- Introduction: The Long Way Between LA And London
- Review: Finnair Business Class A350 New York To Helsinki
- Review: Holiday Inn Helsinki Airport
- Review: Almost@Home Lounge Helsinki Airport
- Review: Finnair Premium Lounge Helsinki Airport
- Review: Finnair Business Class A340 Helsinki To London
- Review: Hilton London Heathrow Hotel
- Review: Air India Lounge London Heathrow
- Review: Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Airport Terminal 4
- Review: Air India First Class 777 London To Delhi
- Review: Air India’s AMAZING First Class Ground Experience In Delhi
- Review: Air India Lounge Delhi Airport
- Review: Air India First Class 777 Delhi To San Francisco
Before arriving at the airport I had taken a look at which Priority Pass lounges are available in Terminal 4, and noticed there was a fairly new Plaza Premium Lounge, which seems to be well regarded. Since this lounge was right across the hallway from the Air India Lounge, I figured I’d check it out. The lounge is open daily from 5AM until 10:30PM.
Again, the Plaza Premium Lounge is located in Terminal 4 across from gate 6, in the same area as the Air India and Qatar Airways Lounges.
Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow entrance
At the end of the hallway you take the elevator up a level, where the Plaza Premium Lounge is located.
Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow stairs
Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow entrance
The entryway was chic, and seemed to match the decor I’ve found at most other Plaza Premium Lounges. I presented the agent with my Priority Pass card, and after a signature was welcomed into the lounge. As a reminder, there are several premium cards with lounge access, such as:
- The Citi Prestige® Card comes with a Priority Pass Select membership, and you can take two guests or immediate family members for free
- The Platinum Card® from American Express and The Business Platinum Card® from American Express also come with a Priority Pass Select membership, and you can take two guests for free (Enrollment required)
Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow reception
Across from the reception desk was a rack with magazines and newspapers.
Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow entrance
Then across from the reception desk were some PCs with stools.
Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow business center
I was really impressed by the Plaza Premium Lounge. Really, really impressed. I thought the decor was gorgeous, and blew away the Air India Lounge.
As you entered the lounge there were some communal tables across from the buffet.
Plaza Premium Lounge London Terminal 4
Plaza Premium Lounge seating Heathrow Terminal 4
My favorite was the square communal table closest to the wall, which even had a tree growing from it.
Plaza Premium Lounge seating London Terminal 4
Plaza Premium Lounge seating London Terminal 4
Past that was a dining area with several tables, mostly for four people each.
Plaza Premium Lounge seating London Terminal 4
At the far end of the lounge was a long and narrow section with yet another style of decor, which was equally beautiful.
Plaza Premium Lounge seating Heathrow Terminal 4
Plaza Premium Lounge seating Heathrow Terminal 4
Plaza Premium Lounge seating Heathrow Terminal 4
In the back corner of the lounge was even more seating, including an awesome area full of comfortable “cubicles.”
Plaza Premium Lounge seating Heathrow Terminal 4
Plaza Premium Lounge seating Heathrow Terminal 4
I love this type of seating style, as it lets you relax with a bit of privacy, something which is otherwise often non-existent at airports.
Plaza Premium Lounge seating Heathrow Terminal 4
It’s also worth pointing out that all of the outlets in the lounge were international, so you didn’t even need a converter if you’re trying to charge a 110v device.
Plaza Premium Lounge international outlets Heathrow Terminal 4
In terms of the breakfast spread, it started with a juice station.
Plaza Premium Lounge juice Heathrow Terminal 4
Next to that was an espresso machine as well as a canister with chai tea (yum!).
Plaza Premium Lounge espresso machine Heathrow Terminal 4
Then there was a fridge with all kinds of soft drinks.
Plaza Premium Lounge drink selection Heathrow Terminal 4
And then there was the actual buffet, which featured an extensive spread.
Plaza Premium Lounge breakfast buffet Heathrow Terminal 4
There were muffins, croissants, danishes, rolls, and crackers.
Plaza Premium Lounge breakfast buffet Heathrow Terminal 4
Then there was a selection of fruit, cheese, cold cuts, etc.
Plaza Premium Lounge breakfast buffet Heathrow Terminal 4
And then there was a hot selection, consisting of hard boiled eggs, scrambled eggs, baked beans, baked tomato with cheese, hash browns, poha, chicken sausage, stir fried vegetable noodles, and roasted mushrooms.
Plaza Premium Lounge breakfast buffet Heathrow Terminal 4
Then at the far end of the buffet were a few types of cereal.
