In 1810, Chopin was born in the Duchy of Warsaw to a French father and Polish mother. Although he immigrated to Paris at age 20, he retained his identity as a Polish composer and musician. Named for Poland’s most famous composer, Warsaw’s Fryderyk Chopin Airport offers a very good Priority Pass lounge named the Preludium Executive Lounge. The name cleverly references some of Chopin’s musical works and the lounge’s function as the beginning of a journey to faraway lands or even just to Krakow, Poland where I was headed.
Location
I’d been to Warsaw a couple of times and had even dropped in at the Church of the Nuns of the Visitation where Chopin played the organ as a student. But those trips were years ago and I was not into airport lounges then.
The Priority Pass and Lounge Buddy apps gave the lounge location, and the map and transfer guide distributed on the LOT Dash 8 flight from Berlin to Warsaw made finding it a breeze.
The lounge is located in the schengen area on the lower level near gates 33 – 35. Staying in the schengen area when connecting at WAW requires no security check or passport control. Arriving at the terminal by bus at Gate 32, getting to the lounge merely involved a walk up one flight of stairs, a short trip to the next gate, and down another flight of stairs. In accordance with the Transfer Guide, it was as easy as 1, 2, 3.
Hours and Access
The lounge is open from 4:00 to 23:00 daily. Priority Pass members are free. They can bring in guests for $32 each. Those without Priority Pass can purchase admission for $40 and make a reservation online. Children under three are admitted at no charge. Time in the lounge is limited to four hours. When I stopped here going to and returning from Krakow, the lounge was never crowded.
Seating
There are three seating areas and a dining area at the back of the lounge.
The dining section is in the middle.
At the far right is another seating area with several comfortable recliners. A living wall separates this area from the rest of the lounge.
Food and Beverages
Food and beverages are the highlight of this Priority Pass lounge. The lounge offers a variety of hot and cold snacks, soup and entrees.
There was no problem making a tasty snack to tide myself over between short flights.
Polish food is very hearty. Sausages, beef dishes, potatoes, salads, were more than enough to satisfy my hunger without visiting a restaurant.
Alcoholic beverages included self-service beer, wine, champagne, and spirits. Customers must be at least 18 to partake though no one seemed to be keeping track. 
Lavatories and Showers
Lavatories and showers are located inside the lounge. Showers are free.
Other Services
Other services offered by the Preludium Executive Lounge include free WiFi, of course, flight monitors but no boarding announcements, TVs, newspapers and magazines in several languages, and computer terminals. There is also a children’s area.
Overall Impression
I enjoyed visiting the Preludium Executive Lounge between my flights. While not up to the standards of fantastic Priority Pass lounges like the Turkish Airlines lounge at Washington Dulles or the Dnata Lounge at Singapore Changi airports, food and beverages are a cut above average for priority pass lounges in Europe and North America. This lounge is a great option for those who don’t have access to either of the LOT Star Alliance schengen lounges at WAW.
