Travelling business class in Europe usually means having at least two options for a lounge: in the Schengen or non-Schengen zones. The Schengen area allows people to travel between EU member countries without going through border controls. And as such, the flights tend to be shorter.

With that in mind, some Schengen lounges have lighter offerings, begging the question: does it make sense to visit a Schengen lounge?

On a recent trip from Barcelona, where I had a five-hour wait for my flight, I put the Priority Pass Sala VIP lounge to the test to see if it is indeed worth stopping or if I’d be better off whiling away the hours in the city.

This lounge is for Schengen and domestic T1 flights only and usually accommodates a four-hour pre-flight window. However, from 26 July to 15 September, access is permitted three hours prior to one’s scheduled flight departure.

I made my way through the airy metal-and-glass terminal, navigating somewhat unclear signage before eventually locating the lounge entrance up an escalator and nestled under a first floor terrace. Upon arrival, I was welcomed by staffers and stepped into the lounge.

The lounge itself is designed around a central lightwell that overlooks the food court below. The layout, shaped like a hashtag (#), creates corridors with a low-ceilinged, shaded feel. It is a very unique design that feels a bit futuristic, while also being a literal metaphor for the class system. 

The space is modern and tastefully decorated, with marble side tables and angular leather chairs in a palette of white, grey, and red. The grey textured carpets and contemporary furniture complete the lounge’s elegant, if slightly subdued ambiance.

During my stay, the lounge was quite busy, so I quickly claimed one of the recliner chairs that looked out onto a terrace area. I found the chair to be quite comfortable. A footrest allowed me to properly relax.

I cleared the table of the previous occupant’s debris. It was a small inconvenience, but one that set the tone for my stay, as many tables stayed dirty for extended periods of time.

The seat was next to a European power point. However, its location and spring-mounted cover meant that my charging devices were often knocked out of place. 

I immediately noticed that the air conditioning was struggling against the summer heat outside. The large windows, though fitted with blinds, did little to keep the space cool, especially since many of the blinds were broken, making what should have been an airy lounge feel a bit stuffy.

Once situated, I ventured to the buffet. This is where the lounge started to show some personality. The buffet is well-stocked with cold cuts, pastries, and sandwiches for breakfast including local delicacies like Spanish cheese and cured meats.

The stars of the show were the pastries, which included mini croissants and other tasty local items. I particularly enjoyed the cream-filled Choux buns. Though the buns were still a bit frozen in the middle, they proved to be a refreshing treat in a warm lounge.

Local wines from Spain’s Penedès region plus two types of cava added a distinctly Catalan flavor to the scene. Soft drinks were available, namely Coke brands served in glass bottles. 

The buffet layout, however, was a bit awkward. Spilling out into two corners of the lounge’s layout, it faced directly into the seating area, resulting in noise, energy and smells pervading the space. 

After my pastry-based pit stop I booted up the Wi-Fi. The lounge access was complimentary and I streamed YouTube videos without issue, although my viewing was frequently interrupted by loud, incomprehensible announcements over the PA system.

Two hours into my stay I felt the need to refresh and did a walkabout in search of a shower. No shower appeared, but apparently there are in fact showers, based on the lounge’s web page.

I discovered another section of the lounge, located to the left of the main entrance. This area offers different seating options, including armchairs and semi-enclosed spaces for groups. 

A business zone somewhat bizarrely comprises rows of white desks adjoining each other with traditional desk lamps. This space reminded me of the classroom I did my photography qualification exam.

There was also a meeting room with glass walls surrounding it. Curtains are installed so no one can see into it. I half expected to see a dictator lying in state within, but all that I found was a table and chairs. 

Lunch was finally set out around 1:15pm, and featured a variety of small plates and a salad bar with local flavours. I tried soba noodles with a tomato sauce and a cheese sandwich — both were satisfying.

I spent the last few hours in the lounge reflecting on my experience, and found it to be informative on the value of Schengen lounges.

The Sala VIP is a well-equipped lounge that, while somewhat generic in its airport style, excels in its distinct Catalan menu and drink offerings. The seating is ample, and the lounge largely maintains a calm, quiet atmosphere, making it a preferable option than being in a smaller airline outstation lounge that would be less curated and less well-appointed. 

The lack of showers is not too surprising given most people are travelling short-haul, but business passengers and those disembarking cruise ships would appreciate somewhere to freshen up. More sound proofing and quiet places to work would be preferable to broad benches plonked in the business zone.

Overall, the lounge does offer good food, nice drinks, and a quiet place to sit down for a moment, but the generic feel means I wouldn’t go out of my way to spend time there.

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Featured image credited to Fintan Horan-Stear