Concorde Room British Airways Heathrow Review

The Concorde Room is British Airway’s most luxurious lounge. Having used it a few times, it’s a perfect space for relaxing before a flight, away from the hustle and bustle of Heathrow Terminal 5. It’s probably not the best First Class / Business Class lounge we’ve been to, cue Cathay Pacific, Qatar Airways, and Virgin Atlantic Club House, it is still a good option.

One of the highlights of the Concorde Room is its excellent wine, drink, and champagne selection. The options are great, making it a delightful experience for those who appreciate a good beverage. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, some of the extra perks, such as the Elemis Spa and Cabana Rooms, have unfortunately remained closed. The staff informed me that these facilities won’t be reopening anytime soon, which is a bit disappointing.

The Concorde Room could use an update, especially when it comes to the toilets, which seem stuck in the early 2000s. Nevertheless, the lounge’s spacious layout, an ample seating options, and comfortable areas for dining, drinking, and working still manage to exude a sense of luxury, setting it apart from the other BA lounges at the airport.

In this review:

• Locating the Lounge
• Scores
  • Reception
  • Comfort
  • People Traffic
  • Food Options
  • Beverage Options
  • Toilets & Showers
  • Wi-Fi, Charging & Productivity
  • Little Extras
• BG1 Verdict

Locating the lounge

There are two ways to reach the Concorde Room: either through the First Wing, where you walk through the First Lounge, or via a small door after Fast Track Security in the South Terminal. On this occasion, we opted for the First Wing route, which took us about 15 minutes from drop-off until we were indulging in a delightful glass of Laurent Pierre Grande Siecle champagne.

Reception

Upon presenting our boarding passes, the staff welcomed us back with genuine warmth, making us feel valued as returning guests. They engaged us in friendly chit-chat, and we fondly recalled that during our visit a year ago, they hinted at an exciting replacement for the Elemis Spa, keeping it under wraps as a surprise. However, it’s now been 1.5 years, and unfortunately, the new space remains closed without further updates and it’s not coming back. The Cabana rooms were also unavailable.

Comfort

The Concorde Room is a comfortable space. With ample seating options and a serene atmosphere, it’s the perfect place to unwind before your flight. The lounge offers various areas to suit your preferences, including a small working area at the back, a delightful dining section, a relaxing terrace, and an inviting bar where you can enjoy your favourite drink. If you prefer to get some shut-eye, you can also try the Forty Winks sleeping pods.

People traffic

For the few times we’ve been there, it’s generally a quiet lounge, and you rarely have to wait for anything. It’s open to First class tickets holders or very frequent travellers (Gold Guest List – people with 5,000+ tier points). This keeps the people traffic low, creating a calm and quiet atmosphere to relax in before your flight.

Food Options

We arrived at the Concord Room in time for lunch. The dining options were good. We ate in the private dining booths and was shown to our tables by a “I can’t be bothered” staff member. Lunch options were OK but nothing to shout about.

I guess the service is highly dependent on who’s serving you… the last time we came, the service for breakfast was impeccable. But not when we visited for lunch. The food was nice but not memorable.

If you’re arriving during breakfast, served until 11:30, then you’re in luck, as breakfast is delicious. We’ll let the pictures do the talking. Both the California Toast and Eggs Benedict were delicious.

Beverage Options

Drinks, drinks and more drinks. Perfect way to start the holiday if you love a great tasting champagne and delicious cocktails. The options are plentiful and an amazing way to start our holidays if you’re looking to be pampered with luxury drinks.

Most would think that a couple of words sum up the Concord Room’s drink options; Laurent Perrier Grande Siecle (£120 per bottle!), the number of drink options were great. We had a few glasses of champagne before heading to the bar to try out the cocktail options. We had a delicious Bloody Mary and Espresso Martini… which came highly recommended, and it did not disappoint!

Toilets and Showers

Dated and in desperate need for refurbishment! Although the toilets are cleaned regularly by an army of toilet attendants, it gives off strong hospital toilet vibes. A massive disappointment that is dire need of updating. There are five toilets, and the showers are open now, available in the Elemis Spa area.

The Elemis Spa was closed (and will remain for a while) due to COVID-19. We were told that it may not open until 2023, which is a shame as we would’ve enjoyed a pre-flight massage before our flight.

WiFi, Power & Productivity

While the Concorde Room isn’t specifically designed as a workspace, it still offers a few spots for work. During our visit, we came across three designated “desks” for working. However, considering the number of people on conference calls, we felt that additional working zones and spaces could have been beneficial.

Little Extras

Without the Elemis Spa and private Cabanas, the Concorde Room’s facilities lacked that extra-special touch. Unlike some other lounges that boast unique features like the throne chair at the First Class Cathay Lounge in Terminal 3 or the huge bath at Qatar Al Sawfa Lounge, the Concorde Room didn’t offer similarly standout amenities. However, the food options did provide a pleasant surprise, particularly the nicely presented and enjoyable afternoon tea, which added a delightful touch to the overall experience.

BG1 Verdict

The Concorde Room at Heathrow Terminal 5, British Airways’ most luxurious lounge, offers a haven of comfort and relaxation. While not the absolute best First Class/Business Class lounge, it remains a good choice for travelers. The warm greetings and engaging conversations from staff make guests feel valued. The best feature for us are the beverages. The dining area and bar provide a relaxing space to enjoy a meal and connect with fellow travelers. Though some amenities are now permanently closed due to COVID-19, the Concorde Room remains a good choice for anyone seeking an exceptional pre-flight experience. It’s a solid 4 out of 5 stars!

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