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I had the chance to visit San Francisco Airport’s The Club SFO lounge located in Terminal 1 just prior to my Starlux Airlines business class flight to Bangkok (via Taipei TPE).
Ever since the lounge opened in June, I’d been looking forward to checking it out. Priority Pass lounges in North America are often underwhelming, but I had heard good things. And I’m not going to bury the lead—it definitely lived up to the hype.
How To Access The Club SFO
Priority Pass and LoungeKey members have access to The Club SFO lounge offers access. What really stands out is that Club SFO offers access to passengers whether they are departing or arriving at SF. Now, I don’t think I would wait if it were full upon arrival. But if there is no wait, it could be a great stop for a free bite or quick drink before heading home.
In my case, I used my Priority Pass membership to access the lounge.
What Are The Club SFO's Hours?
According to the Priority Pass website, this lounge is open from 4:30 am to 11:30 pm daily.
Finding The Club in SFO
The Club is located just around the corner from Terminal 1 security near Gate B4 and across from Mills Cargo. After the main security checkpoint, keep left and follow the signs to B gates. The Club is located on the right, with a clear and grand entrance. The lounge can also be easily reached from International Terminal A, a short 5-minute walk, post-security.
Club SFO sign
Club SFO check-in
Checking Into The Club SFO
Arriving just after 10:00 PM, I found the lounge had a 30-minute wait. After giving them my phone number to join the waitlist, I left to kill some time. However, just 5 minutes later, I received a text saying my spot at The Club was ready.
Checking in was easy and the staff were friendly. They welcomed me in after scanning my Priority Pass and boarding pass.
Once checked in, you can take either the elevator or stairs to reach the lounge level.
The way most people will access The Club SFO is through Priority Pass. Many of our top recommended cards include a Priority Pass membership, including the Capital One Venture X Rewards credit card.
My Impressions Of The Club SFO
Upon entering the main floor, you’re greeted with a nature-inspired design that brings a touch of Northern California’s outdoors inside. High ceilings, wood accents, and earthy tones create an atmosphere reminiscent of the redwoods, which adds to the lounge’s relaxing vibe.
Club SFO main starcase
On the right side of the lounge is the wellness area, which includes workout equipment, Lululemon Studio Mirrors, and luminescence rooms. Showers are available, though there’s a $25 fee. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to check these out on this trip as they were all closed.
The Club SFO main room
Toward the back of the lounge, you will find a few quiet rooms that are ideal for solo work and a family room for travelers with kids. These spaces are on a first-come, first-served basis.
The lounge’s central space has an open dining area, surrounded by the complimentary food/drinks. On the left side, there’s a cozy cocktail bar inspired by a cabin in the woods, featuring a wide drink selection.
The Club SFO cocktail area
Drinks bar on the left and private rooms in the back
The modern design extends into the bathrooms, which maintain the clean, bright decor of the lounge and are quite nice.
Bathroom area
Bathrrom
The Food At The Club SFO: Not a huge selection, but quality and tasty
The buffet at The Club SFO is limited, but it offers an impressive range of proteins, fresh vegetables, and hearty sides like rice and noodles. There was also a good-looking dessert bar and a wide selection of drinks (I’m trying to cut down on sweets, so didn’t try any).
Carrot coconut curry + rice
Orange chicken and broccoli
The buffet-style setup made it easy to sample a variety of dishes. While it was quite busy, the food was regularly replenished and everything I tried tasted fresh. I especially enjoyed the very flavorful carrot coconut curry and rice.
Salad bar
My delicious plate
For 10:00 PM on a Wednesday, the dining options were surprisingly solid, and I’d love to see what they offer at other times of the day.
My Overall Rating Of The Club SFO in Terminal 1: Great for a North American Priority Pass Lounge 8/10
Overall, The Club SFO is a standout among North American Priority Pass lounges, particularly due to its modern interior and excellent amenities. Here’s my breakdown:
- Food Quality & Variety: 7/10
- Cleanliness: 8/10
- Interior Design: 9/10
- Unique Amenities: 8/10
The Club SFO combines stylish design with a range of amenities, from showers to a fitness area. While the food options are somewhat limited, they’re well-prepared, and the lounge stays tidy even during busy hours. For a Priority Pass lounge in SFO’s Terminal 1, The Club SFO is a fantastic option. The only downside is the potential wait time and the consistent crowd inside, but if you can get in, you’re in for a nice experience.
