Review: Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles Airport (IAD)

During my Aria Suite Adventure to Hong Kong, I had the chance to check out several lounges at Washington Dulles Airport (IAD), starting with the Capital One Lounge. The Capital One Lounge network has been growing nicely, and prior to this, I had only visited the Capital One Lounge Dallas Fort-Worth.

While the Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles isn’t huge, it’s nicely appointed, with an excellent selection of individually plated food, barista coffee, grab & go items, and friendly service. This is one of my favorite lounges I visited during my time at the airport.

Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles location

The Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles has an ideal location if you’re originating at the airport, though it’s less convenient if you’re connecting. If you’re starting your travels at Washington Dulles, just pass through the main security checkpoint. Rather than taking the escalator or elevator down toward the gates, instead walk straight ahead on the same level, right by where the TSA PreCheck checkpoint is.

To the right of the escalators, you’ll see the entrance to the Capital One Lounge straight ahead.

If you’re connecting at Washington Dulles, it’s a bit more complicated, given that the lounge is separated from most gates by the AeroTrain system. So for most passengers, it’s a bit of a trek to get here, especially if you don’t have a long connection. I’d say that works in the lounge’s favor, in the sense that it helps with limiting crowding a bit, especially given the lounge’s relatively small size.

So if you do want to visit the lounge while connecting, you’ll need to take the AeroTrain to the Z gates. Then you’ll want to take the escalator or elevator up to level C. At that point, the lounge entrance is right next to the elevator.

For context, below is a map of the terminal (and the lounge is right near where the TSA PreCheck logo is).

Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles hours

The Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles is open daily from 5:30AM until 9PM, so that covers most departures from the airport, but not all. Of course hours remain subject to change, so always check Capital One’s website or app for the latest on that.

Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles entry requirements

The Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles can be accessed by the following travelers:

• Capital One Venture X (review) cardmembers can get unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, and can bring two guests with them for free, and can bring additional guests with them for $45 each; keep in mind that authorized users can be added to the card for free, and they get the same lounge access perks
• Capital One Venture X Business (review) cardmembers get unlimited access to Capital One Lounges, and can bring two guests with them for free, and can bring additional guests with them for $45 each; on the business version of the card, authorized users don’t get access
• Kids under two can enter Capital One Lounges for free, with an adult who has access
• All others can enter Capital One Lounges for $90 per visit

Getting the Capital One Venture X Card for lounge access can be totally worth it. The card has a $395 annual fee, but offers a $300 annual travel credit and 10K bonus anniversary miles every year, so having the card should cost you very little if you’re going about it right. Furthermore, you’ll be able to add four authorized users to the card at no extra cost, and they’ll receive the same lounge access perks. That makes this the ideal card for families.

Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles layout & seating

The Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles is roughly 8,500 square feet, so it’s a bit smaller than the Dallas location, which is roughly 10,000 square feet. The lounge is broken up into a few areas, and has a pretty intuitive flow. There’s a main “path” that goes all the way through the lounge, so if you just keep walking on it, you’ll end up back at the entrance, but on the other side.

Once you’re all checked in, you can turn right, and find yourself in one of the lounge’s first main areas. The first space of the lounge has some coffee tables with benches and chairs, plus some communal tables. There are just two relatively small area, which you’ll find in the four pictures below (with a picture taken in each direction).

Then there’s what I’d consider to be the main part of the lounge, which has the most seating, plus the bar, which kind of acts as the center of the lounge.

There are a variety of seating arrangements here, from seats for lounging, to dining tables in a variety of configurations.

You can also grab a seat at the bar, which has some high-top seating (and a super friendly bartender, at least during my visit).

Then when you’re in the back of the lounge and turn left, you’ll find an area with a few semi-private nooks. I’m not sure I totally get the execution of these, as you’d think that they would be set up as workstations, rather than just a couple of chairs that are partitioned off.

Lastly, if you continue down that hallway, you’ll be back at the entrance to the lounge, where you’l find the coffee bar, the grab & go selection, and more seating.

I quite like the lounge’s art and decor, including some art reflecting the airport’s original design and air traffic control tower, as the lounge is located in the base of the former tower. But not all the art is aviation specific, as you can tell…

Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles food & drinks

Capital One Lounges have a phenomenal food and beverage concept, and the Washington Dulles location is no exception. When it comes the food, everything is available at the buffet. What I appreciate is that food is already individually plated, so there’s no need to touch serving utensils. There are trays located underneath the buffet, so that you can easily help yourself to a selection of items.

Below you can find the lounge’s current menu, though of course the selection rotates throughout the day, and also over time. I really think Capital One does a stellar job with the quality of the dishes it serves, unlike many other lounges.

Then there are several drink stations, with a variety of options on “tap.” This includes water, iced tea, lemonade, cola, lattes, cold brew, and more.

There’s also of course a full bar, with drinks crafted in partnership with Unfiltered. I didn’t have any alcohol, but there’s everything from signature cocktails, to beer, to wine.

Then there’s my favorite feature of the lounge, which is a full service coffee bar, just inside the entrance and to the left. You can order anything from a cold brew, to a cappuccino, to a chai latte, to a hot chocolate.

I ordered a cappuccino in a to-go cup, which was delicious.

I was also offered a pastry, but resisted the urge, and passed.

As is standard at Capital One Lounges, this location also has a selection of grab & go items, which guests can help themselves to as they leave. This included everything from salad jars, to sandwiches and wraps, to fruit cups, to drinks. I love this feature, and frankly I’m kind of shocked it has survived, and that we’ve collectively been able to show enough restraint…

Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles bathrooms

The Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles has six gender-neutral restrooms, located along a hallway in the interior of the lounge. I like how Capital One Lounges have individual restrooms, which are a bit more dignified than your typical airport lounge bathrooms (I don’t know how it is in the ladies room, but the mens room often sounds like a cross between a war zone and a maternity ward).

I found the bathrooms to be large and well appointed.

Note that the lounge doesn’t have any showers, so if you require one, you’ll want to check out one of the other lounges in the airport.

Bottom line

The Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles is an excellent credit card lounge, with a pretty design, delicious food that’s individually plated, a full-service bar (and coffee bar), and even a grab & go selection. Capital One does a phenomenal job with its lounge network, and this lounge is no exception.

I’d say the only room for improvement is that the lounge doesn’t have showers, and it also doesn’t have any out-of-the-ordinary amenities, which are becoming increasingly common at some lounges. Of course the lack of that makes sense, given that the lounge isn’t huge.

If you’re passing through Washington Dulles, I’d highly recommend giving this lounge a try.

What’s your take on the Capital One Lounge Washington Dulles?