Airport Business Lounge opens July 1st .

Posted on the PJIA Facebook page.
7 Days away! The wait is almost over. July 1st, 2024, join us at The Princess Sky Lounge, where sophistication meets convenience. Discover a world of elegance and relaxation at Princess Juliana International Airport. 🛩️💼 #PrincessSkyLounge #AirportElegance #ComingSoon #PJIA80 #sxmairport

Princess Juliana International Airport - St. Maarten
Mervin Hanley
Good Afternoon,
The business lounge is for,
- premium passengers
- passengers flying first class and business class
- Passengers with high level frequent flyer status
- Passengers with premium travel credit card memberships.
Stay tuned this week for further information.
Safe Travels ☺️✈️

Looks like I'll be able to use this July 24. YAY.

It looked like it was pretty close when we were there on June 17, although allegedly they hadn't gotten their liquor license yet. That blurb didn't mention anything about paying for a one time entrance, but I hope that is still available.

Some of the comments on their page indicated it was free for passengers qualifying. No mention of an entrance charge for nonqualifying passengers but all he info isn't published yet.

Free for us with Amex .

Posted on their site.
"UPDATE
Good Morning☺️
The Business Lounge is managed and operated by one of our concessionaires.
Opening will be on July 1st, 2024
On the day of opening and until further notice the business lounge will be open to all passengers on a walk in basis.
There will be a fee and payment will be received in Credit card, debit card or cash.
Furthermore, they are waiting for agreements with stakeholders which will determine which travel credit cards and airline classes will have complimentary access to the lounge.
Safe Travels ☺️✈️"

OK, thanks for the update.

That "...waiting for agreement with stakeholders..." sound like we'll all be paying. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but I was getting my hopes up.

No Airport in the World can denied any one with their Priority Pass from Amex Platinum.

Lesley--truthfully, any airport can deny access to their business lounge to most any card they want. Presumably they will have similar rules to what they had in the past though.

"No Airport in the World can denied any one with their Priority Pass from Amex Platinum."
I've learned a long time ago to never say never. You can be denied because of dress code amongst other reasons.

Yeah, I was hopeful as well. Looks like it will be a similar situation as the old one was, and I'm sure it will be more than $20 now. Still worth it to me if it's quiet.

Also, capacity limit and card level are often issues

Remember when travelers dressed really nice???? I still wear a jacket and dress slacks when traveling to "our" island!!! Now half of them I bet barely bath before leaving the house, still in their PJ's!! AND those will be the first to B*TCH that they have been denied entrance to the lounge!!!

Remember when the seats were still wide enough to accomodate a jacket? Since the airlines obviously don't care about the comfort of their passengers, it's not suprising that individuals dress with their own confort in mind. However I also still long for the good old days when flying was a pleasure, not an ordeal. And I think you can dress comfortably and neatly, but dress will lways be a matter of personal choice

I completely agree with Tim. Airlines used to care about passenger comfort. Now, it is just squishing as many people as they can into the plane.
I dress for comfort but I do always bathe before getting on a plane!

Yeah. Love the guys that fly in wife beaters. Especially when they are stowing their umpteen carryons over your seat.

I loved the old lounge. I’m sure I’ll like this one. Usually quieter, cooler with better WIFI. I don’t drink on travel days so I don’t take advantage of the alcohol offerings but they will probably have some decent snacks like before.

I can remember when I was narrow enough to fit in the seat with a jacket on!

I don't think I have ever seen anyone denied from accessing an airline lounge due to attire, not sure anyone cares that much what your wear as long as you don't wear offensive things or stink (lord have mercy with the political shirts at airports now-a-days LOL)!

Yes always love the snacks !

Just got back from Asia for work and the noise level in Hong Kong compared to DFW was very noticeable but then again lounges in Asia are not packed with families and non business travelers, I cant see the lounge in SXM being quiet Gakaye.

It always was before. Might depend on how expensive or accessible it is..

Tim--absolutely. Before the lounge was an oasis of peace and quiet.

Carol I hope it will be but I have my doubts. Whenever you have an entry fee per say you are always going to have the I have to get my moneys worth crowd IMHO. This being a vacation hub and not a typical business class lounge it will have a livelier crowd like the lounge at Puna Cana now granted I do think you have more of a party crowd going to the DR vs SXM but old people can be obnoxious too LOL besides where will all the wheelchairs be able to be stored at the new SXM lounge

Alltech--as I said, it was quiet BEFORE in SXM, and you could pay to go in, as that's what I did. It was heaven. We shall see how this version is.

From my recollection from the last one , there was no load noise to be heard from the Lounge .

It was probably only after my 5th or 6th visit to SXM that I even discovered the old lounge was open to the public - just had always had assumed it was only for the traveling elite. I always found it to be a quiet, calm, cool, comfortable oasis and for me, worth the price of admission. I hope that when all renovations are completed (if ever!) the new departure hall will be comfortable enough so that the general public won't feel the need to patronize the new lounge and it will resemble the old one.

