This Club Aspire vs Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 comparison looks at access, seating, views, food, drinks, Wi-Fi, amenities, so you can make an informed decision if you are flying from London Heathrow terminal 5.
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Quick comparison: the Club Aspire Lounge vs the Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5
Both lounges are useful options if you want to escape the main terminal before your flight, but neither is perfect. The biggest issue with both lounges is space, as each can feel cramped during busy periods.
The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5
Best for better food, stronger drinks, friendlier service, and a more complete lounge experience.
The Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5
Best for slightly better runway views, clean toilets inside the lounge, and a bright modern setting.
Our overall winner:
The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5
Book Your Lounge Access
To access the Club Aspire and Plaza Premium Lounge, compare Priority Pass membership (up to 20% off through our link) versus a one-off lounge booking at Lounge Pass using the buttons below.
At Lounge Pass, the Club Aspire lounge costs £42 per entry, whereas the Plaza Premium Lounge costs £47 per entry. After you click Lounge Pass, simply search your airport name, choose your lounge, then pick your date and time to book your spot.
After you click Priority Pass, simply scroll down to the ‘Your Journey Starts Here’ section to purchase a lounge membership that suits you. A ‘Standard’ membership is best for more infrequent travellers which allows access to all lounges for a discounted fee (£24 or currency equivalent). ‘Standard Plus’ membership will provide 9 free visits per year, and then at the discounted rate after that. The ‘Prestige’ membership is for the frequent flier, which grants unlimited lounge access for the year!
*Please note, all guests would enter at the discounted entry fee.
Club Aspire vs Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5: Location and opening hours
Both lounges are located airside at London Heathrow Terminal 5, but they are in different parts of the main departures area.
The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 is located after security in the main departure terminal, close to Gate A18. It is open daily from 5AM until 9PM, with access usually limited to three hours before departure.
The Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 is located airside next to Gate A7, directly to the left after clearing security. It is open daily from 5:30AM until 9:30PM, and guests can usually enter up to three hours before departure.
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Club Aspire vs Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5: Seating and atmosphere
This is where both lounges struggle.
The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 has comfortable furnishings, including sofas, plush armchairs, high stool seating, and some work stations. However, the lounge is very small for the number of passengers using it. During busy periods, seats are close together, bags clutter the walkways, and the lounge can feel hectic rather than relaxing.
The Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 also feels cramped, partly because of its thin L shaped layout. The lounge has armchair seating, café style seating, high bar stools, and island tables, but it felt packed during our visit. The layout makes the space feel narrow, and the number of visitors made it difficult to properly relax.
For seating and atmosphere, this category is close, but neither lounge is especially relaxing at peak times.
Food and drinks
Food and drink are where the Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 clearly wins.
At the Club Aspire Lounge, the food was much better than expected for a small contract lounge. During our evening visit, there was a choice between curry and pasta, along with salads, sandwiches, fresh fruit, cheese and crackers, lemon drizzle cake, and muffins. The hot food was not gourmet, but it was hearty, regularly replenished, and good enough for a proper pre-flight meal.
The drinks selection at the Club Aspire Lounge was also strong. Birra Moretti was available on tap, there were several wines, soft drinks, tea and coffee, and a staffed bar with a wide range of spirits. The fact that Baileys was included was a nice touch. Champagne and Prosecco were extra, but the complimentary drinks selection was still better than expected.
The Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 was weaker in this area. The food felt basic and limited, with options such as sandwiches, noodles, curry and rice, pizza slices, salad items, and a hot crumble dessert. It was filling enough, but the quality and variety were not impressive, plus it was very ‘carb heavy’!
The drinks at the Plaza Premium Lounge were slightly better than the food, with standard spirits, Angelo Poretti beer, and a couple of wines available. However, much of the more interesting drinks selection was only available for an extra charge. Champagne and sparkling wine were also extra.
Overall, the Club Aspire Lounge wins this category comfortably.
Winner for food and drinks: The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5
Wi-Fi and amenities
Both lounges offer reliable Wi-Fi, but each has a different weakness.
