Others feel free to add more to this thread if you'd like...
http://www.tonyscv.com/MELNZLounge\MelLounge1.jpg
This is a view looking at the beverage area / work center. This looong table has power ports, high speed internet ports and phone jacks at every seat.
The glass etching you see is the backside of what folks see when entering the lounge.
http://www.tonyscv.com/MELNZLounge\MelLounge2.jpg
This would be the (rather shy) hostesses preparing the food area for lunch. The lounge has their own chef (only lounge in MEL that does to my knowledge), so the lunch and dinner offerings are QUITE good.
http://www.tonyscv.com/MELNZLounge\MelLounge3.jpg
A photo taken from the end of the long table shown earlier. Note the VERY comfy chairs - and power ports along with (currently non-functional) data ports at many seats (though not all).
http://www.tonyscv.com/MELNZLounge\MelLounge4.jpg
Booze! Note the copious amounts of chilled champagne, wine, beer and other spirits. (Plenty of non-alcoholic choices as well).
http://www.tonyscv.com/MELNZLounge\MelLounge6.jpg
Here's a photo of the inside of the men's toilet. Some of the rooms have showers - thoguh not all do, and not all shower stalls have soap, shampoo, etc in the stall itself, so be choosy if you do take a shower here. This shot is of the main sink. Each stall has its own sink.
http://www.tonyscv.com/MELNZLounge\MelLounge7.jpg
A shot of one of the stalls with a shower. This particular shower has no dispensers on the wall, but at least one other shower stall does (I didn't have time to investigate them all - I was just surprised at the variance). Note - only cloth towels for hand drying (nice touch!) and NO shortage of toilet paper! lol... 4 rolls in each stall... yeesh! I hope that's enough for anyone! The stalls are serviced QUITE often.
http://www.tonyscv.com/MELNZLounge\MelLounge8.jpg
Another shot of the (rather stylish) loo/shower room. The soap used in the dispenser currently is too thick - it doesn't dispense that well as a result.
http://www.tonyscv.com/MELNZLounge\MelLounge9.jpg
Another seating area photo. The view is NOT great but who cares when the accommodations are so... accommodating! :) (Seriously... the NZ lounge in SYD has fabulously better views.)
- T
WellingtonFF
Apr 5, 06, 7:36 pm
Great photos.
Going through the new lounge next Sunday, so I look forward to it.
Saved me taking photos, but I will report on my thoughts
Fliar
Apr 5, 06, 9:38 pm
Looks nice, thanks for posting.
scottienz
Apr 5, 06, 9:43 pm
Thanks for the photos. Looks so much better than the old cramped space - had some friends travel through MEL yesterday and they said it was a veritable haven before their flight back across the ditch last night !
ntddevsys
Apr 5, 06, 11:18 pm
Cheers TonySCV,
Gotta love those bathrooms !
Could you hazard a guess at the total seating capacity of this lounge (IE is it bigger than the old one) ?
Oh and WellingtonFF I'm sure we could always do with some more photo's ;)
TonySCV
Apr 5, 06, 11:58 pm
Cheers TonySCV,
Gotta love those bathrooms !
Could you hazard a guess at the total seating capacity of this lounge (IE is it bigger than the old one) ?
Oh and WellingtonFF I'm sure we could always do with some more photo's ;)
The host said it could accommodate 100 guests, and while I'd say that would be a stretch to have them all seated at one time, I wouldn't reject the figure out of hand. It's quite possible it can - certainly more than that standing / sitting (Perhaps the 150+ range).
TonySCV
Apr 6, 06, 12:00 am
Great photos.
Going through the new lounge next Sunday, so I look forward to it.
Saved me taking photos, but I will report on my thoughts
Feel free to take more! Like the front door! I took a photo of nearly every angle except the darn front door! :) *DOH!*
I should also point out that I did NOT show photos of the spacious business center or one other section of the lounge that also had 10-20 chairs for sitting. It's a very decently-sized lounge.
ntddevsys
Apr 6, 06, 12:33 am
Thanks once again TonySCV,
Did you note if the lounge had Wi-Fi coverage ?
WellingtonFF I'm sure will be able to give an approximation on the size vis-à-vis the new DUD lounge.
WellingtonFF
Apr 6, 06, 12:43 am
Thanks once again TonySCV,
Did you note if the lounge had Wi-Fi coverage ?
