RailUK First Class Lounge Guide

[manxqueenies]

I felt like being cheeky and test the Virgin policy and try out BHM lounge - ALR had run out so booked a 1st class virgin anytime BHM to Birmingham international single, less than a pound more than cheapest ticket.

For this I got a sour faced but accepting welcome at BHM - free internet and soft drinks. snacks restricted and managed. A few leaving were asked to empty their bags of freebies they'd taken - v embarrassing for them.

But limited selection ok - also access to BHI to kill time when waiting for flight - great value ticket - I can only wonder how long before minimum spend applied.

That said I think I'll need to do this every time I'm in Birmingham, if only to wind up the sour faced host there !

 

[bengolding]

I felt like being cheeky and test the Virgin policy and try out BHM lounge - ALR had run out so booked a 1st class virgin anytime BHM to Birmingham international single, less than a pound more than cheapest ticket.

For this I got a sour faced but accepting welcome at BHM - free internet and soft drinks. snacks restricted and managed. A few leaving were asked to empty their bags of freebies they'd taken - v embarrassing for them.

But limited selection ok - also access to BHI to kill time when waiting for flight - great value ticket - I can only wonder how long before minimum spend applied.

That said I think I'll need to do this every time I'm in Birmingham, if only to wind up the sour faced host there !

I'm glad to hear the dragons are still prevalent at the Birmingham lounge. Some of them really should not be in a customer facing role unlike their friendly colleagues at the Euston lounge. IIRC, the New St lounge had an awful selection of 'snacks'. Anyone caught red handed taking more than their fair share away must be rather desperate!

 

[boyaloud]

I thing FGW lounge in Paddington ,is the best on the network ,this is a menu I found today ,if anyone is itrested...

PS I was allowed in with my Advance Virgin Trains ticket EUS-MAN ...

PPS I ve got some pics from VT lounges in Euston ,Manchester ,New Street , International,should I upload them?

This is brilliant I have had a good nosey at that lounge whilst visiting Paddington just to be a historic tourist and it looked amazing! I too have a EUS_MAN 1st class advance for next week so I am going to try it too! Thanks - really excited! Have tried getting in KGX before with a STP 1st class advance ticket and been denied.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
By the way anyone else make full use of St. Pancras lounge's semi-hidden free bottles of wine?! I had a few glasses after very cheap advance journeys back in the summer thanks to EMT's free £10 vouchers.

 

[Deerfold]

I too have a EUS_MAN 1st class advance for next week so I am going to try it too! Thanks - really excited! Have tried getting in KGX before with a STP 1st class advance ticket and been denied.

You can't use any advance tickets at KGX without paying a supplement anyway.

 

[Butts]

I felt like being cheeky and test the Virgin policy and try out BHM lounge - ALR had run out so booked a 1st class virgin anytime BHM to Birmingham international single, less than a pound more than cheapest ticket.

For this I got a sour faced but accepting welcome at BHM - free internet and soft drinks. snacks restricted and managed. A few leaving were asked to empty their bags of freebies they'd taken - v embarrassing for them.

But limited selection ok - also access to BHI to kill time when waiting for flight - great value ticket - I can only wonder how long before minimum spend applied.

That said I think I'll need to do this every time I'm in Birmingham, if only to wind up the sour faced host there !

You should have been better off in the BHI Lounge as from my experience the staff just flit in and out of there in "the servery" where they wash the cups up and then restock the supplies.

What sort of quantity/products were being "lifted" from the Birmingham Lounge

 

[Bungle73]

You can't use any advance tickets at KGX without paying a supplement anyway.

Or being in possession of a FC Lounge Pass (don't let them take it off you).

 

[Brucey]

The Euston lounge had no problems with me popping in to grab a coffee and banana to take away at eat on the tube. I'd just arrived from Glasgow, at about 22:20 and was rather drunk (five bottles of lager, port and two vodka miniatures consumed on the journey down thanks to some really lovely and chatty First Class hosts). After a quick "make myself look sober", I asked the dragon (who was anything but a dragon) if I could pop in to grab a coffee and a snack to eat on my journey. She asked if I was on the sleeper, so I told her I'd just arrived from Glasgow and was gasping for a caffeine fix. Made myself a coffee, grabbed some fruit, popped to the loo and removed it from the lounge with no problem and she wished me a good onward journey.

Very different experience to the service I (and others) have had in Birmingham.

 

[Deerfold]

Or being in possession of a FC Lounge Pass (don't let them take it off you).

There is that.

I think most of the staff at Kings Cross recognise me now.

Off to try Wakefield on Thursday.

 

[bengolding]

For the past few months, I've always been granted entry every week into the Paddington lounge using a First ticket for the Heathrow Express, which I suppose could also be used on their service, changing at Hayes for the Connect.

