I would rank the Northeast lounges as follows:
1. Moynihan Train Hall New York
2. Boston
3. Philadelphia
4. Washington
I think I might rank Chicago as being between Moynihan and Boston.
Both Boston and Philly have the most relaxed and quiet vibes. I almost might rate Philly a bit better because of the direct elevator drop to the tracks, but I think Boston is a more open pleasant space. Chicago can get busy and a little noisy, though you can go upstairs (or will be able to do so once this pandemic business ends.) I can't really judge whether New York will get busy and noisy when business recovers. It was pretty quiet and mellow the day I was there.
Washington is the lounge that needs the most work. It's a real closed-in bunker, though it has the advantage that access to the upper level tracks bypasses the gates, so you can avoid the lines. It's no fun butting in line, even if you can flash your Select Plus card to show that it's OK to do so. Unfortunately, they no longer let you access the lower track gates unattended, so you do have to go butt in line for anything leaving from the lower level. Another problem is that they only announce Acelas and long-distance trains for sleeper passengers in the lounge, so you don't get an opportunity to pre-board the Northeast Regionals. They are also a bit anal about outside food, it being the only lounge where I've been hassled merely for bringing a carry-out bag in, even though I was planning to eat it on the train. I learned my lesson, and make sure my carry-out is safely concealed in my backpack.
All of these reviews are independent of the food served at the lounge. At this time, New York clearly has the best food, though given that most users are riding a first-class Acela that serves meals and has an open bar, and are probably no traveling more than 3 hours, that seems a little redundant. I always thought that Boston had the nicest selection of snackies, though Philly has the cool multi-drink expresso-cappuccino machine. Washington, as usual, brings up the rear; in fact, the coffee machine would be on the fritz for weeks on end, and they put up a rather small percolator urn. Usually, by the time I got there, what was left was bitter sludge. When the coffee machine was fixed, the drinks dispenser would go haywire, and then they set out cans of soda. You could only pray that the ice machine was still working. Of course, my use of the Washington lounge involves either waiting for my 40 minute ride to Baltimore, or waiting on a long-distance train where I was going to be served food soon after boarding. Nonetheless, despite my critique of the Washington lounge, it does beat the alternative.
