MONTREAL — It is without a doubt one of the most beautiful airport lounges at Montreal-Trudeau.

Opened jointly by Aspire Executive Lounges and American Express, this brand new space is a game changer for YUL’s airport facilities.

Located in the domestic terminal, past security, the new Aspire/Amex Lounge also becomes the first shared lounge accessible to all travellers flying domestically.

Reserved primarily for American Express members, it is also accessible to anyone for a fee of $60 per adult and $40 per child.

Offering Montreal’s renowned culinary excellence with an exceptionally distinctive style, the lounge exudes an intimate boutique hotel atmosphere to provide guests with a soothing and refined experience. “It’s a privileged place to relax, recharge, and enjoy Montreal hospitality at its finest,” say its designers.

Several features make this lounge unique. First, its ceilings are at least twice as high as those of other YUL lounges, and its exterior facades are entirely glass. Even though it doesn’t face the tarmac (but the highway), its translucent facades bathe the 3,700 square feet of the lounge, designed by Montreal architectural design firm Artesa, in light. It’s also decorated with remarkable works by Montreal photographer Nicolas Ruel.

The Aspire/Amex Lounge also stands out for its integration of Montreal’s local culture into the heart of the airport. Travellers can start their journey with a latte from Café Saint-Henri, a roaster renowned for its rich, carefully crafted blends.

For those looking for a drink, the renowned Cloakroom Bar, one of Montreal’s most popular cocktail bars (and one of the 50 best cocktail bars in North America), offers exclusive creations inspired by its Montreal menu.

On the food side, the salon has partnered with Édouard et Léo, a neighbourhood butcher shop that works directly with Quebec producers to offer quality, responsible and sustainable ingredients.

The famous Saint-Viateur bagels with smoked salmon are also offered, among other Montreal delicacies.

Rather than laying out a buffet like most airport lounges, the lounge offers a three-course meal to enhance the experience. For those in a hurry or whose flight is too short to accommodate a meal, a takeout service is also available.

Open daily from 5 a.m. to 9 p.m., the lounge offers 100 seats in its dining room and bar (where drinks are offered at will), as well as a lounge area, workstations and private booths – including one reserved for phone calls – to maximize comfort and functionality for passengers.

The Aspire/Amex Lounge is the first full-service lounge in YUL’s domestic terminal, as well as Amex’s first co-branded lounge in Canada.

Michael Selman, Director, Lifestyle Travel and Benefits, International Card Services; Kim Kuzmak, Vice President, Lifestyle Benefits, Partnerships and Brand; and Becky Brescacin, Senior Director, Corporate Affairs and Communications, all of American Express Canada

“American Express is committed to delivering exceptional and enriching travel experiences in every way,” said Kim Kuzmak, Vice President of Benefits, Partnerships and Lifestyle Brand, American Express Canada. “Partnering with Aspire to open this new lounge is an important milestone and represents how we strive to provide our cardholders with enhanced access and a more enjoyable travel journey.”

Aspire Executive Lounges, a division of Swissport International, is one of the world’s largest airport hospitality brands, with six million guests annually passing through one of its approximately 100 lounges worldwide.

“We have already established airport lounges in Montreal – we operate the National Bank lounge – and we also just opened another one on the international side two weeks ago,” Jorge Da Silva, head of lounge operations for North America at Aspire, explained to Profession Voyages.

Jorge Da Silva, Head of Salon Operations, North America, at Aspire

“We have other similar projects underway, including a lounge at the Calgary airport that will take up the concept we developed in Montreal,” added Da Silva, who describes himself as a proud Montrealer, and for whom this project was particularly significant.

To learn more about American Express in Canada, see amex.ca. For more information on Aspire Lounges see executivelounges.com.

This article originally appeared at ProfessionVoyages.com, part of The Travelweek Group