Review: The Club at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Terminal 1

…a wonderful Priority Pass lounge

Easily the best “The Club” lounge in the USA. This lounge features a stellar buffet, standout bar, great amenities, a cheerful staff, and a very modern décor. One of the best Priority Pass Lounges in the USA.

The summary

I have visited three “The Club” airport lounges via my Priority Pass in Atlanta, Dallas, and Orlando. Suffice to say, none of those lounges ever impressed me for a variety of reasons – odd layouts, crowds, tired décor, etc. When I read glowing reviews about the newest iteration in San Francisco, I had to check it out. My expectation were met. The Club at SFO is wonderful.

The lounge is located near gate B4 in Terminal 1 at San Francisco International Airport. You cannot miss the sleek entry. There is a cool illuminated “THE CLUB” sign that marks the entrance. By the reception desk, there is a nice green sofa with some attractive shelving above. Visitors must ascend one level to enter the main part of the lounge. Although there is an attractive staircase, I chose the elevator.

When you arrive on the main lounge floor, a customer service desk is on the right. To the left is a wood-paneled alcove with a sofa, some seating, and a cool circular fire pit. To the immediate right are one of this lounge’s special features: a group of private individual luminescence rooms (really just small offices with cool lighting), which can be reserved via a QR code from where you sit (anywhere in the lounge). You can apparently adjust the lighting and ambiance depending on your mood or need.

To the right from these rooms are the washrooms and showers, the latter of which you can also reserve via QR code. This is my one complaint. There is a $25 charge for the showers. I am not sure why they wanted to monetize the showers – since I have never seen that before. But what was worse is that when I reserved the shower – there was no mention of the fee. That said – for the good of my readers – I bit the bullet and took a shower. And it was wonderful.

To the left of the luminescence rooms is the buffet and adjacent seating area. The buffet is huge! Sandwiches, chicken curry salad, rice, quinoa, a chicken sausage dish, salad fixings, fruits, desserts and more. The highlight is the “Action Station” which operates evenings from 5 to 8 PM. Choices from this live cooking station were: Seafood Cioppino (clams, scallops, and mussels in a broth with a piece of sourdough bread); Roasted Eggplant; and a Sourdough Pretzel. I had the pretzel. Past the buffet was the large beverage station. There is another beverage station behind and facing the main dining area.

The large seating area by the buffet consisted of a series of tables – some very large and some smaller. This section is bracketed by a lot of greenery. Kudos to the very cool lit ceiling above the dining room. Just past the dining area are a series of private rooms and a family room for larger groups.

To the left of the main dining area is the stylish bar an adjacent seating area. You can order drinks from your phone and have them brought to your seat (again via QR code). Interestingly, you cannot order food to your seat. I loved the variety of seating in the bar area. Thanks to a neighbor for letting take a picture of his cocktail.

Outlets were everywhere – charging up will not be a problem! Internet service was speedy. The staff seemed super helpful and enthusiastic, cleaning, restocking, and engaging customers. Personally, I have seen that when a new beautiful lounge opens, the staff seems (at least at first) to enjoy themselves.

The wrap

…The details. Date – April 26, 2025. Rating: Very awesome! Access: Priority Pass

..What I like: The décor, the food “action station”, the staff

..What I don’t like: The shower fee