In Defence of the Melbourne Dungeon

[kangarooflyer88]

Earlier today I flew SYD to AKL (via MEL) on QF and had about a 2 hour connection in MEL. I checked out the Centurion lounge, which IMHO is superior to the SYD lounge on account of there being those desk/chair thingys they have at LAX at SQ lounges. Most importantly I had some time to check out the MEL INTL QF Business lounge (affectionately called the Dungeon) and frankly don't see what the issue is.

Is it true that it's located at the basement of MEL devoid of windows or any natural light? Absolutely! But if you judge the quality of a lounge solely based on the amount of natural sunlight coming in, then frankly I don't think you should be judging lounges. I would also make the argument that for SYD there isn't a single QF lounge that I'm aware of that gives proper plane cough. There is always some obstruction preventing you from capturing an excellent view. There's no QF lounge, that I am aware of that provides a terrace where you can sit outside and breathe in a healthy dose of aircraft exhaust fumes whilst getting a front row seat to take offs and landings. By contrast here is a view from the terrace KLM Crown lounge at Schiphol airport:


So putting aside this notion of natural sunlight and views of the apron for a moment, since frankly I think it's a settled matter for QF, we must ask ourselves what other qualities do we look for in an international business lounge? For me, I would say a decent selection of food and beverages, a large enough space to spread out so you aren't sitting shoulder to shoulder with a DYKWIA yelling at his smartphone about how he made a killing on his recent trade on the ASX. Showers are a must and of course there should be a decent sized business centre to get some work done. So far as I can tell the MEL Dungeon ticks those boxes quite nicely:






-RooFlyer88

 

[Guvner]

Not sure that MEL is immune to DYKWIA types yelling at the phones.
A few months back I spotted one in the wild and sat opposite him with a notebook and pen. Might have actually been that high bench in your pic, can't remember. Anyway, as he proceeded to hold a Zoom meeting or whatever on his iPhone speaker at full volume I pretended to take notes and nodded in agreement with the conversation every time he looked up. Took him a while but he soon got the message and moved away. The bloke next to him looked at me and burst out laughing.
If anyone here is on the SLT at Target I have some comprehensive minutes of your weekly meeting. PM me.

 

[Gold Member]

Is it true that it's located at the basement of MEL devoid of windows or any natural light? Absolutely! But if you judge the quality of a lounge solely based on the amount of natural sunlight coming in, then frankly I don't think you should be judging lounges. I would also make the argument that for SYD there isn't a single QF lounge that I'm aware of that gives proper plane cough.

Errr, SYD First Lounge has a pretty good view to get your rocks off.

I like natural light in my lounges. I will continue to judge lounges.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Not sure that MEL is immune to DYKWIA types yelling at the phones.
A few months back I spotted one in the wild and sat opposite him with a notebook and pen. Might have actually been that high bench in your pic, can't remember. Anyway, as he proceeded to hold a Zoom meeting or whatever on his iPhone speaker at full volume

That seems more like a DYKWYD (Do You Know What You're Doing) type person! This is the one thing I will miss greatly from the QF lounge at ADL when Uncle Alan gets around to "enhancing it". There are like 4 or 5 meeting rooms at that lounge which I reckon would eliminate this problem. It's a real pity other QF lounges don't have such facilities!

Errr, SYD First Lounge has a pretty good view to get your rocks off.

That may very well be the case, however as a QF Gold member the INTL J lounge is the best I'll get for now (on track to earn QF World Platinum this year though). I will also point out that Sydney suffers from the "problem" of having too many lounges. On my last international trip out of SYD, I had access to 5 lounges flying QF as a Gold and as a AmEx Platinum cardholder: the Centurion lounge, Emirates lounge, the House lounge, the Qantas J lounge, Plaza Premium/SkyTeam lounge. I would make the argument that the Emirates lounge knocks the socks off of the QF J lounge and gives the Flounge a run for its money too! Sure the views aren't great but every other aspect is, including the champers!

I like natural light in my lounges. I will continue to judge lounges.

Natural light is over rated, especially for an evening departure!

-RooFlyer88

 

[drron]

If you are into plane cough I would posit there are better places than airline lounges such as the roof top bar of the HGI Terminal 2/3 at LHR.

 

[Sprucegoose]

I would make the argument that the Emirates lounge knocks the socks off of the QF J lounge and gives the Flounge a run for its money too!

I agree with you regarding the QF J lounge, but the perspective you get from the Flounge separates it from EK.

We are getting to the point where better food is found on the ground, which is quite sad.

 

[AIRwin]

We are getting to the point where better food is found on the ground, which is quite sad.

That was my recent experience dining in the F lounges in SYD and SIN prior to my QF flight... Or perhaps I was already too full?

 

[kangarooflyer88]

If you are into plane cough I would posit there are better places than airline lounges such as the roof top bar of the HGI Terminal 2/3 at LHR.

