Is a hotel club lounge worth the money?

Follow out expert tips and make the right choice.

Would you pay hundreds of dollars per day on top of a hotel room rate for club lounge access? For most people, that depends on what's included.

Sometimes compared to an exclusive airport lounge, a hotel club lounge is a dedicated space within a hotel offering complimentary food and drinks, business services and concierge assistance for guests staying in club-category accommodations. Subject to capacity, there's usually an option to pay a daily access fee, even if you're staying in a standard room.

Travellers who enjoy a cocktail or three every night will see the value of included alcohol, while others say it's worth it to have access to an exclusive, well-appointed lounge. Some like the convenience of having everything at their fingertips, while for others, club lounge access would be a disincentive to get out and truly experience the destination. "If you're travelling as a group or family, the lounge can be a great communal meeting place," says Anna McMurtrie, managing director of Wentworth Travel. "Many hotel lounges serve breakfast and other snacks throughout the day. These can be beneficial, particularly if you are in an area where food is expensive, or if you are travelling with teenage boys."

During a wonderful two-night stay at the Langham, Boston, I barely left the hotel and had no regrets about cocooning in the club lounge with complimentary breakfast, lunch and a dinner spread that included jumbo shrimp cocktail and a delicious beef stroganoff pasta.

There was a candy station with chocolate bars, plus wine and beer, soft drinks, tea and coffee. Attendants were on hand to help with printing documents, travel planning and city information. I would have been happy to shelter in place there for a week.

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Guests not booked in Club rooms at the Langham, Boston, have the option to pay $US150 ($222) per day for adults and $US50 per day for kids aged 5-17 for access. "Langham Club has proven to be extremely popular with guests as it provides an exclusive check-in area and business centre combined with a lounge and dining area," says Andre Jacques, regional director of marketing at Langham Hotels.

Designed to look like a high-end members' club, no two Club InterContinental experiences are the same. At the Fiji property, for example, access includes an infinity pool, while in Singapore, guests enjoy locally inspired dishes and the opportunity to don traditional dress on a guided heritage walking tour.

"It's the cultural connection we create for guests that sets us apart," says Gareth Long, IHG Hotels and Resorts' regional director of operations, luxury and lifestyle. That connection, he says, can be "through helping guests embrace and explore the local neighbourhood, but also through guest experiences inside the club space".