If you’re flying out of London Heathrow in Etihad’s First or Business Class you’ll be whisked to the airport in a chauffeur-driven car, then as soon as you’ve checked-in, you’ll be able to relax in their lounge at Terminal 4. The lounge was reopened after some renovations in December 2014 to coincide with the launch of Etihad’s A380 services from Heathrow, and is located at gate 10, near the SkyTeam lounge.
It’s a shared lounge, so there is no special area for First Class passengers, but the lounge is spacious with plenty of seating and a very elegant interior based on the lounge in Abu Dhabi Terminal 3. The lounge is kept spotlessly clean and is divided into areas for eating, drinking, relaxing and working, giving it a feel of privacy and exclusivity.
Facilities
The lounge is equipped with a TV area, a bar and dining area, a business centre, a soundproof children’s play area and a Six Sense Spa. Once you’ve parked yourself in one of the comfy lounge chairs, you don’t even have to leave your seat to order a drink, as there are members of staff on hand to bring you a glass of Lanson champagne and a food menu.
Best of all as a First or Business Class passenger you are able to enjoy a complimentary 15 minute treatment in the Six Senses Spa as long as you book 20 minutes in advance. Treatment options include foot, back or hand massages, facials and specialist treatments such as Reiki or Realignment- perfect to relieve some tension and rest your legs before the flight. Before receiving your treatment you are asked to declare any health issues, then you are taken to a cosy treatment room for a spot of pampering.
Design
The First and Business Class lounge looks like a high-end, boutique hotel, with some very luxurious bathrooms decorated with hand-crafted mosaics. The main focal point of the lounge is a large bookshelf-type area near the restaurant and bar, which is filled with ornaments and art work from the Middle East.
Dining
If you’re feeling peckish and short on time there’s a well-stocked buffet with various fresh salads, finger sandwiches, wraps, tarts, desserts and cheeses. There’s also an a la carte menu with various made-to-order options, which varies according to the time of day. As an example, hot options might include sea bass, potato gnocchi and lamb kebab at dinner time, or eggs benedict if you’re flying in the morning. The dining area has a variety of seating, including orange bar stools and elegant black dining tables, which can seat two or four people.
Location
The lounge is located right opposite the boarding gate at Gate 10, so you can spend as much time as possible in the lounge before your flight. There are no boarding calls in the lounge, instead there are departure boards displaying flight information and staff members personally update each passenger when it’s time to board. From the lounge it’s just a short walk to the aircraft.
Business Facilities
The stylish business area is equipped with Apple Mac computers and there’s free Wi-Fi access throughout the lounge so you can use your laptop, iPad or phone to connect to the Internet.
Conclusion
Staff in this lounge are very attentive and the interior is classy and well-maintained, with the highlight being the complimentary Six Senses spa treatment.
PLEASE LEAVE YOUR REVIEW...