Are the private airport lounges worth the extra cost?

blindman

There's a Lounge thread that has MSErs giving codes to make the private ones cheaper. But all you get in these lounges is snacks\some alcohol and probably a little bit more quiet than in the terminal.

JuneBow

breadlinebetty wrote: »

I'm flying from Gatwick soon (only short haul) but am considering booking one of the lounges that does free drinks and food etc.

I've never used these lounges before and am wondering if they are worth the cost?

I have used the club lounges - that was when I was lucky enough to fly club etc and the use of the club class lounge was included in my air fair.

Are these bookable lounges like the Club class lounges are? Do you get all the same privileges, comfort, wi-fi, food and drinks etc? I remember the lounges were very quiet and comfortable...are the bookable ones like that too?

Basically, are they worth the extra cost if you're only going to pop in there for an hour or so?

I think they are worth the extra. I stayed in one in Manchester a couple of years ago on the way skiing with my daughter. We had driven for about three hours during the night and it was an early morning flight. I had a couple of hours kip in a lovely reclining chair. My daughter read her book as she had been kipping in the car. There was a curtain to draw around yourself. It was lovely and quiet.
We also had a free breakfast in there with free tea, coffee, hotchoc, fresh juice etc.
I think you could also get free alchoholic drink in there too. But I don't drink much.
I think it cost about £12 each. Its not difficult to spend that much on coffee, breakfast etc in three hours, and I got a decent kip.

malkie76

The BA Club (Galleries Club) lounge at Gatwick isn't that great (particularly compared to the Galleries complex at T5. The food offering isn't particularly jaw-dropping, but the alcohol selection is ok.

There is champagne on offer, you just need to ask staff. There are open bottles in the First lounges (and obviously at the Concorde room in T5).

Doshwaster

malkie76 wrote: »

The BA Club (Galleries Club) lounge at Gatwick isn't that great (particularly compared to the Galleries complex at T5. The food offering isn't particularly jaw-dropping, but the alcohol selection is ok.

I actually don't mind the Gatwick lounge as it's never as busy as the Heathrow ones and there's not much else to do at LGW. However, I would agree that the food is better at LHR T5 (and T3), even though they could do with varying their selections more often for the benefit of regular travellers. Those small tuna rolls get a little boring after a while.

breadlinebetty

Doshwaster wrote: »

The BA lounges do have free Champagne, but you have to ask for it. I'm not sure how good it is though as it's not my kind of thing.



The pay lounges do vary but I wouldn't expect any more than crisps and nuts in the Servisair ones.



Yes, Gatwick is fairly limited in terms of food options. If I don't have access to the BA lounge there I would tend to make do with a sandwich from Boots or an all day breakfast from Whetherspoons.

malkie76 wrote: »

The BA Club (Galleries Club) lounge at Gatwick isn't that great (particularly compared to the Galleries complex at T5. The food offering isn't particularly jaw-dropping, but the alcohol selection is ok.

There is champagne on offer, you just need to ask staff. There are open bottles in the First lounges (and obviously at the Concorde room in T5).[/QUOTE]


Is the Concorde room still operating as that????;)

breadlinebetty

Doshwaster wrote: »

I actually don't mind the Gatwick lounge as it's never as busy as the Heathrow ones and there's not much else to do at LGW. However, I would agree that the food is better at LHR T5 (and T3), even though they could do with varying their selections more often for the benefit of regular travellers. Those small tuna rolls get a little boring after a while.

There's not much to do at any airport really, unless you want to sleep, have a massage, eat or watch a film....or maybe shop

I was lucky all the times I travelled Club from Gatwick - the selection of snacks was really nice. Prawn, smoked salmon, ham and asparagus, roast beef sandwiches etc....different types of quiches, salads/dips, cheese boards, fruits, rich fruit cakes, choccy cakes, strawberry tarts.....a really good buffet

I'd be seriously cheesed off it there were only boring tuna sandwiches!

Doshwaster

breadlinebetty wrote: »

Is the Concorde room still operating as that????;)

Yes: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/first-lounges/public/en_gb

The Concorde Room

When travelling in First you can not only take advantage of our First lounges worldwide but especially enjoy the exceptional luxury and service offered at our exclusive Concorde Room at London Heathrow Terminal 5 and New York JFK:

• intimate dining with elegant, private booths and full waiter service
• complimentary champagne, fine wines, freshly ground coffee and Afternoon Tea
• a well-appointed business suite with boardroom facilities, internet and computers linked to a printer
• private cabanas: hotel–style rooms with a comfortable day bed and en–suite bathroom
• a spectacular terrace and viewing area.

So if you are travelling in First out of Heathrow you can do a decent "lounge crawl" - the normal Galleries lounges (2 in T5A, 1 one T5B), the First lounge and the Concorde Room.

C_Mababejive

I really dont see the point. Its just another form of snobbery. modern airports have facilities to suit all and really, if you time things right and check in on line,you shouldnt be in the airport too long anyway.

malkie76

Great if point to point, but you've missed the 4 or 5 hour layover on a transfer where a shower and decent food would be a god send.

As Doshy points out, the Concorde Room still operates as such. Worth pointing out that the seats in the board room were from a Concorde.

breadlinebetty

Doshwaster wrote: »

Yes: http://www.britishairways.com/travel/first-lounges/public/en_gb



So if you are travelling in First out of Heathrow you can do a decent "lounge crawl" - the normal Galleries lounges (2 in T5A, 1 one T5B), the First lounge and the Concorde Room.

I'm inclined to travel First from Heathrow just to sample that!!:j