Revamped Melbourne lounge

[bullerdude]

To be honest, those photos make the spaces look fairly squishy... I mean I love the efforts that VA are putting on the lounges but the new Melb lounge just doesn't seem to have an awesome 'calming' feel to it.

I've been in it 3-4 times now but it felt a little noisy... especially over at the food service area which was just a massive mess - it should have rebuilt much further away from the entrance.

 

[EuroKick]

I suppose that's why they've built the satellite beverage stations... To stop the traffic jams at the main servery. Looks great!

 

[MartinMemo]

Let's hope they have recreated a quiet zone! Otherwise it looks nice, can't wait to see it next week.

 

[drewbles]

Let's hope they have recreated a quiet zone! Otherwise it looks nice, can't wait to see it next week.

From what i'm guessing, the 'quiet zone' is to the right of reception as you walk in. I'm currently in the lounge and the second stage renovations haven't added much space, but it's nice. The biggest change was the espresso bar area. The 'wine bar' is currently closed too, and the lounge does not feel crowded. The area down near the espresso bar is busier though.

Overall, it's a huge leap forwards for VA. The lounge is nice! I'd say it's actually nicer than the Qantas Club (and I don't care about spirits).

But.... The F*$*ing hotdogs are back. There's not even any salads in the offering either. It's fruit, sandwich fillings, a Minestrone soup and the hot dogs. That, really needs to change.

 

[straitman]

But.... The F*$*ing hotdogs are back. There's not even any salads in the offering either. It's fruit, sandwich fillings, a Minestrone soup and the hot dogs. That, really needs to change.

Yum.

Hot Dogs.

 

[erkpod]

Did someone say VA Vlounge hotdogs?

Remember, no good story started with "This one time after I had some salad..."

 

[serfty]

Through frosted doors, there's now an exit at the South end of the lounge (near the toilets) leading to the concourse for gates 11+.

Still "landside" though.

 

[bullerdude]

Through frosted doors, there's now an exit at the South end of the lounge (near the toilets) leading to the concourse for gates 11+.

Still "landside" though.

And still no priority security for pier 2 I assume?

 

[Flyer 777]

In lounge now and cant see exit from lounge to security?

 

[CamDownUnder]

Overall, it's a huge leap forwards for VA. The lounge is nice! I'd say it's actually nicer than the Qantas Club (and I don't care about spirits). But.... The F*$*ing hotdogs are back. There's not even any salads in the offering either. It's fruit, sandwich fillings, a Minestrone soup and the hot dogs. That, really needs to change.

Agreed. A big improvement for VA. Honestly, can anybody imagine this kind of lounge for Virgin just a few years back when they were Virgin Blue? But they really need to lift their game in the food department, I would rate Qantas Clubs above Virgin lounges for food.

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Hot off the press (VA Blog):

"We’re proud to officially unveil the new Virgin Australia Melbourne lounge, designed to enhance the travel experience for leisure and business travellers out of the Melbourne domestic terminal.

During the six-month transformation project, we’ve doubled the existing space in size to become the most expansive lounge in our network, and feature new service elements including a Wine Bar and an Espresso Bar.

In conjunction with the lounge, we’ve also launched our first Premium Valet service at Melbourne domestic airport, allowing guests to drop off their car seamlessly before their flight.

But we’re not done yet.

The Melbourne lounge experience will soon include its first ‘Premium Exit’ in July 2014. Located within the lounge, the dedicated security screening point will allow guests to move seamlessly to their departure gate. We know that time is of the essence for many travellers and we look forward to introducing this innovative service, allowing guests to save time and enjoy more of the lounge prior to their flight.

All day-dining and barista service
Two meeting rooms
A Wine Bar, offering a premium selection of wine and beer
An Espresso Bar
Business services including complimentary Wi-Fi, power, PCs and printers
Entertainment options including newspapers, premium magazine titles; and 10 high-definition televisions featuring FOXTEL and free-to-air programming.

For more information on our lounge network, and to find out how to become a lounge member, please visit our website."

—

The best bit?

"The Melbourne lounge experience will soon include its first ‘Premium Exit’ in July 2014. Located within the lounge, the dedicated security screening point will allow guests to move seamlessly to their departure gate."

 

[bullerdude]

Good to see the premium exit confirmed as the didn't do the premium entry like Sydney! Also good to see that the food service area has been expanded and that the pancake machine and additional hot food serving plates are back/added.

I am guessing though that the priority exit will only be for pier 1 to obviously, unless they move the security screening point for pier 2 nearer to the lounge so there can be two priority exits.

 

[clarmich]

It looks like they're building a raised walkway from the lounge to Pier 2 which would give security se renewing to all VA gates in Melbourne ... if my powers of deduction we're working as I sat on the Tarmac with a tech fault for 40 minutes yesterday...

 

[grubbidok]

Had my first wander through the new lounge in Melbourne. Nice!

I wish they'd do something about the abysmal coffee situation though. You just can't use So Good to make coffee - it renders even the best coffee made by the best barista hideously undrinkable. It's not like lactose intolerants choose not to drink milk - we already know we're missing out - we shouldn't be punished on top. And quite frankly, its' Melbourne! It should know better!

 

[Fiches Mouser]

Had my first wander through the new lounge in Melbourne. Nice!

I wish they'd do something about the abysmal coffee situation though. You just can't use So Good to make coffee - it renders even the best coffee made by the best barista hideously undrinkable. It's not like lactose intolerants choose not to drink milk - we already know we're missing out - we shouldn't be punished on top. And quite frankly, its' Melbourne! It should know better!

I agree wholeheartedly. The coffee is truly terrible, and I think it's a mix of the milk, the coffee and the baristas. Great space and concept, but the coffee needs work. And yes, especially in Melbourne.

 

[TheCityLane]

I spent some time in the revamped lounge on Friday and I must say that I was impressed. Is there still room for improvement? Yes, however compared to what we had previously it's a big step forward.

 

[scottogsyd]

I agree wholeheartedly. The coffee is truly terrible, and I think it's a mix of the milk, the coffee and the baristas. Great space and concept, but the coffee needs work. And yes, especially in Melbourne.

I'd have to agree with you regarding the coffee. I had a soy coffee in the Melb lounge a couple of weeks ago and wasn't in a rush to have a second. So Good is definately best avoided with esspresso. The coffee in the Sydney lounge is streets ahead!

 

[serfty]

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

I confirmed this a couple of weeks ago ... went in the outer frosted doors and was halted by a similar inner set of doors.

A VA employee came out and after a cordial discussion for a few minutes pleasantly redirected me back to the normal T3 upper level entry.

 

[KLN]

was in Melb lounge on Monday for a considerable amount of time. Wine offerings were excellent. normal coffee was extremely excellent. food was ok. brown rice salad, pasta salad, Gluten free bread {imprtant to me} made up beautiful toasted sandwiches with all the other accompianment, well served really for being there between 2pm and 5.30pm. service was excellent, considering our flight was delayed from 4pm to 5pm, then cancelled, then put on the 5.30pm, Row 1for the first on Virgin. basically a necessity for getting home from the F1when leaving the bookings until December and had to come home on points.

 

[TomVexille]

I'd have to agree with you regarding the coffee. I had a soy coffee in the Melb lounge a couple of weeks ago and wasn't in a rush to have a second. So Good is definately best avoided with esspresso. The coffee in the Sydney lounge is streets ahead!

So can you get a coffee with actual milk in it that tastes okay?