René wasn’t the only one spending time in Europe this summer flying around on Virgin Atlantic (VS) and Skyteam flights. I also, thanks to finding Low LEVEL 1 award flights to and from Europe, was able to enjoy a summer to remember heading to London, Paris, Amsterdam, and Madrid! One of the things I was most excited to experience was flying on Virgin Atlantic’s Queen of the skies 747-400 from my hometown in Miami.
You can check out Renés experience on the VS A330 to and from Atlanta and Manchester. But one of the benefits of traveling to London Heathrow in VS Upper Class, or DeltaONE, is access to the Virgin Atlantic Revivals Lounge in Heathrow’s Terminal 3.
Arriving from Miami at 11:30am, after clearing the immigration hall though the Fast Track lane since I was in the Upper Class cabin, I headed for my baggage, cleared customs and followed the signs to the lounge. I took the “lift” (British English for elevator.) to the second floor, and walked through the fabulous doors of the Revival’s Lounge.
The Revivals lounge does just that, revives you from an overnight flight from across the pond, with hours from 5:30am to 1:30pm.
I walked down the long hallway and was greeted instantly at the concierge desk. The cheerful attendant took my dress shirt for a pressing, and helped me book a spa treatment, while I walked into the lounge area.
Friday morning was a quiet time at the lounge, and I was instantly greeted by a cheerful server. Menu options rage from pancakes, egg dishes, bread, cereals, and what I went for, a “The British Breakfast” AKA a Full English breakfast.
I of course honored the English tradition of tea with my breakfast whilst BoardingArea blogger Kevin from Economy Class & Beyond lives in England and drinks “moar coffee!”
British Breakfast was great, featuring a soft poached egg, grilled mushroom and tomato, bacon, sausage, and baked beans. All served with my favorite thing in the whole wide world, bread on a plate!
I had a glass of orange juice, and later a glass of champagne 🙂 . While I was eating my shirt was returned pressed, and as I finished breakfast Lorna, the lovely girl at the clubhouse spa called my name for my treatment.
With admittance you may choose one of the three complimentary express treatments, facial, manicure, or foot treatment. It wasn’t very busy, and if I had more time, I wonder if they would have given me more complimentary treatments, but I did have a friend to meet in London. I chose the facial for a few reasons, I have never had a facial treatment before, and I knew the photo of me getting one would be hilarious.
Lorna was lovely and used a variety of Bumble & Bumble and Dr. Hauschka products on my handsome face. There were plenty of products for sale as well. I didn’t get to check out the showers, however that was an option as well, there were separate toilet rooms (restrooms) that I did get a chance to use, which contained Cowshed soaps and lotions.
All and all this was a very pleasant experience and nice to get to use a lounge on arrival (unlike other Skyteam lounges that you have to have an onward connecting flight to use). For the business traveler looking to nourish and freshen up before a day of work, this is a perfect service. For the leisure traveler, I think most will want to get over to London and enjoy the sights rather than stay longer at the airport. But, you could maybe just “pop in” for a quick bite and then be on your way and take the express train into town! – Noah Mark
PS – Check out Noah Mark’s other guest posts on the blog HERE!
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I’ve used the Revivals Lounge MANY times, and no they won’t give you additional complimentary spa treatments if they’re not busy.
We have experienced the Revivals Lounge several times over this past year since DL began code-sharing with VS. We LOVE it. You did not comment on the showers, but they are wonderful too. Between this VS Revivals lounge (for arrivals), and famous VS The Clubhouse (departure lounge), VS knows how to do lounges, at least in London. DL should study and learn for their main hubs.
DL advertises that it too now has an arrivals lounge in T 3 at LHR, where you can shower, get your shirt pressed, and have breakfast, but have not yet experienced it. If anyone has used this DL arrivals lounge in T 3, please report back to us. Thanks.
I have used the DL arrives a lounge at T3. It is decent. Good showers, cooked to order breakfast. Basically just as good as the VS Revivals lounge minus the spa.
The showers are excellent! I can, and often do, spend 20 minutes under the shower in there. The volume of water is fantastic! Plus, they still use Cowshed stuff in the showers, which are good. You also get access by being Gold with Virgin Atlantic, but guests are not allowed (Understandable, given its size)
There’s a priority pass Arrivals lounge downstairs. Go try this for comparison. Whilst there’s nothing wrong with it per se, it’s a world away from the Virgin Lounge
Based on some of the comments here I dont think any of you have been in a good club. The Heathrow Arrivals lounge is nothing special. Neither are the showers. In fact they were the worst I have seen in a long time and I was there in May. AMEX Centurion Club has a much nicer bathroom and club, same goes for British Airways etc. I am flying Upper Class this week again. The plane from Miami really stinks considering it is a flagship route. I flew that same plane 15 yrs ago? The crummy video screens and beds that face into the aisle? Its not a great product but it is available. I assume Virgin has some better equipment out of other cities, but MIA is a flagship route and American just upgraded their 777W which are better than Virgin in Business class. In fact the good Virgin lounge is the departure Lounge at Heathrow. If I have time this week I will check it out. Arrivals is a big letdown.