Gatwick VROOM

[kiafrika]

Hi all,

This has probably been asked before - so I apologise.

Has anyone used the VROOM @ Gatwick, if so, is it worth it?

 

[Twilight Terror]

Yes, it's brilliant! It's available only to Virgin Holiday passengers, and it is limited to certain destinations. We used it last year, when we went in September, so probably wasn't as busy as it would be in say July or August or something.

When we got there, it was quite busy and we didn't think we'd find a table. Next thing we know, a member of staff is escorting us to a table!

There is plenty of food on offer - cereal, full cooked breakfast, fruit, yoghurt, tea, coffee, juice, milk, cans of fizzy pop, pastries, toast, croissants. There is alcohol, but that you have to pay for, everything else is free.

We didn't bother with breakfast in the morning, and just ate out at the VRoom. We took a couple of croissants, an apple and drinks with us when we left, no one had any objections to that.

The room itself is really light and airy. You are very close to a runway and get to watch the planes landing and taxing and stuff, so great for the kids in that respect. There is a kids play area, although as we had no kids, have no idea what that is like.

Then there's a games room/internet at the back of the VRoom. There are about 10 or so computers with free internet access. We were posting on here from there until about 10mins before our flight was called!

The staff were really friendly, and the service was good. What we liked best was that the management were not afraid to get their hands dirty and were cleaning tables when people left, so they were ready for the next people.

So, definitely worth the money. You can make back what you spend on the food along. Just like train stations, the food around isn't exactly cheap!

 

[Snowy-girls]

We used this last month,and although we got it for free-i would deffinatley pay to use it .
We stayed in there for about 2.5hrs,the food was plentiful with sausage baps,bacon baps,mushrooms,onions+tomatoes.Toast,jam,marmalade.Different cereals,pastries,croissants+cookies.Fruit.Fruit juices,tea,coffee.
Games room with internet,Playstations,Fuse ball.Soft play area for little ones.Huge ceiling2floor windows with a great view of the runway.Newspapers to read.Adults only zone with internet.
We loved it in there away from the hustle and bustle of it all,thoroughly recommend .x.

 

[craigs bride]

how much extra is it to use ?

 

[Twilight Terror]

Adult is £17, and child is £10. You have to have a VH booking, as it can only be added as an additional option to your booking; it cannot be booked separately.

On a separate note, if you are FVC and have the 10% and add on the VRoom, make sure the total comes to what it should. Last year when they added VRoom to my booking, they somehow managed to get rid of my 10% discount. Thankfully, I knew what the total should be including the VRoom and when the guy read it out at the end of the call, I was able to say "err, that's not right, try again!" Guess that's what you get for calling India!

 

[WSussex]

Hi

Totally totally totally worth it!!!!!!

It is a fantastic start to your holiday!!!!


S x

 

[arielrocks]

I wish you could book it through virgin atlantic

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

I wish you could book it through virgin atlantic

You can, from September through to December this year, its the Clubhouse "replacement"

 

[UKDEB]

We managed to book it through VH in November despite the fact that we'd booked flights only with VA. Check out my trip report for a description and photos.

 

[Pooh's-Honey-Pot]

We used it earlier this month and it was well worth it. Lots of food and drink and good comfy seats! We got it for free, but I would happily have paid again in the future.

Shame I will never get to use it again as I will never be using Virgin Hols again, after what they did to us this trip!!!!

 

[virginatlantic]

You can, from September through to December this year, its the Clubhouse "replacement"

Why the angry faces Ive heard some people have enjoyed the V Room so much they have spent their entire holiday there

No need to mention upper class thats just being flashy!

 

[15isto2]

You can, from September through to December this year, its the Clubhouse "replacement"

Having booked to fly from LGW rsather than my closer MAN in Sept I was delighted (not) whenI ound out a few months ago

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Having booked to fly from LGW rsather than my closer MAN in Sept I was delighted (not) whenI ound out a few months ago

Yes, me too. I wo8uld have booked BA if I had known

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Why the angry faces Ive heard some people have enjoyed the V Room so much they have spent their entire holiday there

No need to mention upper class thats just being flashy!

It's no Clubhouse, thats why. When you are used to the Clubhouse, a "cafe" is no substitute. Sure, against sitting in the main concourse, its a step up, but its no Buisness lounge.

