V-Flyer

Flying out of Manchester for the first time.

What is the best lounge to book. We can pay for the Vroom as its a Virgin Holidays booking but heard mixed things about it.

I'd go for the V:Room if you can. What is putting you off using that if you don't mind me asking?

Having used the V:Room at MAN before a couple of times now, I'd have no hesitation in using it again.

The only other options are the Escape lounge (which is the same lounge VS Upper Class passengers use, though I believe the pay to enter is a different section of the Escape lounge) or the Swissport lounge in MAN T2.

I've not used either of those two though sorry.

Have only ever used the Escape Lounge in T2 (as an Upper Class passenger). It was refitted last year and a lot of improvements have been made.

Pre-refit, the lounge was in two halves, separated by a corridor. As you got to the top of the stairs (with your back to the planes) the lounge on the left was generally used for pay-access & the one on the right for Business Class passengers in the morning (when they host J class passengers for a number of airlines). The left hand side was a bit squashed and had no natural light. The right hand side was slightly (but not much) less squashed, but did benefit from natural light. Food & drink offerings on both sides were the same.

Post-refit, the Escape lounge is all one (the corridor between each side has gone). The decor is obviously much more up to date & the food and drink offer has improved slightly. You still get a free bacon or sausage cob (one per customer) if you're there during breakfast hours, but there is now an enhanced breakfast menu available for additional payment. Am sure I read that VS UC pax get this enhanced menu free of charge now. In the morning they do try to keep the far side of the lounge near the windows as the quiet zone & the half near the entrance as the less quiet side, but it's not really enforced in my experience.

To summarise, the Escape Lounge in T2 is not too bad now after the refit. Pre-refit, I would not have considered paying for access, as I am not in there to knock back loads of alcohol to get suitable value for money. Post-refit, I would consider paying for access as it's a fairly quiet lounge, with not too bad a food offering - certainly in the height of the school holidays it will be far more desirable than the main departure level in T2.

Can't add very much at all to what James has said above.

Personally I have used both the V:Room and the Escape lounge in T2. Personally I quite like the Eacape lounge now after the refurb. The food offer has been stepped up, including complimentary food from the a la carte menu for VS UC guests.

Generally speaking it's a nice space. On my last few visits (though haven't visited during January) the VS crew member was very helpful to guests with queries so pleased VS are doing what they can with the space and facilities they have access to.

With 5 VS aircraft based ove the Summer exciting times ahead (and maybe a busier lounge...)

I did notice on my last visit just before Christmas that paid Eacape guests were being sent to the smaller escape lounge, that in years gone by use to be the Air France lounge and was then made into 'escape lounge too' which was mainly used as the lounge for the VS109 and the DL JFK route before the refit. I did pop my head around the door, same food offer and nicely refurbished in the same style as the main escape lounge, but just a smaller space. So worth considering if paying for access.

Thanks

Jon