Capital One Lounge

The competition among premium credit card issuers in the US is currently at an all-time high. The three major players—American Express, Chase, and Capital One—are offering lavish airport perks to their cardholders, aiming to attract and retain a younger and expanding customer base.

The Capital One Lounge at Denver International Airport, opened in November 2023, is the financial institution’s third outpost, following Dallas-Ft. Worth and Washington Dulles.

While Capital One lounge network may be trailing behind its competitors (as of the current writing, American Express boasts an impressive domestic and international airport lounge network, and Chase has four clubs in the US and Hong Kong), their product is undeniably impressive.

The Capital One Lounge in Denver is situated in Concourse A, near gate A34, close to Southwest and United’s international boarding gates. The club is accessible from Concourses B and C, but passengers departing from the furthest B and C gates are advised to allow at least 20 minutes to reach their gate.

The Capital One Lounge at Denver International Airport welcomes Capital One Venture X card members and two guests, on a complimentary and unlimited basis. Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card and Capital One Spark Miles for Business card holders receive two complimentary visits per year. Additionally, the club is open to all passengers on a pay-in basis, irrespective of credit card membership, airline, or destination.

Note that customers can only use the lounge for up to three hours prior to their flight, regardless of the duration of their layover, if applicable.

Capital One Lounge DEN design

Spanning 10,800 square feet, the Capital One Lounge at Denver International Airport is located on the mezzanine level of the terminal, offering bright and luminous surroundings with expansive tarmac views.

The vibrant, airy lobby resembles a swanky hotel lobby rather than a traditional airport lounge reception area. Instead of an imposing check-in desk, Capital One has opted for a less intimidating “island” adorned with a large indoor tree. Staff members roam around seamlessly checking in guests with a mobile device, eliminating the need for lines or signs.

A distinctive feature of Capital One Lounges, also present in Dallas-Ft. Worth and Washington Dulles, is the complimentary selection of “grab-and-go” items in the lobby. Capital One provides a variety of shrink-wrapped snacks, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and drinks for passengers in a rush or those who want to grab a snack for their next flight, in a departure from traditional lounge rules that prohibit taking food away.

Observant visitors will notice Plaza Premium branding alongside the Capital One logo, as the club operates in partnership with Plaza Premium Group, the world’s largest independent airport lounge operator. Plaza Premium is known for its hospitality, evident in the warm welcome and courteous service experienced during our visit.

The main lounge area forms a U-shape around the escalators. On the right side upon entering, near the windows, is the dynamic side featuring the bar and buffet. On the left side is a quieter, cozier area with cube chairs, private work cubicles, meeting rooms, and two private relaxation rooms. In the rear, opposite the lobby and across the escalators, is a living room area with plush couches and convivial dining tables.

The central bar, at the heart of the main dining area, is a focal point of the design. Adorned in dark red hues against birch colors—a palette inspired by the Capital One cafes in major cities—the bar serves as the social hub of the lounge, accommodating no less than 30 seats. Surrounding it are dining tables, plush armchairs, and recliners with views of the tarmac and the undulating roof of the Jeppesen terminal.

On the opposite side, the ambiance shifts to cozy and reflective. Highly-private, oversized cube chairs with pillows create intimate cocoons. The layout fosters a private, secluded ambiance. There are also two small private but minimalist work cubicles (with a desk and a seat), available on a first-come, first-served basis, as well as larger, better-appointed private work and relaxation rooms that must be reserved—more on this below.

The “living room” in the rear of the lounge offers a variety of seating options for solo travelers and groups, featuring plush couches, dining tables for two and four, a large convivial communal table with planters, and cozy seats overlooking the concourse. Power outlets are conveniently available throughout the space.

A remarkable design feature is the beautiful, backlit bookcases with various artifacts, art pieces, coffee table books, and trinkets. The collection celebrates travel, adventure, and the outdoors. A closer look reveals gems such as a book on America’s celebrated Pacific Crest Trail, a guide to bikepacking, and a Colorado photo book. While the background music is a bit loud, it is remarkably eclectic, featuring worldwide tunes with singers like French artist Charles Gainsbourg. These details underscore the meticulous attention given to the design of Capital One Lounges, elevating the Capital One brand ahead of the competition.

