I was in Frankfurt last week and prior to boarding my return flight to the U.S. on Singapore Airlines, I visited one of Lufthansa's many lounges at their home airport.
Photo by Darren Booth for CNBC.com
Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Frankfurt
Holding top-tier elite status with United granted me Star Alliance gold status, with which I was able to access Lufthansa's Senator Lounge — an upgraded offering from the "Business Lounge" I'd normally have access to as a business class passenger flying Singapore Airlines. Singapore itself doesn't operate an independent lounge in Frankfurt.
This lounge — one of three Senator Lounges at the airport — is located near gate B42 and I took the escalator up to the main entry doors. Just inside and to the left, airline representatives have a long counter, where they assist passengers with flight arrangements and other requests.
Straight ahead was the "chic" portion of the lounge (pictured above) with hardwood floors separating various seating areas featuring low couches, chairs and side and coffee tables akin to a living room. The lighting in this area was more subdued and a long bar sat off to one side.
Photo by Darren Booth for CNBC.com
Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Frankfurt
To the right, a huge buffet and dining area with a large selection of self-serve food and beverages items were available. I was there first thing in the morning, so the spread consisted of breakfast items and included hard boiled eggs, pastries, meats and cereals. Tall tables with barstool seating surrounded a central area of smaller sit down tables and chairs.
Smokers will rejoice in this lounge as a separate closed-off room that offers similar seating as the dining area, and avoids the need to exit the lounge to use one of the airport's many smoking rooms throughout the concourses.
Photo by Darren Booth for CNBC.com
Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Frankfurt
Behind the buffet and dining area is a large carpeted section with comfortable leather chairs that overlook the tarmac. I particularly enjoy sitting along the windows watching airport activity and saw my first Boeing 787 "Dreamliner" parked at a nearby gate.
One end of this area offered seating facing two televisions that had global news running — one in German, one in English. The other end revealed entry to a "relaxing room" where several lie-flat loungers complete with pillows and blankets were situated in very dimly lit surroundings — a perfect place for a nap.
Photo by Darren Booth for CNBC.com
Lufthansa Senator Lounge, Frankfurt
Nearby was the entry to The Spa, which offered a long row of shower rooms, as well as general restrooms.
Other amenities in this lounge included a business area with copy and fax machines and several computers, a luggage storage area complete with lockable compartments and a row of shelves with a selection of international newspapers and magazines. Free wireless Internet access was also present throughout the lounge.
The two hours I had to kill before my flight quickly evaporated away in this lounge with so many ways to keep busy. A flight announcement was made in both German and English for my flight and I gathered my belongings and made the short trek to my nearby gate.
Airline lounges outside of the United States tend to be significantly better and this one didn't disappoint. For more information on Lufthansa's lounge offerings, including access rules, click here.