WellingtonFF I'm sure will be able to give an approximation on the size vis-à-vis the new DUD lounge.
Will do, and also check out the WiFi position
mad_atta
Apr 6, 06, 8:49 am
Great stuff, TonySCV, thanks for posting. :)
The lounge looks fabulous... though I'm slightly struggling to see the "kiwi bach" concept...?!?
WindFlyer
Apr 6, 06, 11:47 am
Thanks, TonySCV ^
Looking forward to my next time in MEL ;)
TonySCV
Apr 6, 06, 1:15 pm
Thanks once again TonySCV,
Did you note if the lounge had Wi-Fi coverage ?
I noticed it only because the wired jacks on the silver panels by the comfy seats were't working yet. :)
There was at least one strong signal from Telstra IIRC. There was no free WiFi option - just free wired, which is similar to the AKL lounge I believe.
- T
kiwiandrew
Apr 6, 06, 1:23 pm
Great stuff, TonySCV, thanks for posting. :)
The lounge looks fabulous... though I'm slightly struggling to see the "kiwi bach" concept...?!?
an Aucklanders 'kiwi bach' on Waiheke perhaps , rather than the rest of the countries view of a 'bach'/'crib' :)
WellingtonFF
Apr 9, 06, 1:53 am
Thanks once again TonySCV,
Did you note if the lounge had Wi-Fi coverage ?
WellingtonFF I'm sure will be able to give an approximation on the size vis-à-vis the new DUD lounge.
Sitting here at the moment communicating on the in house broadband in the new NZ international Melbourne lounge, ethernet cable supplied, but I will have to remember to add one to my travelling kit.
Very, very impressed. Haven't seen LAX or LHR, but have seen RCC in SFO, and my guess is that it would leap to the top of the list - certainly in terms of WLG, CHC, AKL and SYD. Will prepare a detailed trip report with photos.
OT -stupid question which some of the younger technophiles will be able to answer - I have lots of photos, but I see that I am not authorised to make attachments on the site.
Do I need to set up a photo albumn system with Yahoo et al, or do I do it some other way?
I have gone to the technical forum, but I don't seem to be able to find an answer.
Nttdevsys,
Yes, there is WiFi coverage with Telstra, together with the LAN broadband. Very user friendly.
TonySCV
Apr 9, 06, 2:17 am
I don't know if I'd go so far to say that MEL > SYD. I think the SYD NZ lounge has a lot of advantages over MEL - the view and the shower facilities specifically. Not that MEL's are bad, they're more average - SYD's are above average. The view in MEL out the windows is nothing to write home about, while in SYD it's outstanding.
- T
WellingtonFF
Apr 9, 06, 2:25 am
Great stuff, TonySCV, thanks for posting. :)
The lounge looks fabulous... though I'm slightly struggling to see the "kiwi bach" concept...?!?
mad_atta,
Sussed out the "kiwi bach" concept also :)
WellingtonFF
Apr 9, 06, 2:45 am
I don't know if I'd go so far to say that MEL > SYD. I think the SYD NZ lounge has a lot of advantages over MEL - the view and the shower facilities specifically. Not that MEL's are bad, they're more average - SYD's are above average. The view in MEL out the windows is nothing to write home about, while in SYD it's outstanding.
- T
I guess I am fascinated about what goes on at ground level with planes, and it certainly is a different perpective from SYD.
Different concepts IMHO. I will get my thoughts together, but leaving the ground level issue apart, in terms of concept, MEL would win hands down.
My initial reaction is that the MEL design while not competing with CX or SQ is groundbreaking for an international lounge for an airline its size, and I have seen a few lounges in my time.
mad_atta
Apr 10, 06, 7:28 am
mad_atta,
Sussed out the "kiwi bach" concept also :)
ooooooooooh, now I'm intrigued! :)
Looking forward to that report...
WellingtonFF
Apr 14, 06, 6:59 am
The following has been edited to include some comments following two further visits since the report was written.
I have included two links to the pics, the top one is a thumbnail for those who may not have braodband, and the lower one a medium resolution pic for those with broad band, or the patience to download with dialup.
Sitting here at the moment communicating on the in house broadband in the new NZ international Melbourne lounge, ethernet cable supplied, but I will have to remember to add one to my travelling kit.
Very, very impressed. Haven't seen LAX or LHR, but have seen RCC in SFO, and my guess is that it would leap to the top of the list - certainly in terms of WLG, CHC, AKL and SYD. Will prepare a detailed trip report with photos.