The staff glance at the ticket, only looking for the magic 1st in the top left corner. Always nice to get a glass of quality wine on a Fri eve and the same at BA First lounge in T5. The original seating area at Paddington is lovely, much more pleasant than the chaos at the Euston lounge.

FGW could do with a 1st lounge at Reading. Then again, XC could benefit from a dedicated 1st lounge at New St, given they run far more services than Virgin.

 

[bb21]

Off to try Wakefield on Thursday.

It's one of the hidden gems I find.

Basic but comfy, with a tele and nice coffee. I rarely see anyone using it in the evening so secluded too. You have to ask at the desk next door to be let in.

 

[ThdrMntgmy]

Being at both the Euston and Manchester Lounges. I prefer the Manchester one certainly, it is relaxed, provides nice views, has fast internet and the porridge on a morning is sublime. Everything that Euston isn't.

 

[Deerfold]

It's one of the hidden gems I find.

Basic but comfy, with a tele and nice coffee. I rarely see anyone using it in the evening so secluded too. You have to ask at the desk next door to be let in.

Was an interesting experience.

Popped my head round the door and asked if I could be let in. Had my pass carefully inspected but then cheerfully let in.

Small room, telly off, rather limited range of goodies compared to London (I don't usually drink hot drinks). 7 seats. Just me.

Still, better than hanging around outside in the dark for another half an hour for my bus.

Won't be inventing reasons to go to Wakefield but will use it if I'm there again.

 

[Cheds]

Euston first class lounge will close for refurb on or about January 17th for about six weeks for a refurb. I'm in their now and the member of staff says she is excited by the new sofas...

Might explain while the coffee machine is bust and replaced by instant instead of being repaired!

 

[boyaloud]

Well, last week I got into Paddington's first class lounge fine on my EUS-MAN ticket! My friend also got in on the reservation portion - he was going home by Megabus! ABsolutely astounded by the niceness of the lounge, gutted only discovered the amazing historic side just before leaving. The victoria sponge was divine!

 

[Deerfold]

Well, last week I got into Paddington's first class lounge fine on my EUS-MAN ticket! My friend also got in on the reservation portion - he was going home by Megabus! ABsolutely astounded by the niceness of the lounge, gutted only discovered the amazing historic side just before leaving. The victoria sponge was divine!

Was that an advance ticket? If not, a London Terminals - Manchester ticket is valid from Paddington to Manchester via Oxford.

 

[Butts]

Anyone got the "heads up" on The Virgin Liverpool Lounge ?

Butts will be arriving in Liverpool on NYD for the football - is it worth popping in ?

 

[boyaloud]

Was that an advance ticket? If not, a London Terminals - Manchester ticket is valid from Paddington to Manchester via Oxford.

It was an advance!

 

[bb21]

Anyone got the "heads up" on The Virgin Liverpool Lounge ?

Butts will be arriving in Liverpool on NYD for the football - is it worth popping in ?

Depends on what you're after. A secluded room to catch up on some work then fine. If you are after a good selection of food and drinks, forget it. Get yourself to the Stoke or Crewe lounge if you can in that case.

In short, don't have high expectations - you may be disappointed.

 

[Butts]

Depends on what you're after. A secluded room to catch up on some work then fine. If you are after a good selection of food and drinks, forget it. Get yourself to the Stoke or Crewe lounge if you can in that case.

In short, don't have high expectations - you may be disappointed.

Thanks, I'm on an advanced from Stafford (no Lounge ) so Stoke or Crewe are not an option unfortunately.

 

[ramitamimi]

Received an email from VT today:


We're getting our Euston First Class lounge into better shape in the new year. Improvements include:
• Brand new interior with more seating
• Improved Wi-Fi
• A new business area where you can get connected for work or play
• A larger selection of food and drink - all for free
Sadly this means that our Euston lounge will be closed for 6 weeks from 1 February 2014. During this time please pop by the First Class desk outside the lounge where we'll give you a little something for the inconvenience.
We're also giving you a voucher for a free alcoholic drink when you return to the new lounge once it has opened.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused but we're sure you'll be happy with the results.
Virgin Trains

 

[Ministry Man]

Received an email from VT today:


We're getting our Euston First Class lounge into better shape in the new year. Improvements include:
• Brand new interior with more seating
• Improved Wi-Fi
• A new business area where you can get connected for work or play
• A larger selection of food and drink - all for free
Sadly this means that our Euston lounge will be closed for 6 weeks from 1 February 2014. During this time please pop by the First Class desk outside the lounge where we'll give you a little something for the inconvenience.
We're also giving you a voucher for a free alcoholic drink when you return to the new lounge once it has opened.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused but we're sure you'll be happy with the results.
Virgin Trains

Got the same one myself.

