Why you should avoid the Amex Platinum / The Hospital Club pop-up lounge in Covent Garden

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• Fred says:

  25 Nov25 November 23:47

  I think your review is petty, vindictive and wrong.
  I was there early in the afternoon and would estimate about 200 people would fit in standing, with around 70 seated.

  The lounge wasn’t a piss up spot for HFP readers, and it’s a shame you portrayed it this way.

  For someone who is supposedly good friends and knows all about Amex, this will hopefully help destroy your relationship with them. What will you do with out the constrsnt stream of referrals?

  • Polly says:

    26 Nov26 November 06:08

    Fred,
    That is very negative petty and vindictive of you also. Don’t think Rob was advocating quite what you had in mind. Remember we card holders were actually invited by Amex. It was just a suggestion that if any of us were planning to go, it would have been actually quite nice to have met up with some other HFPs. A simple nice suggestion. The 1000s descending was a quick tongue in cheek remark, humorous at best!
    The amount of money Amex makes from his referrals spend is huge, so l don’t think Amex will hold this review against him!

• IslandDweller says:

  26 Nov26 November 07:44

  Fred. I, along with many other readers here, got a direct email invitation from amex. It implied I would be welcome at any time over the weekend and be offered snacks and drink. That proved illusory as the overcrowding on Friday was so bad we couldn’t get in. Nothing petty or vindictive in reporting that.

• Rob MC says:

  26 Nov26 November 09:19

  Do they swipe your amex card to prove it is still active? Mrs MC has an active card however has left it at her parents.

• Neil Spellings says:

  26 Nov26 November 09:39

  Visited the lounge yesterday with my family around 5pm. Had no problems getting in but there was not enough places to sit (which is exactly what you need after trekking around the shops)

  We ended up sitting in the family area (although we did have a child, so technically wasn’t breaking any rules) however soon found out that no food was being sent in our direction. We either had to intercept the staff as they brought it out, or pick at the crisps and snacks that were available near the bar. Despite assurances from several members of staff they would more evenly distribute the food, we didn’t really see any for the two hours it was being served.

  Despite the failings, we did have a good time, a few drinks and snacks, and had fun taking and printing pics (including a photobomb message for Amex to send us some food)

• LeeW says:

  26 Nov26 November 17:43

  A couple of points (forgive the pun) – I have a Platinum Amex, and I live in London, but didn’t receive any kind of invitation to the lounge – does anyone have any idea why? Was it limited to ‘types’ of Platinum???

  I only found out about it because I’m a member at The Hospital Club and so saw the pop-up lounge as I was entering the club one day.

  Yesterday, I thought I’d pop-in with a couple of friends. We queued (at 5.30) for about 5 minutes and were then let in. The place was full, but not rammed, and we had to stand at the bar which I didn’t mind. There was plenty to drink at the bar (wine, spirits and beer) and occasionally some cocktails were passed around on trays.

  I didn’t see any canapés, but there were bowls of crisps and chips.

  The atmosphere was lovely and the staff (I suspect agency/actor/models) were terrific. AMEX have done a beautiful job in the lounge – I just wish I knew why I wasn’t invited!

  The atmosphere

  • Alan says:

    26 Nov26 November 18:51

    Invite was to all card members, in the Vista email they send round. You may have just deleted or not have marketing preferences set to receive it…

• Anthony says:

  27 Nov27 November 07:09

  We were at the lounge on Sunday morning. The children made snow globes (we were not pre-booked but they found us a space). There were nice cakes on offer and around midday a few sandwiches came out. The staff were very friendly and attentive. We all had a good time – it was a nice pre Christmas experience.

• Omar says:

  27 Nov27 November 09:32

  I went in on Sunday around 1:30 pm, no queuing. Just waited for someone to take is just before. Staff were very friendly and helpful. Me and the missus found a couple of seat, seemed like a mix of families, couples and groups of friends. Very chilled out relaxed atmosphere. Sandwiches, wraps, cakes and bowls of snack were available. Sparkling wine was flowing freely till 3, beer and spirits, as well as soft drinks were also available.
  Didnt sign up for the fragrance making session around 2pm, was fully booked but due to a couple of no shows they did manage to accommodate us. Was a fun experience and everyone was very chatty. The highlight was a mother who had her 5 year old bring her a glass of sparkling wine to the table then go back to her Dad, great parenting skills, haha.

• D f says:

  1 Dec1 December 16:51

  We’re here now. Friday at 5. Crowd is light and staff is friendly and helpful. Has the atmosphere of a small private party. I imagine that since it’s early the crowd will grow.

  • paul says:

    2 Dec2 December 20:51

    shame that cant keep it for a for a few more weekends !

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