MEL Dom. lounges refurb Completed October 2018

[kamchatsky]

Luckily, got my upgrade to J request cleared on A330 to SYD. At the J lounge now whilst I am early to airport. Will be there for next 2 hours.

It is definitely a much nicer lounge than the MEL QP (which I would have been if I didn't get cleared to J as I am only a lowly Gold), I haven't yet tried the food as it is too early for me but I am having Jack Daniels and Coke now. The food looks good though and will try their wonton soup soon.

And yes, I only took the single seat tables facing the window only.

 

[Matt_01]

In the J lounge now it is peak hour and no trouble getting seat. I think it is quite nice.

 

[drron]

Hmmmm.... I'd call that noodle soup.

Don't know how they would cater for the spice preferences of patrons. I love heaps to the point where my friends almost die eating my dish; yet I had a boss who thought that butter chicken was a spicy dish.

I remember the first Laksa i ever had was at a Singaporean restaurant in CBR many years ago.I felt the spice from the time it touched my lips until it's exit.Fantastic and one of my favourite dishes ever since.Unfortunately many are sad imitations of that first experience.
mrsdrron also thinks butter chicken is a spicy dish.

 

[Pushka]

MrP just reported back saying it was a much nicer place now and thought it larger by about 1/3. Easy to find a seat. Not bad for 4pm on a Thursday.

In the J lounge now it is peak hour and no trouble getting seat. I think it is quite nice.

You almost caught up with each other.

 

[justinbrett]

SYD Dom J so needs a refresh of food. I take the 5pm SYD-MEL weekly and Im glad I can expense a meal on the other end as that salty noodle slop is becoming inedible and the refreshment is a joke. Im actually jealous of BNE flyers (but not always as I sit in the SYD int F lounge).

And why is it the only J lounge that has one person to make coffee and serve the bar? The amount of times I’ve gone through SYD on a Friday afternoon and I get stuck behind a guy ordering six soy lattes

I’m in the BNE J lounge right now, and while the hot buffet selection is pretty poor (looks like Thai Green Soup - or the remains of what was Thai Green Curry) - at least you have the safe option of the cantina. Is there a limit to how many tacos I can have? My flight is delayed. I’m thinking 10... I skipped lunch.

 

[JohnK]

SYD Dom J so needs a refresh of food. I take the 5pm SYD-MEL weekly and Im glad I can expense a meal on the other end as that salty noodle slop is becoming inedible and the refreshment is a joke. Im actually jealous of BNE flyers (but not always as I sit in the SYD int F lounge).

You're jealous of BNE flyers for the Mexican slop? But only when you actually find the cantina staffed.

Some nicer food options in the Qantas lounges.

 

[justinbrett]

You're jealous of BNE flyers for the Mexican slop? But only when you actually find the cantina staffed.

Some nicer food options in the Qantas lounges.

It’s pretty good tonight.

 

[Matt_01]

.....You almost caught up with each other.

Yep the 4pm or around that time flight just closed as I entered the lounge.

Now I have met MrP I know who to look for.

We are in the summer shake up period when QF694 now leaves a bit earlier, QF697 leaves a bit later and my in built travel clock is in a state of flux. My standard ADL-MEL as also been messed up. Cannot wait to get back to the winter timetable.

Even at 5pm the MEL Dom J lounge was pleasant.

 

[kamchatsky]

MrP just reported back saying it was a much nicer place now and thought it larger by about 1/3. Easy to find a seat. Not bad for 4pm on a Thursday.

You almost caught up with each other.

I was there until 4:30pm so there was 3 AFFers in the new J lounge at that time! Yes the wonton noodle soup is yummy!

They need more staff at the bar but I drink those self serve gourmet juice mix away from bar, so that is Ok. I had my share of alcohol so I was happy.

The view of the terminal from the lounge is great. There was even a Retro Roo as well!

I cannot believe the toilet only has 3 cubicles though, there was a line waiting when I initially went. I ended up getting out and come back later when the crowd left.

 

[calmelb]

I was there until 4:30pm so there was 3 AFFers in the new J lounge at that time! Yes the wonton noodle soup is yummy!

