AIRPORT LOUNGE
By Molly Dyson
Qantas London Lounge, Heathrow Terminal 3
QANTAS OPENED ITS NEW LONDON HEATHROW LOUNGE in November 2017 ahead of its launch of the direct London-Perth service (see left). Passengers in Qantas or Emirates First and international Business, as well as certain Qantas, Emirates and Oneworld frequent flyer members, can use it. There are no designated areas for business class passengers (they can sit anywhere they please once inside). It is open daily from 0800 to 2100 hrs.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS: The lounge is airside, just beyond the shops as you make your way to the gates, and was designed by Woods Bagot. It has a chic facade, with sleek wood panelling and soft lighting. Staff at the two reception desks were
professional and attentive, and another staff member welcomed me to explain the layout of the space. FOOD AND DRINK: I arrived at around 0900; the breakfast buffet had already been set up offering a selection of hot and cold food. An a la carte brunch menu is available from 0930 and on this day included three options: poached egg on toast with bubble and squeak; ricotta hotcakes with bacon, herb mascarpone and roast tomato; and soft poached
egg with salmon, soba and raw zucchini noodles. Preferring a traditional full English, I helped myself at the buffet. The ground level is occupied by a spacious dining room and a gin cocktail bar, where a la carte menus are served throughout the day. For breakfast, there is a small continental buffet of cereals, pastries and juices.
On ascending the elegant staircase, I found several seating areas, ranging from comfortable leather-clad chesterfields near the centrepiece bar to semi-private booths closer to the hot buffet. The round bar, with its marble countertop and brass chandelier, looked like something more akin to a five-star hotel than an airport lounge. Even at
SERVICED APARTMENT
0900 hours, I would have been able to order a glass of sparkling wine – or any other alcoholic drink I fancied. FACILITIES: After breakfast I made good use of the hotel-quality shower facilities (complete with complimentary Aspar toiletries), then camped out on one of the chesterfields to watch the aircraft outside and caught a glimpse of the morning news on one of the large flat-screen televisions while I waited for my gate to be announced. VERDICT: Qantas has created a space where passengers can almost forget they’re in an airport terminal unless they look out of the window. It’s comfortable, quiet and you could easily spend hours relaxing there.
By Bob Papworth
Cuckooz, Aldgate East, London
36a Commercial Road, Whitechapel, London E1 1LN • Tel: +44 (0)20 7481 8507 •
cuckooz.co.uk
SERVICED APARTMENT COMPANY CUCKOOZ is the brainchild of two intrepid travellers, Charlie Rosier and Fabienne O’Neill, who set out to imbue the serviced apartment experience with a “boutique” feel. Their apartments are in, or close to, the City of London. At the time of writing, Highbury & Islington will soon be added to the portfolio, joining properties in Hoxton, King’s Cross, Aldgate East and Shoreditch as well as the Square Mile.
APARTMENTS: The Aldgate East apartments, just a short stroll – maybe 200 metres – from Aldgate East underground station (District and Hammersmith & City lines), have the advantage of being directly above Cuckooz’s head office, so no problem with picking up keys. There is a selection of one- and two-bedroomed apartments along with a penthouse with a “garden room” and sun terrace. Our two-bedroomed deluxe duplex consisted of a huge open-plan kitchen/living/dining area. Both bedrooms had en-suite bathrooms (stocked with Bamford toiletries) and a substantial balcony. There is also a small, self-contained study. Wifi – and Netflix – come as standard. The kitchen was well- equipped, with supplies of tea, coffee and milk. The downside? The second bedroom lacked any kind of place to hang clothes, despite there being enough space for a wardrobe. EATING IN/OUT: For those determined to fend for themselves, there are convenience stores and a Tesco Metro close by. For lazier
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types, there is a plethora of takeaway establishments catering to the feed-me-quick brigade. Aldgate East also has plenty of traditional pubs serving food. For Michelin-starred dining, head into the West End or the City, both easily accessible on the tube. LEISURE: Cuckooz produces excellent in-depth “what’s on” guides to the local areas. Who knew there were so many galleries – let alone a crazy golf venue – in Aldgate East? For those with too much “bleisure” time on their hands, Cuckooz also provides bicycles on request. VERDICT: Rosier and O’Neill have come up with a serviced apartment product that combines the functional with the funky. They have recognised there is a market for city slickers who want the ability to work, possibly late into the night, but who also want to enjoy a home-from-home environment – possibly even later into the night. Their offering is excellent and bleisure doesn’t come any better than this.
BBT May/June 2018 143
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