I visited an airport lounge for the first time and 6 things surprised me, from free facials to private suites

The lounge in LGA's terminal B is open from 4:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. ET. It's free for $550-per-year Chase Sapphire Reserve credit cardholders every day of the year once they activate their Priority Pass airport lounge membership, which is free with the card.

All guests must have a boarding pass for a flight up to three hours away to access the lounge. But surprisingly, travelers don't necessarily need the credit card to enter, according to the company's website. There are two ways to get in the lounge without it.

First off, a Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholder can bring up to two guests for free and pay $27 per traveler after that. Secondly, travelers who hold a Priority Pass membership without the card can access the lounge for free once a year and pay $75 per visit after that.

The lounge was a complete departure from the terminal.

Modern finishes, cozy velvet funiture, and unique coffee tables were surrounded by vibrant plants that made the space even more relaxing. Framed prints by local artists decorated the walls.

And I thought lighting tied the whole space together. The windowless lounge was designed to make guests feel like they're surrounded by natural light with LEDs of varying brightness and temperatures, a Chase Sapphire representative told Business Insider.

Informative flight screens were the only reminder that I was actually at an airport.

When I visited on a Friday morning, I expected the lounge to be crowded with weekend travelers. But there was no shortage of places to sit and relax.

The two-story lounge had sitting areas upstairs and downstairs. The first level also had a bar, a restaurant, a coworking space, a family area with places to sit and play, and an arcade.

The arcade's volume was one of the most surprising things to me. Designed like a retro speakeasy, the hidden room was behind a soundproof curtain and housed a vintage Marshall Jukebox filled with CDs.

Since the room was soundproof, I could blast tunes as loud as a nightclub.

As I danced and played pinball while cranking to classic hits like "Move Your Feet" by Junior Senior, I thought about how helpful it would be to release some energy before a flight.

In my three years of travel reporting, I never thought I'd receive a facial at an airport.

So, I was in awe when I found a serene spa on the first floor with meditation spaces and treatment rooms where guests can book 30-minute complimentary facials. There was a range of options made for air travelers with components that decreased inflammation and hydrated the skin.

I went with a treatment called the Illuminator, which gets rid of flare-ups and purifies skin with red and blue lights. It was as calming and effective as any facial you'd expect from a high-end spa, and I left with a glow.

On the second floor of the lounge, three private suites felt like luxury hotel rooms with modern furnishings, mirrors that doubled as TVs, stocked snack and drink bars, exclusive high-end menus, and large bathrooms with amenities including plush robes and Dyson hair dryers.

But unlike the rest of the lounge's offerings, the suites cost extra and have a starting rate of $2,200.

While mesmerized by these private enclaves, it was shocking to me that guests would pay for this amenity in a lounge that's only accessible for three hours tops.

I don't see myself splurging for a suite anytime soon, but I certainly think the lounge is worth a visit for a bearable travel day — whether you hold the credit card or not.