Gatwick Clubhouse

Ok guys I think I already know the answer to this question myself but I just wanted the views of a few of you......

I am thinking of buying access to the LGW CH as an add on to my latest trip with VS that I booked with VH at the weekend in order to surprise the girlfriend (sadly UC is out of my league currently).[:w] Is the 35 worth it?

The reason for asking is that:

1. I have read so much about the LHR CH, I don't want to arrive and be disappointed.
2. Having been in the BA terraces lounge in T4 I was very disappointed.

I clearly do not want to be disappointed on my first CH experience and most importantly I don't want the gf to be either. By going into the CH at this early stage in my independent traveling life am I signing myself away to flying UC forever?[:D]

So is it worth it? I have looked at the VS spin on the CH but just wanted an honest view. What are the best bits and worse bits about the LGW CH...I think you get my drift.

[Bazz]

Gatwick has a great Clubhouse, okay not all the glitz associated with LHR but still a very nice place and well worth the money - go for it - you will not be disappointed!

[HighFlyer]

Yes, its worth it! [:)]

You will get some peace and quiet from the crowds with a place to relax before the flight, check mail, help yourself to newspapers and magazines, not to mention the food and drink options which will ensure the £35 is a good investment. I believe you will also get a treatment too.

Gatwick is a much smaller facility but it is also much more personable, meaning that the staff actually get to see all of the guests and ensure you are well looked after. I have had far better service at Gatwick than at Heathrow on many occasions.

I do not think you will be dissapointed, though it will make you want to visit the Clubhouse on every future trip.

Thanks,
Sarah

Is this still an option after 1st May when the V-Room opens?

-Steve

Can I ask when your trip is willd ??

The reason I ask is that I'm going to be in the Gatwick CH for the first time next week & I intend reporting back on my experience.

While I've travelled in UC before, I've never been in either the LHR or LGW Clubhouses & am very interested to see what they are like.

Just like you, I've had concerns that the Gatwick CH will not live up to the hype, or the perceived glitz of the Heathrow one. However I've been reassured on this forum that the Gatwick CH is well up to scratch & in some ways more personal than the Heathrow one.

You've mentioned that you were disappointed with the BA Terraces at LHR T4. Well I've spent quite a lot of time in the various Terraces lounges & while they are very nice places to wait for your flight, I must admit I was somewhat disappointed on my first visit to one too.

The only VS CH I've been in is the one at IAD & that was the benchmark I used to compare the BA terraces at various airports on their network.

So I too have great hopes for the LGW CH [y]

LGW CH is my favourite CH.

The £35 seems like good value to me.

The beauty/spa/barber shop treatment alone can often cost £35+ on the high street.

Then you have the food, which in an airport doesnt come cheap, the added bonus is the CH food is edible.

Factor in a couple of glasses of champers or even a cappucino and you are 'quids in'

Originally posted by HighFlyer
Yes, its worth it! [:)]


Gatwick is a much smaller facility but it is also much more personable, meaning that the staff actually get to see all of the guests and ensure you are well looked after. I have had far better service at Gatwick than at Heathrow on many occasions.

Sarah

Absolutely worth it. I too have been ignored/neglected at the LHR CH more than once but have never suffered this fate at LGW.IMHO the staff there try to go above call of duty (for example obtaining fresh mint from 'elsewhere' to make the customary mojito for me on New Years day when they had virtually no stock of anything![y]) OK, it's not as glitzy or WOW! but sometimes glitzy and WOW! isn't all it's cracked up to be.The staff at LGW don't seem as overawed (as the LHR staff do[n][n]) by the presence of zelebs either.

[Neil]

Originally posted by Stevieboy
Is this still an option after 1st May when the V-Room opens?

-Steve

There has been no notification that it will change and VH are still offering the option to buy for all of 2008. There is only limited availability for the Clubhouses and they were obviously very popular which is why they have developed the VRoom. There is quite a cost difference between the 2 and the service levels/amenities are quite different so people will still want to buy for the CH rather than the VRoom.

Hi

Can you only buy Clubhouse access if you book through VH? My parents are flying out to LAS next Thur and I wanted to treat them but can't find anything other than the normal Servisair lounges for sale. If that is the case I will go for that but obviously the CH would be a nicer treat!![8D] I have booked direct with Virgin for the flights and not VH.

