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New T5 Heathrow No 1 Lounge details revealed
There is good news for anyone who has lost their BA status and wants to use a third-party lounge. The Aspire Lounge at T5 has always been a bit too small for demand and has recently been in need of a refresh. The good news is that a new lounge will be reopening next year under the No 1 brand, bringing more space, greater comfort and a redesign inspired by a British country home.
The new No1 Lounge will replace the existing Club Aspire Lounge, which will close on 2nd November 2026 for a major refurbishment and expansion.
The lounge’s footprint will increase by 28%, from 435sq m (4,680sq ft) to 557sq m (5,995sq ft).
The expansion won’t totally solve the lack of capacity, as the seating will increase only modestly from 139 to 152 seats. However, the lounge has always felt quite cramped, and I think this is a good decision as guests will benefit from approximately 16% more space per person. The expanded lounge will also feature a wider variety of seating, including significantly more dedicated space for solo travellers and power access at 95% of seats.
We now have some renderings of what the lounge is expected to look like. The images look very elegant.
Sharon Jevans, Managing Director of No1 Lounges, said: “Terminal 5 is one of the most important aviation gateways in the world, and this investment reflects both the demand we’re seeing today and our ambitions for the future.”
“Travellers increasingly view lounge access as an essential part of their journey rather than an occasional luxury. Our new flagship lounge will provide more space, greater comfort and an elevated experience that showcases the very best of the No1 Lounges brand.”
From The Lounge and The Library, offering a quiet seating area, to The Pantry, an all-day food and drink area, each space will have its own character. At the heart of the lounge, The Orangery will feature a bar beneath a mature tree, with full-height glazing overlooking the airport apron. This sounds similar to the new Jersey lounge, which has been very well received for its similar design.
The Greenhouse will run the length of the lounge, bringing greenery and natural light into the space. Herringbone timber floors, slatted timber ceilings, arched openings, antique brass detailing and generous planting will bring the design together.
The new No1 Lounge at Heathrow Terminal 5 is now on sale, and you can already book your place in the new lounge when it opens in early Spring 2027. I suspect it will be very popular, so if you fancy trying it, I’d book well in advance.
If you have an existing booking for the Aspire Lounge during the closure period, you’ll be offered the choice of a lounge credit or a free cancellation with a full refund.
IHG 23% off autumn sale
IHG One Rewards members can save 23% off the best flexible rate in the IHG app with the Book Early and Save rate.
There’s a minimum of 3 days’ advance booking with the Book Early and Save rate. The bad news is that a non-refundable deposit is required at the time of booking, and you can’t cancel or change the booking. You need to book by 30 September 2026.
The discount is available at participating IHG®-branded hotels in Europe, India, South Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, with stays available until 21 June 2027.
If you don’t use the app you can still get 19% off the participating hotel’s public Best Flexible Rate using the Book Early and Save rate. You must be an IHG Rewards member to qualify for the discount.
There are plenty of luxury hotel brands included: InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Ruby Hotels, Regent Hotels, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, Garner Hotels, Vignette Collection, Hotel Indigo, voco, Holiday Inn, Holiday Inn- the niu, Holiday Inn Express, Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, and Candlewood Suites hotels located in Europe, India, The Middle East and Africa.
You can find the offer page here.
New sleeping option at Doha airport
Having a long overnight connection at Doha airport can prove a bit of an issue if you don’t want to use the lounge sleeping areas or risk not getting a space in the lounge to have a nap in the dedicated area. Although there’s an airside hotel, it can be very expensive. You can read my review here.
Now there is an extra sleeping option available. Global airport experience specialist Airport Dimensions has just opened a brand-new Sleepover space at Hamad International Airport, marking the third space at the airport.
Located airside, in the North Node near Gate C41, the new opening represents Sleepover’s third space at Hamad International Airport and the second within the North Node, building directly on the strong performance of the existing South Node and North Node locations. This new space offers the largest sleeping occupancy of all three, bringing total Sleepover capacity in Doha to more than 160 guests.
The new North Node space introduces an enhanced Nap Pod experience, designed to provide greater comfort, privacy and relaxation for travelers in transit. The pods are a bit like a business class suite with a fully flat bed. It also features upgraded cabin types, including new Family Cabins with stacked double beds accommodating up to four guests for longer rest periods.
Sleepover is open to all travelers at Hamad International Airport, regardless of airline or ticket class. Access is available to Priority Pass members, the world’s leading airport lounge and travel experiences program, as well as LoungeKey cardholders. Travelers can also purchase entry online via airport-sleepover.com or at Sleepover on the day, subject to availability.
Andrew Van Eeden, Managing Director, EMEA at Airport Dimensions, said: “What we’re seeing globally − and certainly very clearly at Hamad International Airport – is growing demand for high-quality rest solutions that help travelers make better use of their time in transit.
“Hamad International Airport has been an outstanding partner in helping us reimagine what airport hospitality can look like, with a shared focus on creating exceptional passenger experiences and responding to the evolving needs of today’s travelers.
“The performance of our first two Sleepover locations here has demonstrated strong demand for spaces that enable genuine recovery between flights, not improvised or makeshift solutions. By addressing the need for short-term rest in transit, Sleepover complements the airport’s wider hospitality offering while giving travelers greater choice throughout their journey.
“This third opening allows us to scale a product that is already proven in this environment. As the site of our eighth location globally, Doha reinforces the role of sleep stations as an increasingly important part of the modern airport experience.”
