“Escuché pasar a un avión. Deseé escapar a paraiso.”
And that’s exactly what we did. Escaped to paradise.
A holiday is to relax. The time to chill out, lose all of the stress and recharge our batteries. So, shouldn’t we be enjoying all aspects of our holiday? Shouldn’t the airport be just as relaxing?
What if I told you that airports don’t have to be filled with hustle and bustle? That fighting for seats is a thing of a past and struggling to find a charger is unheard of? What if I told you, you don’t have to stand agitated in line at customs getting flustered? Sounds the dream, right? Too good to be true? Wrong.
On our return journey from East Midlands, we were lucky enough to have the opportunity to unwind in the Escape Lounge. A real treat.
If you’re anything like me, you are probably wondering if airport lounges are worth it. Take it from me, in the short, they 100% are worth the investment. The money we saved on a drink at the airport and food on the plane, plus the quality is outstanding.
We arrived at East Midlands Airport on Sunday 8th April, after a fantastic trip to Leicester. We had been visiting family and exploring all that Leicester has to offer. We were tired and worn out. A busy few days and early mornings are definitely not my strong point.
I was excited. I was ready to try the Escape Lounge.
I love East Midlands Airport. I love the small and family feel about it. There are always families and young couples. I have been that many times that I know it like the back of my hand. Starbucks to the left. Accessorize further down on the right. Frankie & Benny’s a little further on, on the left, and the bar and Burger King upstairs.
However, the Escape Lounge was unfamiliar. I didn’t know what to expect.
It can sometimes be intimidating in an airport, especially through customs. But, I’ve always found the staff at East Midlands to be so pleasant and friendly. After whizzing down the fast pass lane, we were into the departures lounge and heading for the Escape Lounge.
The Escape Lounge is located past the shopping area, opposite Gate 17. It’s in a quieter area of the main departure lounge, there is seating scattered around, but you leave the bustling atmosphere of the shopping and the restaurants behind.
Walking in, we were greeted by two lovely members of staff on reception. Considering it was 4:00am, they greeted us as though it wasn’t an ungodly hour of the day, they were bright and cheerful, they gave us an instant boost. Happy Sunday!
Talk about starting a trip in style.
The decor is modern with neutral shades of green. The lights are quirky and set a nice ambience. Not too light to upset tired eyes, but bright enough that you can see what you’re eating!
On the topic of food… Let’s talk about breakfast. I love a good breakfast. A varied breakfast. Well, this was the breakfast of all breakfasts. There was an impressive array of food, from cereals to cooked breakfast. Even the tea was twinings. A good tea in the morning is important.
Cakes, cereals, cooked breakfasts. There was a wide selection. Nobody is going hungry!
There are coffee machines either side of the escape lounge. Can we rejoice in a good coffee machine, serving good coffee? Good unlimited coffee at that. I’m a sucker for detail, the coffee mugs are super simple but super cute. Nice touch.
If there’s one way to beat the tiredness of travelling, it’s trying to stick to a routine.
Sticking to the routine was made so easy in the Escape Lounge. I opted for a cooked breakfast, then Weetabix, followed by some fruit. Normally, I have a coffee and Weetabix for breakfast (just not at 4:00am!) so it definitely helped to be able to trick my body into not thinking it was as early as it was! It’s one of my best ways to kick tiredness associated with travelling!
There is a good choice of juices, plus with the well-stocked bar, there are plenty of choices to quench your thirst. I’m not an alcoholic drinker, especially not at that time in the morning, but if you are, you’ll be pleased to know the bar is open from the get-go. So, if a whiskey, a beer, or a chilled G&T is more your style, then it’s all there and waiting. Complimentary, of course!
Catching up on the latest fashion news was great. The magazines were all updated and there was a perfect read for everybody. I did get pretty excited to see all the reds in the magazine, especially as I’d opted to make red part of my #SpringStyles this year.
We were able to relax in the comfy chill out chairs whilst watching the atmosphere of the airport. The WiFi was quick and reliable, we were able to get in some social media scrolling and email updating. In such a quiet and chilled atmosphere, it’s perfect to catch up on work and blog posts, or take a nap!
Cases aren’t in your way and under your feet. This being said, of course for safety reasons they are kept with you, but there is plenty of space between tables and walkways are wide so you’re not tripping over them or dragging them around!
The staff were so lovely from start to finish and they truly made our journey stress-free. Nothing was too much for them. From a welcoming smile to a friendly chat, everything was done with professionalism and friendliness.
Talking of lovely staff, the chef at the Escape Lounge was wonderful. From cooking up amazing tasting food to wandering around and making sure everybody was enjoying their food! After I had demolished my cooked breakfast, I had some fruit on the table! He was so concerned and asked if there was anything he could do for me. You can’t put a price on outstanding customer service.
Flight announcements aren’t made in the Escape Lounge, so, keep an eye on the screens for up-to-date flight information. Don’t worry, there are plenty. When our gate opened, we didn’t want to leave!
We were so satisfied from breakfast that we didn’t even need to order anything on the plane. I was so incredibly relaxed that I slept the entire time on the plane, travellers, that’s the perfect flight, am I right?!
I don’t think I can ever not sit in an airport lounge again! The ultimate chilled out atmosphere that completely took away the hectic atmosphere that comes with flying! I’d love to go back and try out the lunch or dinner menu. I imagine they’re just as good as the breakfast but with the added bonus of no tiredness!
If you have a fear of flying, or you’re looking to make your journey that little more special, then relaxing in the Escape Lounge comes highly recommended.
If you’re heading off on a business trip or taking a loved one on a special trip, or maybe you’re flying solo, then the Escape Lounge is perfect for you. You can book your place at the Escape Lounge by following this link: Book Escape Lounge
What Happens?
You can book online or you can book on the day. You enter the lounge opposite gate 17 and show your confirmation and boarding pass.
From there, the room is your relaxation pod for the next three hours, or until your flight is called. Flight announcements aren’t made, so it’s important to keep an eye on the boards.
The buffet food is laid out in the centre and the bar is to the left. Yes, the bar is open at 4:00 until closing!
What’s Included?
The complimentary bar is filled with everything you could possibly want. From wines, spirits and beers to tea, coffee and fruit juice. The food is varied, fresh and tasty. You can also make use of the speedy WiFi or make use of their well-stocked magazine and newspaper collection. Although we didn’t make use of it, you can also print documents. This would definitely come in handy for when you realise you’ve forgotten to print an important confirmation voucher! You are allocated up to three hours, starting from the booked time of arrival.
Can Children Go?
Children are welcomed! Children aged over 24 months pay the standard entry price however children between 0-23months can enter for free. Perfect for a bit of privacy with your infant. However, the escape lounge is, of course, a quiet, relaxing, adult environment so there isn’t any entertainment provided for children.
How Can I Book?
You can book online by following this link to the East Midlands Airport booking page. There is also a discount when you book in advance! You can also book on the day by having a chat with the staff on reception!
Hasta luego,
Lauren in Leicester 
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