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Lounge Comfort |
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Lounge Cleanliness |
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Bar & Beverages |
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Catering |
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Internet / Wifi |
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Staff Service |
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Amman Crown Lounge, despite an impressive investment in infrastructure, fails to deliver.
Newly built (open for about 4 months at the time), large, and boasting high-end features such
as bedrooms along with high-end features one can expect to find in a flagship lounge. We had a
long transfer at AMM (originally scheduled for 12 hours, which ended out being 19 hours due to
RJ technical problems), so were looking forward to a good lounge to make the wait less taxing.
The first glitch occurred when staff at the counter attempted to deny us entry to the lounge
saying that we should only come to the lounge 2-3hrs before our flight. When we pointed out
to them the complete absurdity of this request, given that we were on transit between two RJ
flights, and that this goes against the Oneworld regulations, the matter was settled.
However, this was a poor welcome if we ever saw one. The so called bedrooms, are a paid
service at $50 for the first four hours, then $20 per hour. Fair enough, though a bit pricey
for a long stay (and a bit cheeky to price the first segment at 4 hours when they try to deny
entry only 2 hours before the flight). We had a look at a room, which included a double bed,
shower and a cupboard (some 25 sqm I would say). We went to confirm that we wanted the room
(was traveling with my wife, pregnant of 6 months at the time) and were told that the rooms
are considered single rooms, and under no circumstances can be let out to more than one
person. Again, I stress that the room clearly had a double bed, but we failed to get anywhere
with this, and were told that this is a clear order from “senior RJ management”. Why RJ went
to the trouble of building and designing such rooms is questionable given this policy, but at
least this should be clearly flagged on their website when they talk of this so that other
couples do not plan to book this service and make alternative arrangements. The lounge offers
quiet rooms, with some 6-7 armchairs in a relatively dark and quiet area adjacent to the
bedrooms. However, we found these very uncomfortable to attempt to sleep on, and ended up
leaving the lounge to a nearby hotel to get some sleep. In the morning, there was a nice yet
modest buffet (cold items only). In the evening there were three hot dishes. None too
appealing, but ok to snack if hungry. A separate, staffed bar in a separate corner, with
less options that one finds in most other large lounges, but large enough to cover basic
requests. Infrastructure impressive, and clearly RJ invested a lot in creating the lounge.
However, it is a bad sign that only 4 months after opening, there are already issues with core
features. For example, there are some 12 individual sofas with personalized TV screens and
high-end headsets. When we tried to use them, we found the volume level unbearably loud. We
tried another station. Same thing. When we asked the RJ staff we were told that all the TVs
were like this, and there is nothing to be done except to hold the headsets some 50cm away
from the ears. Personally, I find this pathetic, and a miserable design/execution of a key
feature of a lounge. I could go on, but I think the message is clear - Amman Crown Lounge,
despite an impressive investment in infrastructure, fails to deliver. My gut feeling is that
with time, as the new furniture and excitement wears down, this will rapidly become a B-rated
lounge at best.
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