Visitors passing through DCA will be pleased to discover a wide variety of dining choices at their disposal.
Upgrade your airport experience: a look inside the new DCA Centurion Lounge!
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Are airport lounges the next culinary frontier? If you're an American Express cardholder passing through Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), the answer appears to be an enthusiastic yes. Today, the credit card issuer has opened its 29th Centurion Lounge right outside the nation's capital, and it comes with some impressive gastronomic benefits.
Located just off the airport's South Security Checkpoint, the new sunlit space boasts 12,000 square feet of upscale amenities, including a shower suite, conference rooms, workstations, local artwork, floor-to-ceiling windows, and access to high-speed Wi-Fi.
However, the highlight of this new Centurion Lounge is undoubtedly the food and beverage program, which is led by not one but three award-winning chefs, spanning Latin, Israeli, and Hawaiian cuisines – the first for any Centurion Lounge.
Food is an integral part of any travel experience, and it also plays a crucial role in the lounge experience, as Audrey Hendley, the president of American Express Travel, stated during a preview for the lounge.
The new space brings together a curated selection of dishes from renowned chefs. This includes Miami-based James Beard Award-winning chef Michelle Bernstein, James Beard-nominated chef Ravi Kapur from San Francisco who blends Hawaiian, Indian, and Chinese flavors, and five-time James Beard award winner Michael Solomonov, celebrated for his Israeli-inspired cuisine at restaurants like Zahav in Philadelphia and New York City's Goldie, K'Far, and Laser Wolf.
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Guests can look forward to a rotating menu of dishes from all three chefs, ensuring that even frequent visitors will discover something new to savor each time they visit the lounge. Some highlights include Chef Kapur's deliciously juicy tamari-honey glazed tofu and pineapple, Chef Bernstein's smoky Chimichurri grilled chicken, and Chef Solomonov's tender Shabazi spiced salmon with pomegranate BBQ sauce.
The Centurion Lounge at Washington, DC's airport aims to provide card members with an experience akin to dining at a restaurant. Solomonov emphasizes that the lounge shouldn't feel like a repetitive or fatiguing experience, even for frequent visitors. The lounge offers a diverse menu, featuring Floridian-Caribbean cuisine by Michelle Bernstein, dishes by Solomonov himself, and creations by Ravi from San Francisco, all in one location.
The food is presented in a buffet-style setup, with a variety of appetizers, salads, and indulgent desserts. Guests can also enjoy an assortment of beverages, including cocktails curated by Centurion Lounge mixologist Jim Meehan. For this specific location, Meehan has designed several locally-inspired options, such as the Haku Hanami, a martini with cherry blossom-infused vodka and brandied cherries, and the Ambrosia Spritz, a refreshing spritz featuring bitters and liqueurs from local producer Don Ciccio & Figli.
American Express has imbued its lounges with a distinct local flavor, evident not just in the food and beverages on offer. As guests enter the lounge, they're greeted by an elegant gallery and living room space showcasing artwork by local artists, including a vibrant canvas print of the Capitol by Maggie O'Neill, a striking black-and-white abstract painting by Emon Surakitkoson, and a pair of mixed media tiles by Lori Katz. The most remarkable artwork, both in its size and significance, hangs above the dining tables. It's a sculpture composed of over 260 custom-made lanterns inspired by the original markers of Washington's city limits, forming a shape that reflects the topography of the Potomac River as it flows through the city.
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Given its proximity to Washington DC, with the airport located in Arlington, Virginia, just four miles from downtown, DCA is a preferred airport for many business travelers to the capital. American Express has ensured the lounge caters to their needs.
The spacious, residential-style work area features a large conference room-style table and more intimate seating arrangements, all with access to electrical outlets and ample natural light. A separate section reserved for Centurion members offers a private drinks and snacks station and plush seating.
The lounge boasts a seating capacity of 260, arranged in various configurations to accommodate both social and private settings.
According to Kate Hardman, the director of global brand design at American Express, the lounge covers nearly 12,000 square feet, and the goal was to create a cohesive environment that offers privacy and social spaces, depending on the preferences of the guests.
In addition to the seating areas, the lounge features a single unisex shower suite equipped with complimentary towels and toiletries.
Access to the Centurion Lounge at DCA is exclusively reserved for American Express Platinum card members, Centurion members, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders. These cardholders have the option to bring guests for an additional fee of $50 ($30 for children between 2 and 17 years old).
Earlier this year, American Express unveiled its largest Centurion Lounge at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta. The company is also working on expanding its lounge network, with plans to open new facilities at Tokyo's Haneda Airport (HND) in 2025 and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in 2026.
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The Centurion Lounge at DCA is exclusively accessible to American Express Platinum cardholders, Centurion members, and Delta SkyMiles Reserve cardholders. If you're planning a trip through DCA and dreading the airport parking situation, we're delighted to inform you that our smart booking platform, ParkingNearAirports.io, can assist you! We offer the most convenient and affordable parking near Washington Reagan Airport and beyond. Compare the Ronald Reagan parking rates on our website, use our special DCA parking coupon, and find the perfect solution for your needs, ensuring a seamless transition from your parked car to the luxurious amenities of the Centurion Lounge. Enjoy your trip!
