My first (and last) time in an Italo Club Lounge: review of the lounge at Roma Termini station
As is well known, I am not a HS commuter and so my view is that of the occasional traveler who is [...]
As is well known, I am not an AV commuter. and so my view is that of the occasional traveler who found himself taking a train from Rome to Milan and for reasons of schedule/convenience chose to use the HS instead of the plane for once. The choice this time fell on Italo, only because the ticket was 10€ cheaper than Frecciarossa.
In this article:
It was not my idea to do a review of the trip, but I took the opportunity to try the lounge and compare it with airport products.
Location
The lounge is impossible to miss, is located on the upper floor of the station, next to Eataly. Convenient to reach, at least for me who entered through the main entrance.
Located right next to the Trenitalia lounge, the two signs are hard to ignore.
Access
I was convinced I had paid 15€ when I booked the ticket of Prima Business, which I already don't understand why call Prima Business a travel class. I am not enrolled in the ITALO program, e for once I decided to pay the fee to enter a lounge although at the airport I don't recommend it to everyone because paying is NEVER worth it and to my regret, Priority Pass has not yet extended to rail lounges.
Not having bought access, I paid, the same amount directly at the reception desk And entered the lounge. For everyone else you have to travel in the highest class or have elite status in the Italo loyalty program.
The lounge
A tremendous sadness, probably worse even than the worst lounge I've ever set foot in.
The room is bright, both because of the light colors but especially because of the two windows running on either side of the room, but the good news stops there.
It's an open space. Basic furniture, there are some armchairs, and along the walls some seats with small tables.
The only power outlets are those along the wall and, of course, they are the ideal location where you go to sit if there are vacant seats.
For everyone else, zero chance to recharge their cell phone, or other devices, the lounge beyond chairs offers nothing except a bathroom.
Sure you can sit, but not even in a clean environment. In the 60 minutes or so that I was inside the lounge, I never saw anyone come by to "clean" or order the lounge. The new passenger would arrive, move and make the small table found vacant usable.
Food&Beverage
Okay, I wasn't expecting a wedding banquet, I wasn't hoping for a hot offering, but at least something more than some savory snacks and cookies.
There is a manned counter with an attendant who platters according to customers' requests, the nicest thing is the menu that is left at the table, for a second I thought there was a chance to order something.
There is no refrigerator where you can independently help yourself to a drink, a bottle of water, NOTHING.
I had to go back and forth 5 times to refill the micro cup of Coke, each time from a bottle (fortunately the first glass forced the attendant to open a new one at least it was carbonated. There is no barista, not even a coffee machine. only the automatic dispenser for hot (instant) drinks.
In conclusion
Is it worth spending 15€, absolutely NO. I wanted to try out my first "lounge" of a train company and needed to recharge my computer and phone, but for what it offers and considering that you can get the train in at the last minute, I would advise anyone against visiting
Pro
- Nothing
Against
- It offers nothing
- It costs 15€ to enter
- It was not clean