Inside the American Express Centurion Lounge LHR: mod cons, wry humour and a menu to fly for

American Express has opened a Centurion Lounge in London Heathrow Terminal 3, its first in Europe.

The Luxe Review was invited to an exclusive pre-launch preview, where we had a chance to experience the space and sample some of the sumptuous signature bites on offer from Michelin Star chef Assaf Granit. 

A stylish retreat for Consumer Platinum and Business Platinum card members, the premium space is designed to reflect its London location and outfitted with leading edge work functionality, including private soundproof phone pods for conference calls, desks with wireless charging and a bespoke sofa with individual USB charging points.

An all-new build, completed during the COVID shutdown, the lounge covers 650 square meters and combines smart modern décor with a wry sense of humour.

The lounge isstyled to reflect its London location and outfitted with leading edge work functionality, including private soundproof phone pods…

Chef Assaf Granit, of Coal Office in London, serves as the Executive Chef at the Centurion Lounge LHR, and he’s not gone for the obvious. Reflecting London’s rich multicultural heritage, and lifting from his restaurants across the globe, the menu includes shakshukit, a moorish breakfast stew of spicy tomatoes and dry peppers, served with a poached egg, Shikshukit, a lightly spiced beef and lamb lunch dish with confit tomatoes and tahini, served with pitta bread, and Festive Chicken, consisting of grilled chicken thighs marinated in milk, sumac and ras el hanout.

For dessert, don’t pass on the ‘Oh ‘My Baklava’ olive oil cake, with pistachio anglaise and rose water diplomat. You may well feel the need for more.

In a small enclave, you can also enjoy a tea cart, offering a selection of local brews and pastries, in the shadow a display of vintage willow cricket bats. 

The Centurion Lounge has a generously appointed bar, with fittingly limey sounding cocktails: on the menu is a Wayne’s Collins, (created by Wayne Collins it’s where Tom Collins meets White Negroni),  and the non-alcoholic Hare of the Fog (Negroni-style with Seedlip spirit and Aecorn aperitifs). 

The wine selection is suitably global, sourced from France, Italy and Argentina by Wine Director Anthony Giglio.

Need to freshen up? London-based Soapsmith is supplying a collection of bespoke scented bath and body care products, again with a local theme. First in place is a soap amusingly dubbed Hackney Marsh (where founder Samantha Jameson grew up), with a new one debuting each season thereafter. 

There’s a moss wall that nods toward Hyde Park (not Kate) in reception, while the walk-through is lined with art and photography. Curated by Art Story, there are pieces from Norman Parkinson, Carne Griffiths and Stephen Marshall. Rather cutely, there’s a QR code by each, which when scanned, reveals more on about the art and its creator.

The lounge features custom furniture from UK-based producers Konk, Naughtone and Deadgood. It’s difficult not to be struck by the lighting throughout, which comes from designs by Lee Broom and Tom Dixon.

Recognising the needs of modern business travellers, there’s a healthy number of dedicated workspaces and power outlets too. Unseen, the lounge also partially utilizes renewable energy, through newly installed solar panels.

We reckon Amex has created something special with this Centurion Lounge. It’s not just another business bolt-hole.

The Centurion Lounge is the signature lounge program within the American Express Global Lounge Collection.