If you’re willing to make the walk, the new ANA Lounge in Honolulu is a great place to eat, drink, and relax before your next Star Alliance flight.
The lounge is located about 15 minutes away from the ANA and United check-in desks…it requires an investment in time and steps. It is also in the opposite direction of the United Club and the gates where most of the United flights depart from during the day. And maybe that distance is a good thing to keep the crowds away. But follow the path to C4 (Terminal 2) and you’ll eventually find the upstairs lounge.
Inside, you’ll be met with a sprawling lounge with plenty of seating, great tarmac and Diamond Head views, and a conscientious design that stays true to the vintage theme of HNL through the use of dark wood fashioned in the shape of two trees.
While there are no showers in the lounge, you can enjoy a large variety of complimentary food and drink, including western, Hawaiian, and Japanese dishes. There is plenty of alcohol and a nice selection of sweets as well.
But the best thing is that United Premier Gold members and higher (those with Star Alliance Gold status) can use this lounge prior to their flight, even if traveling in economy class on United. While United Clubs constitute an exception to the general Star Alliance rule allowing all Star Gold passengers lounges access (United only allows MileagePlus Star Gold members access on select international flights), the ANA lounge does not fall under that exception.
Thus, if you are flying on a United flight…even in economy class..and have United Gold, Platinum, or 1K status, you are welcome to use this lounge before (not after) your flight. Of course, those with Star Alliance Gold status in any of the other Star Alliance loyalty programs are also granted access to this lounge.
The lounge is open daily from 8:30 AM until the last ANA flight departs (sometime in the afternoon). ANA also sells passes to the lounge for $40/each, which is a far more compelling value proposition than a one-time pass to the Delta Sky Club or United Club.
CONCLUSION
Good service, tasty food, and a comfortable setting make this lounge worth the effort of visiting. Even if you have United Club access I find this lounge much better.
Stay tuned for a full review of this lounge in the days ahead.
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A brand spanking new lounge which doesn’t have showers? Smh.
What about those flying in United First without status? Does ANA count that as *A Business (or First)?
Flying through there next month so hope so!
@craig, unless you’re going to NRT, all other UA Hawaii flights are considered normal domestic flights so unless you have UA status (Gold and above) it doesnt count.
This lounge also closes at like 2:30 so if you get there for most of UAs long haul flights back to the mainland, make sure you’re there really early.
Flying domestic first to the east coast. Sounds like I’m not eligible unfortunately. Probably for the best as you mentioned, Rob, as the lounge closes quite early.
From reading flyertalk (nothing on this lounge yet) it sounds like people have had luck at Lufthansa etc. before, so may give it a shot if I have time for the data point if nothing else.
You are eligible as long as you arrive during opening hours.