I was thinking about some of the recent threads which talked about membersip to The Presidents Club & RCC etc. I thought it might be useful if I started a thread listing the 'VIP' lounges I know of, which will accept payment (cash or credit-card)on entry:

Abu Dhabi: Airport Hotel Lounge (Dhs46/US$12.80).
Amsterdam: Ogden Executive Lounge (NLG35).
Baltimore: Friendship Centre (US$10).
Bangkok: Louis Tavern-CIP Lounge (Bht 450).
Barbados: Club Caribbead (Bds35.50/US$18).
Berlin: Hugo-Jenkers Lounge (DM25).
Berlin: Otto-Lilienthal Loung (DM25).
Berlin: Melli-Beese Lounge (DM25).
Bucharest: Salon Dacia (US$15).
Colombo: Lotus Lounge (US$12).
Dar-es-Salaam: Tanzanite Lounge (US$15).
Entebee: Karibuni Lounge (US$15).
Faro: Airport Authority Lounge (Pte 3100.50).
Faro: Tap/Navigator (Pte 2000).
Frankfurt: Europe City Club (DM25).
Hamburg: Hanseatic Lounge (DM30).
Istanbul: Havas CIP Lounge (US$12.50).
Johannesburg: Capricorn Club (R35).
Larnaca: VIP Lounge (CYP11).
Porto: Airport Lounge (Pte 2580).
Washington: Friendship Center (US$10).
Zagreb: Business Lounge (DM15).

I hope that may be of some use. Please forgive me if the prices (or availability) is no longer up to date. I have had to scour my expence claims for the last few years to find the rates, so they may have gone up.

If anyone wants to use any of these, please feel free to drop me an e-mail and I will try and remember where the are located and what the facilities were like. some were not so good!
Nick

Nicely done, thanks, Mr. Merry.

Hay KatW, just Merry if you don't mind.
Nick

Hay is for horses...

Thanks for the listing on the VIP lounges.

My Priority Pass has a similar charge for entry if you take the lower price membership.
(it's 21 dollars per visit... PhilForest my friend please correct me if I"m wrong.)

So I figure with the 21 dollars I can:

*Do some internet work
*Make calls to my office
*Have whatever they are serving.
*Use the chair to doze.
*Enjoy a Sam Adams or soemthing stronger at the beverage service (or more, depending on how many "Last minute things" I'm told to do or take care of!" CATMAN

Bab's: I think it is time you had a good prune!
MF

Oops -- OK, Merry. No hay, no prunes. Not sure why but I'm reminded of Wallace Stephen's poem "The Emperor of Ice Cream."

[This message has been edited by KatW (edited 01-27-99).]

And to go really OMNI (or off the rails), here is the poem!


The Emperor of Ice-Cream

Call the roller of big cigars,
The muscular one, and bid him whip
In kitchen cups concupiscent curds.
Let the wenches dawdle in such dress
As they are used to wear, and let the boys
Bring flowers in last month's newspapers.
Let be be finale of seem.
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.

Take from the dresser of deal,
Lacking the three glass knobs, that sheet
On which she embroidered fantails once
And spread it so as to cover her face.
If her horny feet protrude, they come
To show how cold she is, and dumb.
Let the lamp affix its beam
The only emperor is the emperor of ice-cream.


- Wallace Stevens

Sounds eminently suitable for Merry.

- now be a good lad and go back to your party! (Caligula, emperor you are...)

I think there's one in MIA, but I am not sure--anyone who lives there know?

Bab's: "I used to love you, but now you are just mean" attribute that !

jamiel, I don't think you all are thinking about the same Caligula. There's one of "those" in Houston, too.

Many times companies have deals for clubs too. Our company provides RCC access to all our employees for $100 / year.

Phil

Much too expensive, unless you have a lot of time on your hands. Only useful in a delay and in that situation the lounges are packed anyway. Better off elsewhere.

I've stayed out of this lounge converstaion for some time because I have VERY strong feelings about this.

IMHO, I would REFUSE to fly as much as I do without an RCC membership. From checking in, to changing flights, to better odds on upgrades, to a comfortable chair to sit and/or sleep in, to free local calls, to snacks, to stuffing my pockets with peanuts, to a sane atmosphere to work in, there is no better place than an RCC.

Delays the only time to use em? Hah!!! How about: after taking a bump, after trying and failing to catch an earlier flight, while waiting for a connection, for formal and informal business meetings/discussions at the airport, for waiting for a 6pm flight after Hilton kicks you out at 2pm, for making and changing future flight arrangements on the phone, etc, etc. This is why, even without free drinks, and though they are cramped at rush hour, I will continue my RCC membership at the outrageous prices they charge.

Hey, Phil, you're a great employer to offer the memberships for $100!!!!!