Gulf Air’s lounge in Terminal 4 at London Heathrow is small but well designed, with the best runway views of any lounge in the building and a fully staffed bar. For travellers weighing the paid entry option, it offers a quiet (currently), well-fed stopover let down only by furniture that is starting to show its age, a useful read for trade partners advising clients on Heathrow’s pay-per-visit lounge market.
Small but well designed, with plenty of seating. It is very quiet, with atmospheric music kept at an appropriately low volume for the business flyer.
The view is the best of any lounge in the terminal. The space is double aspect, with panoramic views of the gates and runways, as well as Terminals 2 and 3.
The bar is fully stocked and staffed by a barman, with a good selection of wines and spirits. The Champagne is Laytons Brut. Alongside the usual instant coffee machine, there is a proper barista setup that grinds the beans fresh.
The food is fresh and tasty. There are plenty of salads and snacks, plus a variety of continental, Middle Eastern and Indian main courses. The cakes appear to be homemade.
Staff stay quietly in the background, working efficiently and unobtrusively, and are pleasant to deal with.
Several plants and artworks on the walls make the space feel less formal. The furniture is comfortable but looking a little tired. The coffee tables are scuffed and some of the armchairs need reupholstering.
The toilets are immaculately clean and there are plenty of them. It is hard to imagine ever having to queue.
Paid entry
Passengers not flying business class can pay to enter: £70 ($94) for adults and £35 ($47) for children, with a maximum stay of four hours.
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