F MEL lounge opening times

[SRS65]

Hi everyone
have asked this in the lounge thread but thought this May be the right forum:
travelling F on EK to SIN - QF codeshare QF 8405 and arrive from ADL into MEL at 3:30pm departing to SIN at 7pm.
with the opening hours discrepancies with the F lounge - will it definitely be open as this was an important part of booking this class with QF to ensure F lounge access?

 

[Danger]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer.com.au/community/airport-lounges/qantas-first-class-lounge-melbourne-24938.html

 

[eminere]

Lounge Location | Australia | Melbourne International | International First

 

[kermatu]

SRS65 - The lounge will be open. I have been there several times at these hours - it is quiet and a nice place to relax but have a good meal and enjoy a few drinks.

The spa is unlikely to be open - but the hours seem very variable to me so I'm not sure. The details on QFs website do not match reality as best I can tell. I suspect that's because QF doesn't have an exact and identical International daily schedule. That said I have been lucky to either catch the last treatment of the 'morning' session or the first treatment of the evening session.

 

[serfty]

Lounge Location | Australia | Melbourne International | International First

Looks like it has been updated recently ... from that link:

Hours

06:15 to 23:15

 

[SRS65]

Thanks for the replies
Apparently Qantas are changing supplier for spa services in the MEL F lounge so times may change and services offered.

 

[clazman]

Outsourced to India

 

[kermatu]

Thanks for the replies
Apparently Qantas are changing supplier for spa services in the MEL F lounge so times may change and services offered.

Didn't the spa service update just one year ago? I am by no means a spa aficionado but have always enjoyed the Aurora treatments.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Didn't the spa service update just one year ago? I am by no means a spa aficionado but have always enjoyed the Aurora treatments.

Yes that's correct. I too enjoy the Aurora spa experience. Not aware of any outsourcing at MEL.

 

[Nizar]

Re: SRS65 I am not sure if its you flying out ADL to MEL to meet that EK F 07/07, dep

Taken from the relevant QF page, is this (below) correct ? Does the spa really close at 19:00 even though QF9 departs at 23:00 ? If I am on the EK flight that departs at 02:40 and dead set on trying the spa when is the best time to arrive in the lounge ? Will 18:00 cut it ? The pax on the EK SIN departure would have largely boarded by then ?

~ Operating hours for the Melbourne Spa are 07:00 to 11:00 and 1300 to 1900 daily.

 

[Princess Fiona]

No those hours are incorrect. The Spa is open for QF 9 passengers. Last appointment 1/2hr before lounge closes which is when QF 9 starts boarding.

 

[kermatu]

The P1 team told me (just yesterday) the spa hours in Melbourne are 0730 to 1130; and 1930 to 2200. I have had early afternoon appointments in the last couple of months though, and back in January got one around 6pm (from memory) -- so I don't think it is exact.

Given there's now a few OW and QF late night flights 10pm seems about as early a closure as would be acceptable.

Am surprised Sydney spa closes at 4pm. For the first time in a while I will travel ex-Sydney on a late evening departure (10pm) in a couple of months. Seems like I'll miss the spa (connecting from Canberra around 6pm).

 

[SRS65]

Yes - spoke to Qantas and have been informed the spa is closed prior our 1900 departure on EK F flight to SIN
Bit of a disappointment as my wife was looking forward to it and we are flying QF code share F.
They have informed me this may change though closer to our Dec departure - so fingers crossed.

 

[kermatu]

Timing may change so here's hoping. The January experience I had was when the approx. 18:30 flight to Auckland was delayed by an hour - I was advised the spa would open and they could give me a session with enough time to still board with time to spare. So let the lounge desk know on arrival you are keen and if the first service opens up earlier you might be lucky.

My assumption though is the EK flight to Singapore is rarely delayed as the aircraft has been in Melbourne most of the day already (I think). I got 'lucky' with a delayed departure (but then arrived NZ well after midnight).

 

[SRS65]

Timing may change so here's hoping. The January experience I had was when the approx. 18:30 flight to Auckland was delayed by an hour - I was advised the spa would open and they could give me a session with enough time to still board with time to spare. So let the lounge desk know on arrival you are keen and if the first service opens up earlier you might be lucky.

