Air New Zealand or Singapore Lounge at MEL T2?

[ChillingDemon]

So, we're flying J with SQ (to Singapore, en route to Maldives later in the week) on Sunday, and my research suggests we can access either the SQ lounge, or the Air New Zealand lounge at T2 in MEL. We've not been to either before.

If that's correct, can anyone recommend which is the better of the two? The last few times we've flown J out of MEL (on several different airlines) we've wound up being shunted into the Marhaba lounge, despite believing we had access to other lounges (e.g. QF business). I'd really like to avoid the Marhaba lounge this time if it all possible, particularly as I worry we were directed there unnecessarily in the past because we weren't knowledgeable enough to call this out!

Anyway, which of the two lounges do you guys think would be best? SQ or NZ? Are there any other lounges we could access which I've missed?

 

[MEL_Traveller]

YMMV, but i prefer the SQ lounge. The ANZ lounge feels a bit spartan.

 

[dajop]

Allow time to visit both. There's your solution. Visit SQ earlier on before it gets too crowded, participate in the fare on offer there, then move to NZ lounge after it starts getting busy. Might depend on the time of your flight vs flights to New Zealand as to whether the NZ lounge is busy though, but it is is bigger.

 

[Human]

I personally find the Singapore lounge in Melbourne very underwhelming. But as above, there's no harm in popping into both and then making your decision.

If you have an AmEx card which gives access, the Centurion Lounge is small but pretty good when it's not too crowded.

 

[serfty]

Allow time to visit both. There's your solution. Visit SQ earlier on before it gets too crowded, participate in the fare on offer there, then move to NZ lounge after it starts getting busy. Might depend on the time of your flight vs flights to New Zealand as to whether the NZ lounge is busy though, but it is is bigger.

I did this very thing, but the opposite order yesterday. Flying Business SQ238 (4:40PM) I was able to OLCI and was airside before noon.

SQ Lounge was closed in any case until 1:40pm so went to NZ lounge for a couple of hours where I completed some work.

NZ lounge much bigger with views of aircraft undercarriage.

Food and Beverage was about equal.

 

[jase05]

What are the hours of the NZ lounge currently.
TG are still ”recommending” the NZ lounge on their website however it seems that it shuts at 2230 so I might pop in for an hour or so and then saunter over to the SQ lounge until we board

 

[lovestotravel]

The Amex lounge is a dump
SQ lounge is ok, but getting tired F&B - Average
NZ lounge is nicer, F&B slightly better

Nothing great about any of them sadly

 

[Peanutbladder]

For me I much prefer the space and natural light of the NZ lounge to the SQ lounge. I find it dark and too small for the number of pax. Usually, I pop in the SQ lounge for some Asian food fix and then slope off to the NZ lounge for better wine.

 

[jase05]

Anyone able to confirm the NZ lounge opening hours. NZ website says 150 minutes before departure yet I still see some blogs suggesting it’s open until midnight. Not to fussed as I’ll head to the SQ lounge regardless but was going to pop into both. I’m on TG462 at 0030

 

[AIRwin]

Anyone able to confirm the NZ lounge opening hours.

I was in MEL T2 last week and could have checked it out. Hopefully someone can confirm?

 

[jase05]

I was in MEL T2 last week and could have checked it out. Hopefully someone can confirm?

NZ website has this and I thought the last NZ flight out is at 1855
TG website suggests using NZ lounge
As I said no biggie but eas going to check them both out if I could

 

[clifford]

Anyone able to confirm the NZ lounge opening hours. NZ website says 150 minutes before departure yet I still see some blogs suggesting it’s open until midnight. Not to fussed as I’ll head to the SQ lounge regardless but was going to pop into both. I’m on TG462 at 0030

I'm travelling on this flight next month and would also be interested to know the answer.

In any case, I would be spending most of my time in the SQ lounge. Not too impressed with the "new" NZ lounges.

Or I could just stay in the VA lounge in T3 until throwing out time...