This is a Trip Report from the Upper Class cabin
Ground Staff
Food & Drink
Entertainment
Seat
Cabin Crew
Owing to the final NASCAR meet at Homestead on our departure date (not good planning I know)we left Key Largo early, too early really.
Dropped the Dollar car off and took the bus to the terminal at 3pm. Pretty smooth but still find it a hassle.
No one at the check in desk and even though we didn't get the nice smiles etc. the gentleman was pleasant and efficent and gave us an invite to the Club America lounge and he explained (rather embarassingly) that it wasn't up to Virgin clubhouse standards. We were very disappointed with the facilites, just nuts and cookies and a limited supply of beer. I decided to just use Starbucks and take my purchase in there with me. My husband exhausted their Becks beer supply.
There were no queues at Security by the time we got there (it had been very busy earlier)at 6.30pm, and the chaps on duty were particularly funny, offering lighters in any shape or colour for $100 a go. Boarding was very organised and premium passengers were called after special needs and children under 5. We decided to book seats upstairs and I definitely think it was a good move as the flight was completely full in all classes. The service we received was some of the best I have encountered, what a difference a crew can make. I still think the food was below average but the fact that nothing was too much trouble really made up for it. Still no FSM the whole flight but the crew were so good it really didn't matter. We didn't visit the bar but I did go downstairs for a manicure and compared to upstairs it was bedlum. We had finished eating around 20minutes before and the UC cabin downstairs were only just receiving their starters.
Managed around 5 hours sleep and just wanted a coffee when I woke and the same fantastic crew member seemed to have it in my hand within seconds of the request.
There was a bit of a delay holding over LHR but still managed to land on time. Luggage was the first off and we were in Revivals quickly. The last time we were there, we only had time for a quick cup of coffee but this time we planned to take our time. We were both offered treatments and shower rooms etc. My husband had yet another Rhinestone Cowboy which he found even better than the one on the outward journey, probably because she had plenty of time. The only probem was that his suit could not be pressed but they did iron his shirt and he went off to work for the afternoon but I came home, and being as ancient as I am, straight to bed.
Special thanks to Jetwet for recommending the Azul del Mar in Key Largo, it was as lovely as you said. We also visited the Azul's new property in Key West although we didn't stay there. Dominic, the owner, gave us a tour of it. Although, obviously, it doesn't have the wonderful sea views of the Key Largo property, it has been renovated to a very high standard keeping the history of the building but with contemporary furnishings.
Jilly