Fort Lauderdale is an incredibly busy airport and the Escape Lounge Fort Lauderdale (from American Express) allows respite from the hectic terminal.
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Access
Visitors to the Escape Lounge – Centurion Studio in Fort Lauderdale can pay $45 to enter the lounge per person either by pre-booked reservation or on the day of use. American Express Platinum cardholders can enter for free with the same rules as the American Express Centurion Lounges with up to two guests permitted after crossing the $75,000/year threshold. Delta SkyMiles Reserve card holders can also use the lounge for free with a corresponding Delta boarding pass valid for the day of entry.
The lounge is open every day from 5:30 am to 9 pm.
Location
The lounge is located in Terminal 3 on Level 2, after the security checkpoint and walkway to Gates E1–E10. It is in between the F and E gates, closer to E. Here’s a map via Escape Lounges.
Seating
There is an awful lot of seating for this Centurion studio concept. I didn’t see the seating capacity but I would estimate it greater than 100 travelers.
Behind the reception desk there were two sections of seating in a combination of couches, booths, tables, and loungers.
More chairs, tables, and couches are against the wall with great views of the tarmac.
Opposite the coffee station there were more tables and seating including a long table perfect for collaborating professionals.
Food And Beverage
We arrived at the tail end of breakfast, about 10 AM and sampled some of the offerings, a mix of hot and cold items. A selection of breads and juices were available against the wall. On the buffet, scrambled eggs, homefried potatoes, and a sausage and pepper mix were in the center. A make-your-own yogurt station was at the end of the buffet with a mix of granola and fruit for toppings.
While Escape Lounges are “Centurion Studios” this is not quite up to the level of food quality I have found at Centurion Lounges for the breakfast offering but lunch was much, much better and really played to the regional strengths of the area. We were getting ready to leave as they brought the food out so the most comprehensive image I had the chance to capture was on the tray coming in.
An elote-like corn dish, chicken and rice, parmesan broccoli, macaroni and cheese, and then for cold options chips and fresh salsa, salad and cold cuts.
Alcoholic beverages were available from the bar, though even in the morning with about 10 seated on the high chairs, the bartender was outmanned as soft drinks were also from the bar. There was a coffee station near the bar as well serving regular, decaf and offering tea. There were some creamers as well as self-serve cereal.
Centurion Room
One strength of the lounge is that there’s a separated, closed-door room reserved solely for Centurion card members (American Express “Black” card) but during our visit this was mostly unused. What would have been helpful for my family and others is a kid’s room where a door can be shut and a child can be free to make noise, watch an iPad with headphones off (younger children struggle with headphones sometimes) and families can relax knowing they aren’t disturbing other guests. This should also be welcomed by busy professionals who are using the lounge to get a quick bite and work and don’t want to be distracted.
However, during our hourlong stay in the lounge, there was one member who occupied the space right before we left though it was empty otherwise. If I were a Centurion card member, I would appreciate the extra space and privacy, something that’s not offered in most full Centurion lounges.
Conclusion
The Escape Lounge Fort Lauderdale was a great fit for my family on visit before our flight. I found breakfast to be slightly elevated above a Hyatt Place or Hampton Inn but lunch appeared to be on par or at least in the range of a Centurion lounge. The bar needed more staff and the coffee was a bit of a disappointment. I have mixed feelings on the Centurion room as I mentioned and I think the greater benefit would be for a family room based on how it was utilized and who was in attendance and that would align with Centurion lounges as well. If we didn’t have access included and had a longer stay over we would still be inclined to visit at a $45/person charge.
What do you think?
Considering how my men can rack up $$$ on bottled water and junky snacks at Hudson News, I would spend the $45 per person if we didn’t have plat cards for access.
On a recent trip thru ATL, my husband sneered at the thought of “lounge food” so we spent $75 dollars on garbage food at an airport restaurant only to go to the Amex lounge lounge afterwards and see decent food offerings.
My women usually desire a cappucino or a latte , or a nice mixed drink .
@Heather – Exactly
If the “bar needed more staff , and the coffee was a bit of a disappointment” , why then would one be “inclined to visit at a $45. charge” ?
One would rather spend less at the airport espresso coffee shop and/or the airport bar , no ?
@Alert – Because the terminal is crowded without tables, and restaurant food will be as expensive as lounge entry but a less pleasant experience.
Disappointed in ATL Centurion Lounge. Chicken thighs that look very sad( lemon yogurt) and the bar staff are not happy campers! You can only get one drink at a time even if there are 2 of you. So someone stays with luggage and then goes to the bar. And your carded even if you are over 80. Annoying!,
Unless something has changed in the last 6 months, amex plat gets you and 2 guests in without crossing the 75k threshold. It’s different than the centurion lounges…. not the same.
You may want to revise the access rules for this article. The $75K guest restrictions don’t apply at Escape Lounges. Just look in your Amex app.