Regards

AKS120

I can't comment on the CH itself, but what time's your flight ? If it's an early one (e.g. as some as the caribbean flghts are) then there's not much chance to enjoy it between opening and being called for the flight.

If not, I say go for it.

Paul

[buns]

The LGW Clubhouse remains my firm favourite[y]

If you take the notion of what you would want from a Club then the requirements of service, attention when necessary yet discrete when required are all met.

If you take into account a full breakfast menu, alcohol (should you feel the need) the possibility of a treatment and a shoe shine all wrapped up in a haven of peace and quiet then IMHO £35 per person is well worth impressing the GF[:D]

Are you corrupted for ever more?? You bet[}:)][}:)]

buns

Having sampled both, yes the LHR is more glitzy and has more to offer, but the LGW one has it's own charm, with the lovely staff as already discussed a strong menu, and nice surroundings... it's miles better than any other lounge at LGW and on another planet to the main terminal. I'd be surprised if you're not happy with it.

[Nottingham Nick]

Originally posted by aks120
Can you only buy Clubhouse access if you book through VH?

I stand to be corrected on this, but my understanding is that the number of passes that are sold is strictly limited for capacity control purposes.

If you try to buy a pass on the website, and they are all gone, then I think it defaults to the Servisair lounge, which certainly isn't worth £35. [:D]

With respect to Will's quandary I echo everyone else.... go for it. The only downside is that you will want to be in there every time.
[;)]

Nick

I think that you have to book something through VH to be able to buy the Clubhouse entry - doesn't have to be a flight or complete holiday. In the past I have booked a couple of nights hotel stay and been able to purchase the clubhouse access as well - might be worth giving them a call and maybe booking a night at the airport before hand if you need to!

Well thank you all for the replies I am going to be ringing VH tomorrow to sort this out.

Buns summed it up pretty much well; when one considers the price of breakfast at Chez Gerrard the CH £35 seems a great deal.

Kered my flight wont be until July so your forthcoming report/observations on the LGW CH will be much appreciated.

Am on the 27 so will have plenty of time to drive up from the GF's parents in Brighton and hit the champagne in the CH.

I fear this will be the start of many visits to the CH (and UC) so thank you my fellow V-Flyers for costing me considerable expense in the years to come....[:D]

Originally posted by willd........Kered my flight wont be until July so your forthcoming report/observations on the LGW CH will be much appreciated.

No problem.

This trip heralds my long awaited return to VS after too many years absence, along with my first flight in the ÒSuiteÓ as well as my first visit to one of their London Clubhouses.

So to maintain the catalogue of ÒfirstsÓ on this trip, my intention is to write up my first ever Trip Report.

Originally posted by willd........I fear this will be the start of many visits to the CH (and UC) so thank you my fellow V-Flyers for costing me considerable expense in the years to come....[:D]

You're not wrong there [y]

Many years ago I decided to treat myself to PE Òjust the onceÓ on a trip to IAD. When I got to flight connections at LHR I got op-up'd to Upper Class & just couldn't believe that I was going to fly the Atlantic in Business class. I relished every single moment of that flight, thinking it would be a very long time before I would be able to get myself up front again.

On my return from IAD, I got op-up'd again [oo][:0]

Those two Upper Class flights led to a very slippery slope & travel now costs me a darn fortuneÉÉÉ

So you might as well resign yourself to the fact, that your first taste of the CH will lead to many more.

But you know whatÉÉÉwe only live once [;)]

Originally posted by willd
..........Kered my flight wont be until July so your forthcoming report/observations on the LGW CH will be much appreciated.......

Just a quick update.......

I'm sitting here in the LGW CH, having just had our Eggs Benedict & Coffee [8D]

All I can say to you willd is to most definitly treat yourself to the CH [y]

As promised I'm going to write a trip report, on this trip, our long awaited return to VS, but so far I can say that the VS CH is streets ahead of BA's Terraces [^]

This is the LGW CH, what must the CH at LHR or JFK be like ???

Anyway, more to follow after our trip.

'Kered'