V-Flyer

I've heard from a few VS staff that the LHR Clubhouse is to undergo refurbishment next year, and that VS is taking suggestions from current staff. It occurred to me that many on this board use the CH quite frequently, and might also have some suggestions.

I'll kick things off with one idea: make something exciting of the rooftop bar!

Any other thoughts? Maybe someone at VS might take note

NYLON

Call me cynical but I fear the prime objective will be to cram in more seats for DL elites.

Would not having a jacuzzi, for instance, really make the difference between someone flying VS or another airline?

Last time I was there the fella doing my haircut said that they'd love to get rid of the jacuzzi. Costs a lot to run but even more to remove it, so I would imagine that will disappear at some point if renovations are to be had!

Anyone know how extensive the refurb/refresh will be?
BA have just refreshed some of their T5 lounges, consisted on new flooring and furniture, nothing exciting!

Given that Heathrow Airport Ltd (or whatever they call themselves now) have stalled on starting the second phase of Terminal 2, Terminal 3 is going to be around for a while yet, so a decent refurbishment could be in order.

The lack of Jacuzzi would not bother me at all - it's no doubt an under-used gimmick (expensive too). Bit like the onboard IFBT back in the days, as they could not see anywhere near like every UC passenger on the flight (weren't they limited on the number of treatments they could do?)

However, like gumshoe, I strongly suspect that any refurbishment would be flexed by Atlanta to get more seats into the lounge. Those nice hanging seats by the window take up way too much space for one person, so expect them to get the chop (if they have not gone already - not been in the LHR CH for 2 and a bit years).

The way things look like going, VS may as just call themselves Virgin Atlanta, as it is quite clear where the strings are being pulled from.

I'd love to see a different menu - almost like an all day menu. People coming through different time zones etc might not want breakfast at breakfast time etc.

I've been in the clubhouse a couple of times and didn't even know the jacuzzi existed. Think the loft bar/up the stairs is wasted space.

the jacuzzi i can do without, it sounds fun but when we reach the CH it's not what usually what we're after, especially with the prospect of strangers in there (got put right off this a few years ago in a hotel spa!)

but the galley and hanging chairs are sacrosanct! though i'll admit a possible improvement there would be to lower the volume of the background music

i've been in lounges with plusher facilities and more 'formal' service, but no matter how luxurious, they still feel like airport lounges, the CH feels like somewhere i'd happily go to and meet up with friends for a drink and a chat

i hope VS has the decency to poll FC members, if it starts changing the CH simply to stroke someone's ego, satisfy the bean counters, blanding out and increasing density it'll be throwing away something unique

thinking about it, i'd even keep the jacuzzi, i'm sure some people enjoy it, and why not have a jacuzzi in an airport lounge? it's this type of thinking that made VS great to fly with in the first place!

gumshoe wrote:Call me cynical but I fear the prime objective will be to cram in more seats for DL elites.

Would not having a jacuzzi, for instance, really make the difference between someone flying VS or another airline?

Did anyone notice than when SRB offered the chap who had his picture of the Flying Scotsman spoilt by a Virgin train it was to Atlanta he promised a ticket, rather than New York or Washington...

RLF wrote:

gumshoe wrote:Call me cynical but I fear the prime objective will be to cram in more seats for DL elites.

Would not having a jacuzzi, for instance, really make the difference between someone flying VS or another airline?

Did anyone notice than when SRB offered the chap who had his picture of the Flying Scotsman spoilt by a Virgin train it was to Atlanta he promised a ticket, rather than New York or Washington...

This was because the bloke was a trainspotter and Atlanta is supposed to be pretty good for spotting trains. Take your tin hat off ;)

I've never used the jacuzzi so am not fussed about that. I'm sure I read on here a while ago that it was always broken. An all day menu sounds like a good idea. I'm not sure though that it needs a refurb, but like others I worry that this might be to squeeze in a lot more seats and therefore lose the great balance it has.

I think a special room - maybe up in the loft - just for the DYKWIAs with security to keep them in and away from the rest of us civilised folk would be good. But that's just my opinion. Some people like them

SlimpyJones wrote:

RLF wrote:

gumshoe wrote:Call me cynical but I fear the prime objective will be to cram in more seats for DL elites.

Would not having a jacuzzi, for instance, really make the difference between someone flying VS or another airline?

Did anyone notice than when SRB offered the chap who had his picture of the Flying Scotsman spoilt by a Virgin train it was to Atlanta he promised a ticket, rather than New York or Washington...

This was because the bloke was a trainspotter and Atlanta is supposed to be pretty good for spotting trains. Take your tin hat off ;)

He wasn't actually a train spotter just some random who was in the spot and decided to film it. #pedant

Get rid of that horrid early 70's location map on the way in....makes me shudder....

Hammocks. With a beach scene. Wave sounds, crashing on the shore. Get you into the spirit of things

With alarm clocks, of course.....

