Mauro Deffendini
Google
The Chase Sapphire Lounge truly shines like its name 💎✨: an experience as brilliant as a sapphire. From the moment you’re welcomed, the warmth, hospitality, and attention to detail make you feel like a VIP 🙌.
The food alone is worth the visit 🍴. The Thai fried chicken 🍗 was perfectly crispy on the outside and tender all the way through—so flavorful it needed no sauce at all. Starters like the pearl couscous spread with Parmesan 🧀, the velvety Muhammara dip with pillowy pita bread 🫓, and the broccoli salad delicately drizzled with aromatic Greek olive oil 🥦🫒 were each fresh and memorable. But the standout for me was the Parmesan coleslaw-style salad 🥗—light, crisp, and topped with thin shavings of Parmesan that made it one of the best salads I’ve ever had.
For mains, the lemon- and garlic-scented salmon with fluffy rice and broccoli 🐟🍋🍚 was so fresh and balanced it felt like a home-cooked meal. The Beyond Meat burger on buttery brioche 🍔🥬🍅 was hearty and indulgent, while the Asian noodles tossed with spicy sauce, edamame, and chickpeas 🍜🌶️ delivered the perfect kick to become another favorite. The tender pulled meat over brown rice 🥩🍚 was unexpectedly comforting.
The bar is another highlight 🍸. David, who remembered my exact preferences, served an Aperol Spritz 🥂 that was bright and refreshing, a Baileys with cinnamon dusting ☕✨ that felt like dessert in a glass, and both a classic vermouth 🍷 and a silky espresso martini with a cinnamon twist 🍸🌿—all executed with finesse. Beyond cocktails, there are refreshments available at all times 🥤 along with a full range of coffee options ☕, perfect for any traveler who wants to fuel up day or night.
Beyond food and drinks, the lounge itself offers plush, comfortable seating 🛋️, spa treatments 💆 if booked in advance, and a relaxed atmosphere that makes time before a flight genuinely enjoyable ✈️. They even have diapers for baby’s in the restrooms in case you run into an emergency situation with the little ones. 👶🏼
But what truly sets this lounge apart is the people 🤝. From Jenny rolling out the Chase-blue carpet 💙, Andrea, Ami, Josue, Jonathan, Isa, and even the next American Idol star colleague who sang for us 🎶, everyone ensured check-in and the lounge experience ran seamlessly. Big kudos 👏 to the bar team and kitchen staff 👨🍳🍹 who crafted every recipe with passion and care. The service was thoughtful, personal, and exceptional at every step—all carefully led by manager Ayesha Moin, who truly delivers the Sapphire standard.
I’ve traveled through lounges in Dubai, Bangkok, Moscow, Madrid, Paris, and New York 🌍, but none match the Sapphire standard set here in San Diego 🌴☀️. This isn’t just a lounge—it’s one of my favorite dining and travel experiences anywhere. I’d happily plan another trip just to relive this San Diego travel state of mind 💭🌊 all over again. Till next time… ✈️💙