Best hotel lounges?

Fair enough if you receive lounge access as a status perk or an upgrade, but Covid protocols have greatly diminished the value of lounge access.

A recent enquiry for booking a Crystal club room at Crown Melbourne informed me that self serve buffets were replaced in favour of a la carte menu's and that I'd need to make a reservation to dine in the Crystal club rather than sauntering in as I please during opening hours.

This approach to Lounge Access is a growing trend among many hotel chains and will make me seriously consider whether I'd pay for a better room or even a single lounge supplement with my own hard earned $
 
We ended up at the Hilton Surfers Paradise, no lounge, but they did open the restaurant On the first floor as the venue for the executive benefits. Stayed on the executive floor, hotel location was great, staff were friendly and welcoming, food options for breakfast were quite good and changed daily. However for evening canapés it was near dreadful as far as the food offerings, drink choices were ok with beer, wine, and spirits, but it was like house wine, as the wine and bubbly (and beer I think, I didn’t have any) they served could not be purchased anywhere else, they told us it was made for them. Given I had travel credits to spend I thought the results were ok, but if I had to pay full price I would have been a little disappointed.
 
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Another vote for Traders in KL. Excellent coughtails, wine and canapes for club room happy hour.
Will be interesting to see whether the hotel lounge returns. Current offerings are almost non existent. I suspect the days of making the lounge food a light dinner are gone.
 
Fair enough if you receive lounge access as a status perk or an upgrade, but Covid protocols have greatly diminished the value of lounge access.

A recent enquiry for booking a Crystal club room at Crown Melbourne informed me that self serve buffets were replaced in favour of a la carte menu's and that I'd need to make a reservation to dine in the Crystal club rather than sauntering in as I please during opening hours.

This approach to Lounge Access is a growing trend among many hotel chains and will make me seriously consider whether I'd pay for a better room or even a single lounge supplement with my own hard earned $
Increased capacity limit means no bookings needed now except for Fri and Sat evening canapés. No buffet but happy with what is provided.
 
Conrad - Hong Kong

Vast choice of Hot / Cold Buffet Breakfast (especially the muffins kept warm in an oven)
Excellent Canapes in the evening

Service is fantastic and they are always happy to sit with you and offer tips on places to go and best way to get there (very detailed I might add) where to avoid.

Great views over the harbour too!
 
Yes they're open again but with Modified service such as A La Carte instead of Buffet & requiring an appointment instead of swanning in & out as it suits you.
I guess hardly worth it. The ones I inquired about in Melb had cancelled theirs
 
Maybe not the best lounge but it most certainly brings back some great memories - Crowne Plaza LAX. We used to stay on a corporate rate that included lounge access (I don't have any hotel loyalty status) and was a free for all with great finger food and coolers of beer/wine/etc being brought out so regularly there was never a time where a drink was not available. No RSA. As long as you dropped a $1 tip each time you grabbed a couple of drinks you were good to go.

Ahh the good times...
 
Sheraton Grand Sydney Hyde Park have just informed me they operate the lounge on L21 on Friday & Saturday, and provide lounge service from the Conservatory Bar at other times
 
Park Royal Parramatta also have the lounge open. Spent a couple of nights at the hotel just before Christmas and one night +1 and I were the only 2 in the lounge.
 
Marriott Melbourne Docklands have the M Club open 24/7 for non-alcoholic refreshments and happy hour 5-7pm for hot and cold canapes 5-8pm for drinks (good range of wine, beer, cider and spirits). Due to low occupancy closed for breakfast.
 
Pullman Melbourne lounge is open. Breakfast is downstairs in the restaurant.
Sofitel Melbourne is open. Booking required for evening drinks and canapé - there are 2 sittings per evening.
 

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