Upgraded to UC - A few Questions

Good morning lovely v-flyers

It will be my first time flying UC and I have a few questions about what to expect/etiquette. I have done extensive searches, and thoroughly enjoyed reading everyone's TRs but haven't found the answers to the questions below.

I'll be pre-positioning the night before so will do twilight check in and then off to the Bloc hotel for the night.

There seems to be conflicting advice on when the CH opens. A google search has the opening time of 0700 hrs. However I've read on here that it opens about 0620 hrs. Should I get there early, and just have a wander until opening if it's closed?

I'm flying LGW-UVF A330/300 take off time 0855 hrs if the Spa opens @ 0700 hrs will there be time for both a spa treatment and breakfast before boarding?

Does anyone know what the expected boarding time is?

I'll be travelling solo and will have a small carry on case with me. Is there somewhere to secure the carry on case, or do other v-flyers just leave it where they're sitting if they want to get up and go and get a drinks refill/magazine/newspaper?

On the return leg if you opt to get comfy cosy in PJs what do you do with your clothes? Is there somewhere to hang them up or do you put them into your hand luggage? Sorry for the embarrassing question, but would like to know if I need to leave space in my hand luggage and to wear something that doesn't crease too much!

Any help, tips, advice or guidance for a newbie gratefully received

The official LGW Clubhouse opening time is 7am but in practice it normally opens a few minutes earlier. I'd aim to clear security around 6.30 (it's normally very quick these days - LGW South security is superb since the recent renovations), then you should arrive at the CH around opening time.

Unless you want to shop in duty free, don't follow the crowds down the escalator after clearing security. There's a door at the back of security (signposted) that takes you on a short cut to the upper floor of departures, close to the Clubhouse entrance.

Assuming your flight's on time they'll call it at 8am or just after so you should have time for a treatment and breakfast. Make sure the first thing you do is book your treatment though, as the LGW spa's small. You'll be fine leaving your bag at your seat if you need to grab a paper or whatever.

On board the cabin crew will happily hang up your clothes in the wardrobe (though space is limited).

Enjoy your first UC experience!

Our last two visits to LGW CH have been at 6.20 and 6.35 as the doors opened. Like you we've done early-ish flights.

I don't know what the official time is as I have had 3 timings given to me 'officially' - and I can't recall which was which but Virgin via Twitter, email and LiveChat gave me 6.30am, 6.45am and 7.15am. We always stay the night before and therefore I'm quite happy to wait a few minutes whilst they open up. Our last time meant we were in early but even being first through the door, the spa was almost fully booked. I did manage a treatment but Mr Marshy didn't. Although in the doors of the CH early, the spa didn't start work until 7am.

It's quite safe to leave your bags, it isn't a big lounge - we left ipads/laptops/bags last time when we wandered down the end after breakfast.

I wear my own PJ's on the flight as I find the VS things too large/small/tight/baggy. But, as gumshoe said, there will be hanging space if you need it, or if you are me, you will roll them neatly and stow them in the overhead locker.

Thank you so much for your responses marshy11 and gumshoe, much appreciated. . If you couldn't tell I'm very excited. Every time I think about it, I do a little dance inside

Our last time meant we were in early but even being first through the door, the spa was almost fully booked. I did manage a treatment but Mr Marshy didn't. Although in the doors of the CH early, the spa didn't start work until 7am.

How on earth does that happen if you can't pre-book treatments !!

I wear my own PJ's on the flight as I find the VS things too large/small/tight/baggy. But, as gumshoe said, there will be hanging space if you need it, or if you are me, you will roll them neatly and stow them in the overhead locker.

Nice to know there's an option to hang up your own clothes. I've an onward 2.5 hr flight with about 5 hrs to wait and with no revivals lounge I didn't fancy looking really crumpled for the next several hours. I too will be taking my own PJs. Don't fancy the thought of wearing ones that may have been worn and laundered many, many times

Unless you want to shop in duty free, don't follow the crowds down the escalator after clearing security. There's a door at the back of security (signposted) that takes you on a short cut to the upper floor of departures, close to the Clubhouse entrance.

Oooo thanks for the top tip gumshoe, I've no intention of doing any duty free shopping. ( I know shocking, a woman refusing the chance to shop lol) so will just make my way to the CH.