MEL Dom. lounges refurb Completed October 2018

[Austman]

Obviously the same architect/style used.

My "insider" information is: that's not quite correct.

Apparently the BNE lounge vendor was confident and close to wining the MEL lounge refurb. But Qantas had a late change of mind and selected another vendor. The BNE lounge vendor apparently thinks many of their ideas were, er, "borrowed" by the winning vendor.

All of the above might be incorrect!

 

[Pushka]

I see your first pic shows 2 tables of 4 occupied by a single traveller.I would have no hesitation if no other seat available to just rock up and sit in one of the other 3.They don't own the table.
also in some pics you see my other pet peeve-putting you bag or belongings on an otherwise empty chair.

I’d just ask - is anyone sitting there. Or get Lounge crew to assist. I’ll check it out next Monday arvo.

 

[JessicaTam]

Thanks for pics @calmelb. Saves me posting the same ones I took this morning at 0700.

I passed on some feedback about the showers: The only towel hook is on the door - none by the actual shower.

The lack of self serve soft drinks seems to be spreading. Why, I have no idea.

 

[moa999]

So has additional part of Qantas Club also opened, or just J Lounge?

 

[JessicaTam]

So has additional part of Qantas Club also opened, or just J Lounge?

Yes it has. I will have a look Saturday.

 

[calmelb]

Thanks for pics @calmelb. Saves me posting the same ones I took this morning at 0700.

I passed on some feedback about the showers: The only towel hook is on the door - none by the actual shower.

The lack of self serve soft drinks seems to be spreading. Why, I have no idea.

As tacky as the old soft drink self service things were at least I could pour myself a drink without having to queue

 

[Ansett]

What if I want a cup of tea do I now have to Que with coffee crew?

 

[Must...Fly!]

What if I want a cup of tea do I now have to Que with coffee crew?

J lounge had a Rockpool signature tea & cast iron pots in the cabinets in the middle of the lounge.

Regular tea was closer to the entrance with many choices. So, no for the J lounge - can't speak for the QP

 

[Pushka]

What if I want a cup of tea do I now have to Que with coffee crew?

Yes and the coffee crew have to queue with the people wanting the soft drink or alcohol. We are all queued up together. There is a small area at the very front entrance for tea but it didn’t look as though it was properly set up when I was there.

Why did they remove the coffee machines....

 

[BD1959]

Why did they remove the coffee machines....

Dear, dear, Pushka ... the term is "enhance" not "remove" ... !!


Regards,

AJ

 

[JohnK]

Why did they remove the coffee machines....

People want to drink designer coffee?

I don't understand why they would remove the soft drink dispensers. They did the same in BNE business lounge.

 

[Pushka]

People want to drink designer coffee?

I don't understand why they would remove the soft drink dispensers. They did the same in BNE business lounge.

But people don’t want to queue up behind everyone else ordering mixed drinks, soft drinks etc etc just to grab a coffee.

 

[JohnK]

But people don’t want to queue up behind everyone else ordering mixed drinks, soft drinks etc etc just to grab a coffee.

A soft drink takes 5-10 secs to pour. A designer coffee can take 2-3 minutes.

So there are 3 people in the queue for coffee and I have to wait 5 minutes to get a Coke No Sugar as there is only 1 person serving. Yep makes sense to me.

 

[RichardMEL]

IIRC there's no soft drink machine in BNE J either. Dunno about PER but seems to be a new design element.

If you want to take the green view it's to help curb obeisity levels
if you want to take the cynical view it saves a few cents having to qeue up thus less sugar/syrup consumed per pax
if you want to take the hip designer point of view the soft drink postmix machines are tacky in a lounge with a (also stupid) dress code
if you want to take the ocmmon sense point of view - bring them back !!

re lack of coffee machines in MEL J. Do ya think some genius (see point 3 above) declared "Melbourne is all about the coffee scene and they won't accept poor quality coffee" so remove the machines?

I hope the noodle bar provides good items!

 

[Pushka]

IIRC there's no soft drink machine in BNE J either. Dunno about PER but seems to be a new design element.

If you want to take the green view it's to help curb obeisity levels
if you want to take the cynical view it saves a few cents having to qeue up thus less sugar/syrup consumed per pax
if you want to take the hip designer point of view the soft drink postmix machines are tacky in a lounge with a (also stupid) dress code
if you want to take the ocmmon sense point of view - bring them back !!

re lack of coffee machines in MEL J. Do ya think some genius (see point 3 above) declared "Melbourne is all about the coffee scene and they won't accept poor quality coffee" so remove the machines?

I hope the noodle bar provides good items!

I really hope it has nothing to do obesity levels. Hate it when an institution thinks it knows what is best for me.

 

[sudoer]

if you want to take the cynical view it saves a few cents having to qeue up thus less sugar/syrup consumed per pax

Also saves on installation, cleaning and other maintenance costs involved with having multiple premix dispensers. Less wastage too. This seems the most likely candidate IMO.

 

[boomy]

I must say the complete J lounge looks so much better now. Modern open space, plenty more seating so it doesn’t feel crowded anymore and freshly made laksa for lunch, yum!

When I came for the soft opening of the new lounge I was disappointed. It looked small and crowded with no interesting food options.

Now when entering the complete lounge my feeling is totally different and positive. Good job Qantas!

Some photos of the laksa bar:
(I’m sure some will whinge about it but I love it)

 

[boomy]

Chilli paradise

 

[GoldCanyon340]

re lack of coffee machines in MEL J. Do ya think some genius (see point 3 above) declared "Melbourne is all about the coffee scene and they won't accept poor quality coffee" so remove the machines?

Oh I bet it did.

When ADL J (has a nice ring to it) is built, will it have a pie floater stand? Because, you know, South Australians like their pies (but not in the footy sense)

 

[GoldCanyon340]

I so rarely do domestic itineraries anymore but I’m looking forward to MEL J in a couple of weeks, both arrivals access and departure. Mrs 340 loves the idea of the Asian inspired food station above PER pizzas and BNE Mexican.