Silverkris lounges - Sydney & Kuala Lumpur

[ron_d]

I recently had the opportunity to sample SQ212 from Sydney to Singapore (0805) in Y. I travelled, courtesy as VA Gold.

Checkin - Used the business lane. Fast and efficient. Given an express boarding pass. The checkin staff was very helpful. Even offering to block the seat next to me to provide me with space. Did this on my following sector. Although I doubt I would have been provided this service if the flight was full.


Silver Kris Lounge - To get to the lounge, it felt like a much longer walk (compared to Qantas lounge). Access to the lounge was again provided courtesy of the VA Gold. There were two entrances - Business and First. In Business the setup was basic - circular tables surrounded by 4-5 chairs; at a guess, I think they can fit around 150-200 pax. Quiet. There was a desk area for those inclined and a telephone booth - if you wanted privacy. This telephone booth would have come in handy in Qantas's first lounge in Singapore.

Food was - I saw packed sandwiches (seems to be a recurring theme in Singapore & KL Silver Kris lounges). No pancake machines.

From where I was seated, you can see, what appears to be a resting & maintenance area for all the. See pic.



Boarding was fast and efficient - there was a separate line for Gold (though I don't recall my Velocity Gold card was checked and my status was not printed on the BP).

No special service whilst on board.

The status match (Qantas - VA) was definitely worth it. Now, to retain it.

Enjoy.

 

[albatross710]

Thanks for the update. Did you feel the staff were trained and aware of the privileges to which you were entitled?

 

[JohnK]

How many business lounges does SQ have in Sydney?

I visited one in January and it looked extremely small and very average and I would not have thought it was possible to fit 100 people inside let alone 150-200.

 

[ron_d]

Thanks for the update. Did you feel the staff were trained and aware of the privileges to which you were entitled?

Sounds like a market research question. I thought the staff knew what the privileges were and we're friendly. The experience was pretty consistent across Syd, KL and Singapore.

I even did a KL to Singapore on SilkAir (codeshare SQ) and managed to walk into the lounge in KL after flashing VA Gold card.

 

[ron_d]

I visited one in January and it looked extremely small and very average and I would not have thought it was possible to fit 100 people inside let alone 150-200.

I believe one.

I'm sure there were at least 20-30 of those tables. It was full at 7 that morning with a few folks standing around for good measure.

 

[JohnK]

I believe one.

I'm sure there were at least 20-30 of those tables. It was full at 7 that morning with a few folks standing around for good measure.

That is OK. Perhaps you are right. The room just felt small to me but I think I have been spoilt with Qantas lounges in Australia and Asia.

 

[albatross710]

Sounds like a market research question. .

haha, thanks for the reply. It was a searching question and although I do do market research I'm not on the clock here. More of an interest that when so many travelers call upon other airlines to honour benefits they often get the run around. I'm glad to hear SQ have people up to speed.

 

[vantage03]

I flew Singapore A380 Suites return SYD-ZUR recently and was pretty appalled by the Silverkris First lounge in Sydney - the fast food joint outside was more appealing. I do have high expectations, but it was literally just a small room which felt like it hadn't been touched in 20 years... one of the worst lounges I've seen - and talk about a hike to get there! 2 food options: cheap prawn dumplings or stale finger sandwiches. No French Champagne, and the toilet was small and pretty grim. It wasn't all premium, totally inconsistent with the rest of their product.
That said, as soon as you step on the flight everything changes - just amazing. And the Private Room (lounge) in Singapore was incredible too. Shame they haven't tarted up their lounge in Sydney!

 

[k3nnis]

Did you try the AirNZ lounge in SYD? I think SQ J/F can access this? Correct me if I am wrong.

I flew Singapore A380 Suites return SYD-ZUR recently and was pretty appalled by the Silverkris First lounge in Sydney - the fast food joint outside was more appealing. I do have high expectations, but it was literally just a small room which felt like it hadn't been touched in 20 years... one of the worst lounges I've seen - and talk about a hike to get there! 2 food options: cheap prawn dumplings or stale finger sandwiches. No French Champagne, and the toilet was small and pretty grim. It wasn't all premium, totally inconsistent with the rest of their product.
That said, as soon as you step on the flight everything changes - just amazing. And the Private Room (lounge) in Singapore was incredible too. Shame they haven't tarted up their lounge in Sydney!

 

[QF1]

I flew Singapore A380 Suites return SYD-ZUR recently and was pretty appalled by the Silverkris First lounge in Sydney - the fast food joint outside was more appealing. I do have high expectations, but it was literally just a small room which felt like it hadn't been touched in 20 years... one of the worst lounges I've seen - and talk about a hike to get there! 2 food options: cheap prawn dumplings or stale finger sandwiches. No French Champagne, and the toilet was small and pretty grim. It wasn't all premium, totally inconsistent with the rest of their product.
That said, as soon as you step on the flight everything changes - just amazing. And the Private Room (lounge) in Singapore was incredible too. Shame they haven't tarted up their lounge in Sydney!

Agree with you totally on this one. SQ is fantastic once in the air and you cannot complain about that service.

But on the ground..its a totally different story. Their ground staff can sometimes be attrocious but one forgets about it once you board the aircraft. The worst can sometimes be in Singapore where they are nothing but button-monkeys.

