I have a confession to make. I am a major airport lounge geek! Imagine my joy when the Denver American Express Centurion Lounge finally opened up and I happened to have a trip planned. In fact, I visited on the 2nd day it had been opened and I am so excited to review it.

I am one of those rare people who enjoys getting to the airport early and going to an airport lounge. After driving 1 hour to Denver Airport (DIA), the opportunity to relax and eat a little before flying out is just so nice.

Let me start out by saying that I will NEVER get rid of my American Express Platinum as it lets me and two guests have access to this lounge. Even before we had this lounge open at DIA, I’ve found more value with this card than the $550 annual fee I pay. As I left the lounge today, I told the girl at the front desk that I will really never get rid of this card. That is how much I enjoyed my experience there. Here are some reasons that I heartily recommend it:

Size

At over 14,000 square feet, it is one of the largest Centurion Lounges that American Express offers. There are areas for eating, playing, working, and congregating together (once congregating is a thing again). It is family appropriate with games to play while waiting, even a separate family area one can use.

Because of the pandemic, they seated us making sure to give everyone safe distancing. The lounge didn’t feel at all crowded and there was an abundance of different seating areas from booths, to tables, to private spaces.

 

Ambience

It is beautiful! In gorgeous blue and wood tones, it soothes and calms one senses. A huge window on one side opens up to showcase Southwest airplanes coming and going. I love the way it’s been decorated – probably my favorite Centurion Lounge decor ever.

I love United Polaris Lounges because they are just so beautiful. This lounge was almost as beautiful as one of those lounges. Very tasteful, very simple and very relaxing.

 

Food and Drinks

Food and drinks are where the Denver Centurion Lounge really shines. There is a wonderful buffet (served by staff during pandemic times). I had the most delicious Spanish potato tortilla for breakfast along with a tasty yogurt parfait. My daughters laughed when I said it was the best parfait I’ve ever had. (Really, though, it was yummy!)

Besides the buffet, there is an area for hot food. I grabbed some Cuban French toast there but that was just so-so.

As I was just finishing up they said that lunch was being served so, guess what? I had a light lunch too! I grabbed a homemade granola bar for later and had a pasta dish and Nutella crepe. Food is served on small plates but they repeatedly invited me to come back for more.

There is a small bar area and a huge bar area. Two coffee stations are available for all you coffee drinkers. The chef at this lounge is Award-winning Chef and local Colorado Restaurateur, Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson and I have to say, he is doing a good job. It served the best food I’ve had at a Centurion Lounge and is inspired by Northern Italy.

Hospitality

From the person at the front desk, who checked me in, to the wait staff, everyone was extremely welcoming and helpful. You could tell they were glad to be working there and loved talking to me because I was so complimentary about their lounge! The Denver American Express Centurion Lounge has excellent employees.

 

Other Amenities

The bathrooms were also very nice and clean. Showers are available for use but, due to the pandemic, were closed. Since DIA is my home airport, I probably won’t be using those showers. However, a shower when you have a long layover is an amazing amenity.

 

Bottom Line

To say I was impressed with the Centurion Lounge in Denver is an understatement. I actually felt my heart quicken a little as I headed up the elevator in Terminal C (near gate 46) to see it. It exceeded my expectations. I think I will need to find relatives to gift my United Club Lounge passes to because I will be relaxing in the Denver American Express Centurion Lounge from now on.