I’m back at Heathrow, chilling in one of British Airways’ lounges in Terminal 5. By writing about Terminal 5 right now, I’m not keeping with the chronology of my trip. There’s lots more that I did that I haven’t told you about but the thing is, I’m not blogging every day. To blog every day feels a bit too much like work and not vacation! So, I’ve still got lots to tell you about but if we’re to jump ahead to real time, here I am, at Heathrow, getting ready to go home. We’ll get back to my adventure shortly and I’ll tell you all about the other places I visited.
But for now, here I am in Heathrow and it’s a little overwhelming … in a good way! Once you get through check-in and security (both were pretty quick and easy), you’ll find yourself airside (post-security) in the terminal and that’s where the real fun begins. Landside (pre-security) has some shops and the trendy restaurant Carluccio’s where I ate the last time I was here. The pasta is fresh and delicious and though I passed on dessert (in a rare moment of willpower!) the menu was tempting.
If you’ve been following my adventure, you know that the last time I was here, I was too rushed to really check out the shops. This time, I’ve had plenty of time and the lure of Harrods was simply too strong to resist! Walking out with a fab new Marc Jacobs bag and some teas and biscuits for friends back home did the trick to sate the ravenous shopping bug.
The shops are plentiful – Gucci, Dior, Prada, Tiffany & Co, Coach, Bulgari. There’s a Harrods, of course, one on the upper level of the terminal, with clothing, bags, sunglasses, etc. The lower level location is small but has souvenirs and a mini food hall, perfect for picking up last minute gifts to take home.
British Airways’ lounges here are something to be seen. Unlike most airport lounges, these rooms are designed to the hilt. They’re spacious and the exclusively designed furniture is upholstered in Osborne & Little fabrics. Walls of floor-to-ceiling windows flood the lounges with natural light and are perfect for planespotting.
I’ve got to go check on my flight’s status so that’s all for now. Toodles.
brian from nodebtworldtravel.com
August 2, 2009 at 11:59 am (15 years ago)Those lounges look fantastic, like right out of a showroom or trendy magazine.
Is this the first class/frequent flyer lounge or the lounges for everyone? I would imagine this is for the first class crowd. Hope I am wrong.
Ed F London
August 13, 2009 at 2:17 pm (15 years ago)Like you, I was impressed with Heathrow 5 – at first, anyway. Unlike you, I’ve not yet been privy to the privilege of the BA clubs.
Landside, as we would call it, is amazing. A large, open space. And check-in really is the easiest.
However, once through security, which, too, has been quick each time I’ve used it, the entry area airside is shallow and cramped, and, unless I’m missing something, one is required to walk either all the way left or all the way right to be channelled through the shops on the way to the lower level going to the lower level being required for all, or to take fairly small lift down a level.
Yes, you’ve certainly named a number of high-end shops to go with your BA lounge access, but, for the most part, Heathrow has the same shops as the other terminals, esp. T-3. What’s all the fuss? And unless/until they announce your gate, you’re doomed to roam a shopping area with limited, non-gate seating.
Overall, a great first impression followed by a big let-down.