 

[cmon0005]

When you were checking in did the check-in agent already know you were a VA Gold by their system or did you have to show your VA gold card?

 

[ron_d]

When you were checking in did the check-in agent already know you were a VA Gold by their system or did you have to show your VA gold card?

Yup had to flash the VA card. Have to do the same in SG, KL and MELB too.

Interestingly, in KL and SG they note the details down on a form for processing. I've on the odd occasion just walked into the lounge in KL because the dragons were not at the entrance. Guess they were too busy picking up the dirty cups.

 

[hrs027]

I have an upcoming trip on SQ SYD-SIN in J(redemption). I live in Melbourne and usually fly out of Melbourne internationally. So not used to SYD international terminal at all. After reading a few reviews here and elsewhere, I have decided to use the ANZ lounge instead of SQ's SKL for my trip. But maybe i'll check them both out just to compare since I have plenty of time (flying on SQ242 departing 1910 hrs and I will be at t terminal by 1430hrs).

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

In our experience most SIN Silver Kris Lounges (except in Singapore ) are very average and some terrible !. The only advantage of the Sydney Lounge is that it is very little used, often we have been the only pax, and yes the food offerings are ordinary however once on board SIN make up for it !
Have tried the Air NZ lounge but they discourage use and try to direct you to the SIN Lounge.

 

[jetlagger]

In our experience most SIN Silver Kris Lounges (except in Singapore ) are very average and some terrible !. The only advantage of the Sydney Lounge is that it is very little used, often we have been the only pax, and yes the food offerings are ordinary however once on board SIN make up for it !
Have tried the Air NZ lounge but they discourage use and try to direct you to the SIN Lounge.

Are you speaking of SYD & KUL SQ lounges only, or across the board for SQ? There are many other very nice ones, inclusive of the shared facilities in other ports.

 

[wafliron]

I have an upcoming trip on SQ SYD-SIN in J(redemption). I live in Melbourne and usually fly out of Melbourne internationally. So not used to SYD international terminal at all. After reading a few reviews here and elsewhere, I have decided to use the ANZ lounge instead of SQ's SKL for my trip. But maybe i'll check them both out just to compare since I have plenty of time (flying on SQ242 departing 1910 hrs and I will be at t terminal by 1430hrs).

I checked out all three *A lounges in SYD earlier this year (SQ F, SQ J, ANZ) and definitely concur with what you've read - the ANZ one is by far the nicest - bigger, better decor, better food & drinks, better view, etc. It is way more crowded than the SQ options, but as long as you can get a seat it's still the one you want to be in.

The SQ F lounge was by far the most disappointing - other than being the emptiest (grand total of one pax other than me in it) I'm still not clear on what differentiated it from the SQ J lounge - even the drinks and food appeared to be the same! IIRC SQ are renovating their lounges in SYD next year though, so hopefully that will change.

 

[lovestotravel]

The SQ lounge in both MEL and SYD is pretty pathetic

There is a reason that SQ is doing a full renovation of both next year

Sydney is first due to be completed by Mid 2013 last I read

The NZ lounges in MEL and SYD are great

 

[ReLoad]

I used the MEL SQ silver kris lounge on Sunday, and well, it's a total joke, don't bother.

I'm currently sitting in the SIN silver kris lounge and its a whole different story. The shower was small, but the lounge and the food is great. One of the best J lounges I've been in.

As for what others above have posted, they are bang on the money, on the ground SQ are good people wise in that they are efficient. But certainly not spectacular.

I had a day flight triple 7 over here and it was very disappointing, I have the 380 on the way home. So that's the litmus test.

So far it's CX by a mile.


Sent from my iGizmo

 

[jetlagger]

I used the MEL SQ silver kris lounge on Sunday, and well, it's a total joke, don't bother.

I'm currently sitting in the SIN silver kris lounge and its a whole different story. The shower was small, but the lounge and the food is great. One of the best J lounges I've been in.

As for what others above have posted, they are bang on the money, on the ground SQ are good people wise in that they are efficient. But certainly not spectacular.

I had a day flight triple 7 over here and it was very disappointing, I have the 380 on the way home. So that's the litmus test.

So far it's CX by a mile.


Sent from my iGizmo

Oh dear.. What were the gripes?
TBH I frequent the SQ lounge in BNE often, & though not the largest, & not the most modern decor, it is IMO a lovely homely lounge, with just adequate food & drink offerings, & pleasant friendly service from long term lounge angels, where they get to know you & nothing is ever a bother. The best attribute is that it is rarely busy, as we only have J class out of BNE on 333, * 3 per day & a pleasant & friendly smattering of regular flyers on the BNE/SIN sectors.
Would like to hear your comparative values on your next flight sector.
Wish you a pleasant flight.
Cheers,
jl

 

[TiredOldFlyer]

Are you speaking of SYD & KUL SQ lounges only, or across the board for SQ? There are many other very nice ones, inclusive of the shared facilities in other ports.

Have not been in all the Sing Lounges but after Singapore Airport Lounge I suppose most could be disappointing - although I wonder perhaps we expect too much.
Probably the most of the lounges I think of are terrible are "Partner Lounges". EG in Milan last year the toilets in the lounge were unisex with ladies passing the urinals to
get to the stalls ! but I think that perhaps we should be grateful that we have access to any lounge.
Good to see that SIA are upgrading some local lounges.