Virgin Atlantic offers Unique Facilities in New Heathrow Clubhouse

Virgin Atlantic today unveiled the first phase of its new £11m flagship business class lounge, the Clubhouse at Heathrow airport. The Clubhouse’s centrepiece is a spa, which aims to set new standards for the industry with the first spa pool, steam room and sauna in an airline lounge.

The new look lounge, which is situated next to the current Clubhouse, has been created by London based architectural practice Softroom with the Virgin Atlantic design team to resemble a private member’s club. 

The current Clubhouse site will now be redeveloped as the second phase of the Clubhouse and when it’s unveiled it will be over 2,500 square metres in total – double the size of the previous lounge.

Upper Class passengers enter the Clubhouse via a grand staircase, with sculptured glass balustrades and leather handrails. A chandelier, adorned by Swarovski crystals, twinkles above a black granite plynth. The chandelier was specifically commissioned for the space and uses LED lights that have been programmed to project an optical illusion.

Once inside the Clubhouse, Upper Class passengers will find a 14 metre long cocktail bar framed by a rose tinted glass wall with bespoke solid walnut and leather seating. Passengers can take a seat around the bar and sample a range of classic drinks and champagne cocktails.

To the right of the bar, passengers can relax on clear acrylic bubble chairs and watch the ceiling to floor Japanese water wall which runs gently into the pool below. Bubble lights float above the water and soothing images play on a plasma screen above the pool.

Hidden behind the water wall is the new spa, Cowshed at the Clubhouse. With its dark grey Welsh slate floors, black glass mosaic tiled walls and splashes of autumnal colours, passengers should instantly feel like they have entered a haven of tranquillity and luxury. Cowshed is the Soho House spa brand and passengers can now treat themselves to a selection of exclusive Cowgroom treatments including a relaxing facial, shoulder massage, manicure, pedicure or wet shave for men.

Situated within the spa area is a hairdressing salon, Bumble & bumble at the Cowshed with hairdressers offering stylish pre-trip haircuts. Upper Class passengers can also choose to take a dip in the spa pool, enjoy a sauna or use the steam room before setting off on their travels. For those in need of a pre-travel glow, passengers can now use the new St. Tropez tanning booth that is available within the spa area.

The new Clubhouse has a professionally equipped kitchen on site, offering meals and light bites to suit every taste. Passengers can enjoy a wide selection from the brasserie menu and choose to have lunch or dinner before their flight. They can also make a selection from the deli or help themselves to drinks, treats, and healthy snacks from stations dotted around the lounge.

Upper Class passengers wanting to work as well as play, will find laptop points around the Clubhouse and the whole lounge is equipped with the very latest wireless technology. Internet access is also provided for those who want to browse the net and there are also stylish phones for passengers wanting to make last minute calls.

A concierge team, who are on hand to book hotel rooms or restaurants for passengers, or simply offer advice, are stationed at their red leather desk just by the entrance to the lounge. Alternatively passengers can press a concierge button on any phone situated around the lounge for service at their seat. 

Hilary Clark, Virgin Atlantic’s Senior Design Manager, said, “I am very excited and proud to be offering such a stylish lounge to our Upper Class passengers. We always try to create a different travelling experience for our passengers and I am sure our new Clubhouse will be able to do this. The only problem we will have is getting our Upper Class passengers to leave this haven of luxury!”

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