American Express The Centurion Lounge

American Express The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas, NV (LAS)

American Express is building a network of airport lounges in the US, offering complimentary access to Platinum and Centurion card members, and paid access to all other card holders. Competing directly against the airlines and their expansive networks but often underwhelming clubs, American Express is raising the bar with luxurious amenities and services.

The Las Vegas Centurion Lounge is the third addition to the network and fills a gap at an airport that has been traditionally underserved by airline lounges: United is the only carrier with a lounge; other airlines rely on two third-party lounges: The Club at LAS.

The Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas McCarran airport is located in Terminal 1, Concourse D, close to most departure gates. It’s also a short train ride away from Terminal 3, and accessible airside.

American Express The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas, NV (LAS)

American Express The Centurion Lounge LAS design

The Centurion Lounge draws attention even from outside: the large, blue double door contrasts with the gleaming white wall, which proudly bears the elegant Centurion logo. The open door provides a glimpse at the striking living wall–a signature feature of the Centurion Lounge reception areas–while a whiff of the Centurion Lounge scent catches the passerby, who is left to wonder what luxuries lie inside.

Indeed, the Centurion Lounge is a hallmark of elegance and sophistication. With designer furniture, playful colors, and clean lines, the design is resolutely modern, but exudes a warm and genuine vibe thanks to the use of natural materials and sophisticated lighting.

American Express The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas, NV (LAS)

Behind the reception area is a small living room zone flanked by a–typically unstaffed–members services desk. All seats come with a power outlet and USB ports, as well as a side table or coffee table. No detail was overlooked–the pillows, occasional tables, fruit baskets, fresh flowers and artwork give the place a welcoming, homely feel.

The main seating area faces a long, curved floor to ceiling window. Flooded with sunlight, the lounge boasts vistas of the tarmac and mountains in the distance, though the location doesn’t afford views of the Las Vegas strip.

American Express The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas, NV (LAS)

Following the blueprint of the Centurion Lounges, the Las Vegas location offers a variety of seating options that caters to every need. Solo travelers will find private cube chairs with a convenient side table, as well as comfy recessed nooks in the wall with plenty of colorful pillows. Groups will enjoy the clusters of leather seats around large coffee tables. Further in the back is a wooden communal table, which is a both convenient place to work and socialize.

The lion’s share of the space is dedicated to an elegant dining area behind a curved partition. The space is furnished with booths, traditional dining tables, and even a few sofas, not unlike a posh private club. The bar in the back is adorned with American Express memorabilia. Needless to say, the place is popular–eating and drinking is a Las Vegas favorite, and compared to other Centurion Lounges, the Las Vegas clubs dedicates the most space to dining.

American Express The Centurion Lounge LAS amenities

The main draw of the American Express Centurion Lounge at Las Vegas airport is its food and beverage offering. The complimentary buffet spread includes a variety of appetizers and salads, sandwiches, hot entrees, soups, and desserts. Compared to other Centurion Lounges, the selection is perhaps a bit less fancy, with a slight emphasis on sandwiches at the expense of traditional dishes, but it’s by far the best lounge buffet at Las Vegas airport.

A full bar is available, and the friendly bar tenders are masters of their craft. Choose from a selection of creative custom cocktails, or order your favorite drink from the open bar–you won’t be disappointed. Note that while the lounge closes at midnight, the last call is at 10 p.m., so don’t plan on trading an evening at a casino for a free spree at the Centurion Lounge.

A single shower suite is also available. While availability may be spotty, it is worth the wait: the large and elegant room comes with fresh orchids, L’Occitane bath products, plush towels, and a designer sink. Inquire at the reception desk.

Las Vegas may not be the most family oriented destination, but American Express rolls out the red carpet for the little ones with a large and colorful family room by the member services desk featuring an array of toys and games. Videos and videogames are also available from the reception desk.

American Express The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas, NV (LAS)

For the business crowd, there is also a well-appointed conference room, which can be reserved at the reception desk.

Way in the rear of the lounge, adjacent to the communal table and business facilities, is a slightly more secluded area with three daybeds for weary travelers. Assuming they’re available, they’re a great spot to doze off after a red-eye flight or to rest after a brutal Vegas night, all while recharging electronic devices.

Other amenities include complimentary Wi-Fi, newspapers and magazines, as well as shared computers and a printer.

American Express The Centurion Lounge LAS bottom line

American Express The Centurion Lounge – Las Vegas, NV (LAS)

The American Express Centurion Lounge is by far the best lounge at Las Vegas McCarran airport. The combination of the elegant design, complimentary hot meals, open bar, excellent cocktails, shower room, family room and meeting space is unparalleled.

There’s perhaps only one caveat, which is not unique to the Las Vegas location: the Centurion Lounge is popular. While the club is quite large, it might be challenging to find a seat at peak times, and expect a crowd at the buffet. The availability of the shower and day beds is also hit or miss. Still, the Centurion Lounge experience is unmatched, and no matter how brief, a stay is always a treat. American Express reserves a few tables for Centurion card members so that they’re guaranteed a seat.