Clearly you haven't been to enough lounges! Yeah, I will grant you that there are some hotels that have lovely views of take offs and landings like LHR or LAX. However there are also many, many lounges that provide this amenity such as the terraces at lounges at LAX, ZRH and AMS. There are some airports that also offer observation decks like SFO.

We are getting to the point where better food is found on the ground, which is quite sad.

Food has always tasted better on the ground than in the air due to humidity and all that other stuff food scientists say we lose when we gain altitude. What has changed though, is the cheapening of meals. It all started when that bozo at American realized that if they removed just one olive from First class meals they could save millions and no one would notice. It's very much the case of killing a frog in boiling water by gradually raising the temperature. Now they've practically stripped everything but the table cloth from meals in J. I'm sorry but a lil quiche isn't gonna cut it in business class on a one hour flight between capital cities in Australia. If this was a flight from Brisbane to Barcaldine, fine I'd get that. But this ain't that!

 

[AIRwin]

I'm sorry but a lil quiche isn't gonna cut it in business class on a one hour flight between capital cities in Australia. If this was a flight from Brisbane to Barcaldine, fine I'd get that.

BNE-BCI is almost 2 hours (but no Business class)

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Aside from the view, what else could we look for in an international lounge? Decent food for a start.

The problem with the lounges is that they essentially cater for economy class. Look at the sarnies… mostly bread, tiny amount of filling. Mass produced salads. Carrot sticks and celery sticks? Cheap wines?

Compare to AA’s business class lounge offering with a full buffet with lots of proteins and a huge drink selection including champagne.

Virgin lounges have sarnies… but they are packed with filling, almost no bread. Their wraps are wafer thin and bursting with contents. The staple chicken sandwiches this month have walnuts, avocado and herbs. But the main ingredient is white meat.

I think for an international lounge where people are dropping $8k upwards the offering should reflect that. Not the $399 yearly club subscription.

 

[justinbrett]

SYD T1 J lounge beats the pants off MEL T2 J Lounge - and yes, that bar is pretty low - but not as low as the MEL dungeon.

When I was there (a few years ago, before I was WP) they'd completely run out of gin. I found the lounge dull and depressing and service non existent (and this was pre-covid).

I'd rate it below quite a few domestic lounges. I don't just blame it on the lack of light - the QF LAX Flounge doesn't have windows either. Still a great lounge.

It's just the vibe. I don't like it.

 

[drron]

Well at the HGI Terminal 2/3 you see both the take off and landing runways.
The Westin DFW lounge gets you a view of every DFW runway.

Besides it is not a proper thread on AFF until someone takes it off topic.

 

[Sprucegoose]

they'd completely run out of gin

Seriously, that will do it!

I found the lounge dull and depressing and service non existent (and this was pre-covid).

One can only wonder what state it is in today.

QF LAX Flounge doesn't have windows either. Still a great lounge.

They have gin

It's just the vibe. I don't like it.

It's all about the vibe.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Aside from the view, what else could we look for in an international lounge? Decent food for a start.

Agreed

The problem with the lounges is that they essentially cater for economy class. Look at the sarnies… mostly bread, tiny amount of filling. Mass produced salads. Carrot sticks and celery sticks? Cheap wines?

Compare to AA’s business class lounge offering with a full buffet with lots of proteins and a huge drink selection including champagne.

I think you could compare this to American's Admirals Lounge, United's Club or Delta's SkyClub and it would come out favourably against all of them, especially considering most of them offer a feast only suitable for a mouse (i.e. cheese and carrots). Wine is constrained to the $10 California red they could source from a party store.

Virgin lounges have sarnies… but they are packed with filling, almost no bread. Their wraps are wafer thin and bursting with contents. The staple chicken sandwiches this month have walnuts, avocado and herbs. But the main ingredient is white meat.

I will grant you that yes Virgin lounges tend to be better catered. But it's not fair comparing domestic lounges to an international one.

I think for an international lounge where people are dropping $8k upwards the offering should reflect that. Not the $399 yearly club subscription.

I think the expectation is that the catering on board would be better.

SYD T1 J lounge beats the pants off MEL T2 J Lounge - and yes, that bar is pretty low - but not as low as the MEL dungeon.

When I was there (a few years ago, before I was WP) they'd completely run out of gin. I found the lounge dull and depressing and service non existent (and this was pre-covid).

I would challenge you on that point. Having been to the SYD J lounge a couple of times now I would argue that the MEL lounge is better catered in terms of food. Certainly I didn't see half the selection of lollies on offer at the MEL dungeon.

I'd rate it below quite a few domestic lounges. I don't just blame it on the lack of light - the QF LAX Flounge doesn't have windows either. Still a great lounge.

It's just the vibe. I don't like it.

