The disgraceful state of the MEL Lounge with no end in sight

[Justinf]

Looked good on Christmas day. There weren't many people there, but the coffee server thingy looks like it's nearly complete. Great range of Cascade beers ATM too.

 

[moa999]

Suggestion from other discussions that the lounge security will be in the room behind the entry desk (see bottom photo in post #72). This presumably provides a path behind the airside cafe and drops you out at the gate 1-10 security checkpoint.

Agree that no lifts need to be involved for security

 

[777]

Here now and it's pretty nice! MUCH larger even if only half opened...

Interestingly the kerbside checkin now has a "private" sign on it... Looks like club members only?

 

[Melburnian1]

What is the food like? Variety and quality?

Is it worth the expensive A$65 one off charge at (say) lunchtime or dinnertime if a traveller has a spare few hours to also have a beer or wine (or two)?

 

[moa999]

Melburnian,

In a word no for $65.

At times hot food has been hot dogs.

Grilled sandwiches are ok,
but I expect you would get a far better feed and variety spending the $65 in the terminal

 

[AdMEL]

What is the food like? Variety and quality?

Is it worth the expensive A$65 one off charge at (say) lunchtime or dinnertime if a traveller has a spare few hours to also have a beer or wine (or two)?

Melburnian,

In a word no for $65.

At times hot food has been hot dogs.

Grilled sandwiches are ok,
but I expect you would get a far better feed and variety spending the $65 in the terminal

In any event, you can't just pay $65 and gain entry! You must be a guest of a Gold, Platinum or Lounge member and the fee only applies after their guest allowance (1 for lounge and gold members, 3 for plat) has been exceeded.

 

[Kieran2274]

Is it [VA lounge] worth... the... one off charge

I doubt any FF lounge is worth a charged one-off access fee, really airport lounges only make sense when it's part of your ticket or earnt FF membership level. The price will always better spent elsewhere.

That said, I'm surprised at some of the 'outrage' at the poor VA MEL lounge. Better than the QP, and the works that have been taking place ARE making for a better lounge - soon airside access and that surely has to be something to smile about

And I didn't mind a hot dog in the CBR lounge either, especially since I've had pizza slices and mini-pies in the QF J lounge (if the 'fancier' lounge serves such stuff, seems snobby to turn one's nose up at similar treats in the plain old normal lounge).

As a plus of no VA J lounge, more chance of 'Secret Club' membership

 

[Flywithd]

As a plus of no VA J lounge, more chance of 'Secret Club' membership

They are building the club lounge in MEL. It'll be located behind where the entry desk was.

 

[serfty]

This morning:


On another note, an addition coffee station has been placed near the bar as well as the one at the new north end, making three.

Oh yes, back to ceramic coffee cups.

 

[bass_ke]

It looks really nice. I won't be through MEL again until feb, hopefully it'll be finished off by then!

 

[TheCityLane]

Big improvement. Looking forward to checking it out in a few weeks. It is a shame that the food is not better, especially given the quality available elsewhere in the airport, but for free can't complain.

 

[codash1099]

It is a shame that the food is not better, especially given the quality available elsewhere in the airport, but for free can't complain.

Being free hasn't stopped anyone complaining about food in the QP. If it's not up to standard, then it deserves a complaint

 

[marki]

Being free hasn't stopped anyone complaining about food in the QP. If it's not up to standard, then it deserves a complaint

Agree totally though Perth lounges are close to being very inadequate.

 

[moa999]

Well the newer one is a regional lounge. For the main lounge can't see VA doing any changes until the next terminal move

 

[maninblack]

I have also wondered what the staff at the second desk actually do in the MEL (and other lounges). Whenever you ask them for anything they tell you to ring the service centre.

 

[smit0847]

I have also wondered what the staff at the second desk actually do in the MEL (and other lounges). Whenever you ask them for anything they tell you to ring the service centre.

They took 25 minutes to process a fly-forward for me once. They're very friendly but not very efficient and a bit too casual for me (one asked me what I thought she should eat for lunch).

They're supposed to do all the amendments to bookings aren't they? Front desk are more for greeting, calling boarding, advising cancellations etc.

 

[drewbles]

I have also wondered what the staff at the second desk actually do in the MEL (and other lounges). Whenever you ask them for anything they tell you to ring the service centre.

They've always happily done fly ahead for me, as well as seating requests, or any flight changes. I don't think i've had them call the service centre nor told me to (the lass in the MEL lounge, I can't recall her name, is a gem (the manager); she always waves and says hello to me every time i'm in there!).

 

[Kieran2274]

They've always happily done fly ahead for me, as well as seating requests, or any flight changes. I don't think i've had them call the service centre nor told me to (the lass in the MEL lounge, I can't recall her name, is a gem (the manager); she always waves and says hello to me every time i'm in there!).

There's a very nice gent named Joe at the MEL Virgin Lounge who is hands down the most friendly, helpful person I've met. He's on that second desk from time to time. I understand that they do a lot of operations support tasks at that desk, including helping with wheelchair assists. While I can't say I've met every staffer working that Lounge, I've yet to met a staff member there who wasn't pleasant or friendly. They do seem to enjoy their jobs, and like working for Virgin, which I guess helps avoid burn-out.

 

[hgwells01]

The extension is fully open, a second coffee station for when it gets busy and its huge in here now, looks very nice, good range of salads in the bar and I had my toastie as usual and a coffee and was happy. Doesn't look like screening has changed yet so I presume its still after the lounge but I can see doors and an area that could be an area where its going to be incorporated.

 

[Bofter]

I think I know the area you mean - a gap in the glass wall. I looked over the partitions into that area though an couldn't see a door out, so I am not sure how it will work or what that area will be used for.