Left: A woman at a night market with crowds in the background stands holding a bowl of noodles. Right: Inside a lounge with several seating areas and hanging plants from a mezzanine.
Travel host Samantha Brown prefers to hang out in terminals over lounges before a flight because they're less stressful and more fun to explore.
  • Samantha Brown avoids airport lounges, finding them overrated and anxiety-inducing.
  • Brown, a seasoned traveler, prefers exploring terminals despite having lounge access.
  • She enjoys walking, browsing, and people-watching, considering terminals more engaging.

Airport lounges can make travel days easier and more relaxing with cozy couches, complimentary meals, and — in some cases —free facials secluded from an otherwise busy terminal.

But not for Samantha Brown.