Manchester V-Room Launch - A live trip report

[Pete]

So today is the official opening of the Manchester V-Room, and Virgin Holidays have packed a couple of first class carriages on a Virgin Train 'op north with travel journos and industry partners all eager to see what they've done in Manchester.

As I'm on said train, and availing myself of the free wifi, I thought I'd share some of the experience with you.

So it started at 10am, or thereabouts, at the Virgin First Class Lounge at Euston, where guests were greeted by crew in familiar bright red uniforms and treated to pre-departure coffee and juice. Not quite a Clubhouse, but for a train station lounge, it ain't half bad. Certainly a bit better than the East Coast lounge at King's Cross.

We were escorted to platform 14 where VH had taken over coaches J & K. All seats branded with V-Room Manchester headrest cloths (or whatever those things they stick on the headrests are called).

Soon after the off, the full-on hospitality began. Coffee, bucks fizz and bacon rolls (or, for me, a veggie sausage bun which was really very tasty). Also kept well entertained by onboard singer/guitarist doing an admirable job of playing to a very tough crowd.

And it's only been an hour into the journey so far. I shall post more later. Including, hopefully, pictures of the lounge itself.

[Neil]

Looks good so far y)

I thought the opening thing was tomorrow, the 23rd, or is that just something different tomorrow ?|

[Pete]

Today is the press junket, tomorrow is the launch party for Frequent Virgins and invited guests.

Looks great - enjoy every second of it!

Thanks for the running commentary and pictures on the go Pete.

My useless piece of information of the day - in answer to your rhetorical question; "All seats branded with V-Room Manchester headrest cloths (or whatever those things they stick on the headrests are called). "

They are called antimacassars and are used to prevent the macassar oil, that you put on your hair every morning, from staining those nice Virgin train seats.

Tell me you don't use hair gel - that's so 21st century

Thanks Peter,

It'll be interesting to see if Virgin Atlantic has come to any agreement with Virgin Holidays re Upper passengers out of Manchester

Thanks

David

[Neil]

Thanks Peter,

It'll be interesting to see if Virgin Atlantic has come to any agreement with Virgin Holidays re Upper passengers out of Manchester

Thanks

David

That is a really good question, hopefully Pete will be able to find out for us

[Pete]

I'm making enquiries about Upper Class....

So, meanwhile - now in the V-Room at Manchester. A little smaller than Gatwick, but no less 'Virgin'. Looks great. It's got the same kind of zoning they have down in London, including games areas (fitted with a Xbox 360 and Kinect, no less!).

Trying to get some pictures off my camera, and will upload shortly.

Pete

Hope you are enjoying it all.
The first class lounge at Euston is relaxing if you get to the station early.

Makes sense to have it smaller than LGW if there are less flights per day out of MAN.

There are a couple of pics on the VH Facebook page, looks v cool!

Tell me you don't use hair gel - that's so 21st century

Hair gel is now called putty right? Oh god i hope so :#

cheers

alex

[Neil]

Where exactly is the lounge located? Is it in the same area as the other lounges?

[Pete]

Same area as the other lounges - opposite The Observatory Bar

Anyway, some photos...

Entrance

The Bar

The Bar (again)

Kids zone with CBebbies

Don't think these guys are here all the time...

Teenager zone

Frank lookalike launching the party

Internet terminals

Feeling peckish?

The main area

Xbox 360 Kinect room

No word on whether they'll do a deal with Atlantic for Upper Class passengers, but this certainly feels more like a Clubhouse than the Escape Lounge next door.

[Pete]

And so the party draws to a close (for today) and everyone is bundled back on the coach to Wimslow station (no, I don't know where that is either) for the return train to London. Have to hand it to Virgin, a well organised event, and the v-room is stunning. Mitchja and RedVee, hope you enjoy the party tomorrow night!

Pete

[buns]

Pete

Thanks for the insight y) y)

The V Room will be a welcome addition to those flying from Manchester and if the levels of service match those of my experience at Gatwick, then there will be trouble getting the planes off in time ): ):

buns

With regards UC arrangements I'll let you know if they let me in when I fly out next week if there's been no news before then. I was supposed to be flying Sunday but have had to put it back to Thursday.

I'd get to the airport a bit earlier if I knew I could get in for sure but I'm not expecting to be allowed in with an UC ticket anyway.

Pete, thanks for the great review of the V-room and pics. y)

[mitchja]

Launch Party Day 2 underway here. A few more pictures and an a further update tomorrow.

Very impressed so far y)

Launch Party Day 2 underway here. A few more pictures and an a further update tomorrow.

Very impressed so far y)

Hope you had a fab time James!

Review from the Day 2 customer preview/launch now up here

Regards
R3dV

Brilliant Pics nice post