{"id":12364,"date":"2023-09-09T20:59:26","date_gmt":"2023-09-09T20:59:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jacksonvillecelticfestival.com\/?p=12364"},"modified":"2023-09-09T20:59:26","modified_gmt":"2023-09-09T20:59:26","slug":"the-ultimate-guide-to-the-uks-independent-airport-lounges","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jacksonvillecelticfestival.com\/travel\/the-ultimate-guide-to-the-uks-independent-airport-lounges\/","title":{"rendered":"The ultimate guide to the UK's independent airport lounges"},"content":{"rendered":"
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There are many independent lounges in UK airports now. Here’s our guide to the ‘Big Three’<\/p>\n
You don\u2019t have to fly business class or be an airline gold card holder to enjoy being pampered at an airport lounge in the UK.<\/p>\n
Travellers have long been able to book lounges run independently of the big carriers.<\/p>\n
Simply turn up or, preferably, book in advance \u2014 peak-time spaces can fill up. Booking in advance also guarantees a comfortable place to see out delays caused by air traffic control woes. Such reservations usually allow you to stay beyond the normal two or three-hour lounge time slots in the event of trouble.<\/p>\n
There are many independent lounges in UK airports now. Here\u2019s our guide to the Big Three with expert verdicts from headforpoints.com, thepointsguy.com and cabinbagsonly.com.\u00a0<\/p>\n
UPMARKET OPTION: PLAZA PREMIUM<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Enjoy the snazzy interiors of Plaza Premium’s lounges, which are priced from \u00a344 for two hours. Above is Heathrow Terminal 2’s Plaza Premium lounge\u00a0<\/p>\n Known for its snazzy interiors, excellent staffing levels, plus good children\u2019s play areas.<\/p>\n How many lounges: <\/span>Six \u2014 Heathrow Terminals 2, 4 and 5, Gatwick North and Edinburgh.<\/p>\n Price:<\/span> From \u00a344 for two hours.<\/p>\n The basics:<\/span> Complementary food and drink and access to private workstations. Lounges at Heathrow T2, 4 and 5 have showers.<\/p>\n Pros: <\/span>Heathrow T2 lounge has private rooms for pre-flight naps. Voted the world\u2019s best independent airport lounge for seven years by the airport consultancy Skytrax.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/span> Shorter stays than at other UK lounge brands.<\/p>\n What the experts say: <\/span>headforpoints.com<\/span> says of the Gatwick North lounge: \u2018Extremely bright… a range of seating options depending on your mood, with luxury fittings such as the marble bar and colourful seating [but] things start to fall down when it comes to food and service. The food is average.<\/p>\n \u2018Despite that, this is still a quality lounge.\u2019<\/p>\n And of Edinburgh: \u2018Huge amount of natural light and fantastic runway views thanks to its dual aspect location… excellent family room where children and parents will feel comfortable. Buffet is impressive.\u2019<\/p>\n Thepointsguy.com<\/span> says: \u2018A good option for a place to grab a snack, unwind in one of many seating options. Some locations go the extra mile, with food and decor that impress.\u2019<\/p>\n Nick DiAngelo, founder of cabinbagsonly.com<\/span>, says: \u2018It\u2019s the best of the lot, not so busy, good facilities, well staffed.\u2019<\/p>\n Details: <\/span>plazapremiumlounge.com\u00a0<\/p>\n Rating: <\/span>4\/5<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n REGIONAL PRESENCE: ASPIRE LOUNGES<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Aspire Lounges can be found in 13 UK locations, including Belfast (four images above) and\u00a0 Birmingham\u00a0<\/p>\n DO…<\/p>\n DON\u2019T…<\/p>\n Aspire Lounges is the UK\u2019s largest independent lounge provider, operating 25 years with a strong presence outside Gatwick and Heathrow.<\/p>\n How many lounges: <\/span>13 covering Belfast, Birmingham, Edinburgh, Humberside, Inverness, Liverpool, Luton, Manchester and Newcastle.<\/p>\n Price:<\/span> From \u00a325 for three hours.<\/p>\n The basics: <\/span>All offer free food and drink and dedicated quiet zones. Several have dedicated family booths with televisions.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/span> Aspire offers 10 per cent discounts for seniors (over 65), Also, some lounges have pressreader.com access to 7,000-plus publications.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/span> Not at Gatwick or Heathrow.<\/p>\n What the experts say: <\/span>Of the Belfast City airport, headforpoints.com<\/span>, says: \u2018The new Aspire lounge is a much better space [than an old BA lounge that closed at the location], with windows along its entire length filling the space with light… food selection was meagre, with just some pastries, crisps and soup.\u2019<\/p>\n Of the Manchester T1 lounge: \u2018While it is not one of the best lounges in the UK, it is spacious… and the staff are very pleasant.\u2019<\/p>\n Thepointsguy.com<\/span> says of the lounge at Heathrow T3: \u2018It\u2019s very small… the food is basic. There\u2019s a sleep area at the back with quite comfy-looking lounger beds.\u2019 Mr DiAngelo says: \u2018They can be very busy, not always relaxing.\u2019<\/p>\n Details: <\/span>executivelounges.com<\/p>\n Rating: <\/span>2.5\/5\u00a0<\/p>\n STYLISH VALUE: NO 1<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n No 1 Lounges are well designed, most with good runway views. The two images above show the No 1 Lounge at Gatwick Airport South Terminal<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The\u00a0No 1 Lounges at Gatwick and Heathrow have dedicated television rooms. Pictured is the No 1 Lounge at Gatwick Airport North Terminal<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Those who access\u00a0No 1 Lounges can enjoy free food and drink<\/p>\n No 1 Lounges are well designed, most with good runway views \u2014 sister brands include Club Aspire, My Lounge (best for families) and Club Rooms (a premium adults only offering).<\/p>\n How many lounges:<\/span> There are 12 at Birmingham, Heathrow and Gatwick.<\/p>\n Price: <\/span>From \u00a325 for three hours.<\/p>\n The basics:<\/span> Free food and drink and the lounges at Gatwick and Heathrow airport have dedicated television rooms.<\/p>\n Pros:<\/span> The plush, armchair-filled cinema room at the Heathrow T3\u2019s No1 lounge is fantastic. All lounges are smart and stylish.<\/p>\n Cons:<\/span> Lowest prices are only available from Birmingham.<\/p>\n What the experts say: <\/span>Of the lounge at Birmingham, headforpoints.com<\/span>\u00a0says: \u2018I was very impressed, starting with the classy entrance. The lounge staff did a great job of topping up the buffet… alcohol is also available.\u2019 Of the Gatwick South lounge: \u2018Not a particularly big lounge but it makes a very good first impression thanks to the amount of natural light.\u2019<\/p>\n Thepointsguy.com<\/span> says of the Heathrow T3 lounge: \u2018[There are] little perks [such as] beer on tap and free spirits and mixers.\u2019 Mr DiAngelo says: \u2018They\u2019re decent with a darker, hotel-esque decor but can get busy, especially at Gatwick.\u2019<\/p>\n Details:<\/span>\u00a0no1lounges.com\u00a0<\/p>\nTHE DOS AND DON\u2019TS\u00a0<\/h3>\n
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