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Original poster

Private members clubs London

94 replies

Felloffthehedonictreadmill · 09/05/2025 08:38

Talk to me about private members clubs in London....

Do you or your spouse use one? I'd like to get my husband membership as he commutes three times a week and he'd be better off doing it twice and stopping over. I want it to enhance his wellbeing, not deplete it.

Im looking for something reasonably priced preferably with a gym but thats not essential. Somewhere he can take clients, sleep comfortably and get a meal.

Please give me advice....this is not my world at all!

TIA

OP posts:
GCAcademic · 09/05/2025 10:53

What field does he work in? Some clubs are geared towards those who work in particular industries.

Bjorkdidit · 09/05/2025 10:55

Wouldn't it be better just to book a nicer hotel?

But before committing to a club, you'd have to do a full costing to work out the effective nightly cost for the frequency you think he'll use it, including all charges.

Location will also be key - near his work and anywhere else he needs to travel.

What about a serviced apartment? Usually rentable by the night and more space and amenities than a hotel.

Original poster
Felloffthehedonictreadmill · 09/05/2025 10:56

@MargoLivebetter

Yes quite....Ive just looked at the place he is staying in next week and it looks vile. I think he is under a lot of stress at work. His natural reaction to stress is cruel and negative self talk and by being as frugal as he can it fits with his self-flagellation. It is based on how he was brought up.

I'll probably have a pile on of people saying he is in financial trouble or something. Which is wrong but I didn't come on MN to discuss our finances, just to ask about others experiences with members clubs.

OP posts:
Icanttakethisanymore · 09/05/2025 10:57

One thing I would check out is if a club would allow you to leave a few personal items there? The benefit of a pied-à-terre is you can leave stuff there but if some clubs accommodated that I would personally see it as a big plus. I am currently doing a night in a London hotel once a week and I hate lugging stuff around.

queenrollo · 09/05/2025 10:58

The club we used closed in the wake of Covid and we have never found anything suitable to replace it. Friends who use clubs say it's definitely paying for itself now the price of even basic places (like Premier Inn) has shot up. Club rooms in comparison have held steady on cost.
We do less work in London compared to pre-Covid and we also go to fewer events so it's not worth the cost now.
I completely understand why you want to do this though, and I wish I had suggestions. We gave up looking, but then our profession doesn't really tie in to any of the clubs we could be vouched for.

Original poster
Felloffthehedonictreadmill · 09/05/2025 10:59

@GCAcademic energy industry

Yes @Bjorkdidit potentially yes

@Icanttakethisanymore yes that would be very useful wouldn't it

OP posts:
Original poster
Felloffthehedonictreadmill · 09/05/2025 10:59

@queenrollo thanks for your response.

OP posts:
Serenster · 09/05/2025 11:00

I am not a member of a club myself, but friends and family are, so I have been to quite a few ( Athenaeum, Garrick, RAF…). If you are regularly travelling long distances to London and staying overnight would make life easier, I think they are by far a better option than hotels, if the cost is affordable. The benefit is familiarity, consistency and generally feeling that you are in your personal environment, rather than an anonymous guest in an identikit hotel (and I travel a lot for work, I know how the lack of familiarity can wear you down!).

Londonmummy66 · 09/05/2025 11:00

Royal Overseas League is about the cheapest - think the joining and annual fees are under a grand. It has a nice garden but I don't think it has a gym. Rooms are for members only so I don't know what the rates are. More like the RAC but more understated is the Lansdowne Club on Berkley Square. It has a pretty art deco pool and one of the bigger club gyms. Its know for being sporty - swimming, triathlon, fencing golf etc. I do know that the rooms are being done up at the moment.

Londonmummy66 · 09/05/2025 11:04

Another option would be to join an energy related city livery company - fuellers or engineers perhaps. That would entitle him to stay at the VIntners Hall in the city which is very inexpensive.

