Introduction: Short Trip to Central America
Review: Hilton Anatole – Dallas
Review: Air France Lounge – Houston Intercontinental Airport
Review: Executive Club – Houston Intercontinental Airport
Review: Air China (777-300) Business Class – Houston to Panama
Review: The Westin – Panama
Review: Nacion Sushi
Review: Le Meridien – Panama
Review: Avianca (A320) Business Class – Panama to Bogota
Review: Avianca VIP Lounge – Bogota
Review: LATAM VIP Lounge – Bogota
Review: Copa Club – Bogota
Review: El Dorado Lounge – Bogota
Review: Avianca (A319) Business Class – Bogota to San Salvador
Review: Intercontinental Hotel – San Salvador/Metrocenter Mall
Review: Avianca (A320) Business Class – San Salvador to Dallas
I slowly made my way off of the flight because I could feel the regret of a five layover in Bogota. Nevertheless, I proceeded into the terminal. There were two separate areas, down a long hallway, for domestic arrivals (left) and international transfers (right).
International connections were usually painless, due to not having to transit security, but not this one. I had go through security even though I should have, in theory and practice, been vetted already for my onward flight. The problem was I bought Duty Free alcohol in Panama and was hand carrying it. The security agent asked, in Spanish, why did I have “so much” alcohol and where did I get it? It was four bottles of Hennessy White and I was taking it home.
It was a bit aggressive, but I explained to her that I purchased the alcohol in Panama and was traveling onward to El Salvador. At this point, she was clearly perturbed and called for a supervisor. He and I had the same exact conversation for whatever reason. I quickly produced the receipt to prove the purchase occurred earlier in the days and was free to go without further incident.
The Bogota Airport Duty Free was directly after security. I made a left and took the elevator up to the third level for the Avianca Sala Lounge.
The elevator let out into the food court, the Avianca Lounge was on the other side.
The line to get into the lounge was absolutely insane. The mass of people waiting to enter the lounge was disorganized. I did not know who was in the queue and who was not.
When it was my turn, I showed my boarding pass and passport. The agent stamped my boarding pass and waved merely waved me into the lounge. Priority Pass cardholders have access to the lounge as well. I did not use it because I was on a business class ticket. The lounge had its own Duty Free located to the right of the front desk.
The lounge was a big space but crowded, people were everywhere.It was also incredibly humid. I had never seen so many people sweating in a lounge. Maybe they were watching COPS? Step Brothers movie reference anyone???
The lounge was one open air room, with small, private rooms off to the sides. There was a family room towards the front of the lounge.
Just past this was the toilet/shower area. I wanted to take a quick shower to cool off so I returned to the front desk to request a room. The request was granted and I was given an amenity kit.
I went back to the shower area. The doors were locked and there was no attendant in sight. I returned to the front desk and asked for a key. The agent stated the amenity kit was my key and I should go back and wait for someone to unlock the door. Um ok.
As soon as I returned, there was an attendant to open the door. I tried to get the bigger, accessible room at the end, but the attendant said it was forbidden unless I have some health issue. I was given room 1. It was a very, very, very small shower room. I could touch opposite walls with my arms outstretched. The toilet and shower were not clean. The toilet had some “wear and tear”, while the shower had clumps of hair throughout. I quickly did my business and left.
Just outside of shower, in the middle of the lounge, was the food island. There was a quite a selection of pastries, cold cuts, beverages. The food selection was very impressive, especially for a Priority Pass lounge.
The beverage selection ranged from non-alcoholic juices and sodas to wine and beer. The beer was stored in a cooler in the middle of the food. I grabbed a beer and went to the back of the lounge to relax.
There were a couple of coffee machine placed throughout the lounge as well.
Near the back of the lounge was a Samsung business center. The center includes tablets, desks, and numerous wireless charging stations.
There was a nice TV room just after the Samsung Business Center. It was full of families so I waited to take a picture.
I grabbed a seat at a small, private table just outside of the TV room to relax before going to the LATAM Lounge across the way. Prior to leaving, i was able to get some pictures of the lounge while it was nearly empty.
FInal Word
The lounge was my first, of four, that I visited on the layover. The crowding and humidity made me want to leave the lounge before I entered. Even after entering, the filthy shower room was a major turnoff.
I decided to stick around and found a fairly decent lounge, minus those things just mentioned. The food selection and numerous different rooms throughout were highlights. This lounge definitely did not feel like a Priority Pass lounge. I would visit this lounge again, but only while wearing some lighter clothes.