If the price for admission is $20/person, as it was in the old Soualiga Business Class Lounge, that will be unattractive to many SXM visitors.

If its $20/person there will be literally no room for anyone in the lounge. A beer and a water costs $20 at an airport bar. I hope they charge $50/person at least!

Lol you have a point because three weeks I had one glass of wine with splash of cranberry juice and it was $ 13.00 plus tip $ 15.00 . Go figure lol.

I think that you overestimate the willingness of many SXM visitors to cough up yet another $20/head on their way off of the island. Some, but not a lot, will. Most won’t.

I'm not too sure the alcoholic drinks will be free in the lounge. Were they free in the old lounge?

Beer and wine only.

Thanks. It's what I figured but didn't know for sure.

Hopefully we will find out today (July 1)….

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1038566957693466

In the promo video it shows a nice shower available in the executive lounge, so if you drag yourself to the airport right off the beach you can wash the sand away before boarding your flight. There is a dress code so coverup and don’t wear your sandy beach flip flops entering the lounge.

Not true I have had many Bloody Mary's at the old lounge

Elaine didn't say other drinks were not available, just that they were not FREE.

Information via SXM Airport Instagram, $60/pp + no complimentary access for anyone yet.

Unveiling our stunning new Business Class Lounge in collaboration with GCG - a true symbol of sophistication and elegance. Welcome to a world of luxury and comfort! #PJIAE #GCG #TravelInStyle #PJIA80 #sxmairport #Businesslounge 🛫👨‍✈️👩‍✈️

The Princess Sky Lounge is accessible to all passengers on a walk-in basis, and subject to a fee payable by credit card, debit card, or cash.

Safe Travels☺️✈
2h
sxmairport's profile picture
UPDATE TO QUESTIONS:

Good Morning to all ☺️

The Business Lounge is managed and operated by one of our concessionaires, GCG.

On the day of their soft opening, July 1st 2024, and until further notice the business lounge will be open to all passengers on a walk in basis.

The fee of $60 USD per passenger, is accepted in credit card, debit card or cash.

The fee includes:
- Alcoholic drinks
- Non alcoholic drinks
- Food (snacks, charcuterie, soups, salads, fruit, pastries and sandwiches)
- Wifi
- *Showers are not available yet.

Furthermore, they are waiting for agreements with stakeholders which will determine which travel credit cards and airline classes will have access to the lounge. Therefore, until then, everyone is to pay the fee.

Safe Travels☺️🛫

$60/pp? That's steep

It is steep but also on par with other lounges that you can pay to access. Aruba is about the same.

Thanks for posting, erb.

Wow, yes, that does seem a little high. I don't think we'll be chipping in $120.

Yes, we're at the airport now and we were told 60/pp, no contracts in place yet with anyone. They're calling this a soft opening, and are working on contracts, no estimate on timeline.

Phyllis--did you ask them if you could go in and look around, before spending the $60?? I probably would, even if I had no intention of paying it. ...but I'm devious...

Pass on it this ,till its changed back to our free Priorty Pass with Amex .

Hi, Carol - so I just went back, and they did let me look around. Looks nice, and actually a little smaller than I remembered from the last one they had. The front desk person did not know the capacity. There is an upstairs which she thinks will open next week, with an outdoor area. They offer free alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages, and open hot and cold buffet.

BTW, we declined, feeling that 120/couple is a little steep for less than 2 hours until boarding time. We found a comfortable spot in the waiting area, with wonderful a/c and charging outlets and 2 hours free wifi. That's good enough for us now.

Big difference from last year when we were hovering around any available fan!

Hi. Thanks for the additional info!! I thought maybe there was going to be a second floor to it and Eric said I was all wet. That outdoor area sounds intriguing, but not really $120 worth.. I think it will be really popular with those who are going back to cold climates. Thank god, that's not me anymore!! I remember very fondly the old airport, when you could go outside and sit in the sun and get a drink before heading back north.

Lesley--there's no 'changed back', as this is a totally new situation.

Since we'll be getting food and drinks with our First Class/Business tickets we'll pass on that 120. If it was included with our FC ticket or 20pp we would probably give it a try.

Maybe if one has "connections" with airport management, they can get a free pass?

Yes new and privately run , hence we pass until its changed back to Priority Pass free.

Lesley. Hope you are right about AMEX providing free access eventually. $60 seems a little pricey since I don’t drink on flight day.

Prayers Tim and my Wife, Shirley is traveling to Toronto in August and was looking forward to using the Lounge .

Will she be there for Caribana Lesley? It’s like August 1-5.

Nah August 22nd to the 29h for her Birthday and helping our Daughter with her new lovely first home in downtown Toronto.

Yes they were

dj--I think you are mis-remembering, as that's how I remember it also, only beer and wine free. Regardless, it's a moot point now.