You can't compare anything with LAX, the crown jewel of US airports and easily the best airport in the world hands down when it comes to lounges.

 

[justinbrett]

Certainly I didn't see half the selection of lollies on offer at the MEL dungeon.

You're judging lounges via lollies? $2 pack of party mix and your opinion is swayed!

You can't compare anything with LAX, the crown jewel of US airports and easily the best airport in the world hands down when it comes to lounges.

The point was you can do a good lounge without windows. MEL T2 failed this spectacularly.

LAX does not have the best lounges. It's certainly not the best QF FLounge, that goes to SYD. It's not the best AA Flagship either.

 

[dylarr]

I'd rather spend time in QF's Dom J lounge in MEL over the Int J lounge.

 

[RichardMEL]

Earlier today I flew SYD to AKL (via MEL) on QF and had about a 2 hour connection in MEL. I checked out the Centurion lounge, which IMHO is superior to the SYD lounge on account of there being those desk/chair thingys they have at LAX at SQ lounges. Most importantly I had some time to check out the MEL INTL QF Business lounge (affectionately called the Dungeon) and frankly don't see what the issue is.

Is it true that it's located at the basement of MEL devoid of windows or any natural light? Absolutely! But if you judge the quality of a lounge solely based on the amount of natural sunlight coming in, then frankly I don't think you should be judging lounges. I would also make the argument that for SYD there isn't a single QF lounge that I'm aware of that gives proper plane cough. There is always some obstruction preventing you from capturing an excellent view.

Is this the same poster that has criticised the SYD dom J lounge for having poor/worse apron views than the QC or other locations in the terminal? I am unsure how to reconcile this.

Also.. The SYD First Lounge has wonderful apron and airfield views. MEL First Lounge (above Gate 9/11) has some pretty nice views too, but not as good as SYD to be fair.

 

[Sprucegoose]

MEL First Lounge (above Gate 9/11) has some pretty nice views too, but not as good as SYD to be fair.

Nor does MEL have the perspective that SYD has. They are both great lounges, but Syd is a great lounge with a better view.

 

[MEL_Traveller]

I think you could compare this to American's Admirals Lounge, United's Club or Delta's SkyClub and it would come out favourably against all of them, especially considering most of them offer a feast only suitable for a mouse (i.e. cheese and carrots). Wine is constrained to the $10 California red they could source from a party store.

The Aadmirals Lounges, United Club and Delta equivalent are generally paid membership lounges. Along with some non-US-based status holders.

AA’s Flagship lounges and United Polaris lounges are the comparisons. They cater for business class pax. It’s true some airports don’t have Flagship or Polaris lounges yet, but the major gateway airports do… certainly those as important as MEL and SYD.

 

[RichardMEL]

LAX has the best lounges?

DXB (EK), DOH(QR) and even HKG(CX) - and yes I'm talking J - forget F - are lining up to say hold my beer - to name a few. LAX has some nice lounges - UA Polaris, QF F and J, the Star Alliance Lounge is a winner with the outdoor terrace (and indoor one) and so on... is the best? I would personally dispute that but subjective I guess.

(and perhaps you don't recall the OLD TBIT where the lounges were absolutely D I R E. the "oneworld business closet" which actually made AKL look great was a miserable place indeed... I'm sure many can remember the very dire situation prior to the QF F and J lounges opening, and when NZ opened the Star Lounge (their lounge was I think in T2 prior and was an OK, but not exactly fantastic lounge). This was also when AA in T4 was really average and UA RCC was also not great - the redeveloped one is quite nice for a United Club but of course nothing super special.

but I digress....

Lounge impressions are clearly very subjective and different people value different things obviously. That's fine.. but it seems the majority of members do not share your love for the MEL Dungeon. Still I guess QF is happy you are

and btw again you've fallen into the trap of comparing apples with orange w.r.t a QF international Business Lounge and a regular UA/AA/DL club - in no way are they the same. As noted above, the membership is mostly paid, through CC etc and aimed primarily at domestic pax. Yes, international status pax (with the home airlines) can use those lounges but this is a huge minority of the pax in those clubs - and pax in premium cabins can use the higher level lounge - AA flagship, UA Polaris etc.

So yeah the spreads at your UA or AA clubs are inferior because well.. that's half the point.

And compared to AA flagship (not including Flagship First dining) or a UA Polaris Lounge - I'd say both (in the major hub locations) are better than the dungeon (and SYD and prob BNE). Specifically Polaris lounges with a la carte dining - well there's no omparision. FLagship lounge buffets (eg: DFW D gates) is more varied than Qungeon and self serve items are of reasonable quality - certainly equal and it may come down to personal preference as to what is better. (DL I can't comment about as not been in their lounges though do understand the new LAX setup is quite good).

Point being comparing primarily domestic with an international lounge is very much different kettles of fish.