15-minute hike from United’s G gates buys you better food

Above gate C4 in Terminal 2, the ANA Suite Lounge / ANA Lounge is the move if you’re comparing Star Alliance options at HNL. Most regulars rate it clearly ahead of the United Club here, mainly on food and overall feel, even though it runs a short day schedule of 08:30–13:45.

The lounge sits upstairs in the Overseas Terminal by gate C4, about a 15‑minute walk from United’s usual G gates, so build some buffer on the return. It’s airside in Terminal 2, so you must already be through security; coming from Terminals 1 or 3, plan at least 20–25 minutes door to door.

Access works three ways: Star Alliance Gold (often honored even on UA domestic-only itineraries per FlyerTalk data points), ANA and Star Alliance premium cabin passengers, or a paid single-entry pass at around $40. Several reports mention successful entry with *G plus one guest, which is strong value compared with buying food and drinks in Terminal 2.

Food beats the HNL United Club: expect hot options on the buffet, better snacks, and more drinkable alcohol, though long-haul ANA flyers say it feels basic next to ANA’s Japan lounges. Figure a solid pre-flight plate and a couple of drinks can easily cover that $40 day pass if you’d otherwise eat in the terminal.

Regular United elites walking over from the G concourse treat it as their quiet pre-flight stop, then leave about 30 minutes before boarding to cover the trek back. Star Alliance elites in economy sometimes pay the $40 just to skip a crowded United Club and get a more relaxed seat plus better snacks and liquor.

Watch out for expectations: ANA loyalists on FlyerTalk call this lounge “simply” equipped, with fewer amenities than Tokyo or Narita, and you won’t find showers or long-haul-style dining. The short 08:30–13:45 window also means late afternoon and evening departures are out of luck.

Practical tip: If you’re departing from a G gate on United, set a hard time—boarding minus 40 minutes—to leave the ANA Lounge so you’re not sprinting back across Terminal 2.