Receive complimentary breakfast at Luxury Hotels
Which Marriott executive club lounge level is the best in the world across America, Asia, Europe, and Australia? Previously, we have reviewed the best Ritz-Carlton club lounge.Because Ritz-Carlton hotels fall under the Marriott Bonvoy umbrella, it is also worth checking these out.
In this review, we exclude Ritz-Carlton club lounges and instead focus on lounges at JW Marriott, Marriott, Westin, and Sheraton branded hotels. Most JW Marriotts, like the one in Venice, do not have a club lounge, but some do, and it is worth considering upgrading your room to a club room at these properties.
At certain InterContinental hotels, our luxury travel concierge offers free club lounge access too. We offer free lounge access at the InterContinental London Park Lane, Paris Le Grand, and InterContinental New York Barclay. There is no other way to get free lounge access at InterContinental hotels.
1. The Budapest Marriott M Club Lounge
The Budapest Marriott Hotel executive M Club Lounge is located on the ground floor, offering a spacious setting with panoramic views of the Danube River. The lounge’s centerpiece is an extensive buffet, surrounded by tables and seating that line the edges of the room. At one end, a scenic terrace invites guests to enjoy complimentary food and drinks outdoors, overlooking the riverside promenade and the Danube. The lounge, positioned just off the hotel lobby, can be accessed by swiping a room key card at the entrance.
Recently refurbished, the hotel and lounge boast a sleek, modern design. The main lounge area features marble-tiled flooring, and the long marble countertop buffet is positioned diagonally in the center, accessible from both sides for easy browsing. Comfortable seating surrounds this buffet, with restaurant-style tables, high stools, and some set on dark wood parquet that complements the wooden wall panels. The decor includes stylish lighting fixtures, unique ceiling lights, and artistic shelving with books and ornaments that add warmth to the space.
Closer to the Danube, the lounge offers a space for enjoying the view, featuring plush sofas, bucket-style armchairs, and high tables, all positioned to face floor-to-ceiling windows. Thick rugs soften this section, adding an extra touch of comfort.
The terrace, a standout feature of the lounge, is situated on a raised platform right by the pedestrian walkway. This tranquil area is furnished with cozy sofas and cafe-style metal chairs and tables, shaded by trees that line the boulevard and frame the Danube. Only the occasional tram glides by with no vehicle traffic, preserving the peaceful riverside ambiance.
Between meals, the lounge offers a selection of snacks, including apples, nectarines, cookies, crisps, fresh bread, hot soup, cheeses, and deli meats. Though we didn’t attend the buffet breakfast or evening service, the lounge reportedly offers a full breakfast spread, including hot egg dishes, and a generous evening service with complimentary alcoholic beverages, from beer and wine to spirits and cocktails.
The M Club Lounge at the Budapest Marriott Hotel is exceptional and ranks among Budapest’s best, particularly for its riverside terrace and inviting lounge area with expansive windows. It stands out as one of the top Marriott Club Lounges worldwide.
2. Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel, London
The Grosvenor House, A JW Marriott Hotel Executive Lounge, is featured in our best executive club lounges in London is located near the entrance of this Marriott, which is just up the road from the Four Seasons and the Intercontinental.
The Grosvenor House’s lounge entrance is on the ground floor, reached by following some stairs adjacent to the hotel’s reception area. Climb up the marble staircase and enter through a keyed glass door to reach this spacious lounge. After entry, your eyes are immediately drawn to an attractive floor-to-ceiling media wall showing colorful videos shot in Hyde Park. These videos change so that the colors and scenes you see on the wall depict those of the current season – during our stay, an autumnal montage was on display. I love little touches like this.
To your right sits a welcoming concierge, beyond which the lounge opens up to reveal some private meeting rooms to the left and two large communal lounges to the right, the latter of which backs onto the food and drinks offering. The natural creams and oatmeals make the lounge feel relaxing; plentiful sofa-style seats arranged in groups of 2 to 6 offer guests plenty of room to relax. There is also a shared dining table area for about ten guests.