OT -stupid question which some of the younger technophiles will be able to answer - I have lots of photos, but I see that I am not authorised to make attachments on the site.
Do I need to set up a photo albumn system with Yahoo et al, or do I do it some other way?
I have gone to the technical forum, but I don't seem to be able to find an answer.
Nttdevsys,
Yes, there is WiFi coverage with Telstra, together with the LAN broadband. Very user friendly.
This has been very slow in finally arriving, but here it is. Currently back in MEL again after transiting thru AKL on Wednesday, and not sure yet whether I will go back to WLG thru either MEL or SYD next week, but I hope to have another look at MEL and see whether the service standards are the same as last time.
I have yet to work out how to include the pics, but I am on the case.
Apparently I have to post reports with photos on the trip reports forum, so when I have worked out how to do this, I will post the reference on this forum.
I can’t do justice to the reviews of the Koru lounges in NZ by ntddevsys, but this is my take on the new MEL international lounge.
The lounge, which on my guess would be about three times the size of DUD is broken up into different areas, with curtains or partitions separating each area.
I think it works extremely well.
Photo of the entrance. Unfortunately, I didn’t get a close up of the silly little podium for the reception staff, which one can see through the door in this pic.
It appears to be the way all the Koru lounges are going, in my recent travels over the past few weeks, CHC domestic, WLG domestic and AKL international and domestic all have them. I feel for the staff having to stand up all day, and I much prefer the old style of reception. All the staff I have spoken to hate it, and I agree with them as a customer.
Past the reception area the business centre is on the right. Before going into the business centre is a notice explaining the concept behind the design of the lounge, and the people responsible for it. A little over the top in some of the language, but nevertheless, the design is great IMHO, and the participants deserve a big tick.
The business centre is well equipped, with, from memory about six work stations, fax , copier etc. I worked from the work bench (see later) with my notebook, so I didn’t check whether broadband was available, or the state/specs of the computers.
Past the bach concept is another working/lounge area. I have lost touch with AFL football, but note a well known AFL footballer with tattoos on the TV screen.
Move to the food area. The time I was there, apart from salads etc, there were some very nice hot lamb cutlets. For the two subsequent times there was a tasty curry, a causage and onion casserole, and soup.
There was a good bar selection. I guess I am more interested in the reds, and there were from the Oz side, Jamiesons Run shiraz, Wynns Coonawara shiraz, from the Kiwi side Oyster Bay Merlot and Pinot Noir, and three champagnes the trusty Lindauer Reserve, Morton Bay, and Deutz.
Good selection of beers, and white wines.
I am not sure that it is clear in the pic, but for the Southerners, Speights is on tap, a la DUD.
In summary, NZ in its current circumstances has done the lounge at a price, but I think has done it brilliantly.
One can complain that it is on ground level, but that really doesn’t fuss me, and is probably a plus or at least neutral in my opinion.
MEL is not a major transit point for ongoing travel to NZ, so I don’t think the shower facilities are a major factor – they are sufficient.
The staff when I was there were great, they were really trying very hard, and all were very proud of the new lounge. It is the first Koro Club where the staff were actually coming around offering to top up drinks, or get some more food for the customers.
The service for the following two visits was as good as the first
The whole launch has been very well done IMHO.
The lounge is different in concept to DUD, but IMO, a very big tick for both of them.
Why on earth compromise these kinds of achievement with the proposed abolition of the transfer desk in AKL is beyond me.
Hopefully NZ might get together a group internally which looks after the control of the repositioning of their high yield market segment, so that while everyone has to be aware of cost control, the bean counters don’t do stupid things like AKL transfers.
The post has finally been completed thanks to some help and advice from ntddevsys
kiwibigdave
May 15, 06, 6:40 pm
A couple of extra comments on the MEL lounge having had a quick stop there this weekend just passed.
The wait service was a surprise. The lady was also very knowledgeable about the 'bach concept', and had a little spiel that went as far as mentioning the flower-like light fittings over the central workstation area. It really is a very very well presented lounge.
