Caledonian Sleeper opens a lounge at Euston station

Caledonian Sleeper, the overnight train service between Euston and Scotland, has opened a new lounge at Euston.

Located by Platform 1, it is open to both arriving and departing Caledonian Sleeper guests. You need to have booked a Caledonian Double or Club Room.

According to the website here, the lounge features:

• Complimentary hot drinks & selection of soft drinks
• Complimentary sweet & savoury snacks
• Food & alcoholic drink menu available (for purchase)
• Shower facilities
• Toilet facilities
• Arran Sense of Scotland toiletries in showers & toilets
• Complimentary towels for showers
• Plug sockets for charging laptops and mobile devices

When it comes to the paid-for food, it says:

In addition to our range of complimentary drinks and snacks we offer a tailored menu including Scottish classics such as Haggis, Neeps & Tatties as well as a selection of Scottish whiskies for purchase. Vegan, vegetarian, dairy free and gluten free dining options available.

The opening hours are from 6.30am to 10.30am and from 6pm to 11pm. The early opening time in the evening should be beneficial for anyone taking a late train and needing somewhere to spend time after leaving their office or hotel.

James Villas closes down

James Villas, one of the longest established UK villa rental companies, is closing.

The company is not bankrupt, but the fact that it is being wound down by its parent company rather than sold implies that the situation is not good.

Existing bookings which would be completed by 30th November will go ahead. All bookings which were due to complete from 1st December onwards will be cancelled and money refunded.

It seems a little strange not to keep the company open with a skeleton staff to manage out existing bookings for 2024, but it seems that the owners want a clean break as quickly as possible.

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How to get FREE airport lounge access via UK credit cards (December 2023)

Here are the four options to get FREE airport lounge access via a UK credit card.

The Platinum Card from American Express comes with two free Priority Pass cards, one for you and one for a supplementary cardholder. Each card admits two so a family of four gets in free. You get access to all 1,300 lounges in the Priority Pass network – search it here.

You also get access to Plaza Premium, Delta Air Lines and Eurostar lounges.  Our American Express Platinum review is here. You can apply here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 9th January 2024, you will receive a huge 100,000 Membership Rewards points (convertible to 100,000 Avios) with The Platinum Card. You receive 75,000 points if you spend £10,000 in six months and a further 25,000 points if you hold the card for 15 months. You can apply here.

If you have a small business, consider American Express Business Platinum instead.

American Express Preferred Rewards Gold is FREE for the first year. It comes with a Priority Pass card loaded with four free visits to any Priority Pass lounge – see the list here.

Additional lounge visits are charged at £24.  You get four more free visits for every year you keep the card.  

There is no annual fee for Amex Gold in Year 1 and you get a 20,000 points sign-up bonus.  Full details are in our American Express Preferred Rewards Gold review here.

SPECIAL OFFER: Until 9th January 2024, you will receive 30,000 Membership Rewards points (convertible to 30,000 Avios) with American Express Preferred Rewards Gold. You receive 25,000 points if you spend £3,000 in three months and a further 5,000 points if you hold the card for 15 months. You can apply here.

HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard gets you get a free LoungeKey card, allowing you access to the LoungeKey network.  Guests are charged at £24 although it may be cheaper to pay £60 for a supplementary credit card for your partner.

The card has a fee of £195 and there are strict financial requirements to become a HSBC Premier customer.  Full details are in my HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard review.

PS. You can find all of HfP’s UK airport lounge reviews – and we’ve been to most of them – indexed here.