Review: Star Alliance Lounge Paris (CDG) "Salon Lounge"
Intro
Before my flight from Paris to Newark, I had the opportunity to check out the brand-new Star Alliance Lounge located inside Paris Charles De Gaulle. In the past, there have been Star Alliance lounges operating out of the predominately Skyteam-based airport, but this new lounge is nothing short of exceptional. Filled with Parisian decorations, a lovely buffet, sensation drinks, and an ambiance like no other, this is one of my favorite Star Alliance lounges in the world.
Oh, and the terrace…
Location+Access
The Star Alliance Lounge (Salon Lounge) is located in Terminal 1, past security. Once you clear security, you’ll want to follow the signs towards gates 10-25. As soon as you see a big hall and the shops of Celine and Laduree, you are right in the right place. Head up the stairs, and there will be a corridor leading towards the entrance.
In terms of access, this lounge is a Star Alliance lounge… Meaning that all of the traditional rules apply.
Business Class passengers with a same-day ticket gain access
First-class passengers with a same-day ticket gain access (+1 guest)
Star Alliance Gold passengers flying on a *A carrier gain access (+1 guest)
United Club members and AC Maple Leaf Worldwide members (+1 guest)
Other than that, you don’t have much of a shot of getting in. There were rumors that when the lounge first opened, they were selling day passes for 75 Euros, although it seems like that isn’t the case anymore.
Around The Lounge
Star Alliance has done a fantastic job with this lounge. Filled with multiple different sections, this lounge can accommodate hundreds of passengers, which is more than enough even during peak periods of the day.
I was naturally drawn to the wine room due to the vibrant Parisian decor. Bottles of wine lined the walls, and inside happened to have Coté des Roses over ice, in addition to a couple of bottles of red wine put out to the side.
Continuing along, there was a buffet station featuring hot food consisting of protein and carbs (much like most lounges). The food was of good assortment but not quite as delectable as the wine assortment.
However, the one part that stood out to me were the views overlooking the tarmac. We got to see plenty of Star Alliance aircraft pull through, including this gorgeous Turkish Airlines A330-200 (which I will be flying soon).
The Terrace
Who doesn’t love a cigarette and a glass of wine before a flight? Well, I suppose a lot of people since a lot of people don’t smoke, and some people also don’t drink 😉. Located in the back of the lounge, outdoors, is a fantastic terrace where you can come and enjoy the sun during the summer. I would imagine that during the winter, this terrace is closed off, but if you are stopping by from April to October, this is a must-visit part of the lounge.
Facilities
Stepping out to use the lavatories, I was kindly greeted by an attendant at the door showcasing me the way. I was astounded for a minute, as the lavatories are absolutely gorgeous!
For those looking to freshen up before a long-haul flight, you’ll be pleased to know that decadent showers are also featured in this lounge.
Lastly, I noticed a small little VIP room near the entrance. Supposedly, this is just a private room for royalty/celebrities, but who knows? All that I knew about was that I happened to get a lot of work done with the free wifi provided.
Final Thoughts
There are very few business class lounges that I would recommend you arrive early at to enjoy the offerings (minus the ones with a la carte dining). However, I spent almost 3 hours in this lounge, and not for one second did I feel bored. With extensive wine options, a fantastic Parisian ambiance, and an overall beautiful concept, I cannot wait to fly Star Alliance out of Paris again! Truly an exceptional lounge!
The one part that was confusing to me was that I never saw any staff by the drinks or food station. Everything seems to be self service, which can be normal, it’s just I never saw them checking in much (when not at the front).
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