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eWalk-Through: Virgin Atlantic Airways’s Heathrow Clubhouse

Unveiled by the airline in March 2006, the $15 million business class lounge at London’s Heathrow airport may make some passengers yearn for a flight delay.

Adele Pham -- Interior Design, 8/1/2006 7:13:00 AM

An enjoyable airport experience is almost unheard of. But then, not every jetsetter’s seen Virgin Atlantic Airways’s $15 million business class lounge at London’s Heathrow airport. Unveiled by the airline in March 2006, the lounge is a modish oasis that’s so enjoyable—it may just trump your travel destination. The 25,000-square-foot “Clubhouse,” as dubbed by Virgin, was designed by London architecture firm Softroom and the Virgin Atlantic design team, who previously collaborated on the award-winning Upper Class Suite onboard its aircraft.

Oliver Salway, director of Softroom, explains, “The intention throughout was to create a place that’s truly original, and a haven away from the apparent chaos of the airport. The Clubhouse was also conceived as a flowing landscape, where passengers can explore a whole range of spaces and atmospheres.” The lounge is therefore arranged as a series of “vistas” that encourage passengers to thoroughly savor their pre-boarding, as well as post-flight, respite.

Travelers begin their descent into the Clubhouse down the marble steps of the Grand Stair, passing beneath a massive ring-shaped skylight hovering above a lustrous black granite plinth. At the bottom of the staircase, passengers are greeted by staff in a lobby florid with richly upholstered seats and an ornate wall covering. Beyond the lobby is the Piazza, an elevated section that overlooks the entire 25,000-square-foot expanse. From this position, guests can choose which “landmarks” to visit next.

How’s the dining? The Clubhouse offers various options that range from lunch to dinner before takeoff, to an assortment of fresh produce on the deli’s white marble counter for the snacking type. The design team was attentive to what types of seating to use for these areas. Mid-century modern Harry Bertoia stools, for instance, hug the counter. For the sit-down dining experience, the brasserie, with its cream limestone mosaic tiled floor, sports raspberry-velour lined booths. Above head, carved-out ceiling planes are mirrored in the layout of the floor, with concealed cove lighting that changes color and luminosity to fit the mood of the Clubhouse at different hours of the day.

Of course, no clubhouse is complete without a cocktail bar. Located at the heart of the facility, this Clubhouse’s bar is a 46-foot-long backlit marble counter, with black granite base, that beckons passengers to perch and sip drinks in style. Within the bar zone, custom carved black walnut forms seating enclaves, encasing cozy leather couches; armrests within these booths conveniently flip open to reveal power strips for laptops and PDAs. (Wireless internet is also available throughout the Clubhouse.) At one edge of the lounge, a languorously flowing waterfall trickles down into a mosaic-tiled pond. Eero Aarnio’s Bubble chairs are suspended from the ceiling, creating a fun poolside vibe.

Behind the waterfall lie the spa and “ groom pods.” Here, four private grooming bays offer several relaxing treatments such as facials, shoulder massages, manicures, or wet shaves. There’s even a St. Tropez spray-tan booth for a healthy pre-travel glow. The spa houses six steam-shower rooms, a sauna, and a circular hydrapool.

Just another perk of the Clubhouse’s is the screening room. The room’s projection system can simultaneously cast multiple channels or be configured as a single screen. Two rows of leather and velvet chaise-longues feature individual listening posts. The entertainment carries over into the den, where a pool table and retro arcade style video games await the game enthusiast.

Facing outward and toward the west, the observation lounge affords travelers a spectacular view of planes taking off the runway, as well as a resplendent sunset. Traveler, be wary: The Clubhouse’s lasting impressions may just have you wishing for a flight delay.