Plaza Premium Lounge breakfast buffet Heathrow Terminal 4
The servers working the lounge were extremely friendly, and as I was looking at the buffet one informed me that I could order custom made eggs, if I wanted an omelet or something else.
On the opposite end of the lounge of the reception desk were the bathrooms and showers. While I didn’t have a chance to peek at the showers, the bathrooms were nice.
Plaza Premium Lounge hallway to bathrooms
Plaza Premium Lounge bathrooms
Plaza Premium Lounge bathrooms
Bottom line
While I only spent about 30 minutes in the Plaza Premium Lounge, I was extremely impressed. This was probably my favorite Plaza Premium Lounge I’ve visited, and also one of my favorite contract lounges ever. Unless you’re really into lukewarm Indian food, it beat the Air India Lounge across the hallway in every way.
I’d say this lounge was even competitive with some of the better lounges in Terminal 4.
The fact that the lounge was completely empty further contributed to my favorable impression of it, I’m guessing.
Have you ever used a Plaza Premium Lounge, and if so, what was your experience like?
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who feels that way about 'chai tea'. Calling it that is redundant. Learn the lingo before using the words, non-Indian chai lovers!
Btw Lucky, the food you have shown in this lounge is very different from the food in the AI lounge. Not much of the food here needs to be served hot - fruits, breads, juices. However, the food in the AI lounge is...
I'm glad to see I'm not the only one who feels that way about 'chai tea'. Calling it that is redundant. Learn the lingo before using the words, non-Indian chai lovers!
Btw Lucky, the food you have shown in this lounge is very different from the food in the AI lounge. Not much of the food here needs to be served hot - fruits, breads, juices. However, the food in the AI lounge is totally different. It's more difficult to keep individual items (eg samosas) hot vs one large item in a dish (eg lasagne). Also samosas etc don't necessarily have to be eaten piping hot. They are equally tasty when eaten at room temperature. Please educate yourself on a culture before judging and spreading stereotypes based on the narrow spectrum of what you are familiar and comfortable with. It will give your blog more credibility.
If traveling on Etihad who depart out of T4, would you recommend the Plaza Premium lounge over the Etihad lounge?
Going to have a 5 hour layover in T4 in June. Should I visit this lounge or the SkyTeam lounge?
Chai tea - always sounds funny to Indians, coz it literally means tea tea ... can't blame you since that is what a lot of non-Indians call it as...
Another one - interesting that you noted "poha" - a very Indian food (beaten rice)...
FYI, chai means tea. Hence Aaron's comment about "tea tea."
What you're referring to is called "Masala chai" or "Masala tea"
http://www.eater.com/2015/6/15/8774231/why-you-should-never-use-the-phrase-chai-tea
Well looks at par with AI lounge. Nothing to write home about. Not sure why you are impressed with this one over AI lounge.
Is it possible to go between terminals without having to go via security. For example if I want to visit terminal 3 lounges but I am traveling out of terminal 5. I ask because next month my son will be traveling back to US on AA on terminal 3 and I will be traveling on BA from terminal 5. His flight departs 2 hours before mine so I wanted to visit terminal 3 lounges with him
Lucky-
The showers there are beautiful as well. And the turnover is extremely fast. Took the tube to the airport from central London with a large(ish) suitcase this past August when it was extremely hot and humid outside so I was due a good shower when I arrived. A few minutes after I was done my wife went in for one and she received the same room as me completely cleaned, put back in order, and dried etc.
Have you done a post comparing/ranking priority pass eligible lounges? Wondering where this would rank and what others are decent?
I recently visited the JAL lounge in Honolulu (which I remember you reviewing favorably) and agreed that it was quite decent for a US lounge... admittedly that's setting the bar low.
Looks like there are few people who are on this blog just to make a negative comment on all the aspects of your Air India flight.
I appreciate it was early but what was the alcohol situation? - I only ask because in the PP Lounge in T2 it is a staffed bar and no self pour - I understood that T4 PP also had a separate bar area?
"Next to that was an espresso machine as well as a canister with chai tea (yum!)."
Yum indeed! I love tea tea. Tea is my favorite type of tea.
All kidding aside, looks like a really great lounge, Plaza Premium or otherwise.
Shame you had wasted time in the Air India lounge.
There's not one person in there! Talk about VIP access...
The square tables with the tree looks nicked from the CX Wing business lounge! (And they replaced the bamboo with a tree)