The Cibeles VIP Lounge in Terminal 1 of Madrid-Barajas Airport is a place that seems to define “VIP” as “Very Incredibly Packed.” While technically a business class lounge, it’s also open to the great masses of Priority Pass holders, meaning it’s less an oasis of calm and more of a high-traffic waiting room with better-than-average soap.
The first impression? Chaos. Controlled chaos, perhaps, but chaos nonetheless. There were people everywhere—lounging, eating, pacing, charging their devices, and guarding their seats like territorial pigeons. The décor is… functional. Think “updated corporate cafeteria” with just enough glass and chrome to remind you you’re in a lounge and not a mildly upgraded gate area. Finding a seat took effort, strategic thinking, and in one case, what looked like a slow-motion footrace to beat a family of four to a couch.
But let’s talk about the real gem of this lounge: the outdoor terrace. Yes, an actual open-air terrace, and it’s genuinely brilliant. It offers sweeping views of the runway where planes are constantly taxiing, taking off, and landing—a live feed of aviation glory for all the plane nerds (and even casual observers). It’s peaceful, bright, and refreshingly un-airport-y. You can sip your drink, feel the breeze, and pretend—just for a moment—that you’re at an upscale rooftop bar rather than a very full airport lounge that may or may not be out of olives again. If only the weather wasn’t bitterly cold on the day we were there….
Then there are the showers, which are unexpectedly excellent. Clean, modern, spacious, and private—exactly the kind of detail that makes you forgive the rest of the lounge’s shortcomings. After a long haul or before a night flight, these showers feel like salvation in tiled form. You walk out feeling at least 37% more human and suddenly less bothered by the fact that someone just walked off with the last croissant.
Now, about the food and drink. Let’s be generous and call it “adequate.” You’ll find pre-packaged snacks, a couple of sandwiches that look like they’ve seen better days, and some drinks in a fridge that always seems to be just recently restocked. If you’re expecting hot meals or anything particularly luxurious, prepare for disappointment (or pack a sandwich from home). On the plus side, there’s wine and beer, and the coffee machine does a decent job, assuming there’s not a line of people waiting to figure out how to use it.
The Wi-Fi works, there are power outlets (if you can get to them before anyone else), and there are decent views from the large windows if you can’t make it out to the terrace. But overall, the lounge’s greatest flaw is simply how crowded it is.
In conclusion: if you’re expecting quiet luxury, this isn’t quite it. But if you come in with the right mindset—low expectations, a willingness to elbow your way to the last available chair, and a deep appreciation for great showers and outdoor views—you might just enjoy yourself. The Cibeles Lounge is less of a “VIP retreat” and more of a mildly upgraded purgatory with occasional moments of brilliance.
