Review: Salones VIP Pacific Club 'The Lounge' at Santiago Airport, Chile

The marketing blurb for the Salones VIP Pacific Club lounge ('The Lounge') at Santiago Airport promises "an unforgettable relaxing experience". I hate to break it to you so early in this review: that was far from my experience of this overcrowded, underserved lounge.

Access and Location

Salones VIP run a number of lounges at Santiago International Airport. "The Lounge" is situated in the Domestic Terminal after Security and the Duty Free Area and is right in front of Gate 20A. The positive thing is that there's a lot of decent shopping at Santiago Airport which might be a better use of your time. I used a Priority Pass to gain 'free' airport lounge access to The Lounge.

The typical price of entry per person is $44.490 (Chilean Peso), or around $45 USD. Bookings here.

Ambiance and Facilities

Any expectations are dashed as soon as you enter. As airport lounges go, the lounge was massively overcrowded, more with family groups than anything, and there was limited seating in general. At this Chile airport lounge, don't expect a tranquil environment away from the crowd. The crowd is in the room. There is free wifi and decent air conditioning, which is always welcome, but don't expect to easily see flight information on screens.

Food & Beverage

The lounge advertises a selection of snacks and beverages, including gluten free and vegan options. The food stations were besieged and staff struggling to replenish or tidy things up. There was alcohol, but a problem with mixers. Gin and coke, anyone? Having drinks available is a basic expectation in any lounge setting. Note: there is a 3 drink maximum for all guests although unclear how that would be policed.

Services & Amenities

While staff were mostly friendly, the lounge services left a lot to be desired. After a long day schlepping around Santiago with bags, ahead of a long overnight flight to Auckland, NZ, I chose this lounge for its shower facilities. The shower was in a bit of a forgotten corner of the lounge and hadn't been cleaned in some time. They had no proper towels, just a paper version, and the products on offer were no Aesop body wash or Aveda shampoo! This is why I advise everyone to carry the flattest possible flip-flops and a small shower gel in their carry-on (I use the Osprey Porter) so you can still use the shower, but stay hygienic. Next time, I'm bringing a small microfiber towel too (this one costs less than $10!)!

Shower Amenities

Overall Experience

Regrettably, "The Lounge" by Salones VIP at Santiago Airport falls far short of its promises. The overcrowded space, the subpar shower and limited food and drink options, contribute to a less-than-stellar experience. Avoid, it's not worth it.

A note on Priority Pass

I visited this lounge using a Priority Pass, which gives access to multiple lounges in most airports around the world. Luckily, I was able to leave this lounge and try out the Avianca lounge instead at no extra charge to me. If I'd paid cash for access to The Lounge, I'd have been a lot grumpier. Use my link to check out the Priority Pass options for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

This review is of The Lounge by Salones VIP. It's at Santiago International Airport, also known as SCL for short, or as Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport or as Nuevo Pudahuel Airport.

In my experience, don't bother paying for access to The Lounge, specifically. Read reviews of the other Salones VIP Airport Lounges before paying for access. Many do not provide shower facilities.

There are showers in The Lounge by Salones VIP at Santiago Airport. They aren't particularly clean (at least when I visited).