The Seattle American Express Centurion Lounge was the smallest Centurion branch when it first debuted.
It was referred to be a "Studio" rather than a lounge.
Additionally, it was always crowded.
But since then, circumstances have changed.
Amex found a little more room in 2017 and increased the Studio's size to 4,500 square feet.
It can now accommodate more flyers despite still being on the smaller side.
The lounge just provides the absolute basics, so it still feels like a studio.
Location
The lounge is situated in the B Concourse of the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, next to Gate B3.
No matter which airline you are traveling, you may visit the lounge without having to go through security again at SeaTac because all gates are connected air side.
If you frequently fly with Delta, you might prefer the nearby Delta Sky Club to this outpost's little Centurion Lounge.
Access
Daily hours for the Seattle Amex Centurion Lounge are 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
By presenting The Platinum Card® from American Express ($695 annual fee), customers can access a Centurion Lounge.
The American Express Business Platinum Card® (for rates and fees), The Centurion® Card, or another credit card.
Visitors are permitted to bring a maximum of two guests (or immediate relatives if they have a Centurion Card), and lap infants are not counted toward the two-guest limit.
Access is also available to cardholders of other Platinum cards, such as those issued by Schwab, Ameriprise, or foreign banks.
Authorized users with Centurion or Platinum cards are also permitted entry; you can add up to three authorized users to the personal Platinum card for a total of $175 annually (see rates and fees). However, individuals with Platinum's complimentary extra Gold card are not permitted entry.
If you need to fit a family of more than three into the Centurion Lounge, this is the best plan of action.
Platinum cardholders can only enter Centurion lounges three hours prior to a flight's departure.
Platinum cardholders must have an onward boarding pass when making a connection through the airport in order to access the lounge.
When flying Delta with a ticket bought on any American Express card issued in the U.S., Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express cardholders get free entry to the Centurion Lounge.
For a cost of $50 each, you can bring up to two friends.
However, Delta has a lovely Sky Club close by in Seattle.
Instead of the Centurion Lounge, I would like to unwind there.
Layout
You'll find yourself in one of the primary relaxing spaces as soon as you enter the lounge.
Along the wall, there are a few chairs and some free-standing couches.
There is a co-working table and the buffet just next to this space.
There are four of Amex's iconic black solo seats just past the buffet.
The room then divides in half, with the rest area on one side and the library on the other.
Along the wall surrounding this main room's perimeter, there is lots of counter seating.
The room next to the lounge's entrance is where the dining area is located.
There are twelve regular-sized dining tables, four high-top tables, counter seats, and tables by the windows.
I enjoy sitting at a bar while I'm on my own, but alas there weren't any bar stools available here.
The dining room, at least, has fantastic views of the slope connecting Concourses A and B.
This lounge is still the smallest in the network even after the enlargement, and it is obvious.
Finding a seat took some time, but that's to be expected at the Seattle location.
In fact, during some of my earlier visits, I was put on a waiting for entry.
Furthermore, there isn't much privacy here due to the open style.
If you have the Centurion Card, getting a seat is easy as there are two black signature chairs and one dining table set aside for those cards.
Although Amex did an excellent job of enlarging the area, this lounge is still too crowded.
You'll love your stay here if you can find a seat.
If not, you'll be pleading with Amex to increase it once more.
Amenities
The absence of amenities in this lounge is its most frustrating feature.
There isn't a conference room, spa, family room, or phone booth.
Additionally, the Seattle location falls short in providing clean, ample, and private restrooms, one of a lounge's most essential components.
There were just two private restrooms, one in the dining area and two by the door.
I frequently had to wait longer than ten minutes to use one.
It was so awful during a previous visit that I had to leave the lounge and use a different restroom.
The use of the one average-sized shower room is first-come, first-served.
It has L'Occitane products.
The good news is that practically every seat has access to AC power and USB ports.
With download and upload speeds averaging 50 Mbps, the password-protected Wi-Fi performed admirably.
Beverages and food
The food and drink choices at Centurion Lounges is often above average, and this location was no exception.
Even without a full kitchen or a partnership with a recognized local chef, the lounge's food was nonetheless far superior to that of most domestic lounges.
From the time the lounge opened until 10:30 a.m., breakfast was served.
Only continental options were offered, which was a little less than other Centurion Lounges.
Granola, Fruit Loops, Cornflakes, apple danish, scones, lemon bread, charcuterie, tomato and mozzarella, oatmeal, and a fruit and yogurt bar were among the available breakfast foods.
A modest bread bar with a selection of preserves was also available.
Behind the buffet is a Franke coffee maker that was very busy when breakfast was being served.
The buffet changed to all-day dining items around 11 a.m., which was much more in line with what you'd see in other Centurion Lounges.
When I went, there were two soups (chicken gumbo and corn chowder), a salad bar, rosemary chicken, green beans, potatoes, pasta, chips and salsa, chocolate caramel brownies, and funfetti cookies. There was also a salad bar.
Everything I tried was tasty and decent quality.
A modest water station with iced tea, lemon Fresca, and fruit-infused water is located next to the dining room's entrance.
Two snack jars were also there, one containing Goldfish crackers and the other dried apricots.
The bar provided a selection of Jim Meehan's specially crafted cocktails from his New York City bar, Please Don't Tell, for those seeking more serious hydration.
There was also a sizable wine menu that Anthony Giglio personally selected.
Finally, there were two beers on tap: Bodhizafa IPA and Mac and Jack's African Amber.
Overall perception
The Seattle Centurion Lounge still has a limited experience compared to other Centurion locations, despite an expansion.
Much less seats and facilities are available.
Additionally, there are just three single-use facilities, so lines are frequently long.
The gastronomic experience rivals that of the other Centurion Lounges, so not all is horrible.
The cocktail menu is outstanding, and the food is excellent.
If a seat is available, take it.
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