We were told by a close friend that doing the lounge experience was outstanding but in fact we found it appalling and put a huge dampener on the start of our journey abroad. We had to wait 20 minutes at the front reception to be welcomed due to insufficient staffing levels. Then once we entered the lounge it was a complete state. Tables were empty but had plates and glasses piled on top of them and no staff in sight to clear the tables. I then had to wait a further 20 minutes to be served at the bar due to that being under staffed aswell. The que for the bar was 27 customers long and only one bar tender. Once I got to the bar and it was my turn there was no glasses to put my gin and tonic in so I had to wait a further five minutes for glasses to be brought out of the kitchen. Also to my partners disgust the bar didn't sell cider! What English establishment doesn't sell cider? Shocked and appalled and after waiting 40 minutes to enter, be seated and then served we left. The staff were doing what they could with the very low staffing resource they had but the management have a lot to answer for regarding our appalling experience. We shall not be returning to this particular lounge and will not be recommending this lounge to anyone.