The lighting is subtle but not dim. Mirrors, classwork, and ornaments are strategically placed to accentuate the space and form wall coverings and divisions. A fireplace is lit throughout the day, and the temperature is a comfortable 23’C. Although there are no windows in this lounge, the interior design is such that I didn’t notice the lack of natural light.
One unusual thing about the lounge is the slight rumble of tube trains passing below occasionally, reminding guests that they’re in the heart of London.
The food offering in the executive lounge at the JW Marriott, London, is generous throughout the day, and you can read more about this in our full review.
3. Sheraton Grand Park Lane London
We have a detailed review of the Sheraton Grand Park Lane London Club Lounge as well a separate review of the the Sheraton Grand Park Lane hotel itself.
The Sheraton Grand Club Lounge can be found just to the right of the foyer of the Sheraton Grand at the back of the hotel by the Brick Street entrance. It is split into two lounges plus a meeting room with a large conference table and chairs.
The color scheme is autumnal, with browns and burnt reds. There is no view, as it sits at the base of the building, so the windows offering natural light are curtained with nets. Within the lounge, there are plenty of comfy tables and chairs, booths with small sofas, as well as a computer area with two computers and a printer. At one end is a large sofa in front of a TV that would be ideal for kids to watch cartoons or adults to watch a sports event. While we were there, this area remained unoccupied.
The lighting in the lounge is fun, with big drum-style lights on the ceiling. The carpet has a Deco-style zebra pattern.
This lounge provides everything you could possibly need from a club lounge, including plenty of seating as it was never full, kind staff bringing you drinks and nibbles, breakfast, afternoon tea, and evening light bites, and a place to escape to do work or relax outside your room.
The breakfast offering includes warm pancakes and eggs benedict in heater trays. Cereal, jams, loaves, and buns that could be toasted, some fruit, and yogurt. There was also a tray of smoked fish and cold continental meats. Drinks include an array of juices, coffees, and teas.
The spread is nowhere near as extensive as the buffet in the main restaurant but is more than sufficient as long as you are happy with poached eggs. There were no alternate egg options or warm sausages or bacon when we were visiting, but when we asked the staff, they brought us some scrambled eggs from the main restaurant for my son, so there seemed to be some flexibility on what you could request within reason, which is a very nice touch.
Afternoon tea is also offered in the lounge, which is a small selection of tasty patisseries and cakes along with drinks. In the evening, there are light bits (which we did not try) and plenty of alcoholic options (beers and wines).
Overall, this lounge is a nice space to waste an hour or two and offers enough food to keep hunger at bay. You can grab a complimentary beer or glass of wine in the Club Lounge, but I felt that the central foyer of the hotel, with its impressive and stylish bar area and live music (a harp player when we were staying in the hotel), was a more lively and enjoyable place to spend the evening.
4. Westin London City
Westin hotels are part of the Marriott group, and one of the best Westin Club lounges is the Westin London City club lounge (also pictured above). This hotel is located in London’s City financial district, steps from St Paul’s Cathedral and Mansion House Tube Station. London Bridge and the Tower of London can be easily reached on foot, as can the popular Sky Garden, which offers spectacular city views.
Accessed with your room key, the lounge feels private and exclusive, offering a calm and relaxing atmosphere. The décor is modern and chic, featuring a soothing combination of natural colors and luxurious fabrics.
The lounge is spacious and divided into different seating areas, separated by open bookcases displaying statues, vases, and books. One half of the room is covered in thick neutral carpets, while the other features polished wood flooring, creating distinct zones and varied ambiance.
At one end, a television is surrounded by cozy lounge chairs, perfect for unwinding with your morning coffee. A fireplace in this area adds an extra layer of warmth and comfort, especially during chilly winter days.
In the central area, café-style tables are ideal for enjoying breakfast or evening canapés. Nearby, long serving tables offer a variety of food and drinks, conveniently placed next to the café zone for easy access when it’s time for a refill.
