Off-topic:

Not to sidetrack from the CH thread, but the LHR Ren loungewise really puts to shame some of the main London city hotels in terms of its lounge offerings. Brekkie is equally good. And it's certainly less expensive than the city properties. I've often stayed here night before early morning departure, or a few times when I've been in London for 12 days & trip was on my dime, so I sandwiched in the LHR Ren btwn in-city stays to help keep costs down. The downside is the rooms are small & tired, but the lounge is great in terms of food offerings (w/ fabulous views of the airport & planes) & it's close to both LHR & the tube for getting into the city. I did a detailed trip report (w/ pics) on the property in this forum.

On-topic:

It doesn't sound like the CH lounge is any great shakes, so I'm probably not going to stay there in the future (especially if the lounge is closed). My first few trips to London I stayed at CH because it was near to conferences I attended, plus had the view. But I've been to London enough I've seen the view, and CH charges a lot for it.

Cheers.