LOT operates a lounge within a lounge at its hub in Warsaw Chopin Airport. Let’s review the LOT Polish Elite Club Lounge and how it differs from the adjacent Business Lounge Polonez. In short: it does not and I prefer the Polonez lounge.
LOT Polish Elite Club Lounge Review – Warsaw (WAW)
In the middle of the Polonez lounge, you will find a bar. Next to the bar is a door with a red carpet and the worlds “Elite Club Lounge” above it. There is no lock – you can just proceed in.
You’ll find desk, in which your credentials will be validated. The following passengers have access:
- HON Circle members
- Star Alliance Gold travelers
- LOT business class passengers traveling on a longhaul flight (what constitutes “longhaul” is not defined
- Connecting passengers after arriving from a longhaul LOT business class flight
- LOT management (yes, that is explicitly stated)
Children under 18 are not permitted in without an adult and children under 12 years old do not count as a guest (Star Alliance Gold members are allowed one guest).
I believe the purpose of this lounge was to create a more tranquil environment for LOT’s most premium passengers than the business lounge, though when I arrived I found the lounge crowded. I also thought the main sitting room felt far more like a dungeon than the business class, since it lacked any natural light.
The lounge did empty out after an hour and also includes a work area (with high stools and tables) and two more smaller rooms with chairs and couches.
As near as I could tell, the food and beverage selection in the Elite Lounge was identical to that of the business lounge. Breakfast included:
- quiche
- sausage
- whole fruit
- freshly-cut fruit
- cereal
- bread
- cold cuts
- salad
- cheese
- sandwiches
There was also a wide section of beverages available, including self-serve alcohol as well as coffee, tea, water, juice, and other soft drinks.
CONCLUSION
I appreciate that LOT wants to offer a differentiated product to its elite status holders and longhaul passengers, though I actually prefer the business class lounge facilities due to the natural light and greenery. But depending upon time of day, you may find the Elite Club Lounge to be less crowded than the main lounge outside.
Well there’s one big difference. You get proper champagne in the Elite lounge and AFAIK it’s the only *G lounge in Europe in which you can actually get champagne (LH SEN lounge in LHR used to serve champagne pre-Covid but that’s long gone).
This is good to know and something I totally missed, as I’m not drinking much these days. What kind of Champagne?
Currently Piper-Heidsieck.
During breakfast the selection is the same. In daytime, the selection includes two extra hot dishes, a smoked fish platter in addition to the cold cuts, there is more type of cheese and some more sweets. Also, as mentioned – proper champagne (albeit not a great one, but still champagne nonetheless) and better quality spirits.