Lounge Advice

Morning all,

As my impending first flight with Virgin looms (Hopefully on a refurbed plane - I'm guessing by Sept 11th, there will be 3 at least, possibly 4 a/c refurbed) we're starting to plan a few extra's.

We have booked in to the Hilton for the night before, which was a cracking deal £103 for an exec room with lounge access , Mrs FC is now talking about buying acces to the Lounge as we are travelling PE and she fancies pampering before we fly.

Cost aside - at £56 each it's not cheap ! I was wondering if there was any guidance as to what access we get. is it 3 hours prior to the flight ? at 08:30 am are we likely to be early enough to book treatments, is there a definitive list anywhere of what treatments are FOC and which are paid ? Can you book treatments in advance by mail / phone or is it on the day.

Also, anyone any experience of the walk from the Hilton to Check-in -0 we were thinking about doing twighlight check in but we will have toiletries etc in our hand luggae which isn't allowed - means we will probably have to do the walk with our cases......

Any advice appreciated !

Thanks

FC

The walk from the Hilton is very easy having done this with cases many times before. It takes around 4 or 5 mins

There used to be a very drafty bit alongside one the carparks but this has now been enclosed.

Enjoy your flight

David

Just to clarify do you mean the VS Clubhouse or the V Holidays V-room?

If you mean the VS one then access to non UC/AU passengers is limited in numbers but if you booked via VH then they have an allocation you can purchase in advance.

There is a list of treatments available on the CH pages on the VS website.

You cannot pre-book treatmants in advance - only on the day.

[buns]

Have to agree with Tonty here, if you are not on a Virgin Holiday, then your chances of getting into either the Clubhouse or the V Room are pretty slim from the outset.

You have not said where you are travelling to, so any advice about timings is limited - the "3 hour rule" applies to the No.1 Lounge, which may be your best option if not on a Virgin Holiday

buns

we were thinking about doing twighlight check in but we will have toiletries etc in our hand luggae which isn't allowed - means we will probably have to do the walk with our cases......

The Hilton does decent Peter Thomas Roth toiletries, certainly enough for one night. When we do the same in 3 weeks (hurrah!)I'm planning to take a disposable razor, the toothbrush / toothpaste from our last flight with a travel size deodorant and smellies, and bingo...we get to fulfil the fantasy of "arriving for a long haul flight with just hand luggage", just like we'd decided to travel on a whim....

I always stay the night before travel at an airport hotel and do the twilight check in. I take a small set of travel size toiletries for my overnight stay at the airport hotel ( really good selection available at super drug including body lotion, deodorant etc) . I also travel to the airport in a set of cheap clothes ( think primark or marks and spencer value range)or old ones that I'm not going to wear again , and leave them behind at the airport , changing into my ' decent' clothes for my long haul flight : ) - its a great way to start a long haul flight , nicely rested at an airport hotel, no fight for check in in the morning, escape the crowds at an airport lounge - the holiday starts here !

We are travelling with VH - LGW to CUN and would look to use the clubhouse rather than the V-Room. I have spoken to Virgin and they can give us access. Flight is due to depart 11.20 am (ish ) so we could do twighlight check in and have only hand luggae for the morning

[buns]

We are travelling with VH - LGW to CUN and would look to use the clubhouse rather than the V-Room. I have spoken to Virgin and they can give us access. Flight is due to depart 11.20 am (ish ) so we could do twighlight check in and have only hand luggae for the morning

This being the case, my advice to get to the Clubhouse as soon as you can (it is situated on the upper floor so do not be tempted to take the down escalator after going through the premium security channel)

Take the opportunity to be shown around when you get there and see if any treatment slots are available - a little tip from me is that Mrs Buns will always priority if there is only one slot free

Enjoy!!!

buns

Thanks for that, hopefully should be reasonably quick and easy getting through security in the morning with no check in to do ! Can't find any information on opening times. What time does the CH open ?

Number of treatments seem less, however sure mrs FC will be happy !

[buns]

What time does the CH open ?

It does open pre 7 am ( with actuals ranging between 6:15 - 6:30), but would say if you aim for 7 you will be find

buns

Thanks for the info - May be irrelevant, Friday tickets available, Saturday they weren't - does this change like reward fare availability ?

FC