Sydney Virgin Lounge

[drewbles]

Hearing all these reports makes me realise just how good the MEL lounge is. Plenty of space, great fitout, different zones, always spare seats and the best VA staff in the country. They're currently renovating the lounge but you wouldn't know it unless you go right down the end and notice the hoarding.

Try during peak hour and it's standing room only. Literally. I've been in there several times recently and every bar space is taken, chairs and standing room. People are simply overflowing. The finish of the extension can't come soon enough for MEL (and the removal of all signs of hotdogs!).

 

[anat0l]

Try during peak hour and it's standing room only. Literally. I've been in there several times recently and every bar space is taken, chairs and standing room. People are simply overflowing.

Sounds just about like every other lounge in the country during peak hour (both QF and VA).

 

[k3nnis]

Sorry if this sounds stupid, what days/times are considered peak for lounges??

 

[day-heg]

Having seen the (apparently) finished SYD lounge this morning, I think the hard fitout is easily comparable to the other refurbed lounges (MEL & BNE). The zoning is done very well downstairs, although there is no variety upstairs.

Talking of zoning upstairs, I don't think they are quite finished. Note the wooden 'dado rails' on the wall behind the service counter, definitely something else to happen there. Plus, one of the staff said to me last week that when downstairs was finished, upstairs would be worked on again to zone etc. (I know, I know, staff rumours etc etc!) I suspect it was left 'un-zoned' when first finished to maximise capacity while below was worked on.

 

[smit0847]

Sorry if this sounds stupid, what days/times are considered peak for lounges??

5-8 am and 4-7pm weekdays.

 

[Fruitcake]

Talking of zoning upstairs, I don't think they are quite finished.

You could well be right. This morning I walked upstairs, did a quick lap, noticed it looked a bit 'fancier' than it did a couple months ago and went back downstairs (at that point I thought I was departing in 30 minutes so didn't want to get settled up there).

 

[erkpod]

I'm in the Sydney lounge now- it's my first time.

Not bad at all.

It's very bright & very white!

 

[Mondo]

It would be great if someone could post some pics of the newly opened section. Cheers

 

[scibo10]

Does anyone know if the renovated Sydney lounge has been completed yet? Last month's Voyeur stated that the renovated lounge will be opening in August, but all has been quiet on that front...

 

[DGW]

The renos downstairs are complete, no idea whether they're doing something further with the upstairs area though as for some reason that was closed off when I was there last (around midday on a weekday no less).

 

[smit0847]

I was there end of June Sat lunch, Im guessing it was the upstairs that was open? I was actually really impressed. Its broken into lots of smaller spaces so it didn't feel packed even though there were a few people there. I thought the food was much, much better than the MEL lounge (lots of nice salad options). Im not sure if this is still the case. It's a lot more 'broken up' than the MEL lounge.

The MEL lounge has always been my favourite but I suspect SYD will become my favourite, especially as they have the premium entry and they are after security.

What's it like during peak times, i.e. 6am on weekdays? Standing room only?

 

[Milboo]

I've been there a few times around 5.30-6am and its been ok. However this week around 6.15 it was busy but could get a seat without a problem.

Melbourne 4.30pm on a Monday on the other hand was a nightmare.

 

[EuroFlyer]

I was there end of June Sat lunch, Im guessing it was the upstairs that was open? I was actually really impressed. Its broken into lots of smaller spaces so it didn't feel packed even though there were a few people there. I thought the food was much, much better than the MEL lounge (lots of nice salad options). Im not sure if this is still the case. It's a lot more 'broken up' than the MEL lounge.

The MEL lounge has always been my favourite but I suspect SYD will become my favourite, especially as they have the premium entry and they are after security.

What's it like during peak times, i.e. 6am on weekdays? Standing room only?

wonder do they still have the upstairs closed at weekends?
love the view from up there