The Lounge Cinema, London - A Luxury Film Experience

The Odeon Luxury Cinema the Lounge in Whiteleys caught my attention when it was advertised in one of Odeon’s more regular cinemas. As a food lover, the idea of being served gourmet food and cocktails while sitting back and enjoying a movie just hit home.

Upon arrival you are able to hand in your coat and sit down in the modern bar while you are waiting for your movie to start. I personally recommend one of their non-alcoholic cocktails, the Autumn Garden, with fresh berries and ginger ale, the perfect refreshment.

If you are a newbie to the world of the luxury cinema experience, the exceptionally helpful staff will give you a detailed introduction to the ordering process. Throughout the movie you will see them crawling about the room, backs bent, so as not to disturb the movie-goers, delivering food and drinks. I really felt bad for them, that can’t be healthy.

The highlight of the experience, that definitely gives it the luxury touch, are the seats. They are so huge, two people might actually fit in one and they are adjustable in every possible direction. Also, there are only about 50 in each cinema. This and the cost of a ticket between £18 and £22 depending on the time of week, ensures that disturbances by popcorn throwing, rowdy people or phone-calls are practically non-existent, making it a whole new experience. Back to the olden days, when cinema was something special.

The food is prepared by Café Anglais, a restaurant within the Whiteleys shopping complex and is simply fabulous. Italian pasta, Thai green curries, lamb shish kebab, you name it, they have it. It makes popcorn and gummy bears look like amateur food in comparison.

Source: standard.co.uk

The only thing to be aware of when visiting the Lounge is that the screen is not one of the largest around, therefore seats in the second row are probably the best option. Number two is booking well in advance, since these seats go fast.

Overall, I would say the price is not cheap, but definitely worth it, if you really love watching movies and want to do so in a comfortable environment so different from the claustrophobic, dirty, run-down cinema experience often found in regular cinemas nowadays.  

Official Website：www.odeon.co.uk/thelounge/

Address：Whiteleys of Bayswater，London，W2 4YL