A common misconception prevails that you need to fly business class to be able to escape the masses and chill out in an airport’s executive lounge.
In fact, many airports have what are called in the travel industry “common use lounges” - civilised spaces you can retreat to regardless of which airline you are flying with and on what type of ticket.
You need to pay to enter these lounges, of course, and the going rate is about £16 to £20 (about R180 to R250) per person. That may sound like a lot. However, access to a lounge usually includes unlimited (within reason) drinks and snacks, newspapers and magazines to browse, and internet access.
The cost of all that in the main departure lounge could easily come to £10 a head - and chances are you’ll end up spending more on stuff you don’t really need in the shops.
The better pay-to-enter lounges are really quite stylish these days. For example, No1 Traveller’s award-winning, split-level lounge in Gatwick’s South terminal is decked out with modern chandeliers and has expansive views of the runway through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Earlier this summer the company opened a second, larger lounge in the North terminal, complete with business centre, a snug mini-cinema and an indoor garden area - basically a wall of foliage next to wrought-iron tables and chairs.
Also on offer is a games room with a pool table (unfortunately under repair when I visited), board games such as Scrabble and Snakes and Ladders to keep the children amused and a spa where, for an extra fee, you can have a quick massage, your feet nibbled by garra rufa fish (they like dead skin), a haircut or shave.
You help yourself to food and drink in most lounges. But in No1 Traveller’s Gatwick lounges, drinks from the bar and a hot dish from a short breakfast or daytime menu are served to you.
I was there at a quiet lunchtime and my food came quickly, though my eggs Florentine was mediocre.
The No1 Traveller lounges do also offer help-yourself spreads, which include cereals, yogurt and fruit at breakfast, and salads, biscuits and cakes at other times of the day.
Before paying to use a lounge on your next trip, bear in mind the following general points:
lSome lounges are child-free. For example, Servisair’s Ashdown lounge in Gatwick South does not admit children under 12.
lDrinks - hot, soft, and alcoholic - are usually free, though expect to pay extra for champagne.
lFree food usually includes croissants, cereal and fruit for breakfast, and fruit, pastries, biscuits and sometimes (but not always) sandwiches at other times of the day.
lInternet access is usually, but not always, free - check before booking.
lUse of a lounge is normally for three hours. To stay longer, you usually have to pay extra. However, if your flight is delayed, staff may take pity on you, as long as the lounge isn’t too busy.
lSmart casual dress is expected in lounges. Decent-looking knee-length shorts should be fine, but football gear is probably a no-no.
lYou can pay at the door of most lounges - worth considering, particularly if your flight is delayed. However, you may have to pay more than if you pre-book - it’s £5 extra per adult with No1 Traveller, for example. Also, at busy times such as early in the morning, there’s a chance the lounge will be full and you won’t be able to get in. - Mail on Sunday