Airport Lounge Review: No. 1 Lounge, Heathrow Terminal 2

No.1 Lounge is a UK airport lounge brand with locations in several UK airports, including Heathrow and Gatwick. I previously visited the one in Heathrow’s Terminal 3 (also great, but this one was superior), which you can read about here. This review discusses the new No.1 Lounge in Heathrow’s Terminal 2, or “The Queen’s Terminal.”

NO.1 LOUNGE LOCATION IN TERMINAL 2

The No.1 Lounge in Terminal 2 is located post-security near Gate A2. To access the lounge, turn right after security and take the elevator or escalator down 1 level. Once on the lower level, turn right behind the Louis Vuitton cafe (which looked so nice) and you’ll find another elevator (with a sign) to take you to the lounge. Honestly, locating the No. 1 Lounge was not the easiest, which was made more difficult by the fact that it is a new lounge and there are few signs for it. We finally found a sign at the elevator leading to the lounge. It was worth the search.

Finally found the elevator to the No.1 Lounge!

CHECK-IN TO THE NO.1 LOUNGE IN TERMINAL 2

We checked in to the No.1 Lounge by presenting our Priority Pass card and boarding passes to the check-in desk, which is are is where guests exit the elevator from the general terminal. There were no issues checking in with Priority Pass (as there often are), but it was not a particularly crowded flying day IMO.

While we used our Priority Pass to access the No. 1 Lounge, anyone can go on the lounge’s website and purchase a 3 hour pass for 40 pounds per adult (20 per child). Passes can be booked up to 24 hours in advance, and there is often a discount for booking in advance online. We attempted to book the lounge online, but (1) it was too late (less than 24 hours in advance) and (2) the lounge charged full price to book (the other No.1 permitted a nominal reservation fee for those with Priority Pass). Given how crowded some lounges can get, I suggest making a reservation if you can.

THE NO.1 LOUNGE SPACE IN TERMINAL 2

Compared to the No.1 Lounge in Terminal 3, the No.1 Lounge in Terminal 2 is much smaller, but also much more chic. The vibe of the lounge was old school luxury, with a clean, modern feel, but while also invoking somewhat of an art deco theme. It definitely worked. Think green plants, lots of wood and velvet furniture. Feathery plants were also sprinkled around. I really loved this style.

A selection of the decor.

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Celeste: A FANTASTIC Restaurant in San Juan, Puerto Rico!

On our yearly 2024 vacation to San Juan, Puerto Rico, I scoured online reviews for the best new restaurants. Celeste kept showing up in my searches, and it was recommended to us by a foodie friend with family in Puerto Rico. We booked a dinner before leaving home, despite the menu being very seafood heavy (and us not being seafood people!). In the end, Celeste was absolutely FANTASTIC and our favorite meal in Puerto Rico! HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!

Dan at Celeste on our 7th wedding anniversary!

CELESTE

Celeste is a small wine and seafood bar located in San Juan’s Puerta de Tierra neighborhood (between Old San Juan and Condado). We walked to Celeste after drinks in Old San Juan, as it was our anniversary! The restaurant itself is quite small on a quiet street. The dining room is decorated in an airy fashion, with clean white tables and local art decorating the walls. We were given a warm welcome and promptly seated on arrival.

Celeste’s dining room.

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3 Delicious Days in Antigua, Guatemala!

Dan and I spent three days, which honestly was not quite enough, in Antigua, Guatemala in July. And yes, it was during rainy season. Despite the season, we experienced only sporadic rain with the exception of a massive downpour on our final day (LOL). This post explores what we ate, drank and did during our brief stay in Antigua, Guatemala!

The main square of Antigua, Guatemala. Bustling on a Friday in July.

ANTIGUA, GUATEMALA: A BEAUTIFULLY PRESERVED COLONIAL TOWN.

Antigua, Guatemala is a seriously gorgeous Spanish colonial town that is well intact despite having been in existence since the 1500s. It is located in Guatemala’s central highlands and is only about an hour from the Guatemala City airport, making it a popular stop for all Guatemala visitors. Antigua is filled with brightly colored buildings, many of them yellow, and cobblestone streets. It’s also surrounded by three volcanoes, at least two of them active… Truly, Antigua is a photographer’s dream. Throughout history, of course, Antigua has had its share of ups and downs, including experiencing devastating earthquakes. Today, however, Antigua is modern, safe and has lots of popular restaurants, cafes, bars and breweries. I highly recommend Antigua to anyone visiting Guatemala, and it makes a great starting point due to its proximity to the airport.

Beautiful Antigua, Guatemala. This is the Hospital de San Pedro.

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Hotel Review: Hotel Casa Santo Domingo – SPA ROOM!

We spent a long weekend in Antigua, Guatemala in July 2024 after spending most of the week at Lake Atitlan (very highly recommend Lake Atitlan!). We looked at numerous hotels in Antigua before deciding on the well-established and historic Hotel Casa Santo Domingo. We later upgraded to a “Spa Room”, which we really enjoyed and would absolutely book again. This post reviews our stay in a Spa Room at Hotel Santo Domingo in Antigua, Guatemala.

The artsy spa at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo.

HOTEL CASA SANTO DOMINGO

The Hotel Casa Santo Domingo is historic; it was originally the grand Convent of Santo Domingo in Antigua, Guatemala. This convent was one of the largest in the Americas, and it was almost totally destroyed in an earthquake in 1773 (the devastating Santa Maria earthquake). The ruined convent set empty and largely in rubble until 1989, when the Casa Santo Domingo project was developed and began restoring the convent and turned into into a fabulous hotel.

The main entrance to the Hotel Casa Santo Domingo.

Today, Hotel Casa Santo Domingo is one of the nicest hotels in Antigua, in addition to a home to six on-site museums, a busy conference center, and just a gorgeous place to walk around and feel like you have gone back in time to the late 1700s. Even if you do not stay at Hotel Casa Santo Domingo, tourists can visit the property and its museums for free. I certainly recommend a stop-in for those not staying here if you like history or photography.

One of Hotel Casa Santo Domingo’s pretty courtyards.

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Airport Lounge Review: The Lounge San Juan (Puerto Rico) at Terminal C

San Juan Puerto Rico’s Luis Muñoz Marín International Airport is home to one of my least favorite airport lounges – The Lounge San Juan Terminal C. That being said, the staff is always nice and they drinks freely flow, so Dan and I usually stop in since we have complimentary access through our Priority Pass (along with everyone else, LOL). This post reviews The Lounge at San Juan’s airport, Terminal C (there is also a Lounge location in Terminal A, but I have never visited it).

Welcome to The Lounge.

THE LOUNGE LOCATION IN TERMINAL C

The Lounge is technically located in Terminal C of San Juan’s international airport, just past security, through the duty free shop to the left. While technically in Terminal C, Terminal B is a very short walk away (literally if you went right out of the duty free instead of left). As such, Terminal B passengers can easily access The Lounge without disrupting plans. The signage for The Lounge is truly right after duty free before you really get into Terminal C. Passengers access the lounge via the elevator behind the below sign. A checkin desk is right at the exit of the elevator. A line can form upstairs when busy.

Signage for The Lounge.

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