Review: Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge London

Introduction
Planning & Booking
Planning & Booking II
Washington Dulles (IAD) Lounge Hopping
United Airlines 777-200 Global First Washington to London
United Arrivals Lounge London
Andaz London Liverpool Street
Etihad Airways First & Business Class Lounge London
Etihad Airways A380 First Class Apartment London to Abu Dhabi
Park Hyatt Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways Premium Lounge Abu Dhabi
Etihad Airways A380 First Class Apartment Abu Dhabi to New York
American Express Centurion Lounge LGA

We received a text that our Etihad Chauffer had arrived and made our way outside the Andaz where we found our driver waiting.  I'll have a full review next week around the Etihad Chauffeur service including how we communicated with dispatch and drivers while traveling internationally.

Early morning walk to Liverpool Station

The drive to Heathrow took almost 80 minutes in morning rush hour.  We pulled up to terminal 4 which hosts a hodge-podge of airlines.  

Etihad Dreamliner display at LHR

I tipped the driver 20 GBP as he helped unload our bags at the curb.  Check-in queues were non existent and we were helped right away.  The check-in experience was easy (the agent helped move seats around so we could sit together) but there wasn't any level of differentiated service.

Airline hodge-podge

Etihad LHR check-in

We made our way through premium immigration and security and we were soon in terminal 4 with a couple of hours to enjoy the lounge.  Etihad's lounge is located opposite the departure gate (10) and opened fairly recently (end of 2014).  As you approach gate 10, you'll see the sign for lounges on the right.  

Etihad lounge signage at LHR Terminal 4

Head down the hallway where you'll see the Etihad lounge signage.  You can either take the lift down a level of head down the winding stairs to the lounge.

Etihad First & Business Class Lounge

We were warmly greeted and after boarding passes scanned, given a brief tour of the lounge.



This is a shared first and business class lounge (although presumably there is some dedicated space for Residence passengers) and there didn't seem to be any special treatment for first class passengers.  Perhaps an area where Etihad could step things up a bit especially in an outpost like London where they have 3 flights a day with 25+ first class seats.

Pre-flight rituals

The lounge was gorgeous with tons of seating.  We both love the Etihad color scheme of mint, white, and a mix of browns.

There was plenty of seating although the lounge did fill up as we neared departure of our flight (EY 20).  The lounge has a Six Senses Spa which is pretty cool for an outpost lounge.

Six Senses Spa

The lounge also featured some gorgeous bathrooms.

Etihad LHR lounge bathroom

We made spa reservations for 90 minutes prior to departure and had some breakfast.

Buffet options

The food offerings consisted of a buffet as well as an a la carte menu.  Here's the breakfast menu:

After breakfast, two cappuccinos and some Champagne, it was time for our 15 minute massages.    While my back massage was decent, I couldn't get comfortable in the upright massage chair which was a bit of a buzz kill.  It was still great to work out a few kinks before another 7 hours of flying.

We returned to our seats and relaxed with some tea and another glass of Champagne.  Soon enough, it was time to head back upstairs for a walk before the flight.

Etihad A380 getting ready to go

We were both very excited for our first apartments experience.  

T-50 and boarding was called and we were headed down the giant jet bridge to the whale jet!

Apartment 2H - time to fly!

Final Thoughts:

The lounge is a great place to relax for a couple of hours before a flight.  The views are a bit odd since the lounge is essentially located in the airport's basement.  The service is good, we enjoyed the food, and it doesn't hurt that there is a spa within the lounge.  If you are flying Etihad to Abu Dhabi (especially in the First Class Apartments) it is worth arriving a couple hours early to relax, get a massage, and catch up on work before boarding.