10- The Gold Bar
They say tossing back a few drinks between flights is bad for the body, but resisting the temptation will be hard at the Gold Bar. Located in the lounge for First customers and Gold Executive Club members, the bar is covered in gold leaf and lit by a Swarovski crystal chandelier. Stocked with top-shelf wines and spirits, it’s staffed with a bartender, but guests can also serve themselves.
9- The KidZone
Entertaining the kids gets easier at Terminal 5 with the KidZone, a playroom decked out with funky furniture, two TV screens and walls covered in magnets that allow children to create their own characters. The concept, featured in four areas throughout the terminal, was developed by the design company El Ultimo Grito.
8- Compelling Art
Unsurprisingly, the art in Terminal 5 is more sophisticated than the traditional airport mural or sculpture. The pieces, which are curated by art consultant firm Artwise, emphasize technological innovation. The U.K. design and art studio Troika has created the most striking piece: a 72-foot-long display that functions as a world clock displaying times for not only world capitals, but also for places like the Grand Canyon and Mt. Everest.
7- The Cinema
Relax in between flights with a movie or major televised event in the 20-seat cinema. Located in the Club Lounge, the cinema is only open to Club World, Club Europe and Gold and Silver Executive Club members. You can also watch the rugby or football match with a beer or whiskey in hand, since the cinema is near the lounge’s two bars.
6- Eco-Friendly Design
Terminal 5 may provide convenience and luxury, but it does so with serious concern for the environment. The terminal will recycle 85% of the rainwater that falls on the building for non-potable uses, and 85% of its heat will be provided by excess heat piped in from the Heathrow heat and power station. Super-strength concrete was used to build taxiways, which the planners expect will help planes idle less and, thus, reduce their carbon emissions.
5- Gourmet Eats
There are 42 restaurants in Terminal 5, and they include typical airport fare like Starbucks, Pret a Manger and Krispy Kreme. But there are gourmet options like treacle cured bacon and honeycomb ice cream at Gordon Ramsay’s Plane Food. Caviar House & Prunier offers premium caviar from the Caspian Sea and smoked Balik salmon.
4- Spa Services
Two travel spas, operated under the aegis of the U.K.-based spa company Elemis, are located in the lounges. Here first class, Club World or Gold Executive Club members can enjoy an array of complimentary 15-minute treatments, including back and neck massages and facials.
3- Fast Check-In
Online check-in, dozens of check-in kiosks and over a hundred check-in desks are designed to reduce lines. The primary goal is to ensure that no passenger waits longer than five minutes to check in for the flight. A new baggage system, which can process up to 12,000 pieces of luggage per hour, is also supposed to reduce delays.
2- The Arrivals Lounge
The arrivals lounge could easily rank as the terminal’s best amenity. Full- and self-service restaurants cater to travelers, while 94 showers, which can be pre-booked, allow them to freshen up before the day’s meetings. Best of all, there’s an Elemis travel spa and a suit-pressing service for travelers whose clothes were wrinkled in flight.
1- The World’s Only Tiffany Boutique
Forgot to pick up a sparkly bauble for your honey while on business in London? Make amends by visiting the Tiffany boutique to choose from a selection of watches, silver gifts and platinum- and 18-karat gold-set diamonds.
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