Amtrak Metropolitan Lounges

Please ignore if this question has already been asked and answered elsewhere on this thread but...

Compared to New York and Chicago the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge in LA is pretty tiny and very dated. Has Amtrak ever considered negotiating for the use of the former Harvey House restaurant located in LAUPT as a new location for the Metro Lounge there? It is an absolutely stunning two story space - decorated in a combination of art deco with native American themes. Last I checked it looked well maintained and exceptionally spacious and with built-in food service facilities to boot. I understand it is occasionally used for special events (weddings, meetings, etc.) but seems empty and unused 90% of the time. It would be an absolutely perfect occasion for a new Metro Lounge.

Thoughts anyone?

PEChicas

PEChicas said:

Please ignore if this question has already been asked and answered elsewhere on this thread but...

Compared to New York and Chicago the Amtrak Metropolitan Lounge in LA is pretty tiny and very dated. Has Amtrak ever considered negotiating for the use of the former Harvey House restaurant located in LAUPT as a new location for the Metro Lounge there? It is an absolutely stunning two story space - decorated in a combination of art deco with native American themes. Last I checked it looked well maintained and exceptionally spacious and with built-in food service facilities to boot. I understand it is occasionally used for special events (weddings, meetings, etc.) but seems empty and unused 90% of the time. It would be an absolutely perfect occasion for a new Metro Lounge.

Thoughts anyone?

PEChicas

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Former Harvey House at LAUS/LAUPT is presently occupied by Home Bound Brew Haus. It is quite popular and is apparently quite the destination prior to Dodger games, which they run promotions for. It is far from "empty and unused 90% of the time" these days.

I am happy a restaurant is in it now and open to the public.
Another restaurant had been in there before COVID after it had been shuttered for years. COVID apparently killed that one.

Cattelus didn't seem interersted in leasing the space to a tenant and seemed to prefer keeping it for movie shoots and special events. LA Metro seems much more interested in getting services into the station than Cattelus was.

In any case, a restaurant has been occupying the Harvey House for several years now and it's not available. Cannot think of another space in the historic station that would be available. Any changes to the largely unused Ticketing Hall would be forbidden by the building's landmark status. The structure the current Metropolitan Lounge is in is not landmarked, is a late addition, standing an area originally used for baggage handling and sorting. Amtrak used it for offices prior to being a Metropolitan Lounge. Perhaps it could be expanded up there. It is rather small but probably is no longer as crowded as it was since Surfliner Business Class customers have been exiled from it now unless they buy a lounge pass.

Sounds like it's been awhile since you've visited LAUPT.

https://www.homeboundbrewhaus.com/

zephyr17 said:

I am happy a restaurant is in it now and open to the public.
Another restaurant had been in there before COVID after it had been shuttered for years. COVID apparently killed that one.

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The current restaurant/bar/brewery is basically a "rebranding" of the previous concept after it was closed for over a year during Covid -- it's the same ownership, just with a different name and a somewhat different food menu and beer list.

trainman74 said:

The current restaurant/bar/brewery is basically a "rebranding" of the previous concept after it was closed for over a year during Covid -- it's the same ownership, just with a different name and a somewhat different food menu and beer list.

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Well, was unaware that it is operated by same ownership, only knew Imperial Western disappeared and Homebound showed up.

BTW, I think it's a poor name. The bartender there told me it was supposed to conjure up commuters bound for their homes relaxing with a beer. I think "Homeward Bound" would have been better, assuming they didn't get into trouble with Paul Simon. "Homebound" makes me think of wheelchairs and oxygen tanks.

Metropolitan Lounge Washington DC

Am about to board the Regional in coach from Washington DC to Baltimore to catch an O’s game. Used a pass to enter the Metropolitan Lounge at Union Station in DC, which has a sparkling new sign at the door.

Inside, the reception desk has lost its COVID-era plastic shields. New automatic cup-at-a-time coffee brewing machine with some 20 options by Starbucks — my cappuccino was perfect. The selection of snacks is now much greater — I had a piece of decadent (380 calories) frosted pound cake. There’s a refrigerator with grab-and-go canned and bottled juices, sodas and waters.

For completeness, I’d note that the bathroom fixtures are in new condition with touch less features. Nice trim. Bright paint and lighting. Mosaic trim. Looks like it’s cleaned frequently.

Waiting area has had sleek and comfortable chairs and sofas for awhile now. Bright photo murals offer scenes of DC, rather than the old deco train posters.

Kudos to Amtrak!

JCTakoma said:

Metropolitan Lounge Washington DC

Waiting area has had sleek and comfortable chairs and sofas for awhile now. Bright photo murals offer scenes of DC, rather than the old deco train posters.

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A good report but a wistful note about those vintage train posters. They are classics from trains' heyday and justly famous, like London Transport's iconic graphic designs.

Chicago metropolitan lounge is great. I used the showers there clean and inviting. The key card entry is awkward you have to leave your ID at desk. The drinks and snacks okay just struggle to restock the bar. The furniture is in good repair. Clean and neat. Cash bar under a staircase. Televisions playing different programs. Only thing is if you need a red cap to take you to the train the process is awkward and my recent SWC trip there were 30 folks needing red cap services. Gotta say the staff there must have been drill sergeants in the Army. Never been barked at that terstly since being disciplined by my veteran grandfather.

