Gatwick North

I don't think that anyone else has posted this yet so.....

According to Virgin Holidays the move of the Clubhouse and reopening of the V-room is now happening on 1st February 2017

Interesting! I'm flying out of LGW on Feb 4th so fingers crossed I'll be one of the first to use it

That means about a week with no VS lounge then as the terminal moves happen on the 25th January 2017.

Or could it be the CH opens on the 25th but the VH paid for entry starts a little later?

Decisions, decisions: we fly out on 24th Feb.
I have always stayed at the Hilton because it's only a short walk, and I enjoy the Executive lounge.
Where to stay now? We will have 4 cases so I don't want a long journey.

Dick D

That means about a week with no VS lounge then as the terminal moves happen on the 25th January 2017.

Or could it be the CH opens on the 25th but the VH paid for entry starts a little later?

It would make sense logistically - even if it's inconvenient for passengers - to have a few days' hiatus between the old CH closing and the new one opening.

Presumably the staff will need some time for training and dry runs to make sure everything works so it would be unwise if not impossible to close in the South Terminal one day and open in the North the next.

Let's be thankful that VS have kept the Clubhouse open this year - unlike BA who've massively annoyed their premium passengers & FFs by closing their lounges for the best part of 12 months (albeit not, I assume, by choice). A week of the No.1 Lounge at the quietest time of the year would be a small price to pay by comparison.

Quite agree gumshoe

That means about a week with no VS lounge then as the terminal moves happen on the 25th January 2017.

Or could it be the CH opens on the 25th but the VH paid for entry starts a little later?

It would make sense logistically - even if it's inconvenient for passengers - to have a few days' hiatus between the old CH closing and the new one opening.

Presumably the staff will need some time for training and dry runs to make sure everything works so it would be unwise if not impossible to close in the South Terminal one day and open in the North the next.

Let's be thankful that VS have kept the Clubhouse open this year - unlike BA who've massively annoyed their premium passengers & FFs by closing their lounges for the best part of 12 months (albeit not, I assume, by choice). A week of the No.1 Lounge at the quietest time of the year would be a small price to pay by comparison.

Why not?

The CH is probably the easiest part of the VS operation.

Staff training will no doubt take place before hand - I'd imagine the staff would be paid extra the weeks before to do tours of it and practice runs etc etc once the south CH closes at lunch time after the last VS departure.

Check-in, baggage handling, gate ops etc etc all change over night and that is far more complicated an operation than a lounge - no hiatus for them !

Check-in, baggage handling, gate ops etc etc all change over night and that is far more complicated an operation than a lounge - no hiatus for them !

But that's all outsourced to Swissport who'll have hundreds of staff working across different airlines who just put on a VS uniform when they're working for VS. They'll have a big enough pool of people to ensure training and testing can take place while still maintaining normal daily operations.

The Clubhouse is a much smaller operation - one shift a day, dedicated staff and nowhere near as much roster flexibility as Swissport. And I suspect VS, being notoriously tight, aren't willing to pay overtime for training if it can be avoided - even if the staff wanted it at the end of a long shift.

In a recent visit to the Gatwick CH, I spoke to staff members with regards to this. Apparently, they have all been informed by VS that the CH will close in the South Terminal end of play one day and the new CH in the North Terminal will open the next.

I was informed that VS do not want pax not to have CH access due to the ill feeling caused by BA to their premium pax/FF.

Dan

Decisions, decisions: we fly out on 24th Feb.
I have always stayed at the Hilton because it's only a short walk, and I enjoy the Executive lounge.
Where to stay now? We will have 4 cases so I don't want a long journey.

Dick D

I have stayed at the Sofitel, linked to the North terminal and very much enjoyed it.

I know folk on here report staying at the Premier Inn but that would involve the 'long walk' you dont want.

If you still wanted the Hilton, the train between the terminals is okay too but I have not done it with luggage and I am sure it would involve alot of carting around of your bags.
I would personally book the Sofitel.

Check-in, baggage handling, gate ops etc etc all change over night and that is far more complicated an operation than a lounge - no hiatus for them !

But that's all outsourced to Swissport who'll have hundreds of staff working across different airlines who just put on a VS uniform when they're working for VS. They'll have a big enough pool of people to ensure training and testing can take place while still maintaining normal daily operations.

The Clubhouse is a much smaller operation - one shift a day, dedicated staff and nowhere near as much roster flexibility as Swissport. And I suspect VS, being notoriously tight, aren't willing to pay overtime for training if it can be avoided - even if the staff wanted it at the end of a long shift.

But TBH the CH is basically a restaurant / bar. Hardly rocket science to operate.

Sure staff might not know table numbers but that happens anywhere. I've seen servers at LHR offer my drink to two other people before they got to me!

Try telling that to anyone who runs a restaurant or bar!

There'll be brand new equipment to master and if, as I assume, the new set-up involves the CH and V-Room occupying the same area and sharing back-of-house operations, that throws up more training issues.

Anyhow this is all pure speculation and with any luck Dan is right above and there'll be a seamless next day transition.

Decisions, decisions: we fly out on 24th Feb.
I have always stayed at the Hilton because it's only a short walk, and I enjoy the Executive lounge.
Where to stay now? We will have 4 cases so I don't want a long journey.

Dick D

I have stayed at the Sofitel, linked to the North terminal and very much enjoyed it.

I know folk on here report staying at the Premier Inn but that would involve the 'long walk' you dont want.

If you still wanted the Hilton, the train between the terminals is okay too but I have not done it with luggage and I am sure it would involve alot of carting around of your bags.
I would personally book the Sofitel.

Thanks for that,
Sofitel certainly looks convenient. Do you know if a first time user can buy access to the Executive Lounge there?
There seem to be two premier Inns. One over by the A23 and another right next door to the Sofitel.
I may pop down there on the bike if we get another sunny day and check them out.
Dick D

There's also a Hampton by Hilton attached to the North Terminal. More basic than the actual Hilton but comfortable and even closer than the Sofitel.

There's also a Hampton by Hilton attached to the North Terminal. More basic than the actual Hilton but comfortable and even closer than the Sofitel.

That one looks good. Double room with breakfast for £75 if I pay now non refundable.
Hopefully we won't need breakfast, but I guess there is no guarantee the new CH will be open.
I'll just procrastinate a few more days.

Dick D

I've stayed there s couple of times Dick. It's not luxurious by any means (the breakfast area has a works canteen feel to it) but it's clean, comfortable, efficient and like I say very convenient - it's linked directly to Easyjet's check in area but VS will only be a short hop upstairs in the lift. Certainly recommended if five star luxury isn't a must.

I've stayed there s couple of times Dick. It's not luxurious by any means (the breakfast area has a works canteen feel to it) but it's clean, comfortable, efficient and like I say very convenient - it's linked directly to Easyjet's check in area but VS will only be a short hop upstairs in the lift. Certainly recommended if five star luxury isn't a must.

Tripadvisor reviews seem pretty good as well so I have booked and paid in advance for a queen room. 22sq m. for £75.
I have also ticked the option to upgrade on the day if a corner room is available. Pay another £18 on the day and get 33 sq m.
Dick D