In terms of non-Schengen Area lounges, I found the Bolero Executive Lounge far less crowded than the next-door LOT Business Lounge Mazurek and therefore a far better alternative, even if you are traveling on LOT Polish.
Bolero Executive Lounge Warsaw Review (WAW)
This lounge is located airside in Terminal A in the non-Schengen Area. You’ll find it near Gates 7 and 8 on Level O. After proceeding through security, turn left and walk toward passport control. After stamping out of Poland, take the stairs or elevator down one level (from Level 1 to 0) to the lounge (signs will guide you).
This is the contract lounge for a number of airlines including:
- Air China
- British Airways
- Emirates
- FlyDubai
- Qatar Airways
- Turkish Airlines
Lounge memberships are also accepted, including:
- Priority Pass
- Diners Club
- Lounge Key
- Dragon Pass
(and more – see the image below)
If you do not have any of those, you can purchase lounge access for 180PLN, which is about 40USD. Credit card payment is accepted and you do not need to make a reservation in advance, though you may be turned away if the lounge is too crowded.
The lounge was full when I arrived, but not so full that I had trouble finding chairs. I like the layout of the lounges, with rows of couches and chairs that give some degree of privacy to small groups or families traveling together.
In the back of the lounge is a “live” wall with lush greenery, that makes the lounge feel far less like a dungeon.
Even further back are restrooms and showers. The showers are unlocked, but if you wish to use one ask at reception for towels.
In terms of food and drink, this lounge closely resembles what was on offer at the Preludium Executive Lounge in the Schengen Area.
Drink selections included:
- Coffee
- Tea
- Water
- Soft drinks
- Juice
- Beer
- Wine
- Spirits (self-serve)
Food items included:
- Packaged salty and sweet snacks
- Soup
- Salad
- Hash browns
- Falafel
- Bacon-broccoli frittata
- Korean-style chicken wings
- Sliced meat and cheese
- Yogurt
CONCLUSION
This is a respectable Priority Pass Lounge and a nice place to wait for your flight, especially if you are looking for a clean restroom or shower. I find $40 better spent elsewhere and would not arrive early just to use this lounge, but I did appreciate its cheerful decor and that it was far less crowded than the LOT lounge next door.
I’ve spent lots of time in this lounge flying BA out of WAW. Not the best. Not the worst.
The name of the lounge is quite similar to the name of Amy Fisher’s husband, Lou Bellera. The outtakes of their “adult video” were played regularly on Howard Stern and I always entertained myself in this lounge doing my impression of him announcing flights (he has a distinctive voice).