Circum Pacific 1W Lounge Hop - Summary

[knightman7]

I definitely agree SYD F lounge is better than MEL F lounge in terms of layout and general ambience, however SYD is always very overcrowded when I'm in there, whereas I have found MEL to be more tranquil and relaxed. Probably just timing on my part, but its been 10+ visits to both. Must say though, I do prefer CX The Wing in HKG over the QF F lounge here in SYD. But not by much.

 

[RooFlyer]

Singapore Airlines First Lounge, Sydney – lunch time

I was flying UA Global First SYD-SFO and at check-in asked if the SQ Silver Kris F lounge was accessible. Definitely not, was the reply (but put politer than that ). Never-the-less I asked at the SQ lounge and in fact there was no problem in my using it.

The lounge is smallish to medium size, with seating for about 35 people, but few of these seats have access to power points. When I entered I was the only occupant and lunch was in the process of being laid out.



I was after a snack before boarding at about 1:30pm. The selection wasn’t stunning, but the prawn based yum cha in the steamer fitted the bill nicely. There were also sandwiches, soup, samosas, sausage rolls, basmati rice with chicken, fresh fruit, desserts. Usual selection of beers, spirits and Australian wines. Champagne was Piper Heidsieck Monopole ‘Blue Top’. Pretty nice.

Single gents and ladies toilets plus a shower suite. A PC with printer in one corner. Two TVs on the wall, showing different news channels, with volume down low.

Overall
This is a nice lounge with very good but not excellent food and drink; facilities are just OK for a first class lounge. Ambiance is relaxing and one could spend a comfortable few hours here.

 

[RooFlyer]

Air New Zealand Koru Club Sydney – early afternoon

The Koru Club is large, seating over a hundred and it’s a nice, casual but busy atmosphere. There are a number of zones (eg TV watching, etc) with good views out to the E-W runway. I like the touch of giving you a card with wi-fi details as you enter the lounge.

Food selections again tend to the casual side, with a toasted sandwich maker, the usual hot dog stand, hot finger food, muffins, salads, etc. Love the scones and cream. Selection of Kiwi and Aussie beers, NZ wines (and a rogue Barossa!) and usual range of spirits. The sparkling is Te Hana Reserve Cuvee, but the open bottles don’t have stoppers!

There’s a service desk, a ‘mobile free’ area, phone recharging station, PCs scattered about plus meeting rooms and good bathroom and shower facilities.

I like Koru Clubs. They are great places just to hang out and relax and get some comfort food into you, washed down with the stuff you wouldn’t mind drinking at home.


Overall
A great relaxing but busy lounge with everything you need and food and drink you can happily consume as long as you aren’t on a diet.

 

[RooFlyer]

UA Arrival Lounge, San Francisco - breakfast

The UA Arrivals lounge is situated sort of between the International and United terminals. The lounge area isn’t large and has seating for maybe eight people, plus six or so dining tables for 4 each. There was only 1 other person there when I arrived about 8:30am.

Breakfast offerings were fresh fruit, Danishes and muffins, cereals, yoghurt, toast, plus juices, tea, coffee etc. Presentation is crisp and bright.



The shower suites are medium size but a feature is a pretty comprehensive amenities pack – including a deodorant stick. This kit was a keeper.

Overall
Just what you need after landing TPAC. Even though the in flight breakfast was pretty good (believe it or not), if there's a next time I'll just breakfast here.

 

[RooFlyer]

United International First Lounge, San Francisco - dinner time

This lounge was was a pleasant surprise. I was there for over 4 hours before my 10:30pm flight back to SYD and for the entire time it was quiet and serene, even when 2/3 full.

The lounge consists of 2 large rooms (plus a small side ‘quiet’ room), fairly tastefully decorated in an Asian style - feeling much like a lounge in one of the fancier hotels in Hong Kong. The entry room has a number of comfortable chairs and couches around small tables. Power points are along the walls. Vases and table lamps proliferate. Plantation blinds are on the windows, which look out onto United 747s at their gates.



