AspirePlus Bristol Lounge
The AspirePlus Lounge at Bristol Airport is just a little bit of a step up from the main Aspire lounge.
It is much smaller, but somewhat more premium, as befits the higher price. Also, all Business Class passengers (on airlines which have it out of Bristol - think KLM) gain free acccess. There is a staffed cocktail bar, and better food.
It is also adults only - no children are allowed, unless they are in Business Class.
Bristol AspirePlus lounge review
The Bristol Airport Aspire Plus lounge is a decent if small lounge. It actually has facilities better than many larger airports offer their Business Class customers, and it is definitely worthwhile upgrading from the more bucket-and-spade heavy, and certainly more packed, Aspire lounge.
You find the lounge after the security check, then go to the far right of the terminal before going up the stairs or the lift to the 1st floor. It's just on the balcony.
There are also great views of the rolling Somerset countryside, although the height of the windows is a problem - unless you are in the 'shelf' at the far end of the lounge, you can't actually see out when sitting down.
Food
The food is certainly a step above the main Aspire lounge, in the Aspire Plus lounge - which is of course why Business Class passengers head here.
Before 11am there is a full hot breakfast. After this time, there are four hot dishes, which change every other month.
Think Casseroles and Stew. And pasta, rice, or chicpeas. There are often some decent curry or Indian snacks in the hot tray too.
Salads are worthy of note, with several ham cold cuts, plus a bowl of lettuce, and three of four other salad options.
Three types of cheese in bowls, and chutney.
Lovely deserts, including cheesecake, and some deserts in bowls. And hot scones too, with strawberry jam.
Bar
Of course the bar dominates the main area of the lounge. It is a large circular affair, but few people will actually sit at the bar, unless the lounge is very crowded.
It's a half self service, and a half do-it-yourself affair.
For wine, there are plenty of bottles of red on the counter, with no less than seven different vineyards represented, and a good port. No English red, alas.
Equally, spirits are on the counter. There is everything from Martini, Havana rum, Jameson, Martelli, Absolut vodka, Tia Maria, Ardmon, Plymouth Gin, and Beefeater. Mixers and in the fridge. It's all free pour, no extra charge, and you can serve yourself.
However for draft beer, you have to ask the staff, who will pour a quite decent Birra Moretti, in proper logoed glasses - both a third of a litre, and a half litre.
There is a self service fridge, with white wine (three types) plus a rose. Beer is in here too, with Tiger, 1664, and cans of Guinness.
All in all, it's a bar that wouldn't be out of place in a first class lounge at a major airport.
Business Facilities
Business Facilities are somewhat more limited, and basically consist of a 'shelf' behind the bar, where you can sit with a laptop. There are plug sockets here (UK style plus euro round pin, 240volt) and quite nice little reading lights. In most of the rest of the lounge, there aren't many plug sockets, except right at the back where there are a few next to the armchairs.
Free wifi.
Newspapers on the small stand close to the main door.
Bathrooms
Incredibly, the lounge even has it's own bathroom. Well, one bathroom at least. It is via the small door to the left of the bar.Access
Business Class passengers on the three KLM flights a day get free access.
Pay on the door - £33.
No Priority Pass access, but if the lounge isn't too busy you can sometimes get access via by paying a little extra fee on the door.
Video: AspirePlus Lounge
