American Express The Centurion Lounge
- Complimentary cold buffet
- Complimentary hot buffet
- Complimentary cooked-to-order meals
- Complimentary soft drinks
- Complimentary full bar
- Accessible
- Air conditioning
- Flight information monitors
- Newspapers and magazines
- Phones
- TV
Open on February 1st, 2021—after a two-year delay—the Centurion Lounge by American Express at Denver airport has transformed the lounge scene at the mile-high city’s gateway to the world.
Located in Concourse C, the Centurion Lounge is a short train hop away from Concourses A and B (without exiting security.) The club welcomes members of The Platinum Card by American Express and The Centurion Card, as well as two guests. Travelers can visit regardless of their airline or destination, within three hours before their flight.
American Express The Centurion Lounge DEN design
The Centurion Lounge at Denver airport sports American Express’ celebrated residential design, with a few local twists. Bathed in natural light, the club overlooks both the lower concourse area and the tarmac, and features expansive views of the airport grounds.
At 14,650 square feet, with a capacity of over 300 seats, the Centurion Lounge Denver is the second-largest systemwide, shy only of The Centurion Lounge New York JFK‘s 15,000 square feet. Guests will find an expansive range of seating options, including solo seats facing the windows, inviting sofas, designer armchairs, tabletop seating, dining tables, and communal tables. There’s also a honeycomb structure featuring additional privacy.
The soothing tones and luxurious finishes foster an upper scale and relaxing ambiance. A mural of the Rocky Mountains adds a local touch, while American Express memorabilia celebrates the mystique of travel.
Power outlets are located near virtually every seat, as well as USB-A and USB-C charging ports.
American Express The Centurion Lounge DEN amenities
The Centurion Lounge Denver features a strong line-up of amenities, as expected from American Express.
The financial institution has partnered with Boulder Executive Chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson to offer an elevated culinary experience. Highlights of the buffet selection include grilled chicken with salsa verde, Pomodoro di pasta, avocado bruschetta, and tiramisu. In addition, American Express offers fresh, cooked-to-order pasta dishes, prepared at a live cooking station.
The Centurion Lounge Denver is home to no less than two bars. The main bar boasts an excellent line-up of upper-shelf libations with a creative cocktail list curated by The Centurion Lounge Mixologist Jim Meehan and an appealing wine list. Centurion Card holders are treated to a few extras such as Champagne. At the Craft Beer Bar, guests may enjoy a rotating selection of local beers.
At Denver airport, American Express caters to the whole family. In addition to a colorful kid’s room with toys and games, the lounge also features an all-age game room with a pool table, checkers, backgammon, and other timeless favorites.
When business calls, patrons can retire to a work area appointed with a communal table, printer, and copier, or seek the (single) phone room. Wi-Fi is fast and reliable.
Other amenities include two luxuriously-appointed shower suites with L’Occitane amenities, spacious restrooms, and a digital library of newspapers and magazines. (There is no spa at this location.)
American Express The Centurion Lounge DEN bottom line
The Centurion Lounge by American Express is unquestionably the best club at Denver airport. Despite its status as a United hub, a recent influx of new international routes, and increased domestic competition, Denver airport has long suffered from a formant and lackluster lounge scene.
United has no plans to open a Polaris lounge, and the American Admirals Club and Delta Sky Club are uninspired spaces with few amenities. The Centurion Lounge raises the bar dramatically. As the only club to offer cooked-to-order meals, a high-end bar, and shower suites, it is bound to be a popular destination.
For more information about The Centurion Lounge, check out our reviews of the San Francisco, Houston, Las Vegas, and Seattle locations, as well as our blog posts.
American Express The Centurion Lounge at Denver, CO (DEN) welcomes:
- American Express Centurion® Card holders (+2 guests or immediate family)
- American Express Platinum Card® holders within 3 hours of departure of their first flight, and at any connection points (no access at final destination.) (See notes below for guest policy.)
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve American Express Card holders departing on a flight operated by Delta, within 3 hours of departure of their first flight, and at any connection points (no access at final destination.) No guests allowed.
- Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business American Express Card holders departing on a flight operated by Delta, within 3 hours of departure and at connection points (no access at final destination.) No guests allowed.
Notes:
- Access requires confirmed travel plans. Standby boarding passes are not eligible.
- American Express Platinum Card® holders may not bring guests on a complimentary basis but can may purchase access for guests for $50 per adult and $30 per child (ages 2-17, proof of age required.)
- American Express Platinum Card® holders who spend $75,000 or more on eligible purchases during a calendar year receive complimentary guest access for up to two guests per visit for the current calendar year, the next year, and through January of the following year.
Cards accepted
American Express Platinum/Centurion card
The following is a typical sample selection; actual choices may vary. All food and drinks are complimentary. The menu has been designed by chef Lachlan Mackinnon-Patterson. See thecenturionlounge.com for the latest menus.
