6 hours at heathrow clubhouse

I thought long and hard about posting this but hey I've paid 120 so want to get the best out of it. I posted earlier that my flight to Washington DC had been cancelled by VA but because they gave loads of notice and booked me on the c6pm instead of the c11.45am flight I was not entitled to anything. So because I had separate internal flights already booked that would cost 50 to change I elected to pay 60 per person via VH for clubhouse access. I may be an economy passenger but I don't want to spend an additional 6 hours with the throngs at terminal 3. So I now have my access vouchers and will be arriving at the clubhouse from Scotland around 9.30am with a departure to Washington at 6pm. 'We' are me female aged 50 (did I really admit to that?) and daughter aged 20 with ideas much above her station! When we visit US we usually do it in style and on this summer jaunt we are staying at Encore in LV and London in LA as well as Mondrian in Miami. Somehow given other posts here I seem a need as an economy passenger to say this and also to mention that neither of us have tattoos or shell suits!!! Anyway hopefully having proven our suitability for lounge access despite being dreaded economy passengers I would appreciate some advice to get the best out of our experience. I noted in another post that the garden area is closed - that is a shame as some fresh like air would be good. We will arrive for breakfast but the VA website still shows the Winter menu - any update? How does the video/tv area work? What if I don't have a laptop - can I still access the internet on Virgin provided computers?
We know we can't prebook treatments but what is the chance of getting something given we are ther for several hours?

I've lost 6 hours of my holiday because of VA and had topay 120 for an acceptable compromise - views and guidence would be welcome.

Anne

Ohhh 6 lovely hours in the CH, I would start with breakfast at the Brasserie, for a nice relaxed breakfast and maybe a glass of champers would be in order! I would think you would be able to get a treatment as long as you are flexible.

Near the deli there are laptops that you can use and access the internet and of course VF (to tell us how you are getting on!)

Don't forget to have a Mojito (VF tradition!) Just sit back relax and take it all in, you have plenty of time and enjoy the service and all what the CH offers.

Dominic

[Decker]

Firstly good call on the hotels, just got back from the West Coast where a group of us did the Encore in LV and the London in LA. Love the roof top pool in the London and the restaurant was very good [;)].

Should be able to get fitted in for a treatment with that much spare time. In honesty I'd be pushed to spend 6 hours there but this might just be ennui. So put name down for treatment and then breakfast. Remember your cozzies and head for the jacuzzi area, booking a steam shower room on the way. Lounge there reading for 20-30 minutes then refresh in the steam shower for another 30. Now feeling all righteous head for the bar and imbibe a little. Take your last drink and head for the library where you can browse the internet at will. Leave the clubhouse for a wander around duty free at your leisure then return and examine your purchases whilst pirouetting in the dangly chairs. Lunch time calls so make a leisurely lunch of it then settle down and watch a bit of telly until you're hopefully called for your treatment. Grab some papers/mags and retire to the fake roaring fire and have another cocktail or two. Start tapping foot and mumbling about the way time is starting to drag...

[Darren Wheeler]

I think you'll find the jacuzzi is out of action at the moment. No doubt a pair of speedos blocking the filter...

[Decker]

Wish their confirm emails would stop telling me to pack trunks then

Speaking as one who has only just had my first CH experience experience my takeaways would be;

- seek out the treatment bookings first thing. You should be ok given the length of time you will be there. We had two (or was it three - damn that mojito..) hours and both the other half and the daughter managed to get fitted in, though not necessarily for their first choice of treatment.

- you may spend some time ricocheting around as if a demented pinball for a while going 'look at that..' and 'have you seen..' This can take some time depending on the number in the party.

- wander over to the dining area and have breakfast. With champagne.

And then do as Dominic and Decker have suggested. I can recommend the mojito.

Enjoy!

Paul

I'm in the CH on Saturday en route to BOS and am planning on getting there when it opens! My first time was this time last year and I echo what pjh says - there is a lot to take in on the first visit so do try not to get overwhelmed.

I really enjoyed sitting over the far side on the green sofas - you can see the apron from there and the service is still attentive - you can eat/drink on them still. From there you are close to the library and the very big TV and away from the entrance area.

First thing you do (even before your first champers!) is check your hand luggage in with the concierge so that you don't wind up lugging it around the CH for 6 hours.

Grab that champers (after booking your treatments) and do a lap of the CH - you'll get a good idea where everything is by doing that.

Make sure you don't fire off to the gate when the board in the CH says go to gate - sit back and wait for the flight to be called and enjoy another drink!

Good lord...six hours in the clubhouse, sounds like heaven to me

I'd start by swanning over to cowshed and booking yourself a treatment, the mens facial is very good, although last time I was there my face did feel a little like sandpaper afterwards.

Breakfast would be my next port of call; the scrambled eggs and salmon is very good, as is the eggs Benedict - although the portions are smaller than they used to be.

As with all the reports above, I'd happily suggest the afterwards - unless you get tempted by anything else at the bar. I don't know how 6 hours is going to feel in there....after about 4 I start to get itchy feet! The internet is freely available in the library.

I hope you enjoy your time in the CH; despite being in there far too often, it never seems to lose its charm

Guy

[Darren Wheeler]

Nice choice in hotels. At least at the Encore you can send daughter off to look at the shops while you indulge in more adult entertainment in the casinos.

Thanks everyone - I'm really looking forward to it now.

Anne

Enjoy it Anne (we KNOW you will !).


Looking forward to reading your TR and all the delights you tried in the CH.

Problem is if/when this offer ends you may have to fly UC next time to get in and believe me you will want too . . . .

Regards,

Hackneyguy

For my flight in September, should I be booking my treatments now?

The website says 'The prebooking service is an exclusive benefit for Upper Class passengers and Flying Club Gold members... Online treatment requests can be made up to eight weeks before your flight'.

For some reason I read that as I can only prebook within eight weeks of departure.

Have I had a blond moment?

[Darren Wheeler]

Yep, no earlier than 8 weeks. Last time I tried, I got a very polite 'come back in 3 weeks time'