Puerta del Sol

Sala VIP Puerta del Sol – Madrid (MAD)

The Puerta del Sol lounge at Madrid Barajas airport Terminal 3 welcomes passengers traveling within Europe’s Schengen zone. The club serves elite and premium customers of a dozen airlines including Air France KLM, Alitalia, Lufthansa, and SWISS, as well as members of popular lounge access programs such as Priority Pass. All passengers, regardless of airline or class or service, may also purchase access at the reception desk.

If you ride the metro to the airport and don’t have bags to check, look for the dedicated Terminal 3 security checkpoint at the station: lines are short, and the lounge is conveniently located steps away.

Patrons can roam freely between the Puerta del Sol and the sister lounge Puerta de Alcala, located in Terminal 2, Zone D, a five minute walk away. Both lounges are operated by the airport, and share the same access rules. The Sala VIP Puerta del Sol is nicer, larger, and better appointed overall, and might be worth a visit even if your flight departs closer to Zone D.

Puerta del Sol MAD design

The Puerta del Sol lounge at Madrid Barajas airport Terminal 3 is located on a mezzanine near gate E69. Wrapped by a window wall and bathed in natural light, the recently renovated lounge boasts a serene and modern décor, with sweeping views over the terminal concourse and airport grounds.

Sala VIP Puerta del Sol – Madrid (MAD)

Adjacent to the reception desk is an expansive dining zone with an L-shaped buffet and dining tables for four. Beyond is a spacious seating area, with power outlets and side tables at every seat. Most of the space is dedicated to solo travelers, but groups will find a few clusters of seats conducive to conversation, while families will notice a few miniature chairs for their little ones.

With light Earth tones, indoor plants, an open layout, an a feeling of space accentuated by the views in every direction, the sparsely furnished Puerta del Sol lounge often feels exquisitely quiet. For an even more private experience, make your way behind the reception desk and dining area, where you’ll find additional and more secluded seating.

Puerta del Sol MAD amenities

The Puerta del Sol lounge at Madrid Barajas airport Terminal 3 features an impressive range of amenities for intra-Schengen travel.

Sala VIP Puerta del Sol – Madrid (MAD)

The buffet offers a selection of snacks, salads, sandwiches, yoghurt, and other packaged items such as fruit salads. There are also rotating hot entrees such as pasta dishes. The selection varies, but the spread is substantial enough for a simple meal on the ground.

In a cooler is a wide variety of juices, soft drinks, bottled water, and beer. Several red and white wines are available, along with Cava, a staple of Spanish airport lounges. There is also a modest liquor assortment with red and white Martini, Bombay Sapphire Gin, Smirnoff Vodka, and Johnny Walker Red Label. A Nespresso machine is also available, with a variety of capsules to choose from.

A highlight of the VIP Lounge Puerta del Sol is the secluded relaxation areas. In the vicinity of the bathrooms is a dark slumber room with chaise lounge chairs, conveniently outfitted with adjacent power outlets and light switches. A few steps away are four additional day beds, in broad daylight but pleasantly isolated. There’s also an enclosed TV room with comfortable armchairs, which can easily turn into a makeshift napping room when the TV is off.

Sala VIP Puerta del Sol – Madrid (MAD)

Wi-Fi is free and unlimited (the former time restrictions have been lifted), but the login process is cumbersome. Customers need to obtain the password (displayed on the flight monitors), fill in a tedious form with excessive personal information, and then watch a commercial in order to gain access. If you subscribe to Wi-Fi services such as Boingo, consider using your provider’s app for a faster and smoother connection experience.

In addition to male and female bathrooms, patrons will find a separate unisex accessible stall, which is well suited for families. The Sala VIP Puerta del Sol also features a couple of modern and spacious shower suites equipped with a toilet, a sink, a rain shower, and a hair dryer. Towels and bath amenities in wall-mounted dispensers are provided, though there are no washcloths. The showers are complimentary for airline-invited customers and Priority Pass members; pay-in customers should inquire about the cost, which may not be included in the entry fee.

Other amenities include a comfortable and spacious conference room for six persons available on a first-come, first-serve basis, as well as a selection of newspapers and magazines.

Puerta del Sol MAD bottom line

Sala VIP Puerta del Sol – Madrid (MAD)

The Puerta del Sol lounge at Madrid Barajas airport Terminal 3 is a welcoming, spacious, modern and well-appointed lounge.

The club boasts ample daylight, an enjoyable food and beverage selection, convenient shower suites, business facilities, and secluded and quiet areas—an impressive range of amenities for short distance travel within Europe’s Schengen zone.