The Aspire AMEX Lounge stands as the exclusive common-use lounge in the YUL Domestic terminal offering sophisticated table-side dining service. You can indulge in culinary creations from celebrated local chefs and signature cocktails crafted by the Montreal's most distinguished cocktail bars.
Overall, Aspire AMEX Salon/Lounge comes across as stylish, clean, and well lit with a calm ambience and friendly service, though experiences vary widely. Many guests praise the modern design, easy table service, quick drinks, and a strong coffee and cocktail program, along with comfortable seating and good views of the airport. Food experiences are more mixed: some dishes are described as fresh, well prepared and flavorful, while others note small portions, limited vegetarian options, and an ordering system that requires one item at a time via QR code, with kitchen pauses and occasional long waits. A common thread is the a la carte concept without a buffet, which some appreciate for variety but others feel reduces value when meals arrive slowly. Access can be busy and entry may involve waiting or pre booking; several reviews mention occasional understaffing and occasional slow service during peak times. Restroom availability is inconsistent across locations, which factors into the overall impression for some travelers.
I use Amex Platinum, was excited to try this lounge for the first time. I asked the waiter for'anything vegan I,m not fussy'. First I was told the menus are clearly labeled. They are not. Nothing in terms of allergens is noted which is dangerous. Then I was told they have NOTHING Vegan to offer me for food except the chicken'without the chicken'. This is absurd & unacceptable. Shame on whoever made this menu. Meat is the leading cause of environmental destruction & the leading cause of needless suffering in animals. Get your act together & offer some cruelty free options!
This lounge is beautiful! The staff are so friendly & accommodating & the food is a wonderful change from the generic buffets or grab-&-go options! The food is elevated & the cocktails are fantastic. David is particularly welcoming & friendly & went out of his way to stop & connect with passengers.
I had a great experience in the Aspire lounge while passing through Montreal recently. The food was delicious, the staff was very helpful finding me options to address my dietary restrictions & they even ensured my food came quickly because I had a short stopover. I especially love that the food offerings are healthy & made to order. I look forward to coming back again.
Not enough vegetarian options. Mostly appetizers. Even the salad has Caesar dressing with anchovies in it. & then it's MAc n Cheese as a dinner meal. Which is a kids food item.
I am honestly surprised by the negative reviews, I had a great experience here.
From the moment I arrived, I was walked to my table & noticed how clean & well-kept the place was. The service was super fast, & since I went on December 31st, the lounge wasn't busy at all, there were hardly 10 people so it felt very relaxed.
I really enjoyed the food I ordered: the spinach eggplant lasagna, focaccia bread, hummus, & the chocolate orange cake were all delicious & fresh. I also had a wholesome conversation with the waitress, which made the experience even better.
My only small suggestion would be to add more dessert options if possible, but overall everything was great & I have no complaints. I'd definitely come back!
Jan 12, 2026
on Google
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I love the atmosphere, the cleanliness of the place, the various seat options & the staff. I gave it a 4 star instead of five due to limited lunch options (it's kale sale or kale chicken salad or chicken again) & the inability to order more than 1 item at a time.
OK. This may be a contentious opinion given the recent reviews, but here goes.
The lounge is busy. Very busy. They are not only accommodating their own guests, but those from the AC lounge across the hall. Secondly, they are taking the overflow from the underwhelming AC Cafe that serves pre-packaged food & a limited offering of beer & wine (no spirits.)
So yes, there is a wait. If you can't get in quick enough for your liking, pay more for the premium AmEx, or fly more for higher status.
The lounge is well appointed, quiet, & clean. The staff are wonderful. The manager floating around the lounge accomplished dozens of small tasks & constantly checked in with guests to ensure they were comfortable. Kudos to her, I wish I got her name so I could publicly acknowledge her.
There are no restrooms; however, if you are comparing that against the AC cafe it's the same (no washroom,) & the Maple Leaf lounge restroom was usually so crowded / in such poor condition I would exit the lounge to use one of the terminal facilities anyway.
The food is fine. The dinner selections & breakfast options have a variety of plates for varied tastes. There are scads of drink options, including signature cocktails from local bars.
I suspect the majority of the complaints directed at this facility are coming from people that couldn't get in, had to wait to get in, or expected to be higher priority than the thousands of other travelers that have'status' flooding through here everyday.
It's great. The Google rating implies some of the clientele aren't.
After trying this lounge & reviewing it as a Visa-Dragon Pass user, I can say that it is not worth the time you spend waiting to get in. The food quality is average at best, & in some cases poor. You must order everything through your phone, one dish or drink at a time, & each order takes around 10 to 15 minutes to arrive.
To even have the option of using the lounge, you need to join the waiting list at least 5 hours in advance, & they will only allow entry 3 hours before your flight. In my case, I arrived 5 hours early & was called only 2.5 hours before my flight. I don't think someone arriving just 3 hours before departure would have any chance of getting in.
Overall, I no longer think this lounge service is worth it.
Dec 7, 2025
on Google
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MLL Client, here because our lounge is closed. So glad it was. We walked right in at lunch time on a Sunday. The food was excellent & the table ordering via QR code was simple & fast. It is smaller than the MLL down the hall, but brighter, cleaner. We chose a table but there are variety of options. Loved the service - - staff were more than friendly. Thanks YUL domestic / you exceeded expectations
