I have visited a The Lounge lounge a couple of times at San Juan Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport. It’s not my favorite lounge. I was very surprised, and not at all excited, to find another The Lounge location when flying out of Panama Tocumen International earlier this year (after spending a lovely week in Panama). And I was even more surprised when writing this post that The Lounge is actually quite a large brand! The Lounge at PTY was a bit better than that in San Juan, and it was a decent spot to waste time before our flight back to the US. This post reviews The Lounge at PTY, Terminal 2 (there is also a The Lounge location in Terminal 1 at PTY, but I did not visit it). In sum, it was perfectly fine, but I would not arrive early to use the lounge.
Leaving Panama City en route to the airport. Unit next time, Panama!
THE LOUNGE LOCATION IN TERMINAL 2
The Lounge in Terminal 2 is located on the third floor of Terminal 2 in the Panama Tocumen International airport. Located post-security, flyers walk to door 204 and take the escalator to the 3rd floor. It’s not difficult to find. It is also not very far from the Copa Club, which we visited just before The Lounge (and only left the Copa Club because it closed for the evening).
Entrance to The Lounge at PTY Terminal 2.
ACCESSING THE LOUNGE AT PTY
The Lounge at PTY is available to Priority Pass members, as well as Lounge Key and Diners Club members, and apparently certain Air Europa fliers. It also has an affiliation with SkyTeam but I am unsure exactly how that works. General flyers can also buy day passes to The Lounge for $38.00 USD. The Lounge in Terminal 2 is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but certain amenities, like the kitchen, close around 10 PM EST. Despite The Lounge being open to many fliers, it was not crowded and there was no line when I visited around 10 PM on a Saturday evening. I imagine The Lounge is more crowded at other times.
The Lounge entry options at PTY.
THE LOUNGE TERMINAL 2 SPACE
The Lounge in Terminal 2 is on the smaller side (much smaller than the Copa Club). The Lounge opens up into a rectangular space behind the checkin desk and overlooks the main terminal. The ability to look into the terminal is pretty cool, although we could not see our gate. The entrance to The Lounge is on the modern side, and honestly much more exciting than the rest of The Lounge.
The Lounge at PTY Terminal 2.
Views of the terminal (and I believe the Copa Club above the DFA News + Health).
Small tables and slightly worn chairs are set up throughout The Lounge, largely in groups of one or two. These setups did not all have electric outlets, but we found some oddly placed on the floor nearby. Tripping hazard aside, it worked. The back of The Lounge is dedicated to what appeared to be a business area, but I imagine turns into regular seating during more popular visiting hours.
A close up of the seating at The Lounge.
Totally opposite the checkin desk is a buffet offering snacky type foods, as well as a manned bar with limited bar seating. There is additional seating on the far side of the bar.
Looking towards the bar in The Lounge.
Restrooms and showers are also located in The Lounge behind the buffet area.
THE DRINKS AT THE LOUNGE
Like The Lounge SJU location, the drinks are where The Lounge shines at PTY IMO, and that is only because the drinks are complimentary. In terms of alcohol, The Lounge has a full manned bar, which was preparing both alcohol drinks and non-alcohol drinks. A tip jar was out, and I recommend tipping for the best service. We only tried standard liquor drinks, like Vodka Soda and Rum and Coke, but there were good (yet not nearly as strong as those at the SJU location).
Our drinks at The Lounge.
Beer, wine, soda and coffee were also on offer, including a small fridge of drinks next to the buffet, and an espresso machine.
THE FOOD AT THE LOUNGE
Also like The Lounge at SJU, there is a proper kitchen at The Lounge preparing hot plates of dinner food for all guests. This service stopped around 10 PM during our visit, but staff rushed out as soon as we sat down (right at 10 PM) to ask if we wanted a hot plate of food. We passed, as we had already had dinner, but this was a very nice touch. The staff then continuously apologized that the hot food was no longer available. If you arrive at The Lounge earlier, guests order via a QR code on each table.
The small food buffet area.
We did visit the buffet, which is open all night. On offer during our visit were some small desserts, some finger sandwiches, and some crackers and cheese. I unfortunately failed to get any pictures, as, again, I had already had dinner.
OTHER AMENITIES AT THE LOUNGE
Aside from food and drink, The Lounge has some “business” space in the back of the lounge, which was not really being used when I visited. There was desk space and numerous outlets in this area, but nothing else that really made it good for working.
Apparent office space at The Lounge.
Men’s and Women’s restrooms are located inside The Lounge (always nice), and this The Lounge offers showers. I did not visit the shower. The women’s restroom was serviceable (nothing great, nothing awful).
One of the showers at The Lounge.
The Lounge also offered complimentary wifi via a password disclosed at the entrance and the bar.
FINAL THOUGHTS ON THE LOUNGE AT PTY T2
In sum, I found The Lounge PTY location much better than that at SJU. The space was a bit larger and decorated more modernly. It also had better views. I would visit again if it was my only option, but I preferred the Copa Club, and I would not arrive early to visit either lounge.
STEAL OUR LOUNGE
The Lounge Panama Tocumen International, Terminal 2: Open 24/7. Located on the 3rd Floor, near door 204, past security. Priority Pass holders, as well as some other card holders, receive complimentary access for 5 hours. Others can buy access. Complimentary food, drinks, and wifi.