It must be the most refurbished lounge in the land, but it does get some hammer and is a poor design - they got it wrong last time.

Didn't they provide refreshments out of the pub next door last time?

 

[leightonbd]

Received an email from VT today:


We're getting our Euston First Class lounge into better shape in the new year. Improvements include:
• Brand new interior with more seating
• Improved Wi-Fi
• A new business area where you can get connected for work or play
• A larger selection of food and drink - all for free
Sadly this means that our Euston lounge will be closed for 6 weeks from 1 February 2014. During this time please pop by the First Class desk outside the lounge where we'll give you a little something for the inconvenience.
We're also giving you a voucher for a free alcoholic drink when you return to the new lounge once it has opened.
Sorry for the inconvenience caused but we're sure you'll be happy with the results.
Virgin Trains

Any idea where that leaves sleeper passengers looking for a shower?

 

[Mojo]

It must be the most refurbished lounge in the land, but it does get some hammer and is a poor design - they got it wrong last time.

When I used the lounge before catching the sleeper in August 2010 I thought it looked a bit shabby. The last time I used the lounge was August this year and again I found it to be in an even worse state than before. It just had a real tacky and worn out feel to it rather than some class or elegance.

As you say though; it is regularly very busy and it must be hard to keep the place looking fresh. Whatever happened to the old First Class coffee lounge, or whatever it was called, by the ticket office?

 

[MidnightFlyer]

It was a 'coffee lounge' IIRC, and lasted about 18 months before becoming a Sainsbury's.

 

[Butts]

I visited the Liverpool Lounge yesterday en-route from Stafford to Anfield. It is located in the middle of a platform which is really weird.

"Auto-Entry" jobbie - ie press buzzer and hope someone answers. Once inside there was a member of staff present.

Reasonable selection of hot and cold drinks, crisps and biscuits. I can recommend the "Banana and Butterscotch" biscuits - heavenly

One strange thing they had the "fun size" cans of pop whereas at the BHI one it was proper sized cans.

The Lounge is quite small and I imagine it could be crowded on weekdays.

 

[Deerfold]

I've been using the lounge at Kings Cross a bit recently (thanks to EC's recent sale on lounge passes). It now closes earlier - 2125 Mon-Fri and 2015 at weekends.

These didn't get updated but are still as above.


[Wakefield...]

Was an interesting experience.

Popped my head round the door and asked if I could be let in. Had my pass carefully inspected but then cheerfully let in.

Small room, telly off, rather limited range of goodies compared to London (I don't usually drink hot drinks). 7 seats. Just me.

Still, better than hanging around outside in the dark for another half an hour for my bus.

Won't be inventing reasons to go to Wakefield but will use it if I'm there again.

Hadn't realised I'd only just caught the old lounge at Wakefield by a few weeks.

Had cause to change trains there yesterday so tried out the new lounge (as part of the rebuild ofthe entire station building). It's about twice the size of the old one but still only has about 6 seats. They have a hot drinks machine and a water dispenser but no cans or bottles as KGX has.

I was rather surprised that no-one seemed to need to see my pass - I just wandered in as did a chap 5 minutes later so far as I could tell.

I'll try and get a pic soon.

 

[bb21]

Didn't realise that there is a new one being built with all the station works.

Is there a tele in there? If so, I imagine they just ported everything from the old lounge?

 

[Deerfold]

Didn't realise that there is a new one being built with all the station works.

Is there a tele in there? If so, I imagine they just ported everything from the old lounge?

Looks much like the stuff from the old lounge except the seats are a different colour - though they look to be the same style so may just have been re-covered.

 

[boyaloud]

These didn't get updated but are still as above.


[Wakefield...]

Hadn't realised I'd only just caught the old lounge at Wakefield by a few weeks.

Had cause to change trains there yesterday so tried out the new lounge (as part of the rebuild ofthe entire station building). It's about twice the size of the old one but still only has about 6 seats. They have a hot drinks machine and a water dispenser but no cans or bottles as KGX has.

I was rather surprised that no-one seemed to need to see my pass - I just wandered in as did a chap 5 minutes later so far as I could tell.

I'll try and get a pic soon.

Couldn't believe how tiny it was! I was in there ages + no-one came to check! bb21, there's a brand new state-of-the-art Smart HD 3D TV! Had a really good play with it but unfortately all the channels were pixellated! Went back later in day when I returned to station, was in about 10 minutes + member of staff then came in + checked mine + other 2 people's tickets! But seems you pretty much can just walk in!

 

[bb21]

A bit like Donny then. I have been there a number of times and only had my ticket checked once.