V-Flyer

Can anyone tell me what time we will be able to use the Gatwick Clubhouse from, we are travelling on the 1300 VS 15 to MCO. 1st time flying outbound UC, flown inbound UC to LHR a few times, and wanting to make full use of the experience. We are stopping overnight at the Gatwick Hilton so no problem getting to the airport in the morning. Thanks Michael

opens at 0700 i think

if you're not heading straight for duty free, look for a sign on your left as you leave security, there's a corridor that leads to the entrance

if you'll be trying out the spa treatments, book on arrival as there can be a wait if they're busy, then get a table for brekkie and the first bubbly of the day

btw you'll be able to use the premium security channel at LGW, but if there's a queue it can be slower than the normal channel

Opened at 6.15 when I was there a few weeks ago, Spa opens at 7am.

Thanks for the info on a side note what's available in the spa. My better half might be interested in this.

I recommend skipping the Hilton breakfast and going straight over the bridge to the CH, which is exactly what I will be doing in 61 days.
Also recommend an Executive room and use of the bar in the evening. They have a reasonable selection of free drinks although the snack food is not up to much, unless you are there in the afternoon when they put on a pretty good spread.
Dick D

Thanks for the recommendations. We are booked into an executive room and we will be there in the afternoon as we get a lunch time flight down to London. We do like the bar in the evening, as you say there is a reasonable selection in there. Hadnt thought about the breakfast, we might just skip it. What are your thoughts on doing evening check in, we usually do when we overnight at the Hilton, but were thinking that the UC check in in the morning would be a breeze even though the PE check in is usually quite quick.

What time do you arrive at the Hilton the night before? UC check-in is very fast, with only 14 UC seats there is almost never a queue but that's not the main advantage of twilight checkin in this instance.

Some of the rooms in the Hilton can be quite a walk from reception (the newer executive wing is a case in point) and trolleys aren't allowed inside. If you checked your baggage the night before you'd save yourself having to haul bags to and from the room.

DVCMichael wrote:Thanks for the info on a side note what's available in the spa. My better half might be interested in this.

the spa menu link from the VS webpage is broken, but if you google for LGW_Spa_menu_2015_AW.pdf then choose to view the cached page (click the little down triangle in the second line of the search result to bring up the cached button) you'll be able to see what was there

UC check-in will be quick, so do it in the morning, also means you can stash overnight toiletries and yesterday's clothes in your hold baggage to keep hand baggage weight/bulk at a minimum

i'd also skip the hilton breakfast, the CH food is much better!

DVCMichael wrote:Thanks for the recommendations. We are booked into an executive room and we will be there in the afternoon as we get a lunch time flight down to London. We do like the bar in the evening, as you say there is a reasonable selection in there. Hadnt thought about the breakfast, we might just skip it. What are your thoughts on doing evening check in, we usually do when we overnight at the Hilton, but were thinking that the UC check in in the morning would be a breeze even though the PE check in is usually quite quick.

We have always done Twilight but this time didn't bother. Although for the first time this time (we wandered across to check out the queues) there was a long queue at 4.45pm (they open at 5pm) and there were separate queues for UC and PE. Whenever we have used Twilight there has never been a separate UC desk.

This time we had an exec room in the new wing and to be honest it wasn't any hassle in the morning. Set the alarm for 5am, but woke up before it (despite using the Exec lounge to full advantage the night before ) strolled across to the terminal, only us at UC and 1 check in agent. Passes issued and up the stairs to premium security. In the lounge by 6.15.

The spa is quite small and at that time there are usually only two girls on, but they will fit you in if they can. I definitely would skip the Hilton breakfast. If you have a look at my wave from the CH (I will dig out a link) EDIT - viewtopic.php?f=4&t=291642&p=913596#p913596 you can see what we had to eat (served at 7am). Don't worry about eating it twice, three times or more if you are hungry. I've been there with teenage boys and anything after that is a breeze as far as shame goes!

I don't use the twilight bag drop because we like to keep one suitcase open at the hotel for a change of clothes etc.
I do a check-in online from the hotel room as I have my laptop in hand luggage, although I have been known to walk over to the terminal in the evening to check-in, just for something to do.
It is true the executive rooms are quite a way from reception. I just take it steady an push my case along together with Mrs D's three cases. Which is fine until I meet the laundry lady with her trolley coming the other way.
Dick D

Just to add, you do get a complimentary treatment each in the spa - I've only ever had the express hand treatment (15 mins) which I absolutely love. I can't recall what the other offerings are and the link appears to be down.

Looks like we will skip the breakfast then, popular opinion seems to be the CH is the way to go. I thought the morning check in would be quiet, never seen a queue there before first thing. stuart-f (sorry don't know how to do quotes) we will be arriving at the Hilton about 3, we won't need a trolley as we only need one case each, can't take advantage of the baggage allowance for UC as we need to fly down and home with BA and they aren't so generous on domestic flights. Sungod, will check out the page on Google.

One case each should not be a major problem. Mrs_f and I once wrestled 3 bags each to the Exec rooms and regretted it - a lot!

Just to confirm, the LGW Clubhouse opens at 6.15 am.

Re: Hilton - there are trolleys at the start of the tube that connects the Hilton with the car park/terminal. The Hilton bell hops will happily help you with your luggage down to where the trolleys are.

The clubhouse breakfast food will be better than the Hilton food and it's also accompanied with champagne as a clincher