There’s a right way to start a vacation and many wrong ways. Even better, there’s a way to extend the vacation vibes before you even step foot on a plane: opt for the lounge life. 

Airport lounges are far from a new concept. But now and then, a game-changer appears out of nowhere and completely shakes up the scene. At Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport (DFW), one of the busiest travel hubs in the U.S., the sleek Capital One Lounge sets the bar significantly higher. Before a recent trip to London, I spent some time in the Capital One Lounge at DFW, which is located in Terminal D, and was blown away by everything from the elegant design and first-rate facilities to the inventive menu and attentive service. 

The Capital One Lounge at DFW—situated near gate D22 and open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily—is the first Capital One Lounge as the network continues to expand at major airports across the country, with Denver International, Washington Dulles and Las Vegas Harry Reid International arriving next.

To get you excited about your next trip, here’s a look at what to expect when you visit a Capital One Lounge.

While shower facilities are semi-standard in today’s airport lounges, Japanese-style heated toilets and the free use of exercise bikes are not. Especially when those exercise bikes are located in a dedicated cycling and yoga room with cinematic-style views over the airport’s main runways. Both are examples of the thoughtful touches throughout the space. There are also relaxation rooms on-site, perfect for basking in silence before re-entering the terminal. Of course, high-speed WiFi is available wherever you are in the Lounge.

The food, above all, sets the Capital One Lounge apart. It’s a chef-driven, restaurant-quality menu that exceeds all expectations, with a knowing nod to the Lone Star State. For dinner before my flight, for example, I enjoyed meatballs glazed in a Texan apricot bourbon, with freshly roasted elote and perfectly smoked grits, paired with a signature Bluebonnet cocktail, mixed with Texas wildflower honey and local Deep Ellum Lemon Vodka. The main menu of small plates is completely reinvented every month using seasonal local ingredients. But the options don’t stop there—in the evenings, the culinary team delivers thoughtful extras like elaborate cheese boards, freshly baked brownies and prosecco.

The draft beer on tap, too, is surprisingly diverse, with options from plenty of local craft breweries. In particular, Y’all’s Bock from Revolver Brewing and the Mermaids & Unicorns Blonde Ale from True Vine Brewing Company are delicious. Not to mention the Yellow Rose Airport Pilsner, which was created by 3 Nations Brewing specifically for the Capital One Lounge at DFW. When you enter the Lounge—and future locations, as the network grows—you can be sure you’ll have the opportunity to sip on a local brew.

Then there’s a “Grab & Go” section on your way out of the Lounge, where you can take freshly made and packaged sandwiches, jarred salads and desserts (the Texas banana pudding was a stand-out) on the way to your gate. Like all the food in the Lounge, it’s completely complimentary. 

Capital One continues to lead the way in rethinking the travel and lounge experience by introducing Capital One Landing, a new chef-driven concept focused on bringing an elevated experience to the heart of the terminal, coming soon to LaGuardia (LGA) and Ronald Reagan Washington National (DCA) airports.

If you’re an eligible Capital One cardholder with a layover, don't waste your time trying to find a comfortable position in a public terminal seat. There are a number of places to kick back as a Capital One cardholder: the Capital One Lounges, a vast Priority Pass network made up of over a thousand lounges across the world, and the soon-to-come Capital One Landings. Within the Capital One app eligible cardholders can easily find available lounges along their journey—like the Air France lounge in Terminal One of John F. Kennedy International Airport, for example. 

While all of the partner lounges available through Priority Pass come with their own design highlights and next-level amenities, the Air France lounge at JFK is noteworthy. Calm and quiet, the lounge is a welcome antidote to a busy travel day. The dual-leveled space is well-appointed with plenty of seating equipped with side tables, lamps and outlets perfect for plugging in before you next leg. Having access to the Partner Lounge Network means enjoying lounges across the globe.

If you get a chance, make a beeline for the Capital One Lounge at DFW (and soon, Denver International Airport, Dulles International Airport and Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport) or one of the many lounges around the world in the Partner Lounge Network. Whether you’re flying for business or pleasure, this is the perfect way to start—and continue—your trip with a relaxed and refreshed mindset.