RAF Club
The club I feel is good value, membership is reasonable. Colleagues of mine belong to C+G next door and pay around 3 times as much in membership.
My children have always been welcomed into the club and other members make a fuss of them. It is what you make of it and my only regret is that I cannot use it more.
My children have always been welcomed into the club and other members make a fuss of them. It is what you make of it and my only regret is that I cannot use it more.
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Yes here we go again! I have been a member now for 37 yrs. For the last 16 yrs I have lived abroad. I last tried to stay at The Club about 6 yrs ago (midweek). They were full. I have booked in June this year. This will be an extremely expensive room given my subscriptions over the years. But, to us it is an oasis in the middle of an environment we are now totally unaccustomed to.
Also if you are not a member you do not have access to the page to see who has croaked each month
Also if you are not a member you do not have access to the page to see who has croaked each month
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Exascot, get an umbrella.
Essential for pushing through the ignorant crowds milling outside the Hard Rock Cafe.
I agree about the Oasis and I always take a shower if I am not staying over. Even with infrequent visits the long serving staff know and greet us.
Essential for pushing through the ignorant crowds milling outside the Hard Rock Cafe.
I agree about the Oasis and I always take a shower if I am not staying over. Even with infrequent visits the long serving staff know and greet us.
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skua
Fair points.
The subs of equivalent London clubs are considerably higher than the RAF Club.
The annual sub at the one to which I belong is £1260.
Country membership (150 miles from London) is £630.
RAF Club:
Serving Officers pay from £41 to a maximum of £161 (Air Cdre & above.)
eg Sqn Ldr £80.
(Figures from the Club website.)
I think you will find the Club's normal rate compares very favourably with the 'country' membership rates of other West End clubs. And the booze and food is reasonably priced too.
The subs of equivalent London clubs are considerably higher than the RAF Club.
The annual sub at the one to which I belong is £1260.
Country membership (150 miles from London) is £630.
RAF Club:
Serving Officers pay from £41 to a maximum of £161 (Air Cdre & above.)
eg Sqn Ldr £80.
(Figures from the Club website.)
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: East Sussex UK
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I know Twitter isn't that popular with some ... But the RAF Club 'feed' is really quite good ... some interesting historic pics 
https://twitter.com/TheRAFClub
https://twitter.com/TheRAFClub
RAF Club:
Serving Officers pay from £41 to a maximum of £161 (Air Cdre & above.)
eg Sqn Ldr £80.
(Figures from the Club website.)
Serving Officers pay from £41 to a maximum of £161 (Air Cdre & above.)
eg Sqn Ldr £80.
(Figures from the Club website.)
I have in fact just resigned, purely because on the rare occasions I visit London I have as often as not been unsuccessful in securing a room. However I do agree with the "oasis" argument, and though the bedrooms may be pretty poky by most standards (the Premier Inn room I stayed in on my last visit knocked spots off the Club bedrooms), the public areas are terrific, and a drink in the Cowdray Lounge is the one thing I'll really miss on my next visit, whenever that may be.
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TT We would be delighted to buy you a drink at 128 on 19th or 20th June as our guest. We have actually booked one of the new suites so perhaps it will not be so poky. A word which I would certainly agree with from previous stays.
Actually Flt Lt Exascot resigned as she gets almost the same rights as the wife of a member so we did save on subscriptions there
Actually Flt Lt Exascot resigned as she gets almost the same rights as the wife of a member so we did save on subscriptions there
Last edited by Exascot; 6th Jan 2015 at 16:13.
Thats very kind ex ascot. We did stay in a suite many years ago when some cockup in the bookings meant that our booked room was not available. Only paid the normal room rate and the suite was very comfortable - enjoy your stay
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I'm a family member of the club (Dad was a Sqn Ldr) and pay the full rate. I visit several times a year and having been to other comparable London clubs, 128 is excellent value for money. Most similar London clubs are approaching £1000 a year membership. I'm always made to feel very welcome, despite not having served, and I consider it a privilege to be a part of it. I wanted to stay there a few months ago but it was fully booked, so the Guards club next door kindly accommodated me for about 20% more than staying at 128. The club is a delightful place to spend time and I'd highly recommend it to all
I was in the Club 18 months ago when the French Air Force squadron badges were unveiled. Made me sorry I was not still a Member, although from France somewhat impracticable. Long may it continue, and thanks Rick for making me so welcome.
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The en-suite single rooms are small, but I wouldn't use the word poky. Stayed there in December, in a newly refurbished room which had a very classy and comfortable feel. That aside, the nature of both my visits and my fellow guests ensure that it's only used for sleep - and precious little of that
I've been a member for 53 years now and was foiled (b@stards) on the 'free' membership scheme by only about 12 days when the Honorary Life Membership for members with 50 yrs continuous membership was abolished c 3 yrs ago.
However at the moment my 'frozen' subscription is £128-94 pa - incredible value even tho' I only use the place a couple of times a year.
However at the moment my 'frozen' subscription is £128-94 pa - incredible value even tho' I only use the place a couple of times a year.
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To me it's all a little twee and quaint. Not knocking it - to each his own. Struggling to see how it offers value for money though, unless you are a reg of course - and unlike many of you, I was born there (there = yee old London town).
Am I still persona non grata? I joined on day 1 at IOT (for a quiet life) and promptly resigned 1 year and 1 day later.
PN - believe it or believe not, The Hard Rock cafe in Piccadilly was actually part of my paper round - I sh1t you not.
Am I still persona non grata? I joined on day 1 at IOT (for a quiet life) and promptly resigned 1 year and 1 day later.
PN - believe it or believe not, The Hard Rock cafe in Piccadilly was actually part of my paper round - I sh1t you not.
Another alternative worth considering for a 'one off' stay in London is the Union Jack club - nice rooms, good food and cheap beer!
Very close to Waterloo and not bad rates (For London!) from what I can remember.
Very close to Waterloo and not bad rates (For London!) from what I can remember.
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I remember being told the Union Jack Club is for lower ranks only not commissioned officers, either currently serving or vet.
That was on a visit to London many years ago. Has it changed?
I remember being told the Union Jack Club is for lower ranks only not commissioned officers, either currently serving or vet.
That was on a visit to London many years ago. Has it changed?
??