Hilton Madrid Airport lounge – worth paying for?

[elguiri]

Been offered via email before our visit an upgrade from a King Hilton Deluxe to a King Hilton Relaxation for 36 euros. This comes with lounge access and little else it seems.
I am Gold, so get the breakfast free anyway.
Any thoughts as to whether the lounge is worth it (we are 3 people, and will be only spending the night between flights, so not camping out there or anything).

[davefl]

I would say no. But be aware the property is in the middle of an area of highway junctions with nothing around it. It’s not a pedestrian friendly area, there’s a big shopping centre on the other side of the highway but it’s a 15-20 min walk via a housing estate and footbridge to get there (or a taxi).

I’ve no idea of the status of the lounge or what’s on offer in these interesting times but I doubt you’d get 36 euro of value. When I was there last and allegedly had lounge access my key card wouldnt get me up to the lounge floor so I was escorted up there, told to wait while they recut my card… and then after an hour I realised they’d abandonded me up there with no key, no ID. Utter nightmare

I do remember a burger and a beer in the bar being over 30 euro, so up to you 🙂

[John]

Well before covid I certainly ate and drank 12 euros (at supermarket prices) worth of mediocre finger food and alcohol in the lounge. If you like big dinners then probably not for you.

The relaxation room, particularly the bathroom is significantly better than the normal rooms although I don’t know if that is worth money to you – I’ve always got the relaxation room free by asking if not proactively offered (diamond)

[cats_are_best]

Stayed there a few times pre-covid, diamond so lounge access came ‘free’.

The lounge could be crowded during the drinks-snacks ‘happy hour’, cava was chilled and quaffable, just basic snacks, between three of you I’d think you’d come out ahead vs.the bar pricing (as long as you are there for the happy hour of course), that’s assuming the lounge hasn’t been cost-reduced of course. You’d still want a meal afterwards.

Btw beware of rooms with a connecting door, there’s no soundproofing, I once had to change rooms due to the racket – this was when I was trying to work, not sleep.

[elguiri]

Thanks all for the tips. Looks like we’ll be arriving late now anyway, just in time to put the little one in bed, so probably won’t get to sample the lounge after all. Will make sure to fill up in the airport lounge if we make it past the t5 queues.