I'm not sure there is much you could do. Despite it having been there as long as I've been getting access, it's never once looked dated.

Apart from: That nasty fireplace, and the crap product placement bits that are near to it. Normally Nokias or Blackberrys or some other irrelevant tech.

When I was in last week chatting to the girls in the Spa they seemed to think that the Jacuzzi area was going to become a cinema room, if you opened that space up to access from the main lounge and closed access from where the showers are it makes perfect sense!

Have we had confirmed dates from VS yet as to when this refurbishment is happening?

When I was last in there the lady who was giving me a haircut said that they were due to begin mid-September... around the same time of the DL move to T3. However I'd be inclined to say that it's been pushed back following the CH access changes so maybe the need is not so great anymore?

ColOrd wrote:When I was in last week chatting to the girls in the Spa they seemed to think that the Jacuzzi area was going to become a cinema room, if you opened that space up to access from the main lounge and closed access from where the showers are it makes perfect sense!

I for one would miss the Jacuzzi, it used to be my favorite part of the lounge. Having said that, of all my visits from Feb this year onward it has been out of order so I think I'm getting over it!

If Atlanta were pushing them for more space, then moving the TV area down into a newly refurbished cinema room would provide more seating space in then main area. Just my two cents.

"if it ain't broke - don't fix it " - love the CH ! however some freshening up is absolutely acceptable and yes, lose the Jacuzzi.

I am hoping there isn't going to be more cramming of seats as it is the wide open space that hits you as you enter and injects that feeling of "I've arrived" that I look forward to. I am in there Dec 29 , so will maybe walk around with different eyes and see what I would change - but I doubt it will be much.

A few small quiet rooms that are bookable for a few hours rest when needed! Other than that, I actually think it is perfect but no doubt it'll get busier and more cramped and some things will go while being dressed up as enhancements!

The 'library' or is it the 'recording studio' space could be better used.

Never seen anyone in there. Could easily get a dozen or more comfy chairs in there without it appearing cramped. Or as it's out of the way could be ideal space for the day rooms others are mentioning.

Problem with any major refurbishment is that to do a proper job you need to take out large areas at a time which causes problems in itself. Plus working time is restricted to over night else you get complaints about noise and builders carrying stuff through the lounge.

Or you close it down completely which causes other problems - see the closure of the BA lounge at LGW North and the use of the #1 lounge as an example. And to a much lesser degree the closure of the VHol s room in LGW South.

When BA spruced up some of it's lounges in T5 recently it was done in small areas over night but that was basic relaying carpet, painting and replacing the furniture. Anything major - like putting in more electric sockets wasn't (IIRC) done

Some of us remember a time before the Clubhouse existed in its current state. The old Clubhouse would have occupied the space beyond the brasserie towards the windows. The entrance was where the toilets at that end of the concourse is now and the bar was roughly where the large television screen now is. The treatment rooms were roughly where the sunken area is and that included the ladies hairdressers. Upstairs, accessed by a wrought iron spiral staircase was where there were barber's chairs for the gentlemen.

VS acquired a lounge that was being vacated (was it Air Cananda) and developed that first. One could hear the workmen as they hammered and banged next door. In October 2005 I entered this area for the first time. It consisted of the bar area as far as the end of the bank of seats and the entry to the glassed in area behind the bar which was the smoking area. The spa and hairdressing area were in situ. This TR gives you a view of it at the time.

Of course it meant that we were also subject to noise from the builders but in the end it was well worth it!

WOW As a relatively new member of V-Flyer I didn't realise how long the forum had been going!

ColOrd wrote:WOW As a relatively new member of V-Flyer I didn't realise how long the forum had been going!

Sweetheart, from my profile you'll see that I have just over 10 years seniority of you - and I'm not the oldest member by a long chalk.

Rumour mill time.

The library will be refurbished and allow the brasserie to be extended. Jacuzzi is going and being opened up as previously mentioned.

In any case, now that the Delta elites (Diamond, Plat, Gold) are being re-directed to the No.1 lounge unless they happen to be flying Delta One, I think it will be back to the usual pace for UC and Gold card holders.

Probably too late for input, but nothing ventured nothing gained.
My only issues with the club house are menu related.
Semi Skimmed Milk - why do you only have skimmed or full fat? Nobody in customer service has ever been able to answer that!
The breakfast menu - some people (like me), like simple things - A bowl of Cornflakes!! At the moment, I eat in "The Bridge" or Rhubarb, and then go and chill in the CH prior to the flight.

Long shot - but a smoking room?!

Lonemorf wrote:Long shot - but a smoking room?!

There used to be a smoking room when the CH first opened. The Fumoir (as it was designated) was in the area immediately behind the bar which made me very cross as the only ways to get good views of the airport was either in the hairdressing salon or in there. As a non-smoker, I was not prepared to expose myself to the smell of cigarette smoke. It was closed when the smoking ban came into law.