Portland metropolitan lounge is nice good track side view. Had drinks the coffee machine is fickle too much technology. Got to talk to Amtrak executive there awesome conversation.
Sad that there is no lounge in EMY or SEA or ALB. Would be nice for the Zephyr and the builder to have a lounge before the train or after arriving to freshen up.

delayed Zephyred said:

Chicago metropolitan lounge is great. I used the showers there clean and inviting. The key card entry is awkward you have to leave your ID at desk. The drinks and snacks okay just struggle to restock the bar. The furniture is in good repair. Clean and neat. Cash bar under a staircase. Televisions playing different programs. Only thing is if you need a red cap to take you to the train the process is awkward and my recent SWC trip there were 30 folks needing red cap services. Gotta say the staff there must have been drill sergeants in the Army. Never been barked at that terstly since being disciplined by my veteran grandfather.

Portland metropolitan lounge is nice good track side view. Had drinks the coffee machine is fickle too much technology. Got to talk to Amtrak executive there awesome conversation.
Sad that there is no lounge in EMY or SEA or ALB. Would be nice for the Zephyr and the builder to have a lounge before the train or after arriving to freshen up.

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The Portland lounge space was formerly a storage room. It was converted by station staff due mainly for the connections between the Empire Builder and Coast Starlight. For several years it wasn't even mentioned in Amtrak material.

We used the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge this past May. While it was clean and comfortable the post Covid changes were not very good and remain in place. The soda machine, coffee machine, sparking water faucet and many of the snacks are no longer there. Instead you get warm canned soda (put out occasionally), an urn of coffee that isn't always hot and a few packaged snacks. In contrast the Lounges at PHL and WAS were as good as always- great selection on coffee machine and with the soda machine you could even get ice in your soda cup. Snacks were plentiful. I'll rate the lounges A for PHL, WAS and D for CHI.

dlagrua said:

We used the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge this past May. While it was clean and comfortable the post Covid changes were not very good and remain in place. The soda machine, coffee machine, sparking water faucet and many of the snacks are no longer there. Instead you get warm canned soda (put out occasionally), an urn of coffee that isn't always hot and a few packaged snacks. In contrast the Lounges at PHI and WAS were as good as always- great selection on coffee machine and with the soda machine you could even get ice in your soda cup. Snacks were plentiful. I'll rate the lounges A for PHI, WAS and D for CHI.

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You meant Philly (PHL) when you said PHI, right? I agree with you completely about Philly and WAS. Since WAS got its redo, the better snacks and coffee machine are a nice surprise.

As for Philly, they seemed downright embarrassed during the lean times of minimal snacks and delighted to be able to offer good snacks and excellent coffee drinks and cold drinks now.

Part of Philly hospitality in general is making sure you have food available every time you turn around, and the PHL lounge attendants are keeping up the tradition nicely.

Mystic River Dragon said:

You meant Philly (PHL) when you said PHI, right? I agree with you completely about Philly and WAS. Since WAS got its redo, the better snacks and coffee machine are a nice surprise.

As for Philly, they seemed downright embarrassed during the lean times of minimal snacks and delighted to be able to offer good snacks and excellent coffee drinks and cold drinks now.

Part of Philly hospitality in general is making sure you have food available every time you turn around, and the PHL lounge attendants are keeping up the tradition nicely.

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OOPS, spelling error corrected. I don't mean to be overly critical of the CHI lounge and looking for more; just hope we to get back to where things were pre-Covid. The lounge is beautiful but whoever runs the CHI Metro Lounge is doing a terrible job on the sodas, coffee and snacks.

dlagrua said:

We used the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge this past May. While it was clean and comfortable the post Covid changes were not very good and remain in place. The soda machine, coffee machine, sparking water faucet and many of the snacks are no longer there. Instead you get warm canned soda (put out occasionally), an urn of coffee that isn't always hot and a few packaged snacks. In contrast the Lounges at PHL and WAS were as good as always- great selection on coffee machine and with the soda machine you could even get ice in your soda cup. Snacks were plentiful. I'll rate the lounges A for PHL, WAS and D for CHI.

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We were in the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge last week. There was bottled water and large, pre-wrapped chocolate chip cookies still available over the lunch hour. There were teabags and hot water for tea and coffee. Our main complaint was that the Lounge’s temperature was chilly. We always travel with a small digital thermometer which we set up just to see what the actual temperature inside the Lounge was. It eventually bottomed out at 65.8 degrees! Aware that the Lounge would be chilly, we had jackets handy. We’ll be back in the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge again next week, spending a better part of the day there before our SWC train departs. This time we will be better prepared with additional layering pieces in addition to our jackets.

dlagrua said:

OOPS, spelling error corrected. I don't mean to be overly critical of the CHI lounge and looking for more; just hope we to get back to where things were pre-Covid. The lounge is beautiful but whoever runs the CHI Metro Lounge is doing a terrible job on the sodas, coffee and snacks.

