We always like to start our holiday by booking one of the Airport Lounges so that we can relax and escape the hustle and bustle of the airport and just start to chill before our flight to Orlando. We always try and fly from Manchester and our choice of lounge will always be The Escape Lounge in Terminal 2 – very relaxing and a great choice of food and the teenagers can amuse themselves on the computers.
This time we were flying from Gatwick so we had to investigate which lounges were available to us. We decided on the new Number 1 Lounge and we trawled the Internet to look at previous guest reviews. The majority of reviews were excellent however; there were a couple about slow service.
The cost depends on which package you opt for but the basic price per adult is £17. 50, children (2-11) £10. 00 and infants are free. You can opt for the champagne package for adults, which is £22. 50. You can stay in the lounge for up to 3 hours with additional hours being available to purchase at £5 per hour per person.
The lounge itself is located next to Frankie & Benny’s restaurant on the Mezzanine level and the opening hours are 4am – 10pm. The dress code is the same as all the other lounges – smart dress.
We entered the lounge and it was on two floors with lots of sofas and tables to choose from. There is also table football, which I am sure keep the children entertained. We soon found a really comfy sofa on the ground floor with a fantastic view of the runway. One of the waiting staff soon appeared to take our drinks order, Cappuccino, Coke and a Bacardi & diet coke for me (I know it was only 9. 30 am but I have a long 9 hour flight ahead of me! ). We were then shown the breakfast menu, which comprised of Eggs Benedict, a warm bacon roll and Crepes with maple syrup – you could choose one of these and then help yourself to the buffet of pastries, fruit salad, yoghurts, cereals etc.
Mike opted for the Eggs Benedict, Matt for the Crepes and I opted for the pastries. The food did take some time to arrive but it was nice and it filled a gap – we had already had breakfast at the Hilton as well!
The lounge itself was really quite with the only other occupants looking as though they were travelling on business. There were plenty of plug sockets so that we could make sure all of our laptops and other electronic equipment were all fully charged before our flight. There was also free Internet access available and Matthew was soon on MSN messaging all of his friends.
The staff came over and asked if we would like any further drinks and it was coke and diet coke for everyone. We were also asked if we would like any further food and we ordered Crepes again for our son – but they never appeared before we had to leave to catch our flight.
The most significant difference in this lounge to any others we have been in was the fact that it is waiter service rather than you being able to help yourself to food and drinks.
Did we enjoy our time in the lounge – yes we did however, at times the service was slow and this was in February so I wonder how they will cope in the busy summer season. Would I use this lounge again – yes, I would I just love being away from the hustle and bustle and just starting to chill before we make out way to the plane.
This time we were flying from Gatwick so we had to investigate which lounges were available to us. We decided on the new Number 1 Lounge and we trawled the Internet to look at previous guest reviews. The majority of reviews were excellent however; there were a couple about slow service.
The cost depends on which package you opt for but the basic price per adult is £17. 50, children (2-11) £10. 00 and infants are free. You can opt for the champagne package for adults, which is £22. 50. You can stay in the lounge for up to 3 hours with additional hours being available to purchase at £5 per hour per person.
The lounge itself is located next to Frankie & Benny’s restaurant on the Mezzanine level and the opening hours are 4am – 10pm. The dress code is the same as all the other lounges – smart dress.
We entered the lounge and it was on two floors with lots of sofas and tables to choose from. There is also table football, which I am sure keep the children entertained. We soon found a really comfy sofa on the ground floor with a fantastic view of the runway. One of the waiting staff soon appeared to take our drinks order, Cappuccino, Coke and a Bacardi & diet coke for me (I know it was only 9. 30 am but I have a long 9 hour flight ahead of me! ). We were then shown the breakfast menu, which comprised of Eggs Benedict, a warm bacon roll and Crepes with maple syrup – you could choose one of these and then help yourself to the buffet of pastries, fruit salad, yoghurts, cereals etc.
Mike opted for the Eggs Benedict, Matt for the Crepes and I opted for the pastries. The food did take some time to arrive but it was nice and it filled a gap – we had already had breakfast at the Hilton as well!
The lounge itself was really quite with the only other occupants looking as though they were travelling on business. There were plenty of plug sockets so that we could make sure all of our laptops and other electronic equipment were all fully charged before our flight. There was also free Internet access available and Matthew was soon on MSN messaging all of his friends.
The staff came over and asked if we would like any further drinks and it was coke and diet coke for everyone. We were also asked if we would like any further food and we ordered Crepes again for our son – but they never appeared before we had to leave to catch our flight.
The most significant difference in this lounge to any others we have been in was the fact that it is waiter service rather than you being able to help yourself to food and drinks.
Did we enjoy our time in the lounge – yes we did however, at times the service was slow and this was in February so I wonder how they will cope in the busy summer season. Would I use this lounge again – yes, I would I just love being away from the hustle and bustle and just starting to chill before we make out way to the plane.