Are you headed back home to Baltimore and find yourself in the Raleigh-Durham airport with time to spare? Head to the Southwest Airlines terminal — Terminal 1, opposite Gate A21 — and take out a day’s membership in The Club at RDU.
The fee is normally about $30, but they’ve been running some specials. You are greeted at the door, just like a private club. There’s a coat room, a conference room, a lounge with coffee and snacks, a bar area, 3 televisions, a work room with several work stations, FREE WiFi, a computer station, magazines, newspapers.
Upscale beers and rail drinks are included! They do have premium liquors as well, in the $6-8 range. Upscale wines are $14-$16 a glass.
The chairs are comfortable leather and upholsted armchairs and there are restrooms. Lighting is subdued and there are lots of electrical outlets to charge up your electronic devices.
A neat addition they have is an art gallery of paintings and sculptural objects from Mahler Art Gallery in Raleigh and there’s art for sale.
The atmosphere is soothing and pampering. I think of how I am usually situated in the airport: coat bundled up, clutching all of my worldly goods like a refugee. If you have to arrive anywhere with some degree of composure — job interview, meeting the folks, what-have-you — The Club at RDU is the way to go. When my grandfather was still alive, one had to arrive at his home all squared away. He was a former Army surgeon and would have been appalled by any sign of dishevelment. A little visit to The Club might smooth out all the edges.
Luxe & Down-Home Cuisine/Culture/Travel/Style 