Clubhouse insider info at LHR and BOS

Hi everyone.

Been a while since my last post, but here I am back again!

Just booked our flights on VS011 out to Boston Logan from Heathrow, and we have gone all out and booked ourselves some UC tickets. Seems we might be flying on Lady Love, the classy little Airbus A330-300.

My question really is, has anyone used either of the clubhouses recently for either Heathrow or Boston, and if so, do you have any tips on how to get the best out of either clubhouse?
Has anyone used any of the complimentary spa services? Worth paying for any of them? Used the Grey Goose bar? Is breakfast better than lunch? Anything......

Really, any tips about either of the clubhouse locations would be greatly appreciated

Thanks everyone.

Never done the Boston one, but done JFK and LHR (a few times).

Not sure what is free anymore in the spa, they dropped the shave when I was gatwick last time, had the haircut before in JFK and LHR. That's good if still free.

The Grey Goose Bar? I've never seen it open and I'm not sure it exists anymore. Used to open at 4ish or something, and never done a flight that late. I'd do lunch over breakfast, but why the hell not both? It's not a Priority pass lounge, you can turn up hours before you fly.

For the LHR CH, get there early and go straight to the spa to make an appointment, as it gets booked up pretty quickly.

However much time you think you'll need in the CH, add at least another hour. I like to book a steam room before getting on an overnight flight.

I think the Grey Goose bar no longer exists (the space does, it's just no longer the GG bar).

Remember to pace yourself with the food (if not the booze)!

I had a really lovely experience recently, where they'd changed over the wine menu and the nice chap behind the bar gave me and my OH an impromptu wine-tasting session on the reds at the bar.

Enjoy!

The LHR Clubhouse is usually pretty quiet in the mid-afternoon as IIRC only 3 or 4 flights depart between about 1300 & 1700. So you should find it nice and chilled.

But yes, make the spa reception your first stop so you can take your pick of the slots. Then ... lunch, drinks, afternoon tea and more drinks. Lovely.

LHR - check the VS website for the latest info and menus on treatments.


BOS - fro what other people have said it's a nice lounge but it's not a destination lounge like LHR or JFK are so don't get there too early unless you have to. Food is from a buffet . No treatments and no run way views.

Don't get too excited about the Boston clubhouse though ,it's a nice little spot for a couple of hours but I think its a lot busier than it used to be pre delta , It's not that big and doesn't have any windows but as I say nice enough for a bite to eat and a couple of drinks before boarding ,the LHR CH I could happily spend all day in !

Was at BOS clubhouse only a few weeks ago and though not as good as the clubhouse at Heathrow, still pretty good. Nice friendly welcome and waiter service. Large selection of beers and usual range of wines and spirits; the food was pretty good too with a nice atmosphere. Can be quite busy as shared with other airlines though less crowded in the hour before take off. Certainly a place that's worth getting to for a few hours before the flight and a good advert for the charms of why we love VS over other airlines.

Guys n gals.

Thanks so much for the great feedback.

There is a lot to be said for the LHR CH by the sound of it, and rightly so if it's their flagship lounge.

Now, another question I neglected to ask earlier.
I have booked our tickets using reward miles, and not sure about the option of having a guest pass to the lounge.
Am I allowed a guest pass to the lounge if the tickets were bought using air miles? If so, how do I know I have a guest pass?
New to the whole UC experience....you could say I'm an UC virgin, for Virgin UC!

Yes, if you're flying UC you're allowed a guest, no matter how you bought the ticket.

(The only exception is if you're "op-upped" at the airport - ie upgraded by VS for operational reasons. You don't get Clubhouse access in that case.)

You don't need a pass, just turn up at the entrance with your guest and, as long as they're on the same flight as you, you'll both be let in. If they're arriving separately you can leave their name at reception and they'll be let in when they arrive. You must both be on the same flight though.

Thanks gumshoe.

The other person I'm thinking of is indeed on the same flight so that's good. If me and my partner are both UC, is it one guest each, or one for the whole party, ie: both of us just allowed one guest.

Thanks gumshoe.

The other person I'm thinking of is indeed on the same flight so that's good. If me and my partner are both UC, is it one guest each, or one for the whole party, ie: both of us just allowed one guest.

One guest each

Awesome! Does it get any better than this?

Awesome! Does it get any better than this?

Lol not really , out of interest when are you going ?

Awesome! Does it get any better than this?

Wait till you get onboard...

We are flying on 16th October out of LHR and back on 23rd (I think) from BOS.

I am a regular into and out of BOS, in fact i am there again this Thursday for the VS12.

The CH is very intimate and has very nice staff (as you would expect). Most of the staff are swissport employees - i think only the Manageress (Lucia) is a VA employee.

Neil (the catering manager) takes pride in supplying lots of local produce, including the beers and the spirits and he has a great array of local IPA's. As said previously by other posters this is a small place that is shared with other (Icelandic Air - i think Delta depart Terminal A) so it gets very busy at times. The food is mostly buffet and sandwiches (made to order) but they do also have a hot food selection with daily specials on the chalk board behind the counter, if you are on the right day it will include a great chana masala and the clam chowder is marvelous. ENJOY!

Re LHR - book a treatment as soon as possible and enjoy the chocolate fondant desert - YUM!

Thanks Saverton, and you never know, if you're on VS011 on 16th October, we could very well bump into each other at the LHR CH and enjoy a drink!

Safe flying for Thursday.

We are flying on 16th October out of LHR and back on 23rd (I think) from BOS.

I'm flying the same route 17 & 24 Oct. enjoy the clubhouse and the UC experience.

Well that's the other half sorted then! Thanks for the tip Bretty.

23 kinds of beer on our August visit to Boston. I wouldnt say it is a buffet- it is a deli type set up- they serve you. They make sandwiches etc. They do have hot food and desserts but run out quickly (this is new they never used to run out) . They usually have a good stash or redwing pens (ask if they are not out). Metal bottles of coke which are quite cool.

Heathrow- do the drive through check in. You just have to. Raid the sweetie jars (my children take extra clear toiletry bags from the screening to fill up with sweets)

Barnaby - you are right, Deli style is a better explanation than buffet. Desserts run out and make sure you get a ice cream lolly (Haagan Daaz - forgive spelling - on a stick) when they call boarding.

Pablo - my next flight is going to be LHR - CMH, 19th October return 6th November.

Barnaby100....Drive through check-in? What is this concept you speak of? Sounds amazing!

Thanks for the tips about Boston. We are going to arrive later in the afternoon as flight back isn't until around 9pm. I'll look out for those bottles of cola though, they sound great news!

Drive through check-in? What is this concept you speak of? Sounds amazing!

http://www.virgin-atlantic.com/en/gb/fr ... sswing.jsp

Barnaby100....Drive through check-in? What is this concept you speak of? Sounds amazing!

Thanks for the tips about Boston. We are going to arrive later in the afternoon as flight back isn't until around 9pm. I'll look out for those bottles of cola though, they sound great news!

Aah, DTCI is just fab. Very cool sort of VIP feeling to it. You can arrange for VS to send a car which you pay for on Gs or you can book a cab, but in essence you rock up, get out the car collect your boarding cards whilst the ground cre take your luggage then go through private security lane and into the Clubhouse.

Thanks for the tips guys.

Would love to use this service, sounds amazing but sadly we've opted for purple parkings meet and greet service. Will definitely think about this next time though....if there ever is a next time for UC!