What is the attraction of lounges?

[yld200]

Clean facilities is pretty much one of the best things about lounges.

This 100%

I flew out of MEL earlier this year, didn’t have lounge access, was busting and all the toilets around the gates had queues going out the door. They can shove their 2 cubicles per toilet block.

 

[wrcmad]

I am easily pleased.
I love the comfy chair, newspaper, and half-a-dozen schooners pre-flight.

 

[GSP]

Yep the Adelaide lounge is not awesome but have found that the team are super helpful and that makes up for it a bit. The new Perth lounge (well 2 years) is very good.
Best I have been to was Etihad in Paris. Full ala carte restaurant, proper champagne (from a place I had done a tour of just days before) and I was almost sad when they called the flight. Best part was that my boss paid for the ticket

Yes, you are right, the Virgin team at Adelaide airport are helpful, especially the chap on the door (Can't remember his name) who always helps.

 

[GSP]

I am easily pleased.
I love the comfy chair, newspaper, and half-a-dozen schooners pre-flight.

Haha, not a bad plan - you should read the Curtain removal from airlines thread.

 

[Natalie Z]

@Nat Z I like your enthusiasm for the lounges. I have spent to many years in them so the shine has gone however I would still rather have the access than be with the riff-raff. The ADL QP is larger (by a long way) than VP. If you want to visit the VP I will be there every Sunday night from around 17:00-17:15 from the last week of May through to the end of July.

Why thank you so much for the kind offer I would be happy to meet! I live very close to the airport, so perhaps one evening I can meet you 17:00 and check out the VA lounge.

 

[Natalie Z]

Thank you all for your kind words re my enthusiasm. I used the QP for the second time in my life yesterday, this time at CNS domestic. If you've every experienced CNS airport then you'd understand that it's a very busy, crowded and noisy airport. I can rarely find a seat near the gate and always had to resort to a seat in the food court. I think it's due to the small size of the airport and booming tourism industry in Cairns.

Yesterday I flew home to ADL. I brought my best friend with me. He was so excited that he dressed up nicely for the lounge. We must've looked so excited when we got there, although we were trying to hide it. I'm still not used to going to the lounge.

The lounge in CNS was just fantastic. I honestly thought that it would be small given that it's regional, but I was wrong. It was so spacious. There was a beautiful selection of food, a fantastic view of the aeroplanes and the hills, and even an area for the kids to play without disturbing other lounge patrons. It was a real treat for both of us. So far, I have used ADL QP & CNS QP.

I'm so glad that I forked out the money. I've spent my life waiting around in the terminal, once even sleeping on the floor because I had nowhere to go and rest. What a Godsend the lounge is. I really think that it's such a luxury.

Here are a few photos from yesterday. I was trying hard not to laugh in the photo, it was meant to be kind of tongue-in-cheek "look at me in the luxurious lounge" heh.

 

[leadman]

Your next challenge should be Hotel lounges, as there are some, in my opinion, far better than most airline lounges. Bangkok Marriott Marquis, JW in BKK & KUL just but a few. With status comes the upgraded rooms and other things.

 

[Natalie Z]

Your next challenge should be Hotel lounges, as there are some, in my opinion, far better than most airline lounges. Bangkok Marriott Marquis, JW in BKK & KUL just but a few. With status comes the upgraded rooms and other things.

Wow, I’ve never heard of such a thing. Roughly much they do they cost to enter?

 

[leadman]

Sometimes you can pay in the room rate, others through invitation and the most common way, status. Check the major hotel rewards websites; Starwood, Marriott, Hilton Honours, etc, etc,.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Wow, I’ve never heard of such a thing. Roughly much they do they cost to enter?

Sounds to me like someone has a lot of AFF browsing to do!

Breakfast can be a real chore for me. I often have the choice of the hotel buffet, airline lounge or the offering in J on the plane ... or all three! Such a challenge this travel thing is ... a challenge to my waistline!

 

[leadman]

Bangkok Marquis, not a bad way to end a days work.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

Bangkok Marquis, not a bad way to end a days work.
View attachment 125009 View attachment 125010

Now that is what I call a stylish lounge!

 

[leadman]

i find good hotel lounges far better than airline lounges, much more relaxed and certainly less noisy. And Asian hotels have some of best in the world.

 

[Forg]

i find good hotel lounges far better than airline lounges, much more relaxed and certainly less noisy. And Asian hotels have some of best in the world.

One thing to be careful of is not to assume you're necessarily getting the full meal service that's available in the hotel, even though the advertising for the lounge may make it sound like you are.

I mean you're not going to complain if it's for free, and I imagine a lot of regular travellers are getting lounge access for free. But my better-half booked one of those Luxury Escapes & we had a long weekend in Singapore because the way the lounge was advertised (I think it was a Marriot) it sounded as though the buffet meals were the same buffet meals as when you get a room with breakfast ... and she'd just stayed in the Bangkok hotel of the same chain, she knew just how good that buffet was, and she knew I'd enjoy it.

It was still good, as others have said it's better than most airport lounges (although some of the a la carte meals are better in the Sydney QF F- lounge - same with some others - but the choices are way more limited in aircraft lounges), but it wasn't as good as what was being offered in the restaurant downstairs. I also don't think they had showers (for example) due to the expectation you're staying in the hotel anyway. I guess some others might have showers & storage facilities, for those guests who've checked out & need to do some Other Stuff before heading for the airport.

