Originally Posted by vscxfan
Maybe lounge budgets/services really do (and should) reflect the carrier's revenue; since those for mainly longhaul pax invariably offer more/better food and drink, reading material, free internet access and - crucially - showers; while BD clearly doesn't want to spend very much at AMS, BRU or CDG.
Airlines with a reputation for great service (VS and CX, for example) invest in making innovative lounges part of the product, but the need to offer the Elite members of Alliance partners reciprocal access has made hub lounges like LH Senator at FRA, AC Maple leaf at YYZ and any UA RCC (except International First Class) overcrowded, noisy (only SK at CPH and ARN provides a booth for mobile phone users) and the opposite of relaxing. To LH's credit, you can get a shower within 5 minutes at MUC T2 at 6am, but FRA just doesn't have the capacity to cope with more than 2 or 3 longhaul overnight arrivals at a time.
The carrier that manages to get it right is SQ at SIN, treating a lounge visitor flying in Y to KUL as well as one flying in F to LHR (as their loyalty deserves).
Agree with your sentiments above and the three BD lounges you mention are relatively "basic". However even these lounges could have some imagination spent on them to make them interesting, even it is introducing a "Guest Beer", different biscuits every month, changing the nuts or perhaps just changing the layout.
I have been travelling to BRU for (too) many years and was saddened when the new terminal opened as the SAS lounge moved to the new pier leaving just the BD loung on the B pier. For as long as I can remeber they have served chocolate chip cookies, short cake cookies and bombay nut mix. These lounges are used by the same passengers week in week out so a little variety is always welcome and need not actually cost any more.