Soonenough · 09/05/2025 11:06

I hope you find something you both like. As to the cost , it is nearly the same amount as a golf club membership. And sounds like it would provide much needed respite as anyone looking after a disabled loved one would appreciate . Having a flat wouldn't be the same as then it would have to be cleaned, laundry and shop and prepare meals. You have had some good suggestions here and now know about recommendations needed . Go for it , I think it's a great idea.

Original poster
Felloffthehedonictreadmill · 09/05/2025 11:08

Thank you @Soonenough and @Londonmummy66 for the advice.

I shall update if we find something suitable for our needs 😊

OP posts:
Mulledjuice · 09/05/2025 11:09

Other things to consider - location - where would it make most sense to be? Most of the clubs are Pall Mall/St James but not exclusively.

I agree that it might be better to establish loyalty status at a hotel chain, either one with a gym/pool or near a decent gym.
Would you be going with him, or independently at weekends?

Also look at Club Quarters.

MaloryJones · 09/05/2025 11:10

Felloffthehedonictreadmill · 09/05/2025 10:36

Thanks to those who have pointed out that you need people to vouch for you. I didn't realise that. He works with people who use the RAC club and others so I am sure he could find someone to sponsor him at those. He is not an Oxbridge graduate, no.

Also yes I suppose he would know best what he wants from it. I thought perhaps I could put a shortlist together for him to peruse.

To the PP who asked if he is an adult, yes he is. He is a high functioning adult whom I love very much. He is currently the sole breadwinner whilst I am a stay at home carer for a disabled teen. Our life is challenging and between work and home life he has very little time to do anything like sort out a club/regular accomodation in London. I thought I could help him by putting in the ground work of researching options. Another option is we may buy a small pied a terre in London for this purpose.

Thankyou @Cazziebo And @MaloryJones for your helpful/less angry responses.

You are Welcome

TonTonMacoute · 09/05/2025 11:12

I'm not an expert, and am happy to be proved wrong, but I don't know of any private members clubs where you don't have to know at least two members to propose you. This is to your advantage too as you want to know what you are letting yourself in for.

I would go for the RAC club but no idea how much it is these days.

ChimneyPot · 09/05/2025 11:17

I have stayed in the Lansdowne with friends who are members.
i thought it was lovely, nice pool, good food.
Considered membership when DH was going to London for work and DD3 was studying there but neither of those things are happening any more so we didn’t bother.

Look at country membership rates.

FIFIBEBE · 09/05/2025 11:22

Army & Navy “The Rag” is military based but not essential and quite reasonable compared to others. It’s not grand but has decent catering, a very nice outside terrace and accommodation. St James’ Square address, on-site parking and access to a SJS smart gym.

LisaVanderpump1 · 09/05/2025 11:24

Just looked and at the RAC, a SINGLE ROOM is £180 p/n. And your membership fees, joining fees, drinks, food, access to spa etc. are all on top of that. Bonkers.

For £180 p/n, you could get a decent double hotel room in London and not have to pay the £5k joining fee and the £2k + annual fee and put that towards nice meals.

hellywelly3 · 09/05/2025 11:25

Felloffthehedonictreadmill · 09/05/2025 10:21

Why is everyone so abrasive?! 🤣

I think a lot probably thought you meant like a lap dancing club type thing 😂

cathyandclaire · 09/05/2025 11:27

The In and Out is not just military and has a decent gym, lovely pool and great overnight rooms- it's also in St James https://www.theinandout.co.uk

Original poster
Felloffthehedonictreadmill · 09/05/2025 11:28

Thanks for making me smile @hellywelly3

OP posts:
CloudPop · 09/05/2025 11:30

Take a look at Home House, I’ve been a guest there and it was lovely

Liondoesntsleepatnight · 09/05/2025 11:32

The Ned?

jamontoast2 · 09/05/2025 11:35

Seconding the Landsdowne. Lovely pool and gyn complex, comfortable rooms, good location. Cheaper than RAC and has a younger feel. The RAC if you’re sub 60 is more for the country house which it doesn’t sound like your husband will be using.