(Click to expand)
- Tortilla Española with Potatoes, Peppers and Onion
- Eggs Stanley with Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Sweet Potato & Broccolini
- Gubana French Toast with Pecans, Pistachios, Hazelnuts, Cinnamon and Raisins
- Almond Flour Waffle with Date Butter
- Quinoa Salad with Cucumber, Tomato, Roasted Cauliflower, Olives, Oranges and Pine Nuts
- Chestnut Soup with Honeycrisp Apple and Speck
- Grilled Chicken with Salsa Verde, Amatriciana Potatoes, and Green Beans
- Rigatoni al Portonat | Rigatoni with Prosciutto and Poppy Seeds
- Basque Cheesecake
- Roasted Carrot Salad with Cashews, Pomegranate, and Mint
- Chicken Tortilla Soup with Sour Cream, Cilantro, Fried Tortilla Strips and Lime
- Maiale Tonnato | Pork Loin with Capers and Tonnato Sauce
- Girini di Pasta | Spelt Pasta with Guanciale, Zucchini, Rosemary and Montasio Cheese
- Tiramisu
Cocktails (10:30am – 2:30pm)
- Bragging Right | Hot Filtered Water, Lemon, Bragg’s Apple Cider Vinegar, Maple Syrup
- Dogs Out | Woody Creek Vodka, Elevation Porter, Leopold Brothers French Press-Style American Coffee Liqueur, Thai Kitchen Organic Unsweetened Coconut Milk
- Grail Ale | Denver Beer Co. IPA, Izze Grapefruit Soda
- Bobby Pin | Scarpetto Proseco, Leopold Brothers Apertivo, Three Pins Alpine Herbal Liqueur
- Cold Byrrh | Avery Liliko’I Kepolo Wheat Beer, Byrrh Grand Quinquina, Leopold Brothers Mountain Blackberry Liqueur
- High Plains Sip Stir | Żubrówka Bison Grass Vodka, Leblon Cachaça, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, Suze
- Karwinski Lift | Coconut Water, Excellia Reposado Tequila, Chareau Aloe Liqueur, Giffard White Crème de Cacao, Cinco Sentidos Bicuise Mezcal
- Rocky Fence | Woody Creek Rye Whiskey, Leopold Brothers New York Sour Apple Liqueur, Cocktailpunk Alpino Bitters
Sparkling Wines
- Prosecco | Nino Franco | Valdobbiadene | Italy
- Sparkling Rosé | Riondo ‘Extra Dry’ | NV| Veneto | Italy
White Wines
- Pinot Grigio DOC | Terlato | 2018 | Colli Oriental del Fruili | Italy
- Sauvignon Blanc | Wairau River | 2018 | Marlborough | New Zealand
- Frico IGT | Bianco del Venezie | 2019 | Italy
Rose Wines
- Ros’Aura | Fuedi di San Gregorio | 2019 | Italy
Red Wines
- Chianto Sangiovese | Cecchi | 2018 | Tuscany
- Nero d’Avola | Cusumano | 2019 | Sicily
- Barbera del Monferrato DOC | Scarpetta | 2018 | Piedmont | Italy
- Rosso di Toscano Sangiovese/Merlot | IL Poggione | 2018 | Tuscany | Italy
- Cabernet Sauvignon | The Federalist | 2017 | Lodi | California
Coffee and tea: Centurion Lounge Custom Coffee, Espresso, Cappuccino.
Overall ratings
The line to get in on a Sunday afternoon is a bit ridiculous. The escalators in the photo just leads to the mezzanine, where there’s a short line there at the entrance.
Visited on a Friday in the early afternoon. No line at the receptionist, but lounge was nearly full. Lunch buffet had limited choices but quality was good and food was continuously refilled. Bars had friendly staff and excellent drink options. The only negatives were that the staff did not clear tables for over an hour and that no newspapers were provided.
Breakfast is worse than the Delta Lounge – they also don’t have allergy friendly options. Lines to the lounge were super long after an already broken security line system. Not worth it. Experiences like this make you want to close your card. What’s the point?
It’s not just DEN; it’s AMEX in general (their lounges).
Food seems to be from yesterday.
You cannot have a drink and take one for your wife; she must come with you. Never mind the 2 year old…
Running hours? A joke.
They even send you an email saying they got great news for you: now you can invite 3 guests with your card. But card members are denied access due to capacity issues.
These people are totally disconnected with reality.
Go to a restaurant at any airport and you will have way better service, WAY better food, and you will be taken care of (I am not going to say better that at Amex Lounges, because you don’t get care of AT ALL).
Last year with Amex. They managed to get on my nerves too many times over the past 18 months.
This lounge is fantastic. The food, relaxing ambiance and drink selection are miles above the pathetic offerings at the United Clubs. I really enjoy the different and creative food selections much more than the prepackaged vending machine food available at the United Lounge. The microbrew bar is outstanding — Stem Cider on tap!
My only “negative” is bartending staff. They often don’t have enough bartenders at the main bar, and one of the bartenders is an absolute pill when it comes to picking up two drinks. If me or my wife is taking a call and is sitting elsewhere, he makes us physically come up to the bar to claim our drinks. It’s a bit ridiculous.
Honestly I’m speachless at the poor service. They close very early at 3pm. I was there at 2pm with a 615pm flight (came early due to storm) and they wouldn’t let me in because you can only come in 3 hours before your flight — so 315 (when they are closed?)….ultimately I was told no you are out of luck despite it not being crowded at all. Now what service level would you assess that to be? – – to me worse than Motel 6..