 

[Deleted member 29185]

One thing to be careful of is not to assume you're necessarily getting the full meal service ... I also don't think they had showers (for example) due to the expectation you're staying in the hotel anyway. I guess some others might have showers & storage facilities, for those guests who've checked out & need to do some Other Stuff before heading for the airport.

You're right, status provided breakfasts are often limited but in Australia and Asia, those limitations are also often ignored!

Most hotels do have shower facilities apart from your guest room, which you can use. eg, if you have a late flight but need to check out of your room, most hotels I've stayed at do allow you to continue to use the pool and have a shower afterwards. Otherwise, an airport lounge is another alternative!

 

[leadman]

I never expect the dinners to be anything to compared to "downstairs" and i think that is pushing friendship a bit far, but certainly breakfast with the chef is hard to beat. Although dinner at the JW BKK is quite good and when they have the outside BBQ, very nice.

 

[graxx]

Hi Nat.


So glad to hear someone so enthusiastic about airport lounges, without the jaded expectation we mostly have now- complaining mostly about some shortcoming in a lounge!
I am a designer and created the first Ansett Golden Wing (and most of them until the Great Ansett Disaster), as well as United, Continental, Garuda, Cathay Pacific...and heaps more over the years. Ansett started off fairly simply with a bright idea from Sir Peter Ables but the competition with QF drove them fast and furious to being, basically, a step ahead of the best in the world. At the time they were heaps better than a lot of International Lounges. The QF domestic lounges still are better than lots of them.
Being involved so early has made me not able to stop being obsessed with them and I still fly some international airlines just to see how their lounges are faring (HK last week- Cathay still run a great lounge!)
They are so great when you have a delay or a transfer break.
Enjoy Nat- life is too short not to take advantage of everything you can!

 

[Danielb56]

Sorry to dig this up from last year, but I have a few things to add.

I viewed this post when I was contemplating becoming a member of the Qantas Club. I'm young and I'm a full time student. So far in my life, I've never been able to afford business class. To put it in perspective, the most special experience I've ever had when I've flown is being handed a complimentary glass of wine and a snack.

A few weeks ago I was shouted a business class ticket by a large company. I flew VA. I was in shock. I was so excited the night before that I nearly didn't sleep. I had always known of the Qantas and V Australia lounges, but I never quite knew what was inside. I didn't care too much...until I used one. It was so special. I mean, *so* so special you guys. No noise. No waiting in the line for a coffee and croissant. No line for the bathrooms. Nice hand wash. Comfortable chairs. No flights being called at such a loud volume that you can't hear the person who you're on the phone to and have to say "sorry about the noise". I understand that for most of you this would be the norm but it isn't for me. I looked into joining the qantas club immediately after the flight, which is why I'm now here on AFF (discounted QC membership with a gold account)

As a gift to myself, I went ahead and joined the QC. Adelaide is my home base. I was so thrilled with my experience yesterday. What a luxury it is to arrive at the airport, walk through those glass doors and be greeted with a smile and a "Good morning ma'am." To have a lovely fruit salad, bacon and eggs, any coffee I pleased. I'm really not used to it. I was so excited that I took a photo of my breakfast LOL. I'm also very excited to be able to bring a guest in with me (none of my friends use the lounge) Eventually it'll probably become the norm to me, but I just wanted to point out how special the lounge is!

Nat

Hi Nat Z - Most of my travel is alone on trips and must say that I get bored at the lounges after many years now. It is funny because sometimes I go a bit earlier and walk around the airport just to browse around, especially if I have some hours between flights. There are lounges and there are lounges and I don't take it for granted but must say that sometimes I am a bit casual at times, especially when you travel a lot, and on your own. When I am with my wife it is different as it becomes more enjoyable with her company.

Having said all that, I totally understand your sentiment and realize that it is better to be in a lounge quiet and away from the hustle and bustle and the privilege this priority gives you. Great post reminder...hope you feel this way years down the track...

 

[blaz]

I never take lounge access for granted, and it is part of the travel experience that takes away the sharp edges. Having said that, there are lounges and there are lounges. Japan domestic lounges are huge and comfortable, but most of the time only offer soft drink, whisky , beer and pretzels ! And then there are the first class lounges where you sit down at a free five star restaurant experience with champagne and top shelf wines. But if they are included in the price of the flight, then who can complain ?

 

[Lord_Lenny]

I spent the majority of my flying life prior to hitting status dreaming of lounge access, for a wee boy lucky enough to fly to Scotland every 2 years or so to see family I spent way too much time wandering past signs to lounges, waiting in line whilst priority boarding waltzed through 'at any time' or standing in long snaking check in lines staring wistfully at people turn up and go in the Business or First class lines.

A few years on the east coast triangle have somewhat changed my impression of lounges - for me now they are valuable for their (relative) quiet, the novelty of free food and drinks has worn off, but I do appreciate the muesli and coffee in the VA lounges in the morning, and the occasional beer in the afternoons before the flight home.

I still look forward to International lounges, I always get to the airport hours early for International travel (3.5hrs early was what we did when we were kids - it's a hard habit to break) and I'll usually have my wife with me, so we can sit in comfort, have a wine or bubbles and relax in a less hectic environment compared to the gate.

Whilst we may come across a bit jaded, I'm fairly sure we all remember our first few times walking through those doors