My assumption though is the EK flight to Singapore is rarely delayed as the aircraft has been in Melbourne most of the day already (I think). I got 'lucky' with a delayed departure (but then arrived NZ well after midnight).

Must admit kermatu that we would rather miss out on the spa than get into SIN later than the scheduled near midnight arrival.
i am pretty sure we will still get the value and experience from the F lounge arriving into MEL with a 3.5hr connection time.
As you say though things may change between now an then.

 

[kermatu]

Any F lounge time is good as far as I'm concerned. It is a lovely feature and benefit for F flyers and status passengers. The spa treatments, while terrific, are only 20 minutes so by no means the only focus. And if you are flying F you'll have no trouble relaxing on board!

 

[SRS65]

Any F lounge time is good as far as I'm concerned. It is a lovely feature and benefit for F flyers and status passengers. The spa treatments, while terrific, are only 20 minutes so by no means the only focus. And if you are flying F you'll have no trouble relaxing on board!

Thanks for the info Kermatu
we are really looking forward to EK F and the experience that it brings
Having limited experience travelling this class we purely want to get the most out of it.
All the research we have done portrays that the 777 experience is just as good as the 380 albeit without shower and business class bar.
Some reports actually convey that the 777 is a bit more spacious and personalised in cabin compared to the 380 with the same size and appointed suites.
We are side by side in row 2 and the ability to experience the offering together was a big draw to EK F.
QF business was an option in the new configuration but being effectively separated pushed us away from booking it.
BA was the other option but we couldn't get return leg seats together - even after calling them - being close to fully booked in F. ( it was $1k less than EK F )
lots of the draw was being able to experience Qantas F lounge within our travel as it seems to be one of the best lounge experiences and offerings worldwide by all accounts.

 

[AustraliaPoochie]

Is that EK plane to SIN in question the same one that comes in from AKL.
Or is it the 2nd DXB 380?

 

[Nizar]

Thanks for the info Kermatu
we are really looking forward to EK F and the experience that it brings
Having limited experience travelling this class we purely want to get the most out of it.
All the research we have done portrays that the 777 experience is just as good as the 380 albeit without shower and business class bar.
Some reports actually convey that the 777 is a bit more spacious and personalised in cabin compared to the 380 with the same size and appointed suites.
We are side by side in row 2 and the ability to experience the offering together was a big draw to EK F.
QF business was an option in the new configuration but being effectively separated pushed us away from booking it.
BA was the other option but we couldn't get return leg seats together - even after calling them - being close to fully booked in F. ( it was $1k less than EK F )
lots of the draw was being able to experience Qantas F lounge within our travel as it seems to be one of the best lounge experiences and offerings worldwide by all accounts.

You're gonna love it.
My wife and I flew EK F dxb-Mel last year on the 388. Was our first F flight as a couple and loved every moment.

 

[TheRealTMA]

Thanks for the info Kermatu
we are really looking forward to EK F and the experience that it brings
Having limited experience travelling this class we purely want to get the most out of it.
All the research we have done portrays that the 777 experience is just as good as the 380 albeit without shower and business class bar.
Some reports actually convey that the 777 is a bit more spacious and personalised in cabin compared to the 380 with the same size and appointed suites.
We are side by side in row 2 and the ability to experience the offering together was a big draw to EK F.
QF business was an option in the new configuration but being effectively separated pushed us away from booking it.
BA was the other option but we couldn't get return leg seats together - even after calling them - being close to fully booked in F. ( it was $1k less than EK F )
lots of the draw was being able to experience Qantas F lounge within our travel as it seems to be one of the best lounge experiences and offerings worldwide by all accounts.

You will never be able to go back you know! EK 777s are slightly less in offerings than the 380s, but not much difference, expect for the shower. The bar is interesting but we rarely visit that now from the F cabin. The newer 380s are nicer with slightly better controls and functions, but there's really little difference btw the 777 and the 380. We usually pick the middle seats in row 1 or 2 and each F experience we've had on EK has been exceptional, once you get over the bling. It's nice to be able to close the doors and have an uninterrupted flight.

Note in EK F, they tend to leave you alone but given you can eat and drink whenever you wish, just press the call button and you'll be served within 20-30 seconds. Brilliant.

Enjoy. We look forward to you trip report!