Capital One Lounge at DEN — Attraction in Denver

Great experience at Capital One Lounge at Denver International Airport! Lots of vegan and plant based options!

My partner and I have been trying to decide what our next travel credit card will be. We had a recent trip to Hawaii with a layover in Denver, which gave us the perfect opportunity to try the lounge. We wanted to spend some time exploring if the amenities in the Capital One Lounge fit what we’re looking for.

I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised! Upon arrival to the lounge we were greeted by two attendants at the front desk. They were friendly and helpful - getting us processed for a day pass and explaining the amenities of the lounge. We had no wait time which probably had to do with being there pretty early in the morning.

First impressions was the lounge felt very modern, warm, and extremely clean. I was impressed with how swiftly the staff picked up dishes, wiped down tables, and turned over spaces for the next group. I love seeing art work everywhere that felt it was curated with care. Normally lounges throw up pictures that feel as though they came from garage sales or corporate posters. I found there to be plenty of charging stations at the tables and lounge chairs.

Now for the food! As a person who normally eats vegan I was impressed the lounge in Denver had three vegan breakfast items: peach cobbler over night oats, strawberry açaí bowl, and a hot tofu scramble. I tried everything and it was all great. Lots of flavor, seasoned well, and individually portioned. I appreciate the little metal trays so you can collect the food you want and easily carry it back to your seating area. The drip coffee was bold and I appreciated it wasn’t brewed weak. I also love they had multiple vegan milk/creamer options! It’s the little things that travelers appreciate!

There weren’t any vegan pastry or cookies options in the dessert case. Not the biggest deal, but I would like to see at least one or two items in the case to be vegan as well. I also learned the lounge does have espresso but you have to order it at the bar area.

There’s a variety of spaces to pick from: bar area, seats by the lounge overlooking the gates and planes, a more secluded area in the back, lots of work rooms, relaxation rooms that are shut off completely, and a very chill area with settee like seats. The bathrooms are incredibly clean. I couldn’t locate the showers but later found out they’re further down the hall from the bathrooms and you have to reserve them (same with the relaxation rooms and work rooms).

I’ve been to a lot of other lounges at different airports and found the Capital One Lounge to be a step above Admirals and Priority Pass lounges. I have never been to a lounge where they had so many vegan options. I remember the American lounge in LA and I had a bagel as my option which I had to put peanut butter on. That was it. The fact I could actually eat something that was hot and I had a few options was incredible to me. I’d really love to see equal ratios of animal based food to vegetarian to vegan at all lounges.

After my experience this week I’m strongly considering the Capital One...

Last year we used our capital one benefit to access the lounge at Dallas. We thoroughly enjoyed our layover there which was of no addition charge. We enjoyed it so much we wanted to come to the lounge again with our two friends in Denver despite Capital One now charging for access to their lounges.

After a long trip we arrived early to Denver Airport to take advantage of our Capital One Venture card benefits and spend 2-3 hours at the lounge. Upon arriving at the lounge escalator, we were greeted by two employees who put us on the waitlist. We asked the two employees if we could still enter without our physical card, they said we could and that it would be $45 per person. Already a steep price we agreed and was told it would be a 20 minute wait.

After our wait, we entered the lounge where Ana greeted us and told us that entrance would be $90 per person. She did not explain why. I’m not sure if there was a language barrier or not, but all she said was that it would be $90 per person. Everywhere else says it would be $45 per person.

We were tired, and hungry, and just wanted to get in after waiting for so long anyway. After reluctantly paying $90 per person for four of us, I ate to calm down my anger.

I requested to speak to supervisor Allen. I explained our situation and how we were told different things from different people. And asked if they could refund us half the cost. He went to speak to his GM and came back saying it was not possible because I did not have the physical card although I am a card holder. I probably wouldn’t have been so upset if we weren’t told different things by different people, made to wait so long just to be told a different pricing. If we were told it was $90 when we were put on the waitlist we would’ve walked away to better spend our efforts. We already pay $95 for the annual fee, plus another $90 per person to access the lounge.

It’s been 45 minutes before Celso has come by to collect the used dishes from our table. The USB port to charge my phone didn’t work. If you want a drink from the Bar, be prepared to wait, there’s a line of 7 people who have been there for a long time (picture attached)

It’s clear how Capital One treats their card holders. My wife and I will both be cancelling our cards and our doctor friends who wanted to experience their first lounge will not be enrolling with Capital One. We originally enrolled for the lounge benefits as we used it for our honeymoon to Japan. It was $95 for the annual fee with included lounge access. We also plan to travel a lot these years before having kids. We will now be using other cards such as Chase for not only their points but their...

The Capital One Lounge is fantastic, a true oasis for travelers! Other visitors have sung its praises, and I wholeheartedly agree. This lounge offers a much-needed retreat from the hustle and bustle of waiting near the departure gates.

The staff here are exceptional. From creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere to keeping the lounge spotless, they really go above and beyond. They also take the time to explain all the available services, making sure you get the most out of your visit.

Pro Tip: Join the waitlist as soon as possible through the Capital One app (look under the Travel button - Lounges). The waitlist times can vary depending on the time of day, and you don’t want to miss out. For example, I had a 2.5-hour layover and joined the waitlist right after landing at 4:54 PM. The app initially told me there was a 133-minute wait, with 169 people ahead of me. I’ll admit, I was discouraged and unsure whether to bother, but I decided to give it a shot—and I’m so glad I did!

My connecting flight was conveniently located in Gate A, near the lounge. After a quick 15–20 minute walk from Gate B, I arrived and was thrilled to be admitted right away. The front desk staff were friendly and thorough, walking me through the check-in process and explaining the lounge’s offerings.

Once inside, I took a lap to get the lay of the land. I opted to sit as close to the food as possible, though the dining and bar area was understandably busy. While scouting for a spot, I struck up a conversation with a fellow traveler. We ended up sharing stories and even took turns watching each other’s belongings while grabbing more food. It was a great way to pass the time!

One of the highlights? The lounge offers complimentary to-go bags at the front desk, so you can grab sandwiches, cookies, and desserts for your flight. It’s such a thoughtful touch that adds to the overall experience.

All in all, my time at the Capital One Lounge was amazing, and I’ll definitely be returning. Whether you’re departing or on a layover, this lounge is a must-visit for anyone looking to escape the chaos of...