Royal Air Force Club
I used the Club a couple of weeks ago to entertain some Foreign Johnnies visiting London for DSEi at Docklands. Once again, I treated them to High Tea in the Cowdray Room. It went down a treat*, and I'm sure left the impression that we all take high tea like that. But then we do, don't we?
Seriously, this form of soft diplomacy costs naff all but generates good will (and defence sales). UK Trade and Investment reckon on a 1:19 return on this sort of hosting; DSEi alone will generate sales running into the Billions.
The Club is a great Service, indeed National, asset, but it remains important that the Club continues to meet the needs of serving officers, primus inter pares, which I beleive it still does. Bookings are a measure of the popularity of the club - speculatively, I suppose I get a 50/50 chance of getting a room if I ring up with a week to go. Pity it wasn't made easier on the DHRS/HRG/Whatever it's called now.
Seriously, this form of soft diplomacy costs naff all but generates good will (and defence sales). UK Trade and Investment reckon on a 1:19 return on this sort of hosting; DSEi alone will generate sales running into the Billions.
The Club is a great Service, indeed National, asset, but it remains important that the Club continues to meet the needs of serving officers, primus inter pares, which I beleive it still does. Bookings are a measure of the popularity of the club - speculatively, I suppose I get a 50/50 chance of getting a room if I ring up with a week to go. Pity it wasn't made easier on the DHRS/HRG/Whatever it's called now.
*There were two embarrasing moments when I asked one of my party to leave a briefcase at reception; later on, I had to politely ask one of them to step out of the lounge when the BlackBerry rang out with a God-awful tune. Some people...
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
WUH, I tried to make a booking for next August but apparently there is some event on and they are fully booked.
By whom I wonder?
By whom I wonder?
Cue thread drift on the RAF Fitness Tests and how useless PTIs are.
I remember a note from the Club a couple of years ago asking people to confirm bookings at the Club for the Olympics. Wished I'd made a booking and then flogged it off to someone who might be interested in attending said jock-fest.
I remember a note from the Club a couple of years ago asking people to confirm bookings at the Club for the Olympics. Wished I'd made a booking and then flogged it off to someone who might be interested in attending said jock-fest.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Haven't seen much good news about the Club on the forum.
Trolls are part and parcel of this style of media discussion...how the individuals deal with them is a personal choice (unless of course the mods step in...which on this forum is quite rare). However, we have to live with them and they are never far away.
The slightly convoluted point I am making is, if you go back over the past few pages of this thread, strip out the inevitable troll, most of the posts about the RAF Club are positive, good and encouraging.
Which, on Pprune, amounts to a ringing endorsement of this facility.
I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
TOFO 
One reason I retain my membership is that the MiL loves the ambience. She visits Buck House every year and even just a quick brush up before the visit and afternoon tea afterwards is a great treat.
OTOH I can nip out, do a bit of shopping, then enjoy a refreshing shower before tea and the drive home.
Also I wonder how many people avail themselves of the discounted parking in the Mayfair car park?
One reason I retain my membership is that the MiL loves the ambience. She visits Buck House every year and even just a quick brush up before the visit and afternoon tea afterwards is a great treat.
OTOH I can nip out, do a bit of shopping, then enjoy a refreshing shower before tea and the drive home.
Also I wonder how many people avail themselves of the discounted parking in the Mayfair car park?
I used the Club in August - 2 nights in a mini-suite. Very comfortable, and I enjoyed the brekkie. All in all, a good weekend attending a wedding and visiting old friends!
Pontius, I used Vinci parking underneath Park Lane, just north of Hyde Park Corner. It is possible to get a RAF Club discount there, but only upon presentation of an accommodation bill from the Club. Consequently, if one uses Vinci's online booking (to ensure a parking space) there is no discount - I confimed that with them. Online means book and pay together - c'est la vie! So, if you want the discount, you have to take a chance there is a space available when you turn up, and pay in arrears. Nevertheless, the convenience of the parking lot suited my needs.
Pontius, I used Vinci parking underneath Park Lane, just north of Hyde Park Corner. It is possible to get a RAF Club discount there, but only upon presentation of an accommodation bill from the Club. Consequently, if one uses Vinci's online booking (to ensure a parking space) there is no discount - I confimed that with them. Online means book and pay together - c'est la vie! So, if you want the discount, you have to take a chance there is a space available when you turn up, and pay in arrears. Nevertheless, the convenience of the parking lot suited my needs.
Tanker,
Surely most of those on this thread who have made negative comments have voted with their feet and left the RAF Club before now?
Having said that I followed your link, and it was only at the very last question that it asked for your membership number. I suppose therefore that ex-members could answer the survey and either put in their old membership number, or if they can't remember it, just write 'ex-member' with membership dates as applicable...
STRANGE - My reply to "Tanker" has appeared before the comment that generated it.....
Surely most of those on this thread who have made negative comments have voted with their feet and left the RAF Club before now?
Having said that I followed your link, and it was only at the very last question that it asked for your membership number. I suppose therefore that ex-members could answer the survey and either put in their old membership number, or if they can't remember it, just write 'ex-member' with membership dates as applicable...
STRANGE - My reply to "Tanker" has appeared before the comment that generated it.....
