Upcoming trip a couple of questions

Hi all,
Early next week, Mrs Kered & myself are travelling UC LGW to MCO, which marks our eagerly awaited return to VS [8D]

While Ive been in UC before (J2000), this time we get to Fly the Suite & its also Mrs Kereds first UC trip on Virgin. Weve been absent form VS for far too long & are really looking forward to this trip.

So if youd indulge me, theres a couple things wed like to check out

Were arriving in LGW the evening before from DUB & are staying at the airport hotel. Our rate at the hotel includes breakfast, but Im wondering how good the food is in the Clubhouse at LGW in the mornings ?

Ive read Trip Reports detailing such delights as Eggs Benedict being served in the Clubhouse. Id hate to feed ourselves silly at the hotel, only to see a breakfast spread laid on in the CH [:(]

So first question is Should we forfeit the hotel breakfast in favour of the CH ??

Secondly, what time does check-in open at LGW in the mornings. We want to maximise our time in the CH, so the earlier we can check-in the better [8D]

Lastly then, Mrs Kered has a Virgin Touch treatment booked & shes just wondering whats the deal is with tipping. Is it its usual to tip the staff or not ?

Shed hate not to tip if it was expected & as a result look like a stingy old so & so. Conversely , shed rather not offer a tip, if its not the norm.

So any advice would be most welcome.

Ta in advance Kered [y]

[buns]

Kered

Hope your trip lives up to expectations

On the food side of things in the Clubhouse, my personal view is that as it is cooked to order then it has the edge on 'buffet style' breakfasts found in many hotels. The plus point being you can order again[:w]

Apart from cereals etc., the hot food consists of either a 'full Monty' or the 'signature' (aka smoked salmon and scrambled eggs and or eggs ben.

The question of tipping has been covered many times before and it boils down to personal preference. I have always tipped as the service in the Virgin Touch Salon has been exemplary

buns

[HighFlyer]

Agree with Buns. Do pass on the hotel breakfast for the Clubhouse as you cant beat a fresh cooked Clubhouse breakfast, and I cant see any of the airport hotels offerings coming close to Clubhouse standards. I have found the staff in the LGW CH to be fantastic, and they will cook alterations of the menu items (I usually ask for Scrambled Egg on toast).

Regarding tipping, it would be greatly appreciated by the staff but they by no means expect it.

The Clubhouse opens at 6.30am.

Have a great flight [:)]

Thanks,
Sarah

Smoked salmon & scrabbled eggs / Eggs Ben [8D]

Oh I can just taste it now [:D]

A darn sight better than the 'other airline' I've been travelling on of late [:I]

[Darren Wheeler]

Quite agree with my learned friend Mr B, the breakfast in the CH wins hands down and the staff have no issues with seconds. If your hotel has brekkie included, at least you have the chacne to get 'free' coffee, tea etc before the trek to the airport. You don't say which hotel, but if not on-site, the traffic on the M23 junction (if involved) is usually chaotic and you might be glad of a little sustainer before leaving.

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler..........You don't say which hotel

Opps sorry !

The Hilton at LGW S term.

[buns]

Did I mention the champagne[:w][}:)][:w]

Also, make a point of getting your shoes shined - both the guys that do it do a fantastic job

buns

[RichardMannion]

As the others have said.

LGW CH is really good, and in my book has the edge on service over the flagship LHR CH. I'd always take the CH breakfast over any establishment in the airport vicinty.

Tipping - at your discretion.

Thanks,
Richard

[Darren Wheeler]

Originally posted by kered

Originally posted by Darren Wheeler..........You don't say which hotel

Opps sorry !

The Hilton at LGW S term.

No question then. Skip the hotel and fill your boots.

Go to the CH. Trust me I pay to get in there and eat so if you can get in there early and enjoy all that's offer you won't be sorry.

Miopyk[8D]

Mighty !

CH breakfast it is then [y]

BTW what time does check-in open for the VS15 ??

We want to get in the CH as early as possible so as to maximise our time there.

You know, I have to laugh, we're both grown adults, but are behaving like children being brought for a day at the beach, we're so excited & looking forward to this trip.

As I've said before, for me it marks a long awaited return to VS & just reading the replies on here, VS are streets ahead already over the airline we've been flying for a few years now [8D]

Even down to the fact that Mrs Kered could Òpre bookÓ her Virgin Touch treatment [y]

Originally posted by buns4vs
Did I mention the champagne[:w][}:)][:w]

A little champagne tonic works wonders at breakfast time doesn't it [:D]

[buns]

Kered

When Mrs Buns & I take the VS15, we aim to get to Gatwick South around 7am in order to make the most of the Clubhouse.

You will find the check in open then (not sure what time it opens up[:I]) but at that time of the morning UC is invariably quiet.

Only downside was the last time we went through was that Fastrack Security does not open until 7.30 - but we still managed to have a great time in the Clubhouse[:w]

You will too[y]

buns

Oh excellent [^]

I didn't think it would be open as early as that, although thinking about it now, I guess I should have waded through the LGW schedules to see the morning departures. Which would have given me a fair idea.

But nowÉ no needÉ cheers [y]

Originally posted by buns4vs
Kered

When Mrs Buns & I take the VS15, we aim to get to Gatwick South around 7am in order to make the most of the Clubhouse.

You will find the check in open then (not sure what time it opens up[:I]) but at that time of the morning UC is invariably quiet.

Only downside was the last time we went through was that Fastrack Security does not open until 7.30 - but we still managed to have a great time in the Clubhouse[:w]

You will too[y]

buns

When we checked in for Kingston last week it was about 6.40am and we went through fast track to the CH at about 7.00am (it was just opening).

This was on Saturday so I don't know if this makes a difference.

Miopyk[8D]