LGW Lounge / Clubhouse

I fly later this week in UC and see the lounge is closed and we will be shipped off to the Vroom

I thought it might have been nice to let us know rather than find out by accident having paid for a UC fare!

Not impressed

[Nottingham Nick]

Welcome to V-Flyer MBK.

This subject has been subject of a lot of discussion and speculation on here for a long time now. The closure was predicted, then put off, and is now happening.

This thread is one discussion, but there are others.

Nick

Thanks I'll have a look - just another example of treating LGW as second class service.

quote:Originally posted by MBK
Thanks I'll have a look - just another example of treating LGW as second class service.

Huh I don't get it? In a couple of months time LGW travellers will have a brand new clubhouse.

Welcome to the site BTW

So anyone got any info or feedback on Vroom I see on another thread it isn't well rated.

Ok New Clubhouse - spend how long in there hour or so? The last time I flew the suites were looking tired.

Oh no lets not turn this into another 'LGW is treated as second best to LHR' thread. At the end of the day if you do not like the service then vote with your feet and head off to BA to experience the wonderful delights of the motorway style self service restaurant Terraces lounge they have.

quote:Originally posted by MBK
So anyone got any info or feedback on Vroom I see on another thread it isn't well rated.


Seems to be a mixed bag, the more rational V-Flyer's, believe that the lounge is very good and offers a nice little haven away from the masses. A quick search will bring up a number of comments on the lounge.

quote:
Ok New Clubhouse - spend how long in there hour or so?


An hour!!! Clearly you need to be accustomed to the V-F ways! Arriving six hours minimum before your flight for CH time is standard.

I was in there on Sat 5th (and Sun 6th) for rather a long time due to delays and then a flight cancellation.

The bar had no port or sherry.

Food was limited soup and sandwiches in the afternoon.

The ONLY power socket I could find for my laptop was behind a games machine next to the TV's, immediately in fromt of the childrens soft play area and next to the teenagers games room and situated in the family area.... of course they had no WI-FI either [:(!]

Ir you are a family going on holiday this would be a superb location, if you are looking for a 'grown up' environment then book somewhere else!

quote:Originally posted by 15isto2

Ir you are a family going on holiday this would be a superb location, if you are looking for a 'grown up' environment then book somewhere else!


Well I would think the OP has family with them however there is an adult only section in the lounge which apparently is nice and quiet. Besides we all know that you can end up with some rather loud children (and adults!) in the CH as well.

I visited the Vroom when I was waiting for my flight from London to Leeds, they let me have a look round and to be honest its very nice and perfect for what it was intended, a lounge for VHols passengers bright cheerful and happy start to a holiday.

Went to say hello to the staff in the clubhouse and was much impressed they remembered me from several years ago, they say the new clubhouse plans look fantastic.

Its a shame there is no clubhouse but a least they are offering something, to be honest I would have offered the use of the adult servisaire lounge to business types without Gold level status.

quote:Originally posted by 15isto2
I was in there on Sat 5th (and Sun 6th) for rather a long time due to delays and then a flight cancellation.

The bar had no port or sherry.

Food was limited soup and sandwiches in the afternoon.

The ONLY power socket I could find for my laptop was behind a games machine next to the TV's, immediately in fromt of the childrens soft play area and next to the teenagers games room and situated in the family area.... of course they had no WI-FI either [:(!]

Ir you are a family going on holiday this would be a superb location, if you are looking for a 'grown up' environment then book somewhere else!


I must admit to being a fan of the V-Room for the reason EGG gives which I think you agree with, but admittedly (a) I'm not being offered it as a substitute for the CH and (b) the flights I've taken have been mid morning, so it's been quieter so reasonably free of ankle biters and, more importantly, sausage sandwiches have been available.

Paul

[buns]

To be honest, even in the Gatwick clubhouse if a flight was delayed into the afternoon, the menu was soup and sandwiches as the Gatwick operation is geared to morning departures.

I have to agree with EGG, as an alternative whilst the much needed refurbishment takes place, the v Room is more that adequate IMHO


buns

But can I still get my glass(es) of champagne?[:D]

But can I still get my glass(es) of champagne?[:D]

if you are gold, then you get the No 1 lounge, which someone has discussed on their trip report on here and it sounds pretty good to me.

you have to pay for champagne or cocktails in the No 1 Lounge, other drinks/spirits are free

quote:Originally posted by gingerflyer
if you are gold, then you get the No 1 lounge, which someone has discussed on their trip report on here and it sounds pretty good to me.

Thanks for the TP advertising gingerflyer [y]. The No1 lounge is much more suited to business types and those looking to relax, so those who don't like the Vroom style will probably feel more at home here (although the lounge does have a tablefootball table hidden away[;)]). Just to add to my TP, the lounge was pretty quiet (no noticeable children!) at the time I was in (early to mid morning on a sat). As Penny says, some drinks are not free. Unfortunately I did't take any particularly good pictures during my trip [ii].

As said, UC passengers get to use the Vroom whilst gold Card holders can use the No1 Lounge. Having never used the Vroom I can't really comment on who got the best deal.

