To CH or not ??

HI,
Flying on VS003 in August and its going to be my first experience of PE. Flown Virgin many times before but always economy, no kids this time so me and the good lady are treating ourselves.[:D]

We have booked through Virgin Holidays and I see from their website that for 60 per person you can use the CH. What I was wondering is as we are on the VS003 and fly at 09:30 is it worth spending the 60 each for the short amount of time we will get ? Is it right that the CH doesnt open until 07:00 ?

All advice gratefully received.

[Darren Wheeler]

Tricky one. Personally I'd skip the CH for the time you would have. That £120 can get you a local hotel with breakie thrown in and still have change to buy a bottle of bubbly.

[Neil]

I guess it comes down to what you want. The CH opens at 7am so you will get a good couple of hours in there, but as Darren said £120 could go to many other things and then some. Also the main terminal won't be that busy at that time of the morning so you won't be packed with the masses too much.

If it was a slightly later flight and you could get a good 3 or 4 hours in there, you had the money then I would say yes, go for it but if I was in your shoes then I would keep my £120 (but I am a tight fisted Northerner so I may not be the best person to advise on splashing the cash!)

I'd say yes. As you've intimated that this jaunt is a treat (ie minus the kids)I'd encourage you to go the whole hog and splash the cash, but I do appreciate that £120 could buy quite a bit elsewhere (perhaps some champagne on board?).The CH is lovely and even things like delays become immaterial when you're holed up there.
Depending on when you are going in August you might be un/fortunate to encounter the Dragon Clan who will be suitably ensconced there, hopefully enjoying themselves.

I would vote an enthusiastic YES. We flew out on VS003 last week, and also had our first experience of the CH. Given the chance I would pay for access, even if more time might be desired to sample the pleasures on offer [:)]

Originally posted by Moonraker
I would vote an enthusiastic YES. We flew out on VS003 last week, and also had our first experience of the CH. Given the chance I would pay for access, even if more time might be desired to sample the pleasures on offer [:)]

Thanks for all the answers. I might leave the decision up to Mrs J that way I wont get the blame for making the wrong choice [:D]

How much time would I get in the CH before being called for 003 ?

We were only able to stay in there for about 90 minutes. Since we were only travelling in Y we didn't want to risk leaving things until they called for the UC passengers.

Mme F. loved the experience. Just book it & don't let Mrs J get into any form of cost/benefit analysis! You did say it was a treat, after all. [^]

Thanks for the answers people. Will have to give it a bit more thought.

Originally posted by Johno1970
Thanks for the answers people. Will have to give it a bit more thought.

VH only have a certain ammount of lounge access to sell (once their allocation is sold on any given day that's it) so I personally wouldn't leave it too long in making your decision.

Personal choice and a difficult one depending upon your priorities and circumstances with 'splashing the cash'. It is a great venue as has been said many times on this website, but much as I love the Clubhouse, £120 for two for a couple of hours is just not worth it IMHO. I'd use the £120 for a nice meal out somewhere whilst I'm away. If you could secure a treatment or haircut beforehand that would be a bonus, but I think I am right in saying that is not available to these type of Virgin Holidays pay to enter bookings.

Phil

Originally posted by philadam
Personal choice and a difficult one depending upon your priorities and circumstances with 'splashing the cash'. It is a great venue as has been said many times on this website, but much as I love the Clubhouse, £120 for two for a couple of hours is just not worth it IMHO. I'd use the £120 for a nice meal out somewhere whilst I'm away. If you could secure a treatment or haircut beforehand that would be a bonus, but I think I am right in saying that is not available to these type of Virgin Holidays pay to enter bookings.

Phil

Thanks for the comments Phil, what you say makes sense. Ive decided to put my sensible head on and spend the £120 whilst away.

I will have to start saving for our next trip and make sure I book flights that leave later in the day so that I could justify £120 [:)]

John

John, it's such a difficult one and ANY opportunity to experience the Clubhouse is great. It's just that some are greater than others and I think you have it spot on that you should allow yourself enough time to really take advantage of it. You can save this for another day.

Reading back on my previous post makes it sound like any Virgin Holiday booking won't benefit from treatments in the Clubhouse. What I meant is that you can't pre-book and will need to sort something on the day. You can arrive and book at the time, but you may not be able to get what you want.

Enjoy your trip and plan for the future Clubhouse experience[8D] It is worth spending three or so hours there.

Phil