Next week I will be running a full review of the Plaza Premium lounge in the new Terminal 2 at Heathrow. I was lucky enough to be given a private tour last week.
I was told at the time that they were in negotiations with Priority Pass which were due to be completed very soon.
I saw yesterday that Plaza Premium is now showing on the Priority Pass website. More impressively, for American Express Preferred Rewards Gold cardholders, it is showing on the Lounge Club website as well. (Amex Gold cardholders get free entry to 2 Lounge Club lounges per year.)
(This is particularly valuable, as the other Priority Pass option – United Club, out in the 2B satellite, is NOT a Lounge Club member.)
While you wait for my review, there are some photos of Plaza Premium in this HFP article. It is particularly convenient for Virgin Little Red and Aer Lingus customers without lounge access as those flights should almost always depart from the main building.
For one off visits, you can buy passes in advance via the Plaza Premium website.
About Head for Points
Had the wonderful experience of this new (Queens’ Terminal) Plazas Prem lounge this past week. Relaxing mood lighting, great food and very different from the LHR lounge alternatives (Air Canada Maple Leaf or new United Club.). Was granted access as a Star Alliance Gold member. Curious, you write that AMEX Gold is now posting this lounge. Would it work for AMEX Platinum too? (or is Platinum taken care of w Priority Pass? PPass was not yet available when I came through on 9/12).
Priority Pass is now accepted, as is the Lounge Club card that Amex Gold members get.
This post got me looking at the PP website where I noticed we can also now access the T4 Skyteam lounge..hadn’t seen that before.
Thanks Neil, v useful to know… Very restricted before unless you had an invite at check in….
I visited for about 1hour on Sunday 31st and paid £25 through a Loungebuddy app deal. To be honest I was not all that impressed, but I am comparing it to most of my lounge trips which are the BA lounges at T5. Decor and ambiance is the major bonus. But the lounge is a lot smaller than I thought it would be, when all the airlines have moved to T2 this place will be packed! The rate included two small glasses of beer or wine, anything more was an additional charge. I noticed that almost all the fridges behind the bar were empty, so maybe beverage offerings will improve. I had mixed feelings about the food, it was generally good but did not meet my expectations after reading the PR releases. Hot food was a chicken curry (very nice) , noodles, Spanish chorizo potato dish and some vegetables I think. A couple of soups and some noodle/rice pot for Asian influences. Salad bar was disappointing and other starter stuff forgettable. I expected fresh artisan breads like the website or PR release stated, but a small number of solid stale rolls were the only offering. Lots of flies on the salads and puddings put me off. For some reason there were no metal knifes, so bendy plastic ones were provided. Wifi was only working in the limited central seating area adjacent to the food area, something they acknowledged and said they were looking to get fixed. Magazine and paper selection were ok. I may try it again when it is more established and they have resolved the teething problems, but only if my employer is paying, I would not spend my own money (especially when heathrow rewards gets you decent wifi and the restaurant selection looks excellent in T2a) .
Yes, I also had bendy knives and also failed to get the Wi-Fi to work when sitting in the area where the computers are.
It certainly isn’t small though. Did you go through the (unmarked) door next to the loo? This is where the bedrooms, shower rooms and the snazzy spa are to be found.
If anything, it would (without the Priority Pass deal) have got quieter over time. At the moment it is covering for Turkish and SAS as the Lufthansa lounge is not yet open. Those airlines will depart as soon as the LH facility is available. There were never more than 10 people in it the whole time I was there.
But more of my thoughts later in the week ….
Had the chance to experience the Plaza Premium lounge this morning, circa 5.20am. I was among only 4 others in there at the time, and food was still being put out. Very nice ambiance, with background music and a slight oriental feel. A few nice cubby hole type places for added privacy if needed. 3 PCs for use. Serviced bar which stacked your main brands spirits and liquors.
Breakfast was a little odd and very very cluttered. Hot selection was porridge, baked beans, sausages and boiled eggs (shell on) which is kinda weird…
Not much in the way of bread, but some rolls are present, some mini finger sandwiches, croissants and muffins. Fresh juice is apple or orange, and they supply the smallest glasses ive ever seen to drink from!!
Didn’t test the wifi as my 4G was working fine.
All in all a nice lounge, although it could be a different scenario at busier times. But I like the lounge and its feel!
Next Monday I will try the AC lounge and report back!
Oops, ignore the AC lounge part, this is for another forum.