For those club members who haven't already been notified by email, there is a survey which you can complete giving your own views.
It seems pretty obvious that they are trying to drum up the events trade, and there is a question on widening membership which I was careful to answer at length. Anyway, those members who have had their say on this thread ought to make their feelings felt on here - positive or negative.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RAFCLUBSURVEY
It seems pretty obvious that they are trying to drum up the events trade, and there is a question on widening membership which I was careful to answer at length. Anyway, those members who have had their say on this thread ought to make their feelings felt on here - positive or negative.
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RAFCLUBSURVEY
Yes that's been happening a bit recently on other threads Biggus. I think it's something to do with the Hadron collider messing up the space/time continuum 
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I don't own this space under my name. I should have leased it while I still could
Clever survey, one question would not take no for an answer.
I also forgot to mention the aircon in the Running Horse.
I also forgot to mention the aircon in the Running Horse.
Clever survey, one question would not take no for an answer.
1. Inability to get a room when I want one on so many occasions that I now look for hotac before going to the Club.
2. The perception amongst many in my peer group that the social functions seem to be targeting retired senior officers living close to London rather than appealing to the mass membership who are subsidising the retired members' social engagements.
3. That the survey has ominous portents for the Club losing sight of its intended function - a private officer's club, instead becoming a business / meeting facility with accommodation tagged on.
Edited to add - the above points may be factually incorrect by now, it is so long since I have used the Club because of the above points. However, even if they are now factually incorrect, it is clear that a residual perception of the Club being run for the benefit of retired senior officers exists and which needs working on. I should have added on the questionnaire that they need a good PR campaign amongst current serving members to try and entice them back to the fold. I agree with earlier comments that it is a fantastic facility - even with the grumbles I have -but the Club really need to work on retaining support and patronage amongst the younger generation if it isn't to become irrelevant.
Just completed the survey - and included my contact details. teh beef for me is the practical difficulties getting a room under the MOD ceiling when in London on Duty.
I stayed at the Club last night. Had a very acceptable supper in the Running Horse, accompanied by a very nice glass or three of NZ Sauvignon Blanc. A relaxed breakfast this morning followed a good night's sleep in a comfortable bed.
As I have come to expect, every single member of staff that I spoke throughout my stay to was attentive and polite.
I wouldn't dream of cancelleing my membership.
And, by the way, I only booked my room last week (online). At the time of booking there were no rooms with showers available; however, when I checked in yesterday evening one had become available.
Overall assessment? Very satisfied!
As I have come to expect, every single member of staff that I spoke throughout my stay to was attentive and polite.
I wouldn't dream of cancelleing my membership.
And, by the way, I only booked my room last week (online). At the time of booking there were no rooms with showers available; however, when I checked in yesterday evening one had become available.
Overall assessment? Very satisfied!
Gentleman Aviator
Must again laud the Club and agree with 1.3 above (or possibly below, depending on the tachyons ).
Was there a coupla weeks ago - weekday, for a reunion - and was upgraded to a suite, at no extra cost - still paid single with shower rate. Two bedrooms, one with double, one with bunks (wish they'd had those when ankle-snappers were closer to the ankles) and a ginormous bathroom.
Shame I was on my own .........
).Was there a coupla weeks ago - weekday, for a reunion - and was upgraded to a suite, at no extra cost - still paid single with shower rate. Two bedrooms, one with double, one with bunks (wish they'd had those when ankle-snappers were closer to the ankles) and a ginormous bathroom.
Shame I was on my own .........
Oh dear,
Who has seen tha latest RAF Club Newsletter?
Another self-opinionated chod who seems to have made a career of avoiding the RAF by doing back-to-back NATO tours it seems.
Note to self - must submit bio/CV to Club for next newsletter. Good for networking, eh?
Who has seen tha latest RAF Club Newsletter?
Another self-opinionated chod who seems to have made a career of avoiding the RAF by doing back-to-back NATO tours it seems.
Note to self - must submit bio/CV to Club for next newsletter. Good for networking, eh?
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I recently held a work presentation at the RAF Club in one of the entertaining rooms (Presidents) for shareholders (now that I am a civvie...).
The event ran like clockwork, the staff were superb and all in it was half the price of doing a similar event anywhere in Mayfair. My guests all commentated on how special it was to be invited into such a special club.
It is a brilliant club and by far and away the best value for money in Mayfair - sure you can get a cheaper room if you go to the travel-lodge in Acton, but thats not the point really is it!
Long may it stay as it is, and hopefully those moaning on here about it being SOOO expensive (really??! I am also member of somewhere close by and I can assure you that the annual subscription is 3 x what the RAF club is, plus a punchy joining fee) won't come and dampen the happy vibe the RAF club has.
The event ran like clockwork, the staff were superb and all in it was half the price of doing a similar event anywhere in Mayfair. My guests all commentated on how special it was to be invited into such a special club.
It is a brilliant club and by far and away the best value for money in Mayfair - sure you can get a cheaper room if you go to the travel-lodge in Acton, but thats not the point really is it!
Long may it stay as it is, and hopefully those moaning on here about it being SOOO expensive (really??! I am also member of somewhere close by and I can assure you that the annual subscription is 3 x what the RAF club is, plus a punchy joining fee) won't come and dampen the happy vibe the RAF club has.