United Club Review: London LHR

It’s no coincidence that this is named the Queen’s terminal. These two lounges ( United Club and United Global First) will make you feel like royalty. The United Club London LHR is incredible, ’nuff said. From the moment you step off the elevators you soon forget that you’re flying with a legacy carrier that has a reputation for less than lackluster lounges. This one, part of a $50 million worldwide revamp, narrows the gap between it and the luxurious European outfits like Lufthansa and the Asian airline lounges known for over the top luxury.

United Club London has exceeded expectations!

Get ready!

The Deets

• When: June 2015
• Where: Terminal 2, The Queen’s Terminal
• Who can access: United Business First, Global First, and Star Alliance Gold ( Traveling in any class)

Terminal 2 will ultimately be home to all Star Alliance flights arriving and departing Heathrow. This one specifically incorporates the open air concept United is applying to it’s growing lounges worldwide: 50 clubs, and 8 global first. It’s 22000 sq feet in total, when you include the global first section, and features floor to ceiling windows, 2 buffets, a beautiful bar, seating for 280 people, a tv lounge, and the absolutely stunning shower suites.

 

The hot food and buffet are located immediately to your left after checking in. There is ample seating throughout lounge, and quite a few tables have menus sitting atop them. After eating a 3 course meal in the Global First lounge, this Monkey only needed a drink!

 

There are a few bars with self serve stations located throughout the lounge.

 

Last but not least, the incredible Shower Suites!!!!

Who doesn’t love a rolled towel?

And toiletry kits!

 

There are a total of 8 shower suites. They truly are stunning, inviting, and luxurious.

There isn’t really any reason to compare them to the showers in the Virgin Clubhouse SFO that I saw in the start of the trip because they’re just in a different league. Traditional and Rain Shower options along with gorgeous stone and marble handiwork just make you feel as if you’re in a 5 star hotel, not an airline lounge. Certainly not a legacy carrier like United. There is another benefit that my guess is overlooked and underused, but the ability to have a valet iron and steam your clothes. Very helpful if you’re planning on traveling in pajamas on the plane, changing into a suit or business attire in the arrivals lounge, and having a freshly ironed outfit to put on.

 

Overall:

Because I was traveling in Global First, I had the opportunity to enjoy both sides of this massive lounge combo. I have to say, while the Global First lounge was certainly more serene, had a la carte food service, higher end booze, and an overall posher vibe, I think I preferred the anonymity a lounge of this size provides you.  It’s large and beautiful with ample food and beverage choices and seeing as though the Shower Suites are located over here, I’d poke your head into the Global First, if you have access, and then spend some time enjoying the United Club. But then again, I prefer the grand, large feel of a Grand Hyatt to that of the simple elegance of a Park Hyatt. To each their own, and both have outstanding options here at Terminal 2.

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This was part of the England 2015 Wedding trip!

• American Airlines economy LAX to SFO using Avios points
• Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse: San Francisco SFO
• Virgin Atlantic Upper Class – SFO to LHR 
• Grosvenor House JW Marriott with 45000 Marriott Rewards
• Conrad London St James with Hilton Gold benefits
• United Club London LHR
• United Global First Class Lounge London LHR
• United Global First LHR to LAX