Anyone used a paid for airport lounge

[raeray]

Heading on a very long flight from Heathrow soon and was thinking of buying a pass to one of the lounges. My options appear to be Number 1 lounge (terminal 3) or club aspire (terminal 3)

Has anyone got any experience of these? Are they worth it?

Thanks in advance

Yes, we used the aspire lounge at manchester airport last month. It was absolutely worth it. Plenty of food for you to help yourself to, a bar serving top brands of alcohol, tea, coffee, etc, plus the seating is much more comfortable than in the normal bit. Think it cost about £70 for 3 of us, but when you think of the extortionate airport prices for just a drink, using the lounge is a no brainer

Not Heathrow ( Manchester) and a few years ago now. It was part of our package holiday. It all depends on what you want. They are nice quiet environments with food and drinks on tap. Newspapers too. We had an early flight and there were people in the lounge swigging massive G & T's at 5.30 in the morning. Uurgh Also people stuffing their bags with 'free' biscuits and fruit. Not my cup of tea. Plus I like people watching so I prefer to sit in the waiting lounge.

I use aspire lounges regularly. Quiet, with food, drink and wifi provided. You're guaranteed a seat and there are lots of plug points available too - although I appreciate this is more of a selling point at some airports than others! Plus, if your flight is delayed generally they let you stay until it boards - this was amazing last Christmas when there was an incident at (I think) Manchester which had knock on effects at every airport in the UK - the main concourse was chaos but the lounge was still lovely and calm!

Ah great thank you!
I was thinking with airport food prices it might be worthwhile. Also nice to be able to charge your phone etc before flight.

Has anyone used the terminal 3 lounges at Heathrow? Which one is best?

Yes, I used no.1 lounge in LHR T3 recently. I was flying alone long haul and it was totally worth it. The atmosphere was a lot calmer than out in departures, and the cost was comparable to what I’d spend on a meal in one of the restaurants anyway. I liked being able to leave my stuff when I popped to loo. The loos were big enough to change into comfy clothes, although v dark!
I really liked having big windows with loads of daylight. There wasn’t any comfy seating available, but I was quite happy sitting at a restaurant style table the whole time. There seemed to be a cinema too but I didn’t go in.

I do it again for sure.

We used no 1 lounge at LHR when we flew out on honeymoon a few years ago (there was a buy one get one free deal when we booked our flights so at £20ish for both of us it was a no brainer). It was great! Really relaxed - spent the time waiting in very comfy seats looking at the stack of nice magazines, eating waffles and drinking the free/included g&t (me) and rum (DH).

Yes in Manchester and I wouldn't do it again. Although the drinks were free I didn't want to get ha meted before a flight so only had one. There were snacks only. Cheese and biscuits, mini cakes and nuts. It was dire. Not enough seats. It was a waste of £20.

*hammered

Yes I get lounge passes with my bank account travel pack and it's nice to escape the hustle and bustle of the terminal before boarding. I used a lounge at LHR recently but was T5. Was pleasant.

I went to one between long haul flights in Bangkok airport, it was fab!

I took a shower, there were tons of seats, fast Wi-Fi, and had loads of drinks and snacks!

Not just alcohol either, plenty freezing cold diet coke etc. I also think the air conditioning was more effective because it was a smaller space than the open plan terminal.

I'd definetly do it again, more so in between flights, but I loved it! Jxx

Does anyone know of an airport lounge anywhere designed to be child friendly with toys etc in it??

Most lounges don’t admit children

Yes there are most deffo lounges that cater for children, they provide toys etc, just check with your travel agent for the most suitable one

We used one in Manc a few years ago and it was shite! Only water, tea and coffee, crisps and biscuits. Thought there'd be sandwiches and more of a selection of drinks

I haven't personally but I've booked them for older relatives. It can be advisable to book in advance as it guarantees entry.

The tables are often blocked with no-show reservations (business travellers?) and the lounge staff will turn you away if you show up on the day without a reservation despite acres of empty tables. Seems to be a common complaint.

The reviews on Tripadvisor are enlightening and will give you a flavour of what to expect. My relatives were in the Aspire lounge at Luton recently and the hot food menu was limited to a choice of two (dull) options - chilli and mac cheese. There was a limited salad bar, soup (one flavour), nibbles (peanuts and olives) and a chocolate cake. I believe that was it on the food front. No filled baguettes/ sandwiches etc. They advertise more varieties of food but there wasn't anything else available. Their website advertises a "light" menu so I don't think it's a priority.

They had a reasonable experience (light eaters and had a couple of glasses of wine only) but some of the Trip Advisor reviews were terrible preceding their visit!

They've also been to the No 1 lounge at Heathrow but that was a year or two ago. That was good as well, the food was slightly better at that time. They mostly go for the peace and quiet tbh

@KristinaM I'm surprised you say that. I always take my DD in and there's often other children there. Stansted, Gatwick and LHR she's never been turned away.

Every time we fly. Much easier, calmer and probably cheaper than eating and drinking in airport x

Aspire T3

No 1 Lounge T3

To be honest I'd book the lounge if you think you'd be spending on food and drink in the airport anyway. If it was really bad on the day I'd be taking photos and getting my money back

I use them every time I fly. They are all great, except Manchester, which as PP have said, is awful for some reason.