Which lounge was nice surprise to you?

[OZDUCK]

Mine was in Frankfurt. The Vietnam Airlines site said that they used the Skylounge (3rd party provider). This lounge is currently closed so we were all actually sent to the JAL lounge. The only pax in it were from the two Vietnam Airline flights departing Frankfurt at the same time - to Hanoi and Saigon. So it was very quiet and very comfortable. I had a typical Japanese Beef Curry.

 

[pjm99au]

The Marco Polo lounge in Venice. I wasn’t expecting much at all and it was actually pretty good.

 

[Warragul]

Mine was in Frankfurt. The Vietnam Airlines site said that they used the Skylounge (3rd party provider). This lounge is currently closed so we were all actually sent to the JAL lounge. The only pax in it were from the two Vietnam Airline flights departing Frankfurt at the same time - to Hanoi and Saigon. So it was very quiet and very comfortable. I had a typical Japanese Beef Curry.

The unfortunate thing is when the daily JAL flight departs around 1900 it's a bit cramped. Other airlines using this lounge have departures arround then unsurprisingly, so there is a bit of seat stalking going on. Then the rush to get through security.

If not crowded, agree 100%.

 

[dairyfloss]

Mine has to be the LH Senator Lounge in MUC. Not the fanciest of lounges, sure, but I was so elated by the fact I could self-pour as much Franziskaner Hefeweizen - brewed just a short distance away - as I desired, that the world around me just faded away. It was breakfast time, and I can't even recall why I was there on that occasion (not work - some other jaunt), but I do recall a lot of German businessmen looking on, some green with envy at this young Aussie taking full advantage of the spoils Wheat bier and doughy pretzels for breakfast!? Prost!!!

 

[Pushka]

It wasn't exactly a surprise as people have raved about it but it was my first time in the "newly opened" F lounge in Singapore since the C time. It doesn't have a great view. The ambience is good. But the staff here make it perfect. And the meals wonderful.

 

[OZDUCK]

The unfortunate thing is when the daily JAL flight departs around 1900 it's a bit cramped. Other airlines using this lounge have departures arround then unsurprisingly, so there is a bit of seat stalking going on. Then the rush to get through security.

If not crowded, agree 100%.

The Vietnam Airlines flights were both due to depart at 13:55. It only got a little busy in the last 15 minutes or so.

 

[hsct]

The Qantas lounge at Hong Kong airport is a nice surprise! 10x better than their ones in Sydney and Melbourne. In addition to their signature gourmet hot dishes 1.Beef briskets noodles in soup, and 2. BBQ pork with rice, they now have Yum Cha cart going around starting 5pm each day. A lounge not to be missed!

 

[Foreigner]

Menu at MH Golden Lounge in KUL

Quiet, quick service:

 

[JessicaTam]

I visited the AF lounge in IAD IIRC. I used my Priority Pass to enter so wasn't expecting much. It was crowded and there was not much food left as they were about to close.

But they had Taittinger, so that was all that mattered.

 

[clifford]

But they had Taittinger, so that was all that mattered.

You're a person after my own heart. If they don't have champagne, I don't want to go.

Hence why I love the Omanair lounge at BKK. Self-pour decent champagne. And not to mention the SQ lounge there and also the FCL's at LGW and LHR. And perhaps the SKL's at SIN.

They're a dying breed I think.

 

[Happy Dude]

Got a nice surprise at the BNE Plaza Premium Lounge recently. Due to the stingy one-guest (incl children) policy for VA SG/WP on SQ, I found myself at this lounge as a Citi PP member (2 x free lounge visits per year) debating with the wife how to split up our family for lounge access. She'd take one kid into the Plaza using my PP passes, and I'd take the other into the SQ lounge. This discussion went on a bit and, out of frustration and pity, the very kind lounge angel said "If you don't mind spending time all together, why don't you all just come in here and I'll only charge you the two passes?" Swish!

Without knowing a thing about it, I wasn't expecting much in this lounge but we all agreed it was pretty good. I had a few very fine G&T's and a few helpings of excellent chicken wings, and Mrs Happy Dude was impressed with the coffee. Even the kids found the food good enough to not complain to me about it. Terrific surprise.

But. Turns out that our plan could never have worked as the PP can be used by only me and I've been charged about $50 for one other guest several days later. I didn't realise that was the rule and subsequently complained via the app as soon as I noticed the charge and asked for it's reversal and other pass used. Promptly received a call from a UK number apologising for the confusion, explaining the rules of the Citi PP, and that they can't reverse the charge but they'd be glad to add a pass to my account.

I've also posted a pic in the "Just when you'd thought you'd seen it all in the lounge" thread, although it wouldn't be totally out of place here in the context of lounge surprises.

 

[Wing Nut]

From my limited but thoroughly enjoyed time travelling up the pointy end, a selection over the last while of my longe favourites: First pic, AA Flagship DFW at night connecting to SYD. Second three, SFO Polaris Lounge, approx 10 pm to SYD on a Sunday. Third two, LAX Polaris domestic during Spring Break. What a haven until you walk outside. Dante's Inferno awaits. Last two, Qantas J BNE very early on a Sunday. ii

 

[eminere]

Love the laksa at the Plaza Premium lounge in SIN T1.

 

[Happy Dude]

Love the laksa at the Plaza Premium lounge in SIN T1.

I was impressed with food in the BNE intl lounge, some chicken wings in particular. Now wish I had a Priority Pass for these lounges.

 

[ols]

Expecting them to be dire and not worth visiting.
Swissport lounge at Athens and Prima Vista lounge at Rome were decent.
Lounge dragon at Rome took a shine to us, spoke to us for ages and even drew a map for us to get to the gate when we left the lounge.

 

[SYD]

I really like the Saphire Plaza Premium lounge at Jakarta T3 International departures. It is well appointed, has a kids play room, nice bathrooms, a couple of barista coffee stations, and reasonable food made toot order from a set menu. They also have lockers where you can store your hand luggage and for those who want it a very nice smoking area. Also all different area with different seating types to suit different requirements. Great service from the staff.

I believe that’s the lounge I used a few months ago flying CX CGK-HGK-LHR? After a lot of horrible reports of lounges at CGK, I was wondering if I was in the right place .

Having flown out of CGK quite a few times post COVID to avoid the “Australia Tax”, we finally got to the Plaza Premium First lounge flying CX J as OWE. CX appears to be the only OW airline sending First/OWE PAX to this lounge rather than the regular PP Sapphire lounge next door (which is decent enough).

The whole time we were there, there was no more 1/2 doz others. Compared to the Sapphire Lounge which can get very busy.

This review captures the place quite well.

Refined Points: Review | All-New Plaza Premium First Jakarta

Lounges like these remind you why you collect miles, chase credit card perks, and endure hours in the air—because when you depart from these airports, there’s a sanctuary waiting.

www.refinedpoints.com

Only downside is there’s no windows but next door also only gets a view of the car park.

 

[drwtsv]

Very impressed with the Escape lounge at Cairns International. The lounge and bathrooms were spotless, all the furniture was in good condition, constant table clearing and cleaning and helpful staff at front counter and also wandering around the lounge. I was very pleasantly surprised
Very impressed with the Escape lounge at Cairns International. The lounge and bathrooms were spotless, all the furniture was in good condition, constant table clearing and cleaning and helpful staff at front counter and also wandering around the lounge. I was very pleasantly surprised