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I have only been to Chicago once—going through on the way to and from the Portland Gathering—but that was way before the pandemic and I wasn’t impressed with the food offerings even then.

However, since I stayed overnight in Chicago in both directions, I was going between a train with a dining car and a hotel with food nearby, so didn’t need the lounge snacks.

I agree the lounge space itself is lovely—I went to the upstairs section, which was peaceful, quiet, and not crowded.

Eric in East County said:

...Our main complaint was that the Lounge’s temperature was chilly. We always travel with a small digital thermometer which we set up just to see what the actual temperature inside the Lounge was. It eventually bottomed out at 65.8 degrees! Aware that the Lounge would be chilly, we had jackets handy. We’ll be back in the Chicago Metropolitan Lounge again next week, spending a better part of the day there before our SWC train departs. This time we will be better prepared with additional layering pieces in addition to our jackets.

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Is it chilly upstairs too? Tyring to remember if any of the windows caught sunlight, if they do, that area may be warmer for you.

As for temp's at lounges and on the train I have a standard answer:

If you are normally cold, you will be cold.
If you are normally hot, you will be hot.

As for the Chicago lounge, I was comfortable in May when I was there last trip. Now saying that, I am normally hot, which means it was more than likely cold for the people that are normally cold.

Jim

I finally found the illusive Wilmington Lounge. It does exist it’s tucked in a corner next to the Red Cap. Just water and mints/jolly ranchers if anyone was wondering.

IAlam said:

I finally found the illusive Wilmington Lounge. It does exist it’s tucked in a corner next to the Red Cap. Just water and mints/jolly ranchers if anyone was wondering.

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And noise from the escalator work?

AmtrakBlue said:

And noise from the escalator work?

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Actually, it was very quiet and isolated from everyone. I was there by myself.

IAlam said:

Actually, it was very quiet and isolated from everyone. I was there by myself.

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Probably because it was Saturday.
Actually I don’t recall hearing the work but I’m not there often and only got to use the lounge once before my Select Plus expired.

I will be traveling coach on the SWC arriving in Chicago at 2:50 pm and then leaving Chicago on the LakeShore limited coach at 9:30 pm. Because I will want to roam the streets of Chicago during some of those hours, I would like to utilize the baggage storing aspect of the Metropolitan lounge (and probably other aspects also). I would buy a lounge pass with AGR points, but don't want to do so until I can determine whether the train will be on time or not. I looked at the website to determine how to do this. I can see how to purchase it, but then it says "Passes will be automatically added to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account and available under the "Lounge Access" tab." I do not see such a tab using either the smartphone app or on my laptop computer. Where is it found? Perhaps the tab does not appear until after one buys a lounge pass?

Edit: Never mind. I found it. It's under the Amtrak app/Account. One doesn't have to go to the AGR site to see it.

Barb Stout said:

I will be traveling coach on the SWC arriving in Chicago at 2:50 pm and then leaving Chicago on the LakeShore limited coach at 9:30 pm. Because I will want to roam the streets of Chicago during some of those hours, I would like to utilize the baggage storing aspect of the Metropolitan lounge (and probably other aspects also). I would buy a lounge pass with AGR points, but don't want to do so until I can determine whether the train will be on time or not. I looked at the website to determine how to do this. I can see how to purchase it, but then it says "Passes will be automatically added to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account and available under the "Lounge Access" tab." I do not see such a tab using either the smartphone app or on my laptop computer. Where is it found? Perhaps the tab does not appear until after one buys a lounge pass?

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should be in the ‘account’ tab of the app.

Barb Stout said:

I will be traveling coach on the SWC arriving in Chicago at 2:50 pm and then leaving Chicago on the LakeShore limited coach at 9:30 pm. Because I will want to roam the streets of Chicago during some of those hours, I would like to utilize the baggage storing aspect of the Metropolitan lounge (and probably other aspects also). I would buy a lounge pass with AGR points, but don't want to do so until I can determine whether the train will be on time or not. I looked at the website to determine how to do this. I can see how to purchase it, but then it says "Passes will be automatically added to your Amtrak Guest Rewards account and available under the "Lounge Access" tab." I do not see such a tab using either the smartphone app or on my laptop computer. Where is it found? Perhaps the tab does not appear until after one buys a lounge pass?

Edit: Never mind. I found it. It's under the Amtrak app/Account. One doesn't have to go to the AGR site to see it.

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Heads up it can take a couple of days to appear it took my friend 5 days for hers to appear. Call AGR if you need it sooner and it's not there when you buy it.

FYI, looks like business class passengers are no longer automatically allowed access to the lounge at Chicago Union.

https://www.amtrak.com/at-the-station/station-lounges.html

That is a major change. Hopefully elimination of large numbers of passengers entering while paying a relatively small fare premium will allow Amtrak to upgrade the food and snack offerings.

Anyone know if any of the showers in Chicago are wheelchair accessible? Shower bench or chair, hand held shower head, grab bars. I'll be arriving on Zephyr, leaving several hours later if we are not too late.