As I'm not gold I can only use the VRoom - I think - but it seems a bit unfair if I have to pay for champagne - if it's even available.

How do they know people are travelling UC to get free drinks anyway - do we have to show our boarding pass?

1) I have voted with my feet and this is my 1st VA flight for about 2 and 1/2 yrs. Only using them as I had wretched miles to use up (challenge in itself spending those)

2) No not a family adults looking to relax.

3) What really grates is that we weren't told lounge would be closed. I'd have gone LHR - MIA or done a stop via LAS or LAX had I known.

Really not bothered about the booze, more the fact we are being put in the Vroom with Vhols pax the thought of screaming kids [shudder] And it doesn't have the exclusivity of the old lounge.

quote:Originally posted by MBK
1) I have voted with my feet and this is my 1st VA flight for about 2 and 1/2 yrs. Only using them as I had wretched miles to use up (challenge in itself spending those)

2) No not a family adults looking to relax.

3) What really grates is that we weren't told lounge would be closed. I'd have gone LHR - MIA or done a stop via LAS or LAX had I known.

Really not bothered about the booze, more the fact we are being put in the Vroom with Vhols pax the thought of screaming kids [shudder] And it doesn't have the exclusivity of the old lounge.


I have a certain amount of sympathy and empathy with your posting. I believe you SHOULD have been informed that the Clubhouse was being temporary closed for refurbishment but alternative facilites would be offered. In my view Virgin were a tad late in issuing this guidance.

I also have had a tour of V-Room earlier this year and was very unimpressed. Many may seen it before it was heavily used by VH as it is now. It was clearly family driven (quite rightly) and there was an element of children running and shrieking that put me right off - bottom line it is NOT for me.

However Virgin are doing the right thing by re-furbishing their existing club house at LGW. It needs doing. They are also offering two alternatives depending on your access rights. I do not really believe either are much if any worse than many at outstations like MAN or MCO, and we all have to bear in mind that this is only a very temporary arrangement.

HG

However, until the Gatwick clubhouse re-opens my business trips to Nevada WILL be via LAX and NOT Vegas.

HG

quote:Originally posted by MBK

3) What really grates is that we weren't told lounge would be closed. I'd have gone LHR - MIA or done a stop via LAS or LAX had I known.


yep, can see that.

quote:Originally posted by MBK

more the fact we are being put in the Vroom with Vhols pax


[:I] What's so wrong with V-Hols pax? Why does the route of purchasing a flight have any impact on somebody's suitability to mix with other people? I'm sure that the LGW CH did, and will have, many, many V-Hols pax in its clientele - those flying UC, those with Gold status and those who have paid for entry

quote:Originally posted by MBK

And it doesn't have the exclusivity of the old lounge.


Well, not to the same degree certainly but numbers are limited and entry is paid for so it will be exclusive to some degree. I think I understand what you mean, though.

quote:Originally posted by MBK

Really not bothered about the booze, more the fact we are being put in the Vroom with Vhols pax the thought of screaming kids [shudder] And it doesn't have the exclusivity of the old lounge.


I agree you should have been made aware at booking although the VS website does clearly state that it is currently closed (you do have to look for it though).

I really do not think this is going to be as bad as you seem to believe. Children are part and parcel with going out on an MCO flight. You seem to think the VRoom is some kind of Ronald McDonald Playhouse in disguise, it is not. It is also not some sort of extension of the departure lounge, the number of guests in the lounge is limited to a certain number, so will be exclusive to an extent. This is also a means to an end, its a tiny bit of unrest for a whole decade of top notch, modern CH use at LGW. VS are doing their best in the circumstances.

However you are going during term time, the number of children on the flight will therefore be extremely limited (unless the parents like spending time in Wormwood Scrubs or wherever it is you get shipped to for 'unauthorised absences').

Equally as I originally pointed out, just because you are in the CH does not mean that children will not be present. For the record just because one flies with VH, it does not make them some kind of lower class citizen either and non VH passengers also have children also!!

If your after exclusivity, may I suggest, as our friends over at FlyerTalk do when this subject is raised, that you hire a private jet. It really is the only way you are guaranteed a kid free flight.

Yes Private Jet would be No1 choice and I'm working on it believe me!

And don't forget there is an adult only area in the v-room. [y]

The v-room might not be the clubhouse but TBH I've had good and 'bad' experiences in the Gatwick clubhouse anyway - in December 2007 that was my 'worst' experience, lots of paid entry guests - there was one group of 14, who declared to everyone else in the clubhouse they got a 'bargain' price from VH, and then who basically drunk themselves silly and became increasingly louder and louder, I doubt they ever made it onto their flight [ii], also a family (whom I assume were travelling UC as the kiddies were very young) who basically let their kids run riot whilst they proceeded to give 'orders' to the wonderful staff serving [V] A calm oasis it certainly was not.

What I'm saying is, just because it's the v-room, it doesn't necessarily mean it's worse than the clubhouse, although I would be miffed if I was travelling UC when the clubhouse was closed, I love the selection of food available and the treatments.