There is only one Priority Pass Lounge lounge in London Heathrow Terminal 5, so this lounge is the best (and worst) Priority Pass lounge in Terminal 5. This lounge is the Aspire lounge, but be aware that this lounge can be so busy that it may be difficult to secure access even if you have a Priority Pass, as paid entrance is prioritized in front of Priority Pass clients.
This 4,000 ft² lounge space is dominated by soaring windows on two sides, which gives guests dramatic runway views. There is a bar towards the end with a variety of seating, including low cylindrical seats and half-cylinder booths all in purple hues, as well as desk spaces, which compete with plugs for charging, complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi, and designated quiet zones.
An extensive British-inspired seasonal food and drink menu has been created, including a wide range of complimentary and premium (chargeable) options, changing throughout the day. The alcohol on offer is pretty good, but the buffet is fairly poor and unappealing. Guests can also enjoy whisky, draught beer, and a selection of wines on a complimentary basis or choose to pay for carefully selected ‘Wine Flights,’ an innovative way to taste a variety of wines from different regions.
A highlight of the lounge is the ‘Bliss Spa at Aspire, which is the award-winning beauty company’s first location in an airport but comes at an extra cost. The specially designed travel spa menu includes a range of facials, manicures, and pedicures available as refreshing 20-minute express or luxurious 40-minute appointments guaranteed to deliver amazing results in a fun, positive environment. This includes an express version of the famous Bliss Spa Oxygen Blast facial, a 40-minute complexion reviver for bright, glowing skin, and the Hot Cream Manicure for perfect nails.
To help guests relax before or during a long trip, state-of-the-art ‘rest pods’ can be found in the lounge that lets guests recline back on specially engineered, reclining loungers, watch television, and recharge in private so that they are rejuvenated for the journey ahead.
What is the free food like?
The complimentary food at the Aspire Airport Lounge, Heathrow Terminal 5, consisted of a self-serve buffet. The hot food included a rice and chicken dish, a pasta and meatball dish, vegetarian samosas, and fresh warm bread rolls (see pictures above for more details). There was also tomato soup and some scones with clotted cream and jam. In the cold buffet, I tried a variety of very pleasant salads, along with olives, cheeses, and hams. You could also have crisps (salted, cheese and onion, and salt and vinegar), biscuits from a biscuit barrel, or chocolate cake.
What alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks are available?
The complimentary non-alcoholic drinks at the Aspire lounge in Heathrow Terminal included a variety of juices, Cokes, and Fanta, water and tea, coffee, and hot chocolate from one of many machines dotted around. There was also a choice of alcoholic drinks, including Prosecco, spirits including Baileys, Martini, Tia Maria, Gin, Bacardi, Port, and Whisky. There were plenty of beers and wines available.
Is it worth paying for the Aspire Lounge At Heathrow?
I am not convinced for myself and my family at an on-the-door cost of £40 GBP per person. We had tea and a salad with a couple of rolls, but what we ate would have come to under £10 GBP each at sandwich shops like Pret a Manger at Heathrow. I can see that if you intend to make use of the alcoholic drinks along with the food, you could justify the price, but for me, as Heathrow T5 is such an impressive terminal, I am equally happy trying one of their restaurants pre-flight.
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