Here's American Express' new Centurion Lounge in Salt Lake City - and we in Italy can only dream about it

It seems unbelievable, but while in America American Express continues to multiply its Centurion Lounge like mushrooms after the rain, in Europe we remain stuck at the usual (few) well-known addresses. The new opening of Salt Lake City (SLC) is the Thirty-first Centurion Lounge in the world, and the first ever implemented by a credit card issuer inside the Utah airport. In Italy, however, there is not even a shadow of this luxury.

In the old continent, the lounges signed Amex are still a rarity: there is London Heathrow, soon will come Amsterdam Schiphol, and a "hybrid" version at Stockholm Arlanda - but of Rome, Milan or even Paris no sign on the horizon. And yes, it does hurt a bit to think that those departing from Fiumicino or Malpensa, even with a Platinum in their wallet, have to make do with the convention halls, which are often more crowded than exclusive.

Welcome to the SLC lounge: 1,670 square meters of wonderment

Yet, looking at the pictures and reading the description of the new Centurion Lounge by Salt Lake City International Airport, it is hard not to be amazed.

A Open space of nearly 18,000 square feet (about 1,670 m²), with A panoramic outdoor terrace open year-round overlooking the Wasatch Mountains, a Hearth Room in ski-lodge style With 360-degree fireplace, two bars, a gourmet buffet and even a "Blue Roast" coffee bar by American Express Where to order espresso, cold brew and seasonal specialties.

Opening hours? From 4:45 am to 11:15 pm, seven days a week. Basically, a second home for people who fly often-and maybe just finished a day on the slopes in Park City.

Starred cuisine and signature cocktails

The menu is signed by the team of The Culinary Collective by The Centurion Lounge, with dishes designed by James Beard award-winning chefs such as. Kwame Onwuachi, Mashama Bailey, Mike Solomonov and Sarah Grueneberg. They range from the Caribbean Wedding Soup at Farro Pilaf, to bolder dishes such as the Grilled Cabbage with Tehina and Harissa. To top it all off, desserts such as the Earl Grey Panna Cotta and signature cocktails such as the Park City Sling, made with gin, black cherry and lemon.

There is no shortage of attention to wellness: in the Recovery Room you can relax with massage, compression boots and healthy snacks designed to restore energy after a busy day.

Utah-inspired design and local art

The lounge is an homage to the Utah landscape: warm tones, natural materials, large spaces and artworks by local artists. These include a monumental weaving by Rebecca Whitaker inspired by mountains and salt marshes, and a laminated glass ceiling reflecting light like the crystals of the Great Salt Lake.

The result is a cozy yet sophisticated environment, an elegant retreat that combines Amex sophistication with the unique character of the area.

Centurion network continues to grow

With Salt Lake City, the Centurion Lounges rise to. 31 in the world, and soon to be added Newark (EWR), Amsterdam (AMS) e Sidecar by Centurion Lounge a Las Vegas. Overall, Amex members with access to the Global Lounge Collection can count on more than 1,550 lounges worldwide.

But here in our country?

And here comes the disconsolate part of the story: In Italy, we continue to watch from afar. In a country where premium traffic is growing and there is no shortage of frequent flyers, a real Centurion Lounge in Rome or Milan would be a revolution. That would be the way to say: again, Amex travelers deserve a special place to stop, work, or just breathe a little quiet before the next flight, but maybe there might be surprises at the end of the work at FCO.

Salt Lake City, a new traveler's paradise

It is worth noting: the opening of the new Centurion Lounge comes a few days away from the opening of the equally spectacular Delta Sky Club, always in the Concourse B Of the Salt Lake City airport. A space From more than 34,000 square feet (about 3,160 m²), the Second largest in the entire Delta network, capable of accommodating up to 600 guests.

The design here also celebrates Utah's landscapes, with panoramic windows on the runway, natural materials and light touches reminiscent of snow in winter. Amenities include a wraparound bar, Nine soundproof booths to work in silence, a buffet of freshly prepared dishes and even a "Dirty Soda Bar", a tribute to local tradition.

In a nutshell, Salt Lake City has become the new benchmark of American premium travel - an airport where even a layover becomes a luxury experience, one of the few U.S. hubs still to have no direct connections to Italy. And for us Europeans (and Italians in particular), we can only hope that sooner or later someone in Rome or Milan take example.

• Centurion lounge