The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 had fast and reliable Wi-Fi, which was useful for browsing and working. However, there were not enough charging ports, which is frustrating if you need to charge your phone or laptop before boarding. The biggest downside is that there are no toilets inside the lounge, so you have to leave and re-enter if you need to use the bathroom.
The Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 had solid Wi-Fi, power outlets throughout the lounge, and clean restrooms inside the lounge. On paper, that makes it better equipped than the Club Aspire Lounge. However, during our visit, the wider lounge cleanliness was poor, with dirty plates and glasses left on many tables.
Winner for amenities: The Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 (just)!
Club Aspire vs Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5: Which lounge has better service?
The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 wins this category easily.
At the Club Aspire Lounge, check-in was straightforward. Staff were polite, and one member of staff guided us to our seats after we had entered the lounge. For a busy contract lounge, this was a positive start.
The Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 check-in experience was poor during our visit. The receptionist was rude when we tried to enter slightly before the three hour access window, and the overall welcome felt unfriendly. Once inside, the number of dirty plates and glasses left around the lounge also suggested that staffing levels were not where they needed to be.
Winner for service: The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5
The Club Aspire Lounge Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Good hot and cold buffet with better variety than expected.
- Strong drinks selection, including beer on tap and a staffed bar.
- Fast and reliable Wi-Fi.
- Runway views and natural light.
Cons:
- Very cramped during busy periods.
- Limited charging ports.
- No toilets inside the lounge.
- No Champagne or Prosecco included.
The Plaza Premium Lounge Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Decent runway and apron views.
- Bright modern design with large windows.
- Clean toilets inside the lounge.
- Solid Wi-Fi and charging access.
Cons:
- Food was limited and fairly bland.
- Many drinks were only available for an extra charge.
- No Champagne or Prosecco included.
- The lounge felt cramped and overcrowded.
- Service and table clearing were poor during our visit.
Final verdict: Club Aspire vs Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5
The Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 is the better lounge overall. It has better food, a stronger drinks selection, friendlier service, and a more satisfying overall experience. However, it still suffers from overcrowding, limited space, and a lack of toilets inside the lounge.
The Club Aspire Lounge is not perfect, but it offers the better food and drink experience. The Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5 has the better views, but the overall experience felt more disappointing as the space was so crowded.
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FAQs for the Club Aspire vs Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5
The Club Aspire Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5 is better overall. It has stronger food, better drinks and friendlier service.
No. The Club Aspire Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5 does not have toilets inside the lounge, so guests need to leave and re-enter to use the bathroom.
Yes. The Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5 has clean toilets inside the lounge.
The Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5 may be worth visiting if you value runway views, clean toilets and fast Wi-FI. However, the food, service, and crowding were disappointing during our visit.
Yes, the Club Aspire Lounge Heathrow Terminal 5 is worth visiting if you want a better food and drink selection before your flight. It is not especially relaxing when busy, but it is still the stronger lounge overall.
What are the Club Aspire Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5 opening times?
The Club Aspire Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5 is open daily from 5AM until 9PM. Entry is usually limited to three hours before your flight.
The Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 5 is open daily from 5:30AM until 9:30PM. Entry is usually limited to three hours before departure.
Secure Your Lounge Access
To access the Club Aspire and Plaza Premium Lounge, compare Priority Pass membership (up to 20% off through our link) versus a one-off lounge booking at Lounge Pass using the buttons below.
After you click Lounge Pass, simply search your airport name, choose your lounge, then pick your date and time to book your spot.
After you click Priority Pass, simply scroll down to the ‘Your Journey Starts Here’ section to purchase a lounge membership that suits you. A ‘Standard’ membership is best for more infrequent travellers which allows access to all lounges for a discounted fee (£24 or currency equivalent). ‘Standard Plus’ membership will provide 9 free visits per year, and then at the discounted rate after that. The ‘Prestige’ membership is for the frequent flier, which grants unlimited lounge access for the year!
*Please note, all guests would enter at the discounted entry fee.
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