Best/Worst lounges on NZ network
Jul 8, 2016, 5:57 pm
#1906
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 970
Palmy's Koru Lounge is closed for a refresh between 9th and 13th July. Must be a paint job to spend so little time closed. Vouchers for refreshments during the refresh - will report on my early flight on Monday.
I had heard that NZ wanted a larger lounge at PMR partly as an improved point of difference with Jetstar.
I had heard that NZ wanted a larger lounge at PMR partly as an improved point of difference with Jetstar.
Jul 8, 2016, 6:43 pm
#1907
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,415
Palmy's Koru Lounge is closed for a refresh between 9th and 13th July. Must be a paint job to spend so little time closed. Vouchers for refreshments during the refresh - will report on my early flight on Monday.
I had heard that NZ wanted a larger lounge at PMR partly as an improved point of difference with Jetstar.
I had heard that NZ wanted a larger lounge at PMR partly as an improved point of difference with Jetstar.
PMR has plenty of space to expand that lounge
, unless the airport company is holding onto space to be hopeful to get Intertional back.
Jul 9, 2016, 11:30 pm
#1908
Join Date: Sep 2015
Programs: 1 thousand
Posts: 2,112
It's worth noting that I'm mostly not visiting high end restaurants. Across the board, NZ food was solid. (High end restaurants have been solid anywhere, but I'm going to do research / get reccomendations if I'm spending any significant money on food either way.)
As a coffee snob, I was quite impressed that most NZ cafes seemed to know what they were doing - and I didn't do any research, this was just randomly hopping into cafes. Compare that to the US and UK where you'll have a hard time finding acceptable coffee even if you do do solid research beforehand - most cafes just don't know how to make coffee. (Seattle being the main US exception, and Europe is just pretty bad in general.)
Last edited by televisor; Jul 9, 2016 at 11:41 pm
Jul 10, 2016, 1:24 am
#1909
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 778
Palmy's Koru Lounge is closed for a refresh between 9th and 13th July. Must be a paint job to spend so little time closed. Vouchers for refreshments during the refresh - will report on my early flight on Monday.
I had heard that NZ wanted a larger lounge at PMR partly as an improved point of difference with Jetstar.
I had heard that NZ wanted a larger lounge at PMR partly as an improved point of difference with Jetstar.
Jul 16, 2016, 10:21 pm
#1910
Join Date: Jan 2015
Programs: LH Senator,*A Gold, IHG Gold Ambassador, AB Gold, One World Sapphire, Accor Gold, A3 Gold
Posts: 24
I've noticed that many people find food automatically better when it is consumed in an environment they consider more socially prestigious, whether that is a high-end restaurant or a country they deem more desirable.
In short our eggs are better than your eggs. This fundamental truth is also reflected in Airline lounges and proof of concept can be determined by the current thread escalation to a point of "Our eggs best thou".
Jul 19, 2016, 5:58 pm
#1911
Join Date: Dec 2013
Programs: NZ Airpoints GE, Qantas Platinum, Accor Diamond, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 970
The changes at PMR lounge are small (though it was only closed a week or so). They have removed a partition wall and the computer booths to create more seating areas. The catering is spread over two tables and more seats rammed in.
It does get very crowded when the two morning ATRs depart at around 07.00.
The lounge seems to be manned now with a preppy little guy manning the door at times, though he was absent last Monday.
It does get very crowded when the two morning ATRs depart at around 07.00.
The lounge seems to be manned now with a preppy little guy manning the door at times, though he was absent last Monday.
Aug 4, 2016, 4:26 pm
#1912
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: SYD
Programs: Too many golds, no plat: OZ*G, AC*G, NZ*G, VA Gold, QF Gold, HH Gold, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 5,350
I was very pleasantly surprised to discover Villa Maria Reserve Pinot Noir 2012 being served in the WLG Koru Club a couple of days ago. That's an amazingly high quality and expensive wine to serve in the lounge - in fact when passing through to international (after quickly partaking of lunch in the domestic lounge) I noticed it for sale in JR Duty Free for $48/bottle:
http://www.jrdutyfree.co.nz/product/...NOT+NOIR+750ML
Could this be a leftover from a batch of business class wines, perhaps?
Alas, no such extravagant wine choices awaited me in the international lounge, though the lounge host there was particularly friendly and offering great service (radioed someone from the gate to come and check my passport for me, as I'd done a web check-in, so I didn't need to leave the lounge).
http://www.jrdutyfree.co.nz/product/...NOT+NOIR+750ML
Could this be a leftover from a batch of business class