Are you missing out on a secret perk while staying as a hotel guest packed with enhanced amenities and services? The secret’s out and it’s called club level (or concierge level, depending on where you stay). This premium room or suite category can offer special opportunities, including a lounge with light fare, specialty beverages, and workspaces, plus a dedicated concierge to assist with local sightseeing plans, making restaurant reservations, arranging transport, and more. The concierge-level lounge is usually only accessible with a prioritized keycard. All these perks come at a cost ranging from 20 percent to 50 percent more for your hotel room. Some hotels charge guests a day rate, while others include access with rooms booked on the concierge-level floor.
This level of amenities can not only save you money on breakfast and grab-and-go snacks and drinks, but it can also be a place to work without the distractions of a hotel room, especially if you are traveling with others. Some properties that offer club-level services provide an even more luxurious and elevated experience. These passkey-protected areas could have alcohol, professionally curated food and desserts, and specialty coffee beverages. One such property is the Ritz-Carlton, Naples, which offers an exclusive retreat with a private full-service bar, a media room, indoor and outdoor seating, a children's room, and five daily culinary presentations. The Ritz-Carlton, Naples Club Lounge is spread out over 4,000 square feet, the biggest yet for the upscale brand.
I have been lucky enough to stay on club-levels in the Ritz Carlton on Amelia Island in Florida and the Ritz Carlton, Key Biscayne in Miami. Both lounges were very accommodating to my family’s dietary needs. For example, they offered wraps that were not a fit for our family. I brought this to the attention of one of the smiling staff, and the chef made us custom sandwiches for the duration of our stay. Also, while at the Ritz in Miami, we enjoyed breakfast in the lounge before we went to the pool. Later in the day, we had cocktails in the lounge before dinner. Following our night out exploring Miami, had a hot decaf tea and took a few bottles of water for the next day. Having this premier club access was both convenient and appreciated.
Other hospitality partners are jumping on the club-level bandwagon. Hilton, for example, offers Club Signia, launched at Signia by Hilton Atlanta. Any guest can choose to elevate their stay at Signia by Hilton by upgrading to Club Signia, regardless of loyalty status, and can choose a Club Signia guest room upon booking. Club Signia delivers an exclusive experience, and discerning guests have access to early check-in and late check-out, premium Wi-Fi, and all-day food and beverage offerings, including club-style cocktail service, made-to-order snacks, and chef-prepared small plates.
So, is the club level worth it?
Whether a club level in a hotel is "worth it" to a traveler depends on your priorities and expectations when traveling. In general, paying a premium for concierge- or club-level experiences presents value if you partake in the food and drink offerings and utilize the concierge for reservations and activities. But if you only use your hotel room as a home base while on a trip, this premium room category may not be worth the extra expense.