The other room has the food and drink offerings and more tables and chairs plus a TV on low volume. When I got there, there was a nice selection of food on offer. Mainly Asian style – sushi and sashimi, peeled jumbo prawns etc. Plus fresh fruit, cheeses and salad. On the other counter were sandwiches, cold cuts and some desert pies. The drinks continued the Asian theme – sake, Singaporean beer (also Becks) and some others. Californian wines plus Ruinart Blanc de Blancs Champagne. I learn later that Ruinart is the oldest Champagne house! It goes down exceptionally well and pleased to see that the first bottle was soon replaced by 2 more as I and a number of other pax gave it a good sampling.



The lounge mostly emptied with the departure of 2 flights to Germany about 3 hours before the Sydney flight. After that, the food offerings were not touched at all by the staff. The sushi etc left-overs were piled onto the one plate, but not refreshed for the pax who arrived for the SYD flight!! The cheese plate was all over the place – not very appetizing for those who just arrived. Very disappointing for what was otherwise a nice experience.

There is a business area, with a number of tables but no PCs; just a fax and a bunch of phone books. There is no luggage storage. When I asked at the desk about luggage storage, they replied "Why?" :shock:

There are only 2 shower units and perfectly functional, again with the really good amenity packs provided.


Overall.
A very nice First lounge. Asian themed, quiet and dignified with all amenities and good food and drink except for the SYD passengers, who had to make do with the left-overs of what was provided earlier. Excellent Champagne.

 

[JohnK]

Very nice review of the lounges.

You have some interesting views on some of the lpunges. I would not necessarily rate them so high but I guess we look at the lounges differently.

 

[RooFlyer]

Very nice review of the lounges.

You have some interesting views on some of the lpunges. I would not necessarily rate them so high but I guess we look at the lounges differently.

Very likely. I put my general criteria into the first post, but of course many of these current visits are 'first offs' and the reviews may have been different if, say, I struck the lounge full of loud bozos or if I was having a bad hair day in general. TBH, I may have been a bit generous to the UA Flounge in SFO, above. I was probably taken in by the surprise that it wasn't dreadful in general!

I think we would agree that a F lounge should have:

* food offerings which are fresh, varied and in anyone's book, above 'average' including hot offerings
* 'home' or 'flagship' Flounges should have a la carte and waiting service
* good quality wines and spirits, and Champagne;
* shower suites and good amenity packs;
* be generally calm and un-crowded such that one can have a quiet and private read / work and not be cheek by jowl with other pax;
* have PCs available, with printer

 

[RooFlyer]

Silver Kris lounge at SYD closed for renovations as of 9th August.
https://www.singaporeair.com/jsp/cms/en_UK/press_release_news/130809-sydskl.jsp

 

[Sprucegoose]

I definitely agree SYD F lounge is better than MEL F lounge in terms of layout and general ambience, however SYD is always very overcrowded when I'm in there, whereas I have found MEL to be more tranquil and relaxed. Probably just timing on my part, but its been 10+ visits to both. Must say though, I do prefer CX The Wing in HKG over the QF F lounge here in SYD. But not by much.

much prefer Mel fortune reasons you outlined. More relaxed and confident, as in the city!

 

[Speedbird001]

The QF Flounges in Australia are becoming a little tired, not aesthetically but in terms of offering.

The so-called Neil Perry dining experience would - sorry, should - make Mr Perry shudder with horror when he sees the averageness of the presentation and produce. The wine offering can also be very average. Sometimes they'll put on a corker, often in a decanter at the bar. CX Flounge is superior all round - service, quality, variety and the cabanas to top it off are really fantastic.

I am intrigued to see how The Wing tops the MEL F lounge - reports I have heard are that the Wing is much sharper and newer now but not necessarily that much improved. Have you been to the SYD F lounge for comparison? I am obviously biased being a Sydneysider but I certainly think SYD with its great views of the city, open and airy environment is much better than MEL.