Tourist Schengen Visa to spain Experience

Hello,

I am a student in the UK on a tier 4 student visa(i am Thai). I am planning to go to spain (10days) and Italy (8 days) from the 30th March-15th April. I have all the required documents ready but the earliest possible appointment with vfs is on the 12th of March (13 working days before trip).
1)Would anyone please share their experience in obtaining a tourist schengen visa from spain?
2)How long does it normally take? (much more than the 5 working days on the VFS site?)
3)And would it be a better idea if i pay 60 GBP for the business lounge. This way i could get an appointment as early as 3rd of march.
4)Or would it be better for me to call of the spain trip and get a visa to italy instead.

Thank you!