Updated: Since my first visit noted below, I’ve visited the BA Showers in T5 many times over the years with the most recent in June 2023. The design is still the same as the photos below which is to say, it’s a bit tired and in need of a refresh in my opinion.
There’s a first time for everything and I was doing something I’ve never done before at Heathrow – shower in the British Airways Arrivals lounge in Terminal 5. Usually when I arrive at LHR, I leave as quickly as possible to get to the hotel to shower and sleep in my attempt to deal with (avoid) jet lag. That’s when I land at 6:30 a.m. For my last trip to London Heathrow, I had a later arrival, near 10 a.m. so I opted to visit the British Airways Arrivals Lounge in Terminal 5 (T5). as I was in need of its services, specifically for a BA Shower at Heathrow. If I was on a long layover/connection, I might consider a day room at Sofitel T5, a luxury hotel at the airport connected to Terminal 5 (you need to exit the secure area) but London was my destination and I needed to refresh from the overnight flight before going about my day of travel shows and vendor visits.
British Airways Arrivals Lounge T5
Like the rest of the BA lounges, the setup includes an Elemis Spa (closed since covid), a self-serve café and various areas to dine, relax and work. The arrivals lounge also has a private Concorde Room for First passengers to enjoy a hot breakfast with private booths and waiter service. The arrivals lounge also had a plethora of showers (nearly 100!) plus cabanas for those First passengers wanting a tub only option.
British Airways Shower Suites
Arriving at the shower desk, I checked in and was assigned a numbered shower suite (don’t get too excited it’s small). The check in desk has a plethora of toiletries if you need them (i.e. toothbrush/paste, razor, etc.) so ask before getting to the shower. I was not shown to the suite, I guess she assumed I had been here before. No worries the signage is good – look for the color (or colour) and then the number in the aisle. I quickly surveyed the open common areas which had lounge chairs, a table set with bottled water and staff wandering with towels.
Inside the BA Shower Suite
When I opened the door to the shower suite, I realized my rookie mistake by bringing my checked luggage which took up most of the free space. As a solo traveler, I rarely use the luggage storage area as it’s not monitored and don’t have a travel companion to watch the bag. So, while I still had some space left to move about, it was tight.
Packing Tip: pack accordingly so you can access clothes, makeup, etc. you need and make the shower experience easier. I put makeup in outer pockets and clothes on top of suitcase when opened.
The design is similar to the lounge bathrooms which is to say a blah but functional. It’s not luxury design but then again this isn’t about spending all day – it’s just a refresh and move along, although they could try to make it a bit nicer. There is a hairdryer attached to the wall (those odd vacuum looking ones), a wall of mirrors above the small sink and toilet. On the wall behind were towels, hooks and a bench. Further in the cabana was a large shower with Elemis shower gel and shampoo/conditioner combo (I don’t love the combo but I do love Elemis so it gets a pass). Missing were flip-flops for those of us who are a bit OCD about public showers.
If you opened the door up you could hang a suit jacket, pants or blouse for ironing/pressing. You put the items inside and then pressed a button to notify staff. So, while you are showering and getting ready, your clothes can look neatly pressed and allow you to be ready to go to the office or meeting.
The Shower at Heathrow Experience
The water pressure was good the entire time which was surprising given the number of showers in the area. I luckily missed the rush, and it was a Saturday so that also helped. With a good amount of hot water, I steamed up the entire cabana. If there was a vent, I couldn’t find it so short of opening the door half-naked, I just dealt with the heat. You are supplied with two towels which was enough for me.
The vacuum hair dryers attached to the wall are always a bit tricky to use when you have long hair like I do – it takes longer because they are generally lower speed and heat. But I looked presentable which was fine. You may want to bring a hair clip or hair ties because you will run out of patience and start to overheat if you have long hair.
Once I was done, I put the towel on the floor and exited into the cool expanse of the hallway leaving my shower suite (and now sauna) behind. I found a chair to relax and sort my luggage prior to exiting into the lounge for a quick snack.
Overall – My Shower at Heathrow
It was interesting to use the British Airways Arrival lounge shower at Heathrow. The amenity is definitely great for those who usually fly in early and go right to the office bypassing their hotel, those flying in from the really long-haul destinations like Sydney and Singapore and those travelers like me who know the hotel won’t be ready, so I’ll shower, drop bags and go explore the city. The BA Arrivals lounge shower at Heathrow T5 is open to British Airways passengers flying First and Club World and certain elite members. I never realized how easy it was to wash the ick of an overnight flight off and start my vacation (or business trip) off on a clean note.
7 thoughts on “The British Airways Arrivals Lounge Shower at Heathrow T5”
Thanks for another fact filled/fun filled column! Leave it to BA!
I should have taken some notes and photos when i had a long layover in Dubai, was flying coach and slept in a room near a far off gate filled with other layovering travelers. The room was filled with chaise lounges -the beach-type, not the living room-type, but hey — any port in the storm.
nice that Dubai provides (like Changi) space for layover folks to relax and catch some sleep rather than be stuck on the airport floor or at the gate in uncomfortable chairs. Dubai now offers daily use of their lounges for a fee – depends on your willingness to pay for some comfort as the prices are high for 4 hours
Hmmm…Would I shower at Heathrow? Not sure, since I’ll be going straight to my B&B later this spring. I do remember way back in the late ’80s, a thing called “Superloo” at Victoria Station, where one could shower, etc.
I’m interested in hearing more about your method of dealing with jet lag. I will be arriving in London around 8 a.m. on a Sunday.
So your strategy is to go to sleep immediately? How long do you stay “down”? Open to any and all advice!
Sandra – for the flights that arrive at 6:30 am, i go right to sleep at the hotel (booking the night before so I can just check in and go to sleep), I generally sleep until mid-day, then go out for late lunch and a walk to clear my head. Have dinner at 7ish and then I’m all good – difference is that I’ve been doing that routine for 10 years with work. For the later flights, I stay up all day until I’m about to drop. I keep on a heavy routine of food, snacks (I bring my own) and water. By 8 pm, I’m falling asleep and then set for my 6 am wake up. Hope this helps
Sue, I can’t remember the gate, but in Dubai Airport, near a high numbered gate, there’s a resting room. Not spa-like AT ALL, but if you’re flying lowly coach, have a multi hour layover and want to safely and comfortably rest for a few hours this resting room does the trick. It’s a room filled with beach-like chaise lounges. Not a spa but better then JFK or PHL!
I have a connecting flight in T5 with a nine hour layover. I’ve looked at the lounge versus Sofitel option. It would be great to sleep a little before the last leg of the flight. Knowing how long I have before the flight would you opt for the hotel room or lounge?
Hi – if you have the budget, I would lean to the hotel option – I love the Sofitel but LHR has a few other options as well given that you have time to change terminals. I would allow about an hour to clear immigration unless you are flying business class with a fast pass or have access to gate entry. Then allow two hours to clear security and get to your gate on the return. So of your 9 hour layover it will most likely be about six hours. The lounges at LHR T5 are almost always crowded unless in the B gates. There is no sleeping option unless you have access to the Concorde Room in T5.
Hope this helps!
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