The lounge is well-equipped with plenty of power outlets, and many of the tables offer an intimate setting, making it an ideal quiet space for work. High-speed internet is also available throughout the lounge.
Located on a bridge over Upper Thames Street, the lounge offers prime views of urban London. Floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light during the day, while at night, the city’s lights create a stunning backdrop.
Each morning, breakfast is served with a slightly smaller selection than the main hotel restaurant, Mosaic, but still ample to fuel your day. I easily assembled a full English breakfast, which was a pleasant surprise since many club lounges tend to offer more continental options. The hotel’s focus on wellness is reflected in the healthy food choices available.
Throughout the day, a variety of snacks and soft drinks are offered. We enjoyed plenty of fresh fruit, while the selection of sweets and crisps was perfect for the kids.
In the evening, the food offering is particularly generous. Several hot dishes were available, including rice, Moroccan tagine, curries, and fresh salads. We indulged in a variety of fresh breads and an impressive cheese selection—perfect for an after-dinner treat. The buffet-style setup allowed everyone to enjoy a little bit of everything.
There’s also a wide selection of beverages, including non-alcoholic and alcoholic beers, wines, and spirits. A standout feature is the addition of beers on tap, a rare find in club lounges, and a distinctly British touch for the perfect pint!
5. JW Marriott Essex House Club
JW Marriott Essex House is located on 59th & 7th and is close to Central Park. It is one of the best executive club lounges in New York. The club lounge is on the ground floor near the lifts. Breakfast is noteworthy here, served from 6:30 – 11:00 am on weekdays.
Breakfast is served in a room that standard and Club lounge guests can access via two separate entrances. This means the offering is enormous. Piles of fruit, a massive variety of cereals, muffins, bread, yogurts, and an array of hot food; eggs, potatoes, sausage, bacon, etc. This is undoubtedly the best club lounge breakfast in New York.
In the evening, you get crackers, cheeses, salad, and at least two hot items like eggplant lasagna and veal pasta that should fill you up. The alcoholic drinks offering is, however, paid for. This is still an excellent lounge, although a notch below the Ritz-Carlton Club Lounge.
6. Sheraton New York Times Square, New York
The Sheraton New York Times Square Hotel Club Lounge is open 24/7. It offers gorgeous views through large panoramic windows on the 44th floor. As the hotel is located close to Times Square, the Club Lounge has views overlooking 7th Avenue toward Times Square, Central Park, and the Hudson River.
The hotel offers true luxury and recently underwent a multi-million dollar renovation. Rooms are spacious, and you can upgrade to use the club lounge for around $50 USD a day per room; good value when you consider what is included. Location-wise, it is hard to beat this hotel. Broadway is also just a few steps from the hotel for a show. Central Park, with its walks, playgrounds, and zoo, is just a short walk away.
The Lounge offers continental breakfast from 6:30 – 9:30 am on weekdays and 7:30 – 10:00 am on weekends. The spread includes fresh whole fruits, yogurt, cereals with a selection of toppings, assorted pastries, hard-boiled eggs, juice, and coffee.
There are snacks and drinks available throughout the day. In the evening, hors d’oeuvres are served daily from 5:30 – 7:30 pm, including a vegetable crudité with a cheese display, fresh fruits and crackers, and an antipasto salad.
The alcoholic drinks on offer in this lounge but must be paid for and are available from 5:00 – 11:00 pm.
7. Renaissance Paris La Defense, Paris
The Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel is one of the best executive club lounges in Paris around a 15 to 20 minutes Metro ride to Champs Elysees, so although the club lounge is good (not great but good), the location is quite far from the sights, so this is not the best hotel to choose in Paris.
Book a club room, which is located on the high floors at the Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel, and you get access to their club lounge. These gorgeous premium rooms and suites at the Renaissance Paris La Defense Hotel provide a luxurious retreat amidst the energy of France’s capital city. Special amenities in every club room include bathrobes, slippers, Tokyo Milk products, and complimentary Wi-Fi access.
