Oct 27, 2015

HMSHost and Airport Lounge Development Elevate Lounge Experience With Enhanced Dining Offerings for Travelers

ALD’s ‘The Club’ airport lounge customers can access menus by Cowboy Ciao in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Ecco in Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson via mobile

BETHESDA, MD —‘The Club’ airport lounges in Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport now have a unique and delicious set of new dining options for travelers to enjoy. Global restaurateur HMSHost and Airport Lounge Development (ALD), the largest U.S. independent shared-use lounge developer, have collaborated to implement menus from popular HMSHost-operated restaurants into ALD-operated ‘The Club’ airport lounges, enhancing the overall passenger experience. ALD operates the largest U.S. network of independent shared use lounges and brings the airport lounge experience to all travelers, regardless of airline, class of service flown, or affinity membership.

Travelers visiting ‘The Club’ airport lounges in Atlanta and Phoenix will have increased dining options available in the lounge, featuring menus from iconic restaurants in each respective city’s airport. Customers in The Club at ATL in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (located in Concourse F on the Mezzanine Level) can now order from the Ecco menu, and starting in November, customers in The Club at PHX (located in Terminal 4 across from Gate B22 on the upper level) can order from Cowboy Ciao. The restaurant menus can be accessed by tablet as travelers are greeted at the lounge concierge or bar, or after taking their seat in the lounge.

“HMSHost is very excited about working with ALD and we look forward to expanding convenience to ‘The Club’ guests during their travels by offering access to gourmet dining options from these iconic Atlanta and Phoenix restaurants,” said HMSHost Vice President of Operations Tim Slaney. “We could not think of better dining offerings than Cowboy Ciao and Ecco for ‘The Club’ guests.”

“As the largest independent shared-use lounge operator in the U.S., we are constantly seeking opportunities to improve our value proposition for our guests. We are creating a true alternative to other airport lounges by leading the way with this value-added benefit” said Ralph Kinder, ALD Director of Operations. “The partnership with HMSHost is just one part of our strategic visions to enhance the guest experience and provide a truly hospitable lounge that is available to all travelers, regardless of airline or class of service flown, and we’re excited to collaborate on continued industry leadership through this project.”

Cowboy Ciao is one of Phoenix’s must-try restaurants on the street and has been open in the B gate area of Terminal 4 since 2012. Cowboy Ciao is based on a unique Southwest-meets-Italian premise that has evolved into a style best described as eclectic American. Starting in November, travelers visiting The Club at PHX will now have access to famous menu items like the Stetson chopped salad, tiger prawns, open-faced steak sandwich, pastrami-style smoked short ribs, and the indulgent ‘oh, Canada, peanut butter bar’.

Ecco is a celebrated restaurant in Atlanta’s midtown and HMSHost has operated the airport’s Concourse F location since 2013. Ecco offers seasonally-inspired European cuisine and ambiance. The Club at ATL guests will enjoy Ecco’s charcuterie boards, stuffed piquillo peppers, pappardelle pasta, and roasted poulet rouge, among other appetizers and main dishes. For dessert, a chocolate cherry tremezzino or classic cookies and milk are available to pleasantly conclude the meal.

“HMSHost is dedicated to taking innovative approaches to improving the traveler experience through access to leading dining options, high quality hospitality, and customer service, and the addition of serving travelers at ALD’s airport Clubs is a natural and exciting project for HMSHost,” said HMSHost Vice President of Innovation Jim Schmitz.

For more information visit: http://www.theclubairportlounges.com.