Canadian Platinum Card from American Express and American Express Centurion Cardmembers have a new lounge to access at London’s Heathrow airport! The card issuer has opened their first Centurion Lounge in Europe and marks their third overall lounge opening this year. Now with over 20 lounges worldwide the Centurion Lounge brand is definitely making a name for itself in the market.
The new Centurion Lounge London Heathrow is located in Terminal 3 which just reopened this past July after shutting down due to the pandemic. This isn’t the most ideal location for travellers flying to or from Canada since Air Canada utilizes Terminal 2 and British Airways is at Terminal 5. At the time of writing this piece Terminal 3 is the home of most of the other oneworld airlines (American, Cathay Pacific etc.), SkyTeam airlines (Air France, Delta, KLM, etc) and other international airlines like Virgin Atlantic, Vistara, Korean Air and more.
So if you feel like making the trek to Terminal 3 to access the lounge or do happen to be flying one of the airlines out of that terminal, here’s what can you expect from the new lounge:
Spanning
over 7,000 square feet (650 square meters), the new lounge will embody
London’s vibrancy and charm while incorporating the signature features
Card Members know and love. The new space will feature local custom-made
design elements and unique amenities, including:
- Curated Global Menu by Michelin-Star Chef Assaf Granit: Chef
Assaf Granit of Coal Office in London will serve as the Executive Chef.
Chef Assaf Granit’s menu ties back to London’s rich multicultural
heritage through signature dishes from his top restaurants across the
globe. Dishes include his staple homemade Kubalah bread, fried pita
chips with tahini, shakshukit, a beef & lamb dish with confit
tomatoes and tahini, and for dessert, an “Oh ‘My Baklava’” olive oil
cake with pistachio anglaise and rose water diplomat.
- British-Inspired Tea Cart with Hot and Cold Beverage Selections:
Celebrating the nation’s tea tradition, the first-ever Centurion Lounge
tea cart will host a selection of local hot and cold teas as well as
pastries. In the mornings, Card Members can stay energized during their
travels with immune booster drinks, mango infused coconut water, peach
iced tea and more. The bar will have offerings from legendary mixologist
Jim Meehan, whose menu features British cocktails[1]
like the Wayne’s Collins, a mashup of the Tom Collins and White
Negroni, and non-alcoholic mixtures like the Hare of the Fog, a Negroni
riff featuring England’s own Seedlip spirit and Aecorn aperitifs. The
lounge will feature global wines sourced from France, Italy, Argentina,
and more – exclusively selected by Wine Director Anthony Giglio.
- Seasonal Soapsmith Products by Samantha Jameson: The
new lounge will host a collection of award-winning, bespoke scented
bath and body care products from London-based Soapsmith. Founder
Samantha Jameson’s line of six signature scents is inspired by different
areas of London and made by a family of highly skilled soapsmiths with
local ingredients. The scents will be rotated seasonally in the lounge,
starting with “Hackney,” a tribute to the borough where Samantha grew
up.
- British Art and Design: From a moss wall that nods
to London’s famous Hyde Park to a series of architectural pencil artwork
by Minty Sainsbury, the lounge interior will transport guests on a
journey to discover London through design. The lounge will feature
custom furniture sourced from UK-based producers Konk, Naughtone and
Deadgood and an art gallery curated by Art Story, including Norman
Parkinson’s fashion photography as well as original pieces by Carne
Griffiths and Stephen Marshall. Each artwork contains a QR code so Card
Members can digitally engage with it and learn more about the piece and
artist. The lounge will also feature luxury and modern lighting designs
by Lee Broom and Tom Dixon, two of the UK’s leading product designers in
lighting design.
If you hold a Canadian Platinum Card you’ll have access for yourself and up to 2 guests at no additional charge. This is the same for additional cardholders – so if you have a primary and supplementary card between you and your partner you technically have access for up to six people.
Learn more about the new Centurion London Heathrow lounge here.
Recommended reading: Rewards Canada’s Guide to Business Class Lounge access
Images courtesy of American Express