Virgin’s Heathrow Clubhouse has always been one of the best business class lounges in the world, in my opinion. It is light-years away from BA’s basic Club lounge at T5. There’s a choice of the formal restaurant or the deli for food, with table service also available throughout the lounge. A wide range of cocktails is available to order, as well as Laurent Perrier Brut champagne and Palmer rosé champagne.
Virgin announced a huge raft of improvements last July, and one of the projects was a multi-million-pound investment into the refurbishment of both the London Heathrow and New York JFK Clubhouses, updating the look and feel of both flagship spaces.
Rather than a total shutdown, the lounge is being refreshed section by section, ensuring guests can still enjoy the space while the upgrades take place. The upgrades started in January, and there are already a number of new improvements open.
The most significant change, albeit currently a trial, is the re-introduction of a spa. I have said multiple times that Virgin should have a paid spa at breakeven prices if they don’t want to give free treatments. Finally, they have listened, and the Secret Spa is here for at least a couple of months.
My good friend @katieinlondon visited the lounge today for the first time and was highly impressed.
You can choose to arrive via the Upper Class Wing, where your taxi/Uber/chauffeur can drop you directly outside the check-in area. You can still have a Virgin chauffeur, which is operated by Addison Lee who have various types of cars, albeit at an extra charge. In Katie’s case, the driver gave her surname and destination at the intercom to the entrance, and by the time she got out of the car, they had a boarding pass and bag tags waiting!
She also commented that the staff regularly checked if she needed anything in the lounge, and when she ordered from the bar, the barman offered to help her carry her drink to her table and help with her bags. I have always found that Virgin’s staff go above and beyond with their service, so it is good to see this is still the standard.
The main part of the lounge still looks the same, with the deli, long bar, and hanging chairs.
In this post:
The Virgin Atlantic Heathrow Clubhouse Refurbishment
Here’s a breakdown of what’s changing, what’s gone, and what’s coming soon.
Focus on Productivity and Privacy
One of the most significant shifts in the redesign is a move toward functional, private spaces. Virgin has recognized that today’s traveler often needs a quiet corner to hop on a call or finish a project. Previously, it felt that the lounge was fantastic for leisure travellers, but lacked more business-focused facilities.
-
-
Work Pods: Two new soundproof booths with closing doors have been installed near the big screen area, perfect for undisturbed work.
-
-
The VIP Room: The small glass-doored room in the same section is currently being remodeled into a dedicated VIP space, mirroring a similar (albeit rarely seen) feature in the JFK Clubhouse.
-
Solo Seating: In the “Gallery”—the popular window-side section behind the bar—the layout is being optimized. Large tables for four, often occupied by solo travelers, are being replaced with more efficient seating designed for one or two people.
Aesthetic and Comfort Upgrades
-
The Loft/Den: Fans of a quiet atmosphere will be pleased to hear that the “annoying” long game table (which previously replaced the pool table) has been removed. This has restored a sense of peace to the upper level.
-
The TV Area: The big screen area has been treated to fresh carpeting, and the iconic fireplace area has seen its seating completely reupholstered. Beyond the new carpet, this section features updated furniture to modernise the viewing experience.
The Secret Spa
In a move to boost the lounge’s wellness credentials, Virgin Atlantic has partnered with Secret Spa UK. Virgin also recently introduced relaxation pods, which you can read about in this article.
This temporary residency brings a menu of express treatments to the Clubhouse, including:
-
Massages
-
Facials
-
Nail Treatments
The products used are Oskia and OPI Nails.
Here is the full treatment menu with current prices:
This service is available until 30 April 2026. However, apparently, if it is a success, they plan to make this a permanent feature. Feedback from passengers so far has been very poisitive so it looks good for the long term. Treatments are subject to availability and are bookable on arrival at the Clubhouse for guests traveling in Upper Class.
Katie was impressed with her facial and thought the prices were reasonable. She was able to book a facial easily when she arrived at the lounge. At the moment booking in advance is not available.
Would you use the new Clubhouse Secret Spa? Let us know in the comments below.
