Plaza Premium Lounge

Plaza Premium Lounge – London Heathrow (LHR) Terminal 4

The Plaza Premium Lounge at Terminal 4 welcomes all passengers, regardless of airline or class of service, on a pay-in basis. The club also hosts American Platinum and Centurion card holders and airline-invited guests.

Located near gates 1A and 1B above the Qatar Airways Premium Lounge, the Plaza Premium Lounge is also home to Qatar Airways’ elite customers (oneworld Emerald and Sapphire) traveling in Economy: the middle restricts access to its namesake lounge to Business and First Class passengers.

Plaza Premium Lounge LHR design

The club sports Plaza Premium’s typical design, characterized by a blend of dark and soothing tones, natural materials, and grand chandeliers. The ensemble feels effortlessly upper-scale, while hardly cutting edge.

Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 4 seating area

The space is heavily partitioned, and the layout somewhat convoluted. The main area, situated to the right of the lobby, features a dining room, two seating areas, and workspaces. A hallway on the left side of the lobby leads to the bar and a quiet room. The design oddly separates the buffet and bar areas, while the quiet room and business center are located near the most active zones.

The main seating area receives a fair amount of daylight thanks to a floor-to-ceiling window (though the views are unremarkable) and a skylight. The bar, however, is windowless.

Guests will find their choice of traditional lounge seats with side consoles, dining tables, clusters of armchairs around coffee tables, and an inviting square communal table surrounding an indoor tree. Power outlets are located at arm’s length in the main seating areas, so they’re missing in the dining room.

Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 4 honeycomb seating and work area

The Plaza Premium Lounge Heathrow Terminal 4 also features Plaza Premium’s signature “honeycomb seating”—highly-private productivity pods arranged in a honeycomb layout and outfitted with a desk, a reading light, and UK-style power outlets. The productivity pods are especially valuable at peak times when the lounge fills up and personal space is at a premium, though their location near the high-traffic dining area is unfortunate.

Indeed, the club gets routinely crowded, and at peak times, guests using their credit card to get access may be turned away in favor of airline-invited and pay-in guests. The odd layout of the club isn’t particularly space-efficient, so some areas become congested while others feel under-utilized. The furniture is already showing signs of wear and tear, and the staff can sometimes be slow to bus tables and pick up service items. Your experience may vary—the Plaza Premium Lounge can be a serene haven or a bustling hive of activity.

Plaza Premium Lounge LHR amenities

The Plaza Premium Lounge at London Heathrow Terminal 4 boasts an extensive choice of amenities ranging from complimentary hot food to private hotel-style rooms.

Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 4 dining area

Plaza Premium has a long tradition of offering a substantial hot menu and freshly-prepared fare. The London Heathrow Terminal 4 location delivers in this regard, with cold cuts, salads, a selection of European and Asian dishes—including some prepared in an open kitchen— as well as various snacks and sweets. Don’t expect culinary delights; the menu primarily revolves around comfort food and all-around favorites, though Plaza Premium does a notable job at catering to various diets, with halal, vegan, lactose-free and gluten-free options available.

Soft drinks and espresso are available for self-service in the buffet area. For adult beverages, head over to the bar, which is located away from the dining room, across the lobby. Beer, wine, liquor, and cocktails are available.

Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 4 bar area

Plaza Premium also offers an array of premium services including showers, private slumber rooms, and spa treatments. Be sure to inquire with the receptionist about these amenities as they may or may not be included in your access package. Spa treatments and private rooms come at an extra charge.

The Plaza Premium Lounge boasts three elegantly-appointed shower rooms are outfitted with bath products in wall-mounted dispensers, towels, and essential amenities such as toothbrushes and razors.

Computer workstations at the Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 4

For guests seeking the ultimate in privacy and comfort, several private hotel-style rooms are available on an hourly basis, starting at £60 for three hours. These cozy luxurious havens come equipped with a full bed, a baggage rack, large mirrors, and an en-suite bathroom with a shower.

On the lower end of the spectrum, loungers with footrests in a secluded area are available for £10 for two hours—a questionable value especially when the “honeycomb” workspaces offer superior privacy.

Other amenities include Wi-Fi, a few oddly-placed computer booths near the reception desk, and a selection of newspapers and magazines.

Plaza Premium Lounge LHR bottom line

Plaza Premium Lounge London Heathrow Terminal 4 recliners

The Plaza Premium Lounge at London Heathrow airport Terminal 4 is elegant, well appointed, but hectic and routinely crowded. The club has all the essentials—comfortable seating, plentiful power outlets, fast Wi-Fi, tarmac views, showers, a full bar—and a few luxuries such as fresh meals cooked on site, and private rooms (for a fee). But the odd layout, lack of real estate, chronic crowding, and constant noise make for a less-than-stellar experience.

Guests using their American Express card to visit the lounge may want to consider the SkyTeam Lounge as an alternative. Plaza Premium’s food offering may be slightly superior, but the SkyTeam lounge is significantly more spacious and all amenities are complimentary, including the showers and spa.