I found myself on another trip out of Ontario's own international airport. And having a good experience previously at the Aspire Lounge in Terminal 4, I wanted to drop by this Aspire Lounge in Terminal 2 to check it out. Compared to the Terminal 4 lounge, this one has a significantly lower rating here on Yelp. And to this, I can't really see why: Both lounges were similar in quality and were great overall!
I arrived at ONT around 4:30AM on a Friday to see a very chaotic and crowded terminal. Because of this, the Aspire Lounge was just the place to sit back and escape. Walking up at their opening time at 5AM, I was met with a small line just outside of the lounge. But because the line moved fast and the front desk attendant was kind, I did not mind the wait too much.
Now to enter this lounge, the going price is about $48 per person. This could potentially be worth it if you have a long layover, are looking to load up on some food, drinks, and alcohol, or need a quiet place to work before a flight. However, this lounge is also accessible for those with an American Express Platinum card or a Priority Pass Membership. Because I had a Priority Pass from one of my credit cards, I was able to get in for free! After showing my pass, the attendant asked for my boarding pass and I was let in quickly.
**NOTE: According to the Aspire Lounge website, you are also entitled to use this lounge upon arrival as well! But also note that depending on how crowded the lounge is and what benefits you have, the lounge may restrict access accordingly.**
After checking in with the front desk, the path to the left will take you to the majority of the seating in the lounge. The path to the right will take you to the buffet line, full-service bar, and private restrooms. Although the lounge may seem vast, keep in mind that it is quite small. Nonetheless, it felt roomy because there were little to no people inside at 5AM. Furthermore, the lounge had different kinds of seating ranging from dining chairs and work stations with outlets to luxury lounge chairs.
Out of the many lounges I've been to in the United States, the Aspire Lounges have some of the best food selections, period. Looking at the options, there was a large variety for those both dining in or those looking for some grab and go refreshments. The center of the buffet had hot food items like eggs, french toast, bacon, sausage, etc.. Just next to this area was an oatmeal bar with toppings, cheese & ham, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, juices, and milks with the associated creamers. One of the walls had some cereal, cold water, muffins, a coffee machine with extras, and cans of sodas. For last, the other wall had some trail mix, chex mix, bagels & white bread, and a pancake machine.
As for the taste, the Aspire Lounge at Terminal 2 also does not cheap out on quality or taste. While here, I tried a few of the items which were all spectacular. Beginning with the french toast, I liked the balance of powdered sugar and sponginess of the bread. The eggs were nice and fluffy but weren't too salty which was great. The potatoes were lightly crisp and had just the right amount of seasoning on them. And as for the sausage, each piece was large and rich with moisture. The flavor of each link had a mild spicy kick which was enjoyable as well. Trying the yogurt, it was sweet and thick which made it hard to eat fast. But with the accompanying berries and granola, it balanced the thickness out. Grabbing another plate, the fruits were sweet and tasted freshly cut. And for last, the bacon was the best part of the breakfast. The edges were charred and crispy while the inside had a more soft texture. The pieces were mostly lean, but had little pockets of fat that made the pork melt in the mouth!
As I mentioned before, I'm not too sure why the Aspire Lounge in Terminal 2 has such a low rating. The service was quick, the lounge and bathroom were well maintained, there weren't too many people inside, and the food was very tasty. All of these factors make the Aspire Lounge in Terminal 2 a must visit and easily a lounge that deserves a 5 star rating. If you have lounge access from a credit card or need a place to stay for awhile, this lounge is it! read more