10 | LUXlife Magazine Best Airport Lounge & Restaurant Group 2025 – Sweden Arlanda Airport in Stockholm, Sweden, is home to the American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, a relaxing, spacious environment available exclusively for Amex Platinum and Centurion cardholders. Situated above the main concourse of terminal five, guests are greeted with spectacular views of both the runway and the surrounding forests, making this the perfect place to escape the bustle of a crowded airport. Mariela Hernandez, who is responsible for heading up this operation, caught up with us for more on the back of its recognition with this award. Regardless of the destination, the place to begin a trip is in the American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, a place where discerning travellers with the right credentials can enjoy an exquisite breakfast, lunch, or dinner – either in the Lounge or on the go – depending on the time of their departure. Guests are invited to ascend the stairs, leaving behind the airport chaos and entering an oasis of calm and luxury. They are greeted with a smile and a warm welcome, before being guided by a member of the team here. For those with Platinum cards, a variety of seating options are available. From couchtable combos and semi-private booths to workstations, there is something for every guest to enjoy – whether they seek a tasty meal, a quite place to work, or simply somewhere comfortable to relax before their flight. Should these guests arrive during breakfast, they are afforded access to a comprehensive buffet of sandwiches, fruits, yogurts, fresh juices, and more. For lunch and dinner, this buffet gives way to a streamlined a-la-carte menu. Across a handful of courses inspired by traditional Swedish dishes, all of which can be tastefully altered to suit dietary requirements, guests savour the rich flavour profiles created by Pontus Frithiof, the passionate chef and restaurant entrepreneur behind the Lounge. The menu is included in a guest’s Platinum membership, with optional extras available. Similarly, Centurion cardholders are offered a seat in a quieter, more spacious environment within a separate area of its Lounge, as well as an upgraded three-course menu which, again, is included in their membership. This is not all, with premium wines and champagnes also being offered at no additional charge, making this location ultra-premium for guests. Whichever card guests possess, they will see first-hand what sets the Lounge apart from its contemporaries: the blend of customer service excellence and top-quality meals and beverages. As Mariela explained: “Our guests need only to choose which of the tasty dishes they want to try first and do their best to go for seconds before boarding their flights. We update our menu every few weeks to give the frequent flyers a new culinary adventure and offer fresh-baked goodies to complete the dining experience.” More cardholders than ever mean there is an increased amount of people visiting the Lounge each year, and so as to not risk sacrificing the quality, generosity, flare, and world-class service the location has come to be known for, new staff are brought in where necessary, and routines are fine-tuned to drive efficiency and value for guests. “We are a diverse team of servers and chefs with varying backgrounds. Many of our staff have worked in the service industry for many years and followed our congenial spirits into the world of customer interactions. Those of us that have multiple years of experience in service help develop our new brethren.” Pontus himself also looks at new ways to both excite his guests and to meet the evolving needs of diners in Stockholm more broadly. He not only does this through his eponymous American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, but also through the other locations he runs under the Pontus Frithiof Group, which we have also recognised with this dual award. Highlights of his portfolio include Le Bar, a luxurious rooftop bar with as mile-wide view of Stockholm, and Pontus Frithiof at Bro Hof, a golf/dining destination. Excitingly, the Pontus Fritiof Group is currently in the process of expanding, all whilst keeping its Swedish roots intact. This is seen through its latest project: Pontus Frithiof at Spotify New York. Having signed a five-year deal to operate an in-house restaurant at the Swedish music service provider’s offices on the 72nd floor of the 4 World Trade Center, this next chapter is seeing the Group go international with its operation. Whether looking at its collection of leading restaurants or the world-class American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof, the common theme across the Pontus Fritiof Group is exceptional quality. For this, it is more than deserving of a place in this programme. Contact: Mariela Hernandez Company: The American Express Lounge by Pontus Frithiof Web Address: https://www.pontusfrithiof.com/ AIM-Aug25397
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