LHR Heathrow – Terminal 2 – Plaza Premium Lounge – Airline Lounge Review (American Express)

Terminal 2, Heathrow Airport

Introduction

This is my review of the Plaza Premium Lounge in Heathrow’s Terminal 2.

I’d visited this many years ago as a Priority Pass holder, but access for Priority Pass holders has since been removed. In fact, if you hold a Priority Pass and visit Terminal 2, there is no lounge that will accept it!

Sadly, the lounge did not live up to my memories!    

Opening Hours

The lounge is open daily from 05:00 to 21:30

Entry Conditions

In my case, I was gained entry via my Platinum American Express.

However, access is also gained by multiple other means such as Capital One, Citibank, HSBC and TheClub membership to name but a few!

How to Get There

After Security, go down the escalators and follow the signs for the Service Kiosks and Lounge A3.

Go down a sort of corridor, and you’ll find the Plaza Premium Lounge right in front of you!

Layout

The one thing I’ve always liked about this lounge is the décor and layout – it’s very premium looking!

Predominantly the lounge has casual seating and some high-table seating.

The dining tables are in the dining area.

There is also some more ‘private’ casual seating in sort of booths.

There are some high tables for working – or otherwise there are 4 ‘booths’ perfect if you’re on your own working. One thing I will say about the booths is that I found the desk very sticky – which meant my mouse didn’t properly work!

There are also some ‘pods’ which are great for a mixture of working, eating and charging.

Sadly, there is no ‘official’ business area – nor is there anywhere to print stuff.  

Food and Drink

Food

In my visits in previous years, I found the food in this lounge to be extremely good. The whole ‘island’ and back wall contained hot foods, pastries, cheese and so much more.

The back wall has gone, and now all the food is on the island – which has meant a substantial drop in variety.

Breakfast

My first visit to the lounge (in 2022) was in the morning, and there was offerings of the usual breakfast items – hash browns, baked beans, bacon, sausage, etc.

There was also a fairly limited (compared to previous years) selection of pasties, cheeses and breads – again much smaller than before.

Lunch/Dinner

On my second visit in 2022 (yes, I’ve been flying a lot from T2 of recent!) it was lunch/dinner time.

Food offered was macaroni cheese, some curries, and a Spanish chickpea and lentil thing.

There was once again cheese offered, some sandwiches, etc.

Drinks

On the soft drinks side, there are a series of fridges and self-serve stations for use.

On the stronger side, there is a bar – which is actually a very nice looking bar!

Unfortunately this lounge has very limited drinks that are ‘included’. A single draught beer, a single red wine, a single white wine, some basic spirits – but no sparkling wine. On my second visit, the beer had been upgraded to draught Stella – so I was happy!

Of course, if you are prepared to pay, the menu is a little more expansive!

Wifi

Unfortunately, on both of my visits 1 month apart, the Wifi failed to work and I ended up tethering from my phone. Not great!

Showers

In short, there are showers – but they are not ‘included’.

Strangely, I’d been quoted two figures here; one of £20 and another of £24. Either way, it’s a lot of money to have a shower, which should frankly be included within access.

Conclusion

The Plaza Premium Lounge isn’t what it once was, that’s for sure. I remember from previous years there being a ‘premium’ drinks menu for purchase – but I don’t recall it being as limited as it is now.

The reduction in food was disappointing, continued Wifi outage unacceptable – and charging for a shower frankly outrageous.

For these reasons – I would suggest there is nothing premium about this lounge at all!   

That said the decor is very good, still!