V-Flyer

well not quite but it sounds good

following on from the arrivals thread ,it became apparent that the Sofitel at LGW had been removed from the Priority Pass schem. This was a great shame as it was a perfect arrivals lounge for those of us who use LGW and then go off to work the same day.

So anyway I emailed the hotel direct and had the following reply.
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Dear Mr Ide,
Thank you for your email enquiring about our Lounge membership programme at the Sofitel London Gatwick.
In order to assess what kind of membership might best serve your interest it would be helpful to know the frequency with which you would like to use the facilities here.
For the occasional visit, we can probably extend our day pass tariff at a rate of £25 per person. We also offer tailor made multi-visit passes and multi-months memberships subject to requirement and availability. Any lounge user is required to present a valid boarding pass for either inbound or onward travel on the same day.
There is no need to book in advance. For your information our opening hours are 5am-1pm, and you will have full use of all the lounge facilities, including a gym, shower rooms, business lounge and continental breakfast. Last admission is normally at 12:00.
For your further information, if you are a Diners Club Card Member you have complimentary access to the Lounge, subject to a valid boarding pass and the Diners Club Card being presented. Similarly, British Airways offer access to the facility as part of the service extended to their transatlantic First and Club World passengers.
If we can be of any further assistance please do not hesitate to contact us.
We look forward to welcoming you again at the Sofitel.
Kind regards,
Matthew
Matthew Lindenfelser
Lounge Manager
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to which i wrote back asking
Thank you for your reply. The extended day pass will be more than acceptable and I appreciate your offer.
I belong to a group that is exclusively for Virgin Atlantic travellers, many who of whom use Gatwick.
Would you be willing to extend them the same courtesy? If so I will make sure they are aware of your offer.
(ok slight bit of BS there but....)
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and got
Yes, we could offer the same service to your colleagues and associates, please feel free to circulate this offer to them.
On that note, it would be much appreciated if any larger groups (say 5+) could inform us of their travel arrangements by email prior to arrival.
Kind regards,
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So if anyone now wants an arrival lounge at LGW there you go. I can confirm its a really nice area, clean showers, pressing service, decent food, free wifi and very friendly staff.

I didnt press a v-flyer corportae deal but if any of the mods want to do so go for it.
hope this helps fellow v-flyers.................
just dont forget your BPs !!!!!!!!!!!!! y)

I say well played you!!!!

Will certainly help me .

Well done.

Jason

Nice. Good job

y) well done Pete y)

It's a great lounge, with great staff. I wonder why they came out the pp scheme?

(And I wonder why VS doesn't officially use it ?| )

Thanks again

David

Well done flabound , thanks for doing the legwork for us to reap the benefits ; )
Will certainly be giving them a visit in April : )

Can anyone tell me if this lounge is still available? I know that BA no longer uses it as an arrivals lounge as of 31st October. Just not sure if it has closed altogether or not.

Many thanks

Nice one y) y)

buns

That's a great result.

And that you for being so proactive!

Sorry if I'm being a silly billy here but does that mean we still have to pay the £25 each even if we are in UC flying into LGW ??

Yes.

VS only has an arrivals lounge at LHR.

Everywhere else, if one's available it's on a pay-to-enter basis as it's not part of the VS service.

Thanks

Thanks, well done for that; we usually stay at the Sofitel prior to the outbound flight and it will be useful to have a convenient shower and feeding point on our return.

Can we claim Sofitel points on the £25.00

Scrooge 8D

Just to be clear, I reported this as not sure it is still available. Can anyone confirm one way or the other?

Thanks

cant confirm but cant see why not as its open to anyone

The reason I ask is that I read a report that the lounge may have closed as a result of BA no longer using it as of October. I'm hoping it is still open for my ANU trip in March!