United Polaris Lounge — Local services in Houston

So, it's not a horrible lounge... in 2018 the place is brand new. Still, its got a lot of dowside.

The bar is nice and they have a small restaurant style seating area where you can order from a limited menu. That food is petty good for an airport lounge. Note that even though it's all "free" tipping at those two spots is pretty much expected.

If you don't have time for that, the food on the "self serve" section it really pretty bad. Stick with the soups or the cookies. I had a "chicken slider" which was essentially a rubbery chicken nugget on a white roll. No sauce, lettuce, or even a pickle.

It's also too small. It's always crowded. I often have to look a while for a place to sit. I have had to wait in line for a restroom too. Kind of annoying. Having said that, the restrooms are clean and very private so, I guess, worth the wait?

Oh, one other very annoying thing: all of the electrical plugs in the lounge are US style, and not like every other international lounge in the world with "universal" plugs. A lot of the chairs do have USB ports for charging but for laptops or anything else, be warned. United, the worst American airline, does not seem to like foreigners much. Chicago design at its finest.

In spite of all the minor negatives, it's still a decent place to hang out. It's clean, the staff are super courteous, everything is a kept in order. It's at least better than sitting in the...

Comparatively the overall Polaris business class lounge experience is a welcome change for a US based carrier.

QUIET SUITES There are only two. It'll be interesting to see when more people want to use it. That said, United has done a good job with this. It really is quiet and they actually give you warm blankets!!!

DINING The real dining experience to beat is Lufthansa's first class dining room.

To start, chilled gaspacho. The greens are served on the plate and the gaspacho is poured in table side. Needed a bit more seasoning.

Next was the Argentinean roast chicken breast, black beans and crispy fried sweet plantains with chimichurrri sauce.

Best part of the dish was the plantains, which I nibbled. Chicken was ok. And I think it's minute rice. The black beans had zero flavor.

For the intermezzo, I had the shrimp salad cups. Butter lettuce, cubed cucumber, shredded carrots, purple lettuce. Deep fried crispy nice noodles on the side. Served with a spicy sweet 'nuoc mam' inspired vinaigrette.

The shrimp was actually pretty good. It wasn't overcooked and the sauce was nice.

Finally, it was all over with the arrival of the bacon cheeseburger with an overeasy egg on top.

The burger could have been less done. Fries were crispy as they are made to order. Egg yolk was actually runny. Bacon was also yummy but I think it was made ahead.

All in all? It's pretty good. :)...

During my four-hour layover, I had the pleasure of spending time in the United Polaris lounge, and it truly exceeded my expectations. As soon as I entered, I was struck by the elegant ambiance and the thoughtful design of the space. The lounge was surprisingly spacious and quiet, offering a variety of seating arrangements, from plush armchairs to intimate booths, ensuring that everyone could find a comfortable spot to unwind.

The food options were fantastic, catering to a range of tastes. I appreciated the choice between self-service and a more formal seated dining experience. The self-serve area was well-stocked with an impressive selection of gourmet snacks and beverages, while the restaurant offered a menu filled with delightful culinary creations. I indulged in a couple of dishes that were both beautifully presented and delicious.

The staff members were exceptionally friendly and attentive, readily available to assist with any questions or requests. Their enthusiasm for providing excellent service made the experience even more enjoyable. I felt completely at ease leaving my belongings by my seat as I explored the lounge, which added to the reassuring atmosphere.

Overall, my time in the United Polaris lounge was not just satisfactory—it was surprisingly remarkable. I left feeling refreshed and grateful for such a wonderful...