Lounge Review: United Polaris Lounge, Terminal C – Newark (EWR)

Sets standards for US carrier’s international lounges

When: February 5, 2024

Rating: 9.5/10 – Supreme

Access:  Connecting to a Polaris class flight to Singapore

The United Polaris Lounge in Newark is my most frequented “luxury” lounge and set a benchmark for what a lounge (especially in the US) can offer. United Polaris lounges are consistently some of the best lounges offered by any US carrier. This lounge (like all Polaris Lounges) offer a la carte sit-down dining for all travelers, nap rooms, charge-free bars, and elegant décor. Typically, sit-down dining is limited to first-class passengers only (and US carriers have been eliminating first class in favor of business class on international itineraries).  Access is restricted to those departing on or arriving from (or connecting to or from) a Polaris flight or flyers departing on a business or first-class ticket on another Star Alliance carrier. The best features of the Newark lounge are the bar, dining room, showers and variety of seating options.  The staff at the Polaris lounge is friendly, proactive, and professional.

The lounge is in Terminal C, near the entrance to pier C3.  Upon entering by presenting your boarding pass (for your eligible flight), passengers are greeted by a familiar design, large seat pods with desks that are ideal for working or eating, seats designed for traveling in pairs or groups, a beautiful bar, coffee barista station, and extensive buffet. This lounge even offers a few private office/phone suites. There are incredible views of the tarmac. I especially like the individual seat pods – great for working or eating.

Since it was lunch, I ordered some soup and fish – which was a better food option than my connecting flight to SFO (where I would catch the Singapore flight). Polaris lounges are one of the few lounges anywhere where business class passengers can eat restaurant style. You can order as much as you like – the portions on offer are not very large – so feel free to order however much you like. There is also an extensive buffet – much better than at typical United Clubs.

After lunch, I took a nice nap in the nap rooms. They are not like the bedrooms in the Singapore Private Room – which come with real beds and total privacy, but they suffice. Bathrooms in this lounge are all individual rooms (great for privacy and changing attire) and are located in two places: near the bar and closer to the buffet.

After that I took a shower. Polaris lounge showers are luxurious (not to the extent of Singapore’s Private Room) but filled with great products and anything else you might need. If the lounge is crowded – as it could be in evenings before flights to Europe depart – I suggest reserving a shower upon entry. For some reason, I do not have a picture of the shower suite – but included one from the Houston Polaris lounge – they are identical.

Early afternoons in this lounge are blissfully quiet. The bar was empty – though it was staffed and like all Polaris lounges was faux marble and illuminated from below.  I had a chance to quietly answer emails and rest. You are never more than a few feet from an outlet – they are accessible from nearly every seat.

I rate this lounge 9.5/10. Best features: The dining room, shower suites, the pleasant décor.  Flaws: Crowds – finding a seat in the evening before the flights to Europe depart can be a challenge.