To me the whole point of lounges were that they were oases amid the high stress environment of the airport. I don’t travel much anymore and given this and so much more about air travel today I’m glad I don’t.
Yes, they were once exactly that. I used them infrequently, only when on very long international flights. Some had (and maybe still do have) very nice private showers and other amenities that made such travel enjoyable. I don’t fly much any longer, due in large part to the ‘changing demographics’ and the conduct of those individuals who’ve ‘changed’ them.