GeezerCouple

Yeah, those stupid enclosed booths! What is with those?

The CCR is very comfy and clubby, and NOT "modern with hard edged furniture" (e.g., the arm rests are actually upholstered still!).
But those modern booths are both uncomfortable and unappealing. What's wrong with some nice tables with comfortable *chairs* so one can position one's self as preferred. (Yes, yes, picky, picky, but for some of us, the fixed "average" or perhaps "average/large" positioning just does not work well.

But the rest of the CCR is wonderful, very peaceful.
(There is a so-called outdoor section, but that means "outside the CCR"; it's still inside, and that furniture is very uncomfortable. It's also not particularly pleasant "out" there.)

GC

1010101

From T5 the Concorde Room is still your best bet. It's not the best lounge in the world but it's perfectly adequate for a few hours, although 7 might be pushing it. I would camp out on the terrace (its still indoors, despite the name) and watch the aircraft come and go.

If you want to eat and don't mind paying, I would consider some of the restaurant options in the terminal. The CCR restaurant can be very hit and miss.

KARFA

Have you been since they refurbished the terrace last year? I would agree before it wasn't great, but now it's quite nice the way it's furnished and arranged. I have used the "Moroccan booths" are particularly good for larger groups and I have even used them myself a few times - before I rarely went on the terrace.

Just to add for the benefit of the OP you do not have to use the dining booths for eating. You can sit anywhere and order food wherever you are in the lounge.

GeezerCouple

When did they refurbish? (That would be nice, if it's better than when we were there...)

Let's see... we've flown LF this year (and we do not find the chairs there comfy; see comment above about hard-edges, modern, etc.; if just doesn't even look especially appealing).

We were in CCR in March, 2018. Was that before or after?

GC

KARFA

It was over a year ago. Here is what it looks like now.

https://londonairtravel.com/2017/11/...concorde-room/
https://www.turningleftforless.com/b...row-t5-review/

What did you find unpleasant about the terrace out of interest?

GeezerCouple

Perhaps we didn't give it enough time/tries. We didn't notice the areas with the curtained walls. Do keep in mind we were very jet-lagged and sleepy, when we first arrived. We headed straight to the double wicker-type day loungers, as that's what we tend to love on our favorite cruise ship :-)
But they were horribly uncomfortable, from the back angle, to the hard "cushioning". At first I thought it was 'just me". After not being able to get to a comfortable position, I casually asked DH, "Are you comfortable here?", and the fast response was, "NO - this isn't good!".
So we just headed back inside, where we had been before, pleasantly drinking morning Mimosas...

We did find the food in the dining area quite good, even though we didn't care for the decor/seating.

But thus far, other than CX in Hong Kong, we prefer CCR as a "place to wait". We like the "clubby", upholstered look/feel.
(Oh, DH likes the "real bed/bedroom" in Lufthansa's FCL in FRA. He was out like a light!)

Bottom line, is ALL of these F lounges make a huge difference in "time spent in airports".
We've changed to allowing extra time when possible for connections (even arriving at airport), as we are seriously into "stress reduction", so we usually have plenty of time to spend, and a nice place makes a great difference!

We feel very fortunate at this stage in our lives!

GC

darthlemsip

Agree with KARFA on the 'Moroccan booths' - but don't take the one at the far end, there's a fan there on the wall nearest you that flaps around incessantly and makes it hard to have a conversation, let alone do any work

clubman

I'm confused. You said you were flying out of T5 so what do you mean by going between T3 and T5?

SWISSBOBBY

If it is work you are wanting to get done... then go to the CCR and use the "Boardroom" with the old Concorde seats as boardroom chairs round the table.

StaceyGold

BertieBadger

Welcome to FlyerTalk StaceyGold, and no doubt one of the friendly ambassadors will be along shortly with the formal greeting.

As far as I know, the "stay on the transit" approach still works, where when you return to A it will deposit you into the arrivals stream at which point you can do immigration etc. Which avoids needing a HAL escort.

However, I would concur that this is a lot of hassle, I believe it will mess up your "Ready to Fly" marker in T5 which will need manual intervention to reset and let you back into T5 airside and so on. I would certainly agree it's not worth it.

dsteveman

It's rare that I have a long connection at heathrow (let alone flying in First with BA), so I thought I'd check out some other OW Lounges at T3.

quakered

The CCR may not be the best lounge the in World but I think it is the best in Heathrow (although I have not tried them all!). It is certainly better than the "First" lounge in T5 which is in reality just a frequent flyer area and can get crowded and noisy. I have always found the CCR to be an oasis of calm with good service and like to booths for eating. Nice and private. If they tried to get all the current tables into an open area, I suspect it would be as crowded as a McDonalds. I have read many comments here that the Cathay First lounge in T3 is better than the CCR. I was there for the first time a couple of weeks ago. All smart and clean but not a patch on the CCR in my opinion - and the good lady agrees with me!

dsteveman

Yeah not worth it at all. Will just stick to CCR. Seems to be the best option and worth checking out at least once.

dsteveman

Thanks for this response! My goal while at LHR next week is to be as productive as possible and get some work done. As long as it's relatively quiet with plenty of spaces it should be fine.

I was planning on heading to the Cathay First Lounge at T3 but looks like it won't be possible as I depart from T5. I have heard great things, though.