The renovated club lounge is open from 6:30 am – 9:00 pm and offers loads of space and a private terrace for guests. Start your day with a delicious Continental breakfast available Monday to Friday. In the evening, stop by for delectable snacks and small bites complemented by a nice glass of wine. Evening snacks are available from Sunday through Thursday. Additional refreshments, including free water/juice/coffee and a selection of fresh fruits, are also available throughout the day.
So, to reiterate the above, you don’t have the canapes and drinks service in this lounge on the weekends. Unlike most Marriott properties, this hotel has taken away their Friday and Saturday executive floor lounge happy hour as well as Saturday breakfast in the club lounge.
They do provide a voucher for the main hotel breakfast restaurant when breakfast isn’t available in the lounge, but on a weekend, don’t expect free drinks and nibbles in this lounge as this rather unusual setup means that you can’t take advantage of the lounge freebies in the evenings on the weekend.
From the wide selection breakfast (you can also request eggs and omelets to order) to the gourmet appetizers and drinks, including champagne from 5:30 – 9:00 pm, this lounge is a great choice. But if you are traveling on a weekend, be aware that you will miss out on any evening happy hour.
8. Boston Marriott Long Wharf
The Boston Marriott Long Wharf is your best Marriott choice in Boston and unveiled a total transformation in 2018. Located along the harbor at the epicenter of Boston’s rich history and happenings, this completely renovated hotel (a staggering $35 million USD was spent on this renovation) offers a spacious indoor pool with panoramic harbor views, along with a refreshed fitness center with interactive Peloton bikes, featuring immersive indoor cycling experiences with streaming live classes.
Newly modernized rooms and suites offer a new level of comfort with spa-style bathrooms featuring organic Aromatherapy amenities, flat-screen HDTVs streaming Netflix and Pandora, and striking views of the harbor or downtown. All rooms are styled with distinctive décor that reflects the waterfront locale with rich leather, grey marble, and deep blues. Renovated spaces feature brass and marble finishes and colors evocative of the hotel’s waterfront surroundings.
The hotel’s 20,099 ft² of event space features newly transformed event venues, including 19 event rooms and a Grand Ballroom that seats up to 850 guests. The Harbor View Ballroom offers a patio with enchanting fire pits and waterfront views for weddings, galas, and receptions. The hotel’s handcrafted menus feature locally and sustainably sourced food while maintaining a commitment to “dock-to-table” seafood in less than 48 hours.
With inspiring views overlooking the city’s harbor, the newly built, two-story M Club Lounge is one of the best executive club lounges in Boston and is a stylish, exclusive space to work, connect, or unwind. High-status Marriott members, and one guest automatically enjoy access as part of their elite status. The lounge features a bountiful breakfast buffet with coffee, tea, espresso, handcrafted sweet, salty, and savory snacks, and locally inspired hors d’oeuvres.
Guests can also take advantage of the lounge’s full bar, which offers wine, beer, water, juice, cocktails, and soda. The M Club lounge’s dedicated service staff is always available to assist with needs and requests, and guests enjoy free Wi-Fi throughout the space. The hotel staff can create customized experiences for guests, thanks to partnerships with local attractions, including the city’s heritage sites, Boston Harbor Cruises, the New England Aquarium, and Old Town Trolley Tours.M Club Lounge is closed on Saturday and Sunday.
8. Sheraton Boston
Sheraton Boston is a nice Sheraton with a fabulous view across the Charles River from its club lounge. It attracts convention guests much like the Westin above and is also a little bit dated, but the lounge is very nice and renovated. It is one of the best Marriott Bonvoy hotels in Boston if you are traveling with your family and don’t want to splurge your cash or Marriott Bonvoy points on the Ritz-Carlton, mainly because of the decent club lounge.
The lounge here is nice with the usual free soft drinks and breakfast and afternoon snacks. Plus there’s a large indoor pool that is heated year-round, and there’s a bowling alley across the street, ideal if you are traveling with kids.
