We used the Grand Lounge Elite at Mexico City Airport Terminal 1 twice within a week, both before our flight to Santiago, and before our flight back to the US on the way back.
The Grand Lounge Elite can be accessed by Priority Pass members, and there are two locations in Terminal 1 — one is just past the security checkpoint, and the other one is near gate 19, just a short walk away (the second lounge seems to be referred to as “Lounge 19”). Both lounges are open 24/7. The number of Priority Pass members has increased greatly the past couple of years, since now there are quite a few credit cards with lounge access, so there are now plenty of options to help you gain access.
As a reminder, the following are some of the popular premium US credit cards that come with Priority Pass™ memberships (along with their respective guesting privileges):
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
American Express Platinum Card®
The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card
The first time I visited the lounge there was a guy with an earpiece standing outside the entrance, and the rope was “closed,” as if it was a hot nightclub that can only be accessed with Priority Pass cards. Go figure that wasn’t the case when I returned the next time around, so I wasn’t able to get a picture of that.
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport exterior
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport exterior
Once our Priority Pass cards were scanned we were handed over to one of the servers in the lounge, who helped us choose seats. The lounge isn’t huge. When you enter the lounge the main seating area is to the right. I’ll let the pictures mostly speak for themselves.
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport seating
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport seating
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport seating
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport seating
At the far end of the lounge were some semi-private relaxation areas with a chair and a reclining seat, though they were all marked as reserved.
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport seating
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport relaxation areas
The same is true of a section in the back of the lounge.
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport seating
On the opposite end of the lounge was some more seating, as well as the bar.
Grand Lounge Elite MEX seating
Grand Lounge Elite MEX bar
The part of the lounge that really impressed was the service. The lounge had over a dozen attendants, and all of them had earpieces and were assigned certain guests. I’ve never received such attentive and well intentioned service in a contract lounge. Upon settling in we were offered hand sanitizing wipes.
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City hand wipes
We were also asked if we wanted anything to drink. We both ordered sparkling waters, and I ordered a cappuccino. The sparkling water was more like soda water.
Grand Lounge Elite MEX drinks
The cappuccino, however, was exceptional, and even had what I believe was foam art on top of it.
Grand Lounge Elite MEX cappuccino
Our server also presented us with a food menu. It’s not often you get a proper (complimentary) menu in a contract lounge. The menu read as follows:
I also checked out the lounge’s self service buffet, which looked significantly less appealing, by comparison.
Grand Lounge Elite MEX buffet
Grand Lounge Elite MEX buffet
Grand Lounge Elite MEX buffet
Grand Lounge Elite MEX buffet
Grand Lounge Elite MEX buffet
Grand Lounge Elite MEX buffet
Grand Lounge Elite MEX buffet
Grand Lounge Elite MEX buffet
Then there was a coffee bar, which presumably is where my excellent cappuccino was made.
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport bar
Grand Lounge Elite Mexico City Airport espresso machine
The other bar had an extensive selection of liquor, and also some bottles of wine marked as “reserved.”
Grand Lounge Elite MEX wine
Ford and I decided to order a pasta arrabbiata to share. It was served on one of those lap trays, which I found sort of funny, especially as the server just thrust it onto Ford’s lap without much warning.
Grand Lounge Elite MEX pasta
Ford modeling the pasta holder thing
The pasta was excellent, to my surprise.
Grand Lounge Elite MEX pasta
I had read on Priority Pass’ website that this lounge offers complimentary shoe shine, hand & foot massage, and manicures, so I decided to ask about the availability of that. One of the staff members made an appointment for me to get a massage, and said they’d get me when they were ready. Sure enough, about 45 minutes later I was fetched and escorted to the other Priority Pass lounge, located just a short distance away.
Grand Lounge Elite other location
There I was invited to sit down in a private room, my seat was reclined, and I was given a fantastic 15 minute hand massage. This isn’t the greatest massage you’ll ever get, but I did really enjoy it, and it’s especially tough to beat a free massage!
Grand Lounge Elite spa treatment
What stood out to me most in this lounge is how friendly and well intentioned everyone was. Our server constantly checked on us, and it’s clear everyone took great pride in what they were doing. There was even a full time bathroom attendant who handed over towels and opened the door (I don’t generally like bathroom attendants, but it does show their effort in this case). Or for example, take a look at how many amenities they had in the bathroom, which you almost never see.
Grand Lounge Elite MEX bathroom
When you’re done relaxing in the lounge you can request a ride to the gate in a golf cart, if you so desire, which is also a cool touch.
Grand Lounge Elite golf cart
Grand Lounge Elite MEX bottom line
This isn’t physically the most beautiful lounge, and the buffet itself wasn’t exactly great. However, there’s something I loved about this lounge, as it just seemed so well intentioned. For one, it’s the first Priority Pass lounge I’ve been to that offers complimentary a la carte dining, complimentary massages, and complimentary shoe shines. But more than that, it just seemed like everyone took pride in what they did in this lounge. This would definitely be my go to lounge in Terminal 1.
The following links will direct you to the rates and fees for mentioned American Express Cards. These include: The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (Rates & Fees), and American Express Platinum Card® (Rates & Fees).
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