Executive lounge / Clubhouse Gatwick

[Daysleeper40]

Hi everyone,

Very excited as we are so close to our first trip to Florida but I have also completely run out of things to plan!! So i found something new to think about...

Was just having a look at the Clubhouse / Executive lounges at Gatwick and wondering if they are worth it. Can anyone give me any more information or let me know if you have found it worth the money if you have used them. One if £35 pp and the other is £19.95 - what do you get for your money and whats the difference betweenthe two?

Any other tips on last minute planning would be great - is there anything you old hands do that I might not have though of as a first timer?

Thanks :thumbsup2

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I thought one of the "gang" would have come back to you by now! :goodvibes

I take it that the £35 is the Virgin clubhouse? and the £19.95 is an executive room?

The standard £19.95 will have a room with comfy chairs. some pretzles. nuts and other nibble snacks, plus a serve yourself bar of beers, some wines and spirits and soft drinks.

The Virgin Clubhouse has
A cinema
A games room
A Tv room
Free computers with internet access
A library
Showers
A beauty parlour
a shoe shine man
A full service waiter/waitress bar including cocktails and champagne
hot choice of meals (as many as you want), plus a breakfast bar (with cerials, porage, meuselie), fruit, pastries and if you go in the winter a hot chocolate fountain.
(Have I missed anything??)

[wicket2005]

I would say yes they are worth it. We got a free one at Manchester Airport and to be honest wasn't that bothered about using it but when we actually went we were really impressed. Manchester Airport is a bit dated compared to Newcastle where we usually fly from but the Executive Lounge was spot on. So much so we have already booked to use it next year.

Our lounge had free drinks/alcohol, snacks, papers and tv. You could pay to use the internet. The Virgin one at Gatwick sounds class. It either case we thought it made your time at the airport that much more enjoyable.

[Frances999]

For £35, the Virgin Clubhouse is definitely worth it - makes for a wonderful start to the holiday. Obi has pretty much covered everything, but there is a lot of information over at the Virgin Atlantic website, too.

Are Virgin Holidays still selling clubhouse access then? I thought that it had been stopped and now the only way to get access was for UC passengers or FC Gold members.

[UKDEB]

We've used both and the Virgin Clubhouse is definitely worth the additional £15 per head. When you factor in the food and drink element, the Clubhouse actually works out cheaper than the other lounges, especially if you have no qualms about drinking alcohol early in the morning! We got through 3 bottles of champagne between 4 of us one trip :teeth: The best bit was that we didn't have to ask - they just kept bringing more. And you can have your nails or your hair done if the fancy takes you! I had a manicure one time and I had terrible trouble trying to persuade the girl to accept a tip. All the staff members are really friendly and it's a wonderful oasis amid the chaos of the airport. They announce your flight around half an hour before boarding ends. It really comes into its own if your flight is delayed - just get another round in!

[UKDEB]

Are Virgin Holidays still selling clubhouse access then? I thought that it had been stopped and now the only way to get access was for UC passengers or FC Gold members.
It's still possible to gain access to both the Gatwick and Virgin Clubhouses through VH (£35 and £65 respectively).

[Daysleeper40]

Well you are all making it sound very difficult to resist... but the damn Virgin website isn't working!!

[UKDEB]

It never does. You'll need to phone. You have to be flying Virgin, btw - I assume you are! :thumbsup2