The club lounge can be found on floor 29 and is open 24/7. Once inside the lounge, you will benefit from high-speed internet access, PC workstations, office supplies, a complimentary enhanced continental breakfast (basically continental with a hot egg dish like scrambled eggs), and evening hors d’oeuvres.
Seating in the lounge is on high stools and pull-up chairs around tables. The arrangement makes the best of the views. There are 42-inch flat-screen televisions around the lounge, complimentary water, sodas, snacks (granola bars, bananas, and apples) & coffee throughout the day and night.
You can buy drinks in the lounge from a menu and use your Marriott Bonvoy points to pay for the drinks if you prefer. You can also pay to upgrade to get access to this lounge for around $50 USD per room per day, which is well worth doing. If you have elite status with Marriott Bonvoy, you get club lounge access for free.
9. The Westin Copley Place, Boston
Westin Copley Place Boston is a Marriott Bonvoy hotel in a great location with a huge club lounge with nice food offerings. It is located in the city’s Back Bay area, convenient to Hynes Convention Center and shopping on Newbury Street and at the Copley Mall.
With 803 rooms, 132 junior suites, and 10 specialty suites, this is a fantastically large hotel, but all rooms include a Heavenly Bed and Heavenly Bath, so you should sleep well. The hotel feels dated and is used largely for conventions, so it would not be my top choice for a leisure trip in Boston. There is a Spa, a good Westin Kids Club offering coloring books, bath toys, and an over-the-phone bedtime story service, and, most importantly for this review, a club lounge.
The lounge here is a really nice-looking, intimate space on the 5th floor, but it lacks views, unlike the Sheraton club lounge in Boston. This newly renovated lounge has pine wood floors, dark wood tables, red leather chairs, plenty of other comfortable seating, and higher tables with stools.
Buffet breakfast is served only until 9:30 am during the week, 10:00 am on weekends, and consists of a generous continental spread with hot scrambled eggs. Expect all the usual cereals (raisin bran, oat flakes & blueberry clusters, honey toasted oat cereal, etc.), fruit including whole apples, oranges, and bananas, plus cut fruit and cut fruit and berries including strawberries.
There is also hot oatmeal with dried fruit and nuts, as well as scrambled eggs (neither are noteworthy). Finally, there is yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, bread, muffins, bagels, and toast with jams and spreads. Certainly enough to fill you up but of mediocre quality. Did I mention the espresso machine and juices?
The snacks and soft drinks continue throughout the day into late in the evening. Snacks and drinks include bottles of water, sparkling and still, that you can take with you, and snacks like popcorn, pretzels, and Granola Bars. In the evening, there are canapes and drinks.
10. JW Marriott Hong Kong
JW Marriott Hong Kong offers a large club lounge on the 5th floor of the hotel. This lounge provides an impressive selection of food and beverages along with pleasant views of the surrounding area, albeit without a direct view of the harbor due to its lower positioning compared to other club lounges in Hong Kong.
Guests can indulge in a range of offerings including breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, evening snacks, and alcoholic beverages. For Bonvoy members looking to maximize their points, this hotel stands out as the top choice for club lounges in Hong Kong.
Situated conveniently, the JW Marriott provides easy access to the vibrant shops, dining establishments, and businesses of Hong Kong Central, as well as attractions like Lan Kwai Fong and Victoria Peak. Moreover, its connection to the Admiralty MTR station links guests seamlessly to other prominent hotels such as the Conrad Hong Kong, The Upper House, and The Island Shangri-La.
Copyright Luxury Travel Diary 2014 - 2024. Duplication outside of luxurytraveldiary.com is forbidden.
Note: Benefits & upgrades subject to availability. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing. Terms & conditions apply. Enquire for more information. Benefits offered correct at the time of writing but may be amended at discretion of the vendor. Posts may be sponsored by the proprietor or brand being appraised. All opinions remain our own & are in no way influenced.