station just outside the lounge.. I've wondered if non-members ever stop by with their own cups for some free coffee!

dw

Was there around 2.30 pm today (Monday). No waitlist to get in, but they probably should have started one. Was difficult to find any open seat, much less two together.

We had one drink and then left for the relative calm of the B/C Admirals Club.

iahphx

Yeah, it's a strange dynamic. As a traditional airport lounge -- an oasis of peace and tranquility -- the PHL Centurion lounge is a failure. But as a place to grab a "free" drink and a bite to eat, it works fine (as long as you don't have a line to get in). I am surprised that people will pay a lot of money for this "experience," but human behavior doesn't always make sense. Personally, I've also had a drink and a bite to eat, and then left for quieter environs -- including just sitting in the terminal at an empty gate!