Why is it being "flashy"? Do you subscribe to the lowest common denominator is acceptable, but anything above that is "flashy" attitude then??

 

[virginatlantic]

Hey we flew upper class to Washington DC last year, I just dont mention it in my posts that all

Yes it was nice, but, really think its a lot of money that can be better used else where on the Florida trip.

To go to Florida is a once in a life time event for many people and the VRoom is a new exciting start to their trip, way better than the old circular lounge, no need to put it down, the clubhouse is never an option

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Hey we flew upper class to Washington DC last year, I just dont mention it in my posts that all

Yes it was nice, but, really think its a lot of money that can be better used else where on the Florida trip.

To go to Florida is a once in a life time event for many people and the VRoom is a new exciting start to their trip, way better than the old circular lounge, no need to put it down, the clubhouse is never an option

Whether you use money for another part of a Florida trip, whether you use it for UC seats, whether it is budgeted in your overall costings and is a normal part of your Florida trips is neither here not there.
Your decision is that it can be used for other parts, I don't see it that way as my holiday starts when i arrive at the airport and a comfortable flight is a major part of my holiday. You may not feel that way and you are entitled to think that way, I do not, nor do I make any apology for mentioning the fact I am flying UC. We are back to Britains obsession with all people should meet the lowest common denominator and anyone who does not should not mention it. I prefer the American openess that not all people are the same.

For many people especially on here, trips to florida are a yearly or twice yearly event in all classes of travel, they come on here with their experiances for all classes of travel and all forms of transportation to assist fellow Florida goers.

The fact that Virgin see fit to for three months, to put their premium passengers into what is essentially, a Virgin Holidays waiting room is the point, not if it is better for once in a lifetime trippers who pay either £17 or get it for free and the clubhouse is never an option (actually it is, as VH do sell spece within the clubhouse to all passengers.).
the point was a poster asked why VA did not sell space in the VROOM.
Well, first of all, this is run by VH not VA and for the three months premium pax will be put into this place as a replacement for the Clubhouse. VA will have bought space from VH to do this.

Virgin should make adequate provisions for the buisness class passengers within a buisness lounge. If you have used the Clubhouse you will be acutley aware that there is a difference in quality between the Clubhouse and the VRoom, as well as a difference between the V room and say, for example, BA's Terrace lounges.
In the scale of things, the VRoom is above the open departure area, probably on a par with the other paid entrance lounges, but below any buisness lounge and way below the Clubhouse.

Then again, i would imagine any premium passenger who uses Manchester or Galsgow would jump at a Vroom in those airports......

 

[Red-Snapper]

Presumably they have done this because as part of the family, they dont have to pay VH for useage, but to use a business class lounge at Gatwick they would have to shell out.

All part of the very necessary service cutbacks Obi

seriously though, I do agree with your comment that many people seem to have an attitude that anything other than cheap is in some way bad - I argued about this on here several years ago I remember.

Also as you have said for the vast majority on this board I think we can safely assume - Florida is most definately not a "once in a lifetime experience" as the poster above suggests. Each to their own - and what they can afford - no right or wrong.

 

[kiafrika]

Ok, we seem to have gone off topic here.

I'm not going to argue about the virtues of business class & upper class facilities.

As it has been pointed out for us "white trailer trash " who do fly economy, is VROOM worth it.

 

[Obi Wan Kenobi]

Ok, we seem to have gone off topic here.

I'm not going to argue about the virtues of business class & upper class facilities.

As it has been pointed out for us "white trailer trash " who do fly economy, is VROOM worth it.

Please remember that it is you who have used the phrase above, no-one else.
No one but you has called any economy passenger "White trailer trash", in fact it has been made quite clear that
a) VRoom is better than the gerneral melee of the departure area
b) that you can book The Clubhouse as well regardless of the class of travel you are travelling in
c) you can book other lounges as well.

 

[GrumpyUK]

Hi kiafrika,

thank you for asking a good question: I know that a lot of other people will be interested in finding out just what you get for your money. And thanks to the posters who have answered your question.

Don't get overly stressed or bemused by some of the comments added. It has become increasingly common for people use a thread to say what they want, rather than answer the question you've asked! Sometimes this can lead to interesting diversions and useful tips. Sometimes you end up with a pub/flight lounge/Vroom/name your place bore.