Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse San Francisco Lounge
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse San Francisco Lounge says it is "Very chic, very trendy, very Virgin", and so it is. The bright lights of the lounge shine out though floor to ceiling glazing and there are unrivalled views across the bay. The centrepieces of the lounge are the bar and coloured glass panels that move to create different atmospheres in the space. Five monitors display digital art in the lounge which showcase local talent.
San Francisco Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse lounge review
The Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse in San Francisco is one of the best lounges in the world, without question. It even manages to slightly eclipse the master Clubhouse at Heathrow, but only just, and of course it doesn't have as many facilities or toys to play with. However for sheer subtle style, a great view, good food and an amazing bar, it wins hands down over many other airport lounges, and considering the lousy penny pinching quality of most US airline lounges, it stands head and shoulders over them, proving that while the US does many things well, it can't do airlines, and it certainly can't do airport lounges.
The lounge is landside, which is a bit of a pain, so you need to allow some extra time to get through security before the flight, and it is also in a funny location, up a corridor behind checkin, up in a very slow lift to the 5th floor, along the admin corridor, and it's there behind a metal shutter that rises on the dot of 3pm (or 4pm on Monday, Tuesday, Saturday).
The lounge often feels like a home away from home, plonked at the farthest part of the US, and with floor to ceiling windows that offer a great view of the airport and the distant Frisco hills. There are some blue and purple blinds over the windows, which give some parts of the lounge a lurid colour scheme, however they also help to keep the sun off.
As soon as you enter, the dining area is on your right, and the bar is on your left, then as you walk left there are vast red 1970s style chairs by the window, then further down there is an area with couches against the wall, and sofas overlooking the windows. On every table there are menus, and with the lounge rather overmanned with butlers, it doesn't take long before your order is taken, but it can take rather longer before your food arrives.
Food
It is food that many people come for: pre-flight dining is well catered, with a three course menu that varies every month, although it does tend towards American tastes, with Clam Chowder, and Burgers appearing more often than you may like. There is no self serve buffet: everything has to be ordered at the counter.Bar
The bar is equally a delight: again, nothing is self serve, but the bar does offer some superb cocktails (again, the menu changes monthly). There is also an excellent wine list (alas no Sparkling Wine, it is Sonoma Country Brut), and there are also some local beers such Anchor Steam, Corona, Samuel Adams, Amstel Light, Heineken and Widmer Hefewizen. The rack of bottles behind the bar is worthy of note: Virgin know their customers, and their customers like a drink, and as such Virgin never want to be caught short without the right spirit, and accordingly have a vast rack of virtually every one known to man.
Business Facilities
Newspapers are just left on the window ledge, and can sometimes be hard to come by, as there are just two copies of all of the main UK papers, plus some local US papers. Magazines are good, and are left on a stack (again on the windowsill) but you can take them onto flights - they all have stickers on saying "for use in the lounge only". There is everything from Conde Nast Traveller, to Wallpaper, the Spectator and the Economist.
There are just two computers in a small cubby hole next to reception, with a printer and a fax. They are fast and new, but some passengers tend to leave their children playing on the computers for hours before a flight, so it can be hard to get hold of one. Thankfully there is also free wifi. Next to the computers is the writing desk, with lots of Virgin logoed pens, pencils and paper. Alas, there aren't so many after a flight, as they do make very good souvenirs.
Bathrooms
There are showers down the corridor next to the computers: ask at reception for a key and a towel.Access
Access for Upper Class passengers, Gold Flying Club members, Velocity Gold.Video: Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse Lounge
View photos of Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse San Francisco Lounge
San Francisco Airport Guide
| Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse San Francisco Lounge | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rating |
Video walkthrough and Image gallery by Loungeindex.com
| |
| Location | Terminal A, landside, lifts in corridor by museum | |
| Terminal: | A | |
| Opening hours | 1500 - 1815 | |
| Lounge for: | VS | |
| Access | Access for Upper Class passengers, Gold Flying Club members, Velocity Gold. | |