The 'children's area' has bean bags, a cushioned bench along one wall and some books. There are no toys or other 'things to play with' as there are at, say, LAX. There is a very nice flat panel wall mounted TV that was displaying the menu screen from some child's DVD, but in the 45 or so minutes we were there neither the pod staff, the wait lady, nor an overall-clad technician could get beyond that screen. But the room/beanbags/books were immaculate so it wouldn't actually surprise me if we were the first ones to ever have considered trying to watch said DVD. I'm sure they will work it out eventually :D
My wife said the ladies bathroom was the nicest she had ever seen in an airport lounge - she tried to explain about sinks in each cubicle, but I wasn't sure if that's exactly what she meant, nor did I pursue it :)
The lounge itself is as far away from the security area as you can get - hence the great ground floor view over the airside apron. I mention this only because of the MEL gate layout; where gates 1 and 2 are very close to the security area but then there is a long-ish corridor of shops and food court type venues before gates 3 to 16, and the lounge two floors down. So if you're leaving out of gates 1 or 2 give yourself a couple of extra minutes.
Overall this is a great lounge.
kbd
WellingtonFF
May 23, 06, 4:43 am
A couple of extra comments on the MEL lounge having had a quick stop there this weekend just passed.
The wait service was a surprise. The lady was also very knowledgeable about the 'bach concept', and had a little spiel that went as far as mentioning the flower-like light fittings over the central workstation area. It really is a very very well presented lounge.
The 'children's area' has bean bags, a cushioned bench along one wall and some books. There are no toys or other 'things to play with' as there are at, say, LAX. There is a very nice flat panel wall mounted TV that was displaying the menu screen from some child's DVD, but in the 45 or so minutes we were there neither the pod staff, the wait lady, nor an overall-clad technician could get beyond that screen. But the room/beanbags/books were immaculate so it wouldn't actually surprise me if we were the first ones to ever have considered trying to watch said DVD. I'm sure they will work it out eventually :D
My wife said the ladies bathroom was the nicest she had ever seen in an airport lounge - she tried to explain about sinks in each cubicle, but I wasn't sure if that's exactly what she meant, nor did I pursue it :)
The lounge itself is as far away from the security area as you can get - hence the great ground floor view over the airside apron. I mention this only because of the MEL gate layout; where gates 1 and 2 are very close to the security area but then there is a long-ish corridor of shops and food court type venues before gates 3 to 16, and the lounge two floors down. So if you're leaving out of gates 1 or 2 give yourself a couple of extra minutes.
Overall this is a great lounge.
kbd
See updated lounge report with pics above. I would reinforce my initial comments, and am very impressed. Thanks to ntddevsys for guiding me in the right direction
ntddevsys
May 24, 06, 11:01 pm
Thanks for the great pictures WellingtonFF and TonySCV ^ ,
Looks to be a good lounge considering the location - though I'm not sure it would be wise to have all lounges kitted out like that, especially with those awful office chairs :eek:
Gotta Requalify
May 26, 06, 5:06 am
I haven't travelled since January, so this was my first chance to see the new Mel lounge. I was flying SQ, but stopped in using the *A lounge hopping rights. I must say that this is the best lounge in Melbourne Airport. Given the choice, I would much rather go here than anywhere else.
From memory, only the Qantas lounge has outside windows. All the others look out onto the arrival corridors. So even if its at ground level, its better than a lot others. (MH & CX + I think UA). I like the kids area - no one else in Melbourne has something like this - only problem with it, there is not door. So while good to keep the kids away from everyone (and when travelling with kids we do try our hardest.) It would have releived the parents just a bit more if there was a door. And yes the Flat panel monitor was still playing the menu screen for The Incredibles.
The entrance to the toilets had foot lights only and they were blue, which made for going to the toilet very interesting and dark. I agree with what has been said that Mel is not a big transit airport, but if you have done a full day's work in town it is sometimes nice to have a shower before travelling. Especially in Summer - Plus SQ and UA don't have them. (One advantage for the SQ lounge if flying First or a PPS, last Sunday they had Moet available.)
I loved all the power points and network access points. Any permanent structure seemed to have them. Wall, Upright, Desk.So trying to charge your battery will not be a problem here.
There is better food, better drink, more room, natural light. Just the best lounge in Melbourne.
I have been into the Qantas lounge (both sides) and the food is better in the NZ lounge, plus a better selection of drinks. More (working) computer workstations are available in the NZ lounge.
