A Comprehensive Guide to El Dorado Airport Lounges: Our Experience and Recommendations
Traveling from Toronto to Lima, we found ourselves with a 10-hour layover at El Dorado Airport in Bogota, Colombia. Determined to make the most of our time, we set out on a mission to explore the various airport lounges available in the international terminal. Here’s a detailed account of our experiences and which lounges we recommend for your next layover.
El Dorado Lounge: A Mixed Bag
Entry and Costs:
We started our lounge tour at the El Dorado Lounge, accessible through our Priority Pass. This pass covered snacks but not meals, which cost an additional $12 per person.
Amenities:
The lounge boasts multiple seating options, free Wi-Fi, and a play area for kids. It’s aesthetically pleasing with a classy vibe, but the experience fell short in several ways.
Food Quality:
The buffet included eggs, bacon, soup, rice, fruits, and desserts. Despite the variety, the food quality was disappointing. The meal was buffet-style, and while the soup was a standout, other options were less satisfying.
Overall Impression:
While the El Dorado Lounge looks impressive at first glance, the additional food costs and mediocre quality left us unimpressed. It’s a decent option, but there are better choices within the airport.
Wait and Rest Sleep Pods: A Unique but Noisy Experience
Cost and Booking:
Next, we checked into the Wait and Rest sleep pods. At $21 USD per person for three hours (two hours purchased with a one-hour bonus), it seemed like a reasonable deal.
Room Features:
The pods feature a bed, outlets, shelves, coat hooks, a blanket, and an info card. They offer Wi-Fi, temperature controls, and a flight information display.
Comfort:
Despite the cozy setup, the pods were not soundproof, and announcements and foot traffic noise were prominent. It was also quite cold, though additional blankets and earplugs were available upon request.
Overall Experience:
While the privacy and ability to lie down were major pluses, the noise level and cold temperature made it difficult to get quality sleep. Still, it’s a better option than trying to rest in the main terminal.
LATAM Lounge: Our Top Pick
Overview:
The Latam Lounge emerged as our favorite. It offered everything we needed for a comfortable and productive layover.
Amenities:
The lounge provided good quality free food, coffee, comfortable seating, plenty of power outlets, and decent Wi-Fi. The bathrooms were particularly clean and well-maintained.
Overall Experience:
With a clean, not overly busy ambiance and excellent amenities, the Latam Lounge is the ideal place to relax during a layover.
Copa Club: A Quick Visit
Visit Duration:
Our visit to the Copa Club was brief—about 10-15 minutes—due to our boarding time.
Amenities:
This lounge offered drinks, snacks, various seating areas, and workspaces. The bathrooms were nice and clean.
Overall Impression:
Though our visit was short, the Copa Club left a positive impression. It’s a solid choice if you need a quieter space to relax or work.
Conclusion and Recommendations
Best Lounge:
Without a doubt, the Latam Lounge stood out as the best option. It provided a superior experience in terms of comfort, amenities, and overall atmosphere.
Other Options:
The Copa Club also offers a good experience, especially for those looking for a quieter space. The El Dorado Lounge, while visually appealing, fell short in terms of value due to extra food costs and less impressive amenities.
Wait and Rest Pods:
These pods offer privacy and a place to lie down but could benefit from better soundproofing and warmth. They are still a better option than trying to sleep in the main terminal.
Final Thoughts:
Our layover at El Dorado Airport was made much more enjoyable by exploring these lounges. If you find yourself with time to spare in Bogota, we highly recommend the Latam Lounge and the Wait and Rest pods (with earplugs and extra blankets) for the best experience.
Stay tuned for our next adventure as we spend 24 hours exploring the vibrant city of Lima!
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