Review: Star Alliance First & Business Class Lounge LAX

Introduction
Planning & Booking
Planning & Booking II
Star Alliance First & Business Class Lounge LAX
Asiana First Class A380 LAX to Seoul (ICN)
Asiana First Class Lounge Seoul (ICN)
Asiana A330 Business Class Seoul (ICN) to Kyoto (KIX)
Kansai-Airport Express Haruka Green Car Kansai Airport to Kyoto Station
The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto
JAL Sakura Business Class Lounge Osaka (KIX)
Cathay Pacific Business Class 777-300 Kyoto (KIX) to Hong Kong
Conrad Hong Kong
The Ritz-Carlton Hong Kong
Singapore Airlines First Class Lounge Hong Kong
Singapore Airlines First Class 777-300ER Hong Kong to San Francisco
Hyatt Regency SFO

After an easy flight on United from Denver, we arrived at T7 and made our way through the mess of tunnels that is is LAX.

High above Breckenridge en route to LAX

We usually try to stick to carry-on bags for the outbound so we were traveling pretty light.  The connector to TBIT took us through essentially all of LAX's terminals but we made it from our gate at LAX to the Star Alliance lounge at TBIT in just under 30 minutes.  We didn't have to reclear security and other than the hotel maze in the basement, the entire experience was pretty seamless.  I have to say that the TBIT is stunning.  Easily the nicest terminal in the US.

TBIT LAX

We weren't able to get mobile boarding passes for the longhaul flight to Seoul via OLCI so we spoke to the Asiana rep at the lounge and she was able to provide printed boarding passes for both flights.  At this point, it was around 10PM and we had a couple of hours to kill in the lounge before our flight.

Star Alliance Lounge LAX

We decided to check out the first class lounge for a bit.  The lounge is a bit on the small side with comfortable seating and a dining area.

Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX dining area

Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX seating

There's a menu as well as a buffet.

Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX buffet

Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX a la carte menu

Star Alliance First Class Lounge LAX Champagne

We had a couple of things from the buffet as well as a couple glasses of Champagne.  The first class lounge serves Beau Joie Champagne (including the Rose) which is a solid US lounge Champagne.

Star Alliance lounge LAX bar

Other than that, the space is kind of unremarkable.

The real highlight is the business class lounge.  While extremely crowded inside, the outdoor terrace was empty.  This thing is sic!

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX terrace

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX terrace

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX terrace

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX terrace

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX terrace

Star Alliance Business Class Lounge LAX terrace

We took a couple of glasses of Champagne (from the first class lounge) outside and just relaxed by one of the fire pits and watched the long stream of arrivals come in for a landing.  It was 72 degrees out and pretty much a perfect way to unwind before a 13 hour flight.  I miss Southern California!

Before departure, we both had a quick shower.  The shower suites are on the small side but the wait was short (they give you a buzzer) and they got the job done.

Star Alliance Lounge LAX shower suite

Star Alliance Lounge LAX shower suite

After we showered, a few quick pictures, a couple of to-go bottles of water, and we made our way down to the concourse to lineup for Asiana flight 203 to Seoul!

My ride to Seoul!

Final Thoughts:
This is a really solid lounge. In fact, better than the Qantas lounge at LAX.  Other than the dining area and the Champagne, the first class lounge isn't very special.  But the highlight is the outdoor terrace...especially at night.  I would definitely make time before a night flight to spend a few minutes out there assuming the weather is good.