The 10:10 SQ flight is a great gap in service between NZ flights. The 9am has left and the 12pm is still a long way away - apart from me, the lounge only had 2 other passengers. If I was flying on UA or some of the other * flights (apart from the midnight ones) I would come to the NZ lounge for a much better time. Or should I have kept that as a secret so it doesn't fill up with UA flyers. :D
Air NZ should be pretty proud of what they have here - especially like others have said for Melbourne - not a major number of flights a day.
goodo
May 28, 06, 6:38 am
Every time i flew out of MEL on NZ during the summer I had to make do with the UA lounge. Next time, I'll probably be on UA and I will certainly make use of the new NZ lounge. It looks great!
goodo
AndDee
Jan 5, 07, 6:43 pm
MEL lounge looks great from those photos :D but the Air NZ doesnt' say it has showers yet the OP has photos otherwise ? So MEL has showers ?
Also the LAX lounge has showers as well, how busy are they normally for the LAX-AKL 744 flight ?
Kiwi Flyer
Jan 5, 07, 7:00 pm
LAX showers always busy with 2/3 flights on NZ in short time (plus VS and other airlines who also use the lounge).
WellingtonFF
Jan 5, 07, 9:42 pm
MEL lounge looks great from those photos :D but the Air NZ doesnt' say it has showers yet the OP has photos otherwise ? So MEL has showers ?
Also the LAX lounge has showers as well, how busy are they normally for the LAX-AKL 744 flight ?
MEL has showers, although last time I was through, the locks were out of order. Will be through tomorrow on the way back to WLG after watching the Poms getting whitewashed and demolished at the MCG and SCG, so I will check on the status
AndDee
Jan 5, 07, 11:21 pm
WellingtonFF: Thanks would appreciate that ! :D
WellingtonFF
Jan 7, 07, 12:39 am
WellingtonFF: Thanks would appreciate that ! :D
I am writing from the MEL NZ International lounge.
I can confirm that indeed there are showers (at least in the men's and disabled sections) ^
I can also report that the unworkable locks that I commented on during my last time through have been fixed.
I can also report that the standards certainly haven't slipped - there is an excellent range of food including hot roast lamb, an excellent range of dips, cakes and other goodies, including pavlovas. :D :D
While there is still a good range of wines, I think the range of beers might have gone down.
The cleanliness is superb with the staff continually making sure that dirty plates and glasses are removed, and that the food and beverage areas are kept clean, unlike SYD and AKL, which can get very tatty at times during peak periods.
It is a pleasure going through here.
Well done NZ and the MEL staff. ^ ^
AndDee
Jan 7, 07, 3:12 am
Thanks for the update AGAIN :) appreciated
I am heading through in 2 weeks but during the breakfast/lunch shift, so be interested to see/taste the food/beverages available then
Gotta Requalify
Jan 8, 07, 6:33 pm
I was in the lounge on Dec 21 and while overall the lounge is really great, the TV in the kids area of the lounge now only shows broadcast TV. When asked to put a movie on for the kids, was told they don't have a DVD player attached to it.
As Dr Phil (or what ever is on at that time) isn't really that interesting or relevant for the kids, we got the TV turned off.
I remember in the past it use to have the menu of "The Incredibles" showing, so not sure what happened to the DVD player.
Speaking of Kids areas - the Auckland International lounge in the old TV room is now setup for kids. Channel 10 is suppose to be the cartoon channel, but couldn't find it on the day I was using it. Also in the bar area next to the Play room, there was some jars with Jet Planes, Jaffa's and mint leaves. Give the kids a sugar rush before getting on board !!!!
Lastly in the Wellington Domestic, there was a kids area at Gate 17(?) but it was locked and not sure how to get into it. Looked good - shame it couldn't be used.
24karat
Jan 14, 07, 3:58 pm
I'll be flying first class via Air New Zealand MEL - AKL - SFO in May.
Will my ticket gain me access to the lounges in Melbourne and Auckland?
Quokka
Jan 14, 07, 4:23 pm
I'll be flying first class via Air New Zealand MEL - AKL - SFO in May.
Will my ticket gain me access to the lounges in Melbourne and Auckland? Uh, a first class ticket on Air New Zealand will get you nothing these days since Air New Zealand no longer offers first class on any flight. However if you happen to have a business class ticket or hold *G status, then yes, you will gain lounge access in MEL and AKL.
Kiwi Flyer
Jan 14, 07, 4:24 pm
Air NZ doesn't have first class. I presume you mean you are flying business class. If so then you have access to lounges at MEL and AKL.
24karat
Jan 14, 07, 4:27 pm
Thanks - my bad. Yes, I will be flying business class. Thanks for the replies.