They need more staff at the bar but I drink those self serve gourmet juice mix away from bar, so that is Ok. I had my share of alcohol so I was happy.

The view of the terminal from the lounge is great. There was even a Retro Roo as well!

I cannot believe the toilet only has 3 cubicles though, there was a line waiting when I initially went. I ended up getting out and come back later when the crowd left.

I recommend the shower suites. As it’s a domestic lounge they’re not as likely to be occupied and they have a toilet inside apparently

 

[Lynda2475]

So the upgraded Qantas Club at Melbourne is now officially open?

Its been a week since I've been there, but Id assumed there was still work going on as the QC (not business lounge) last week felt half the size of what it use to, so dark (no windows with natural light, they seem to be reserved for Business Class now) and only half the number of toilets as before the renos started. Do they really think this is an improvement?

 

[TheInsider]

So the upgraded Qantas Club at Melbourne is now officially open?

Its been a week since I've been there, but Id assumed there was still work going on as the QC (not business lounge) last week felt half the size of what it use to, so dark (no windows with natural light, they seem to be reserved for Business Class now) and only half the number of toilets as before the renos started. Do they really think this is an improvement?

So because you don't think it's an improvement they shouldn't have done anything and just revert back to how it was?

Link to pictures are here: Qantas Club domestic lounge, Melbourne Airport

 

[Lynda2475]

So because you don't think it's an improvement they shouldn't have done anything and just revert back to how it was?

Where did I say that?

They needed to update, I just dont think the design is optimal, being so narrow and dark. I had assumed once renos were completed that QC would be back in its original location, and have some natural light again - this wasnt correct obviously.

The press release says there is more seating, but it didnt feel that way last week, so was wondering if maybe another section had opened up since last Friday?

Last 2 visits there hasnt been any seats available at all, feels closed in compared with before, even if the look is more modern. Whilst there are more showers now, there are less womens toilet cubicles. The public toilets in the terminal have no hooks on the backs of doors and arent very clean, main reason for always stopping by the QC is to use a clean toilet before boarding.

Very underwhelmed.

 

[Matt_01]

......The press release says there is more seating, but it didnt feel that way last week, so was wondering if maybe another wall had opened up in the last week?

The official opening was yesterday (1 Nov) however reading posts up thread it looks like there may have been a soft opening on Monday or Tuesday. I use the J lounge but did wander through the main QP yesterday, there is certainly more space now and it was less crowed than when the renos were going on. As lounges go it is not that bad but I know there will be others that disagree

 

[sudoer]

I had assumed once renos were completed that QC would be back in its original location, and have some natural light again - this wasnt correct obviously.

This was announced quite some time ago.

 

[Matt_01]

.........I cannot believe the toilet only has 3 cubicles though, there was a line waiting when I initially went. I ended up getting out and come back later when the crowd left.

I did not pay a lot of attention, however isn't there now 2 sets of loos. One that is towards the front (entrance end) that was there since opening and now a second set in the final section opened this week.

 

[dajop]

Hmmmm.... I'd call that noodle soup.

Don't know how they would cater for the spice preferences of patrons.

It's actually very simple. Serve up a little side dish (butter dish sized) of chili paste and patrons can add the amount desired. Happens in hawker stalls all over Singapore and Malaysia. Not expensive and not difficult.

 

[Pushka]

It's actually very simple. Serve up a little side dish (butter dish sized) of chili paste and patrons can add the amount desired. Happens in hawker stalls all over Singapore and Malaysia. Not expensive and not difficult.

I do this in tourist places where they think spicy is mild in my book!

 

[Flying mermaid]

I do this in tourist places where they think spicy is mild in my book!

I ran into trouble in Rwanda. Love spicy and always add lots of extra chilli if it’s is available. Did this in Rwanda and thought my mouth was going to explode. Three glasses of water later I was still suffering

 

[serfty]

I did not pay a lot of attention, however isn't there now 2 sets of loos. One that is towards the front (entrance end) that was there since opening and now a second set in the final section opened this week.

As one of those who can remember the original (Pre J lounge) days with the maybe 20 cubicle business centre, toilets andd about 6 showers down at the west end it would seem the plumbing locations may not have changed much.