Capital One Lounge DEN amenities

The Capital One Lounge at Denver International Airport offers a plethora of amenities, although some may require reservations and may not always be available.

In addition to the grab-and-go selection described above, Capital One provides a generous buffet with a wide variety of hot and cold entrees served tapas-style. The portions are relatively small, but guests are welcome to help themselves as much as they’d like. The selection includes comfort foods (such as mac & cheese), local specialties (Colorado ground bison sloppy joe), as well as more elaborate fare and international specialties (lemon-garlic broccoli, baklava.) All dishes are freshly prepared on-site, in the lounge’s dedicated kitchen, and elegantly presented on proper china, with convenient trays, salt and pepper shakers.

The beverage selection is equally impressive, including cold brew, chai latte, and root beer on tap, along with a generous range of complimentary wines, cocktails, and various beers from local breweries. Premium beverages are also available for purchase. The Capital One Lounge also offers handcrafted coffee drinks, a luxurious and trendy feature we wish was available at more airport lounges worldwide.

Guests looking to freshen up will find exquisitely-appointed shower suites. The spacious, spa-like rooms feature dimming lights, a close-up mirror, a Dyson hair dryer, a toilet, a sink, a large walk-in rain shower, three plush towels, and even a towel warmer. Water pressure, temperature, and ventilation are excellent.

The lounge’s signature design extends to the shower rooms, with a bookcase full of various artifacts and soothing background music. The only improvement we suggest is the addition of a stool or bench. Note that the shower suites require a reservation and have a 30-minute usage limit.

The bathrooms are equally impressive, with ultra-spacious facilities that are gender-neutral and adorned with an elegant bookcase.

The mother’s room is perhaps the most striking piece—a private living room, complete with artworks on the wall and a floor-standing lamp.

For patrons seeking additional privacy, two solo work rooms and a meeting room are available. The workroom is equipped with a desk and a plush chair, along with power outlets. The meeting room accommodates 4 to 6 guests, though it has a glass door and is therefore not suitable for reviewing confidential materials.

The Capital One Lounge at Denver International Airport also features two dimly-lit relaxation rooms with “energy pods,” essentially semi-enclosed massage chairs with music and vibrations. The rooms include twinkling stars on the ceiling, and a bench that may be suitable for a quick power nap in a pinch. Padded eye masks are provided. While the “energy pod” may be a bit of a gimmick, the rooms offer complete privacy. Relaxation rooms can be reserved for up to twenty minutes.

The showers, workrooms, meeting room, and relaxation rooms require a reservation. To make a reservation, ask any host in the lobby. You will be added to the waitlist and receive a text message when the requested facility becomes available. Advance reservations are not available.

Capital One Lounge DEN bottom line

The Capital One Lounge at Denver International Airport stands out as an excellent lounge, featuring stylish and comfortable seating, panoramic tarmac views, a delectable array of small plates, a generous assortment of alcoholic beverages, a convenient grab-and-go selection, luxurious shower suites, and plenty of little extras such as private work and relaxation rooms. Despite entering the airport lounge scene later than some competitors, Capital One offers an extremely well-rounded product.

The space is pristine, and the attention to detail is remarkable. We appreciate the selection of books and artifacts, as well as thoughtful touches such as the chocolate that guests receive as a parting gift when they leave.

The Capital One Lounge is not only a great amenity for eligible cardholders but also the best value at Denver airport for pay-in customers. Capital One charges $65 for a one-time pass, a favorable comparison to United’s fee of $59, considering that United Clubs at Denver airport do not offer showers.

That being said, it is essential to approach the lounge with the right expectations. The Capital One Lounge Denver is relatively compact and can be busy during peak times. Some amenities, such as private relaxation rooms, may not be available on short notice. If you plan to shower or enjoy a private space, it is advisable to inquire as early as possible and visit during off-hours.