Revamped Melbourne lounge

[R36snowbound]

Today marked my first SYD - MEL day trip for 2014 and my first glimpse into the revamped Virgin Lounge on the Domestic terminal...........WOW.

Congratulations Virgin, although the renovations are not 100% complete, the work completed to date is impressive.

The extra space is great, the flow of the lounge (in terms of access to food & beverages and entry / exit points) is great and the lounge feels open, roomy and spacious.

If one is to complain when they are not happy about something, one also should give credit where credit is due, so well done Virgin on the improvements made to the Melbourne lounge.

P.S: I average 30 SYD - MEL day trips each year, so this improvement is greatly appreciated.

 

[lewyVA]

Flew out of Melbourne on New Years Day and have to agree with the OP. Particularly looking forward to the extra wine/coffee bar being functional!

 

[DGW]

I spotted the/an entry to The Club at MEL this afternoon, behind some temporary hoarding. Presumably the opening isn't far away.

 

[dandandandan]

I'm looking forward to stepping into my first Virgin Australia lounge in Melbourne this month. It'll be interesting to see how it compares to the Qantas Club and Domestic Business lounge in Melbourne.

 

[kelpie]

I was there on Tuesday this week. It looks terrific. So much space. The end with the toilets is still being worked on but the new wing out towards the apron looks fantastic and has heaps of room. Nice to see after quite a long labour!

 

[maninblack]

Hate to be a killjoy but I think that the seating is still rather ordinary and uncomfortable. They really could do something better.

 

[Cruiser Elite]

Hate to be a killjoy

You would never appear as a killjoy would you MIB - your postings are always so positive.

A killjoy is someone who might boo Santa - try to skittle Easter Bunny or even Mortein the Tooth Fairy - nah that don't sound like your normal positive persona.

 

[maninblack]

You would never appear as a killjoy would you MIB - your postings are always so positive.

A killjoy is someone who might boo Santa - try to skittle Easter Bunny or even Mortein the Tooth Fairy - nah that don't sound like your normal positive persona.

I think that my reserved optimism and quiet cynicism may be appreciated by some, but not others and that's fine by me. But as I was taught, always play the ball not the man.

If you like the seating then that's good, I personally do not find it very comfortable.

 

[Bofter]

For those looking forward to an even bigger extended Melbourne lounge, I thought these might be of interest. The map was in a public area, and gives a little but of insight into what awaits us. Although I suspect that the upstairs area may unfortunately not await too many of us.

 

[bullerdude]

I'm thinking that the new kerbside entry may be only for 'the club' members which is very disappointing. It would have been nice to see the Sydney premium entry replicated in Melbourne for high-status members. This also means only 'the club' members will get the lovely views from the upper level.

 

[arbo]

I spotted the/an entry to The Club at MEL this afternoon, behind some temporary hoarding. Presumably the opening isn't far away.
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View attachment 23041

I was in MEL in the past week and noticed that there was also a Club entry opposite the Bombers display, separate to the main lounge. I expect this was the airport access given the main Club entry was via the Premium Entry on the road side. I presume we won't have Premium Entry for the rest of us in MEL as we do in SYD?

 

[777]

I was in MEL in the past week and noticed that there was also a Club entry opposite the Bombers display, separate to the main lounge. I expect this was the airport access given the main Club entry was via the Premium Entry on the road side. I presume we won't have Premium Entry for the rest of us in MEL as we do in SYD?

I'd say that's the case. The same "Private" markers are on the kerbside entry.

 

[Bofter]

No premium entry for the Melbourne lounge, but the premium exit is clearly there (and expected). Two X-ray lines are shown, although the combination of not great photos plus compression by the iPhone app has made it difficult to see any detail.

I have better quality versions, but the upload on the web version of the forum doesn't want to accept them.

 

[DGW]

The new construction housing The Club looks pretty slick when it's lit up:

 

[Noob]

The new construction housing The Club looks pretty slick when it's lit up:

View attachment 24204

Indeed it does! I was looking forward to seeing it at night/early morning as I thought during construction in December it looked 'illuminable'.

 

[hummel]

Looks pretty funky and makes MEL look very old at the same time!

 

[Jousams]

So is there going to be a curbside entry for us regulars?

 

[serfty]

So is there going to be a curbside entry for us regulars?

Unlikely, it look likes the one being built feed directly into "The Club".

 

[Bofter]

So is there going to be a curbside entry for us regulars?

It looks like it only leads into the Club, so any kerbside entry is likely to be followed swiftly by a kerbside exit.

Mind you given that security is after the lounge in MEL and with new premium security at that, I am not sure what advantage kerbside entry would bring.

 

[serfty]

Unlikely, it look likes the one being built feed directly into "The Club".

... although there are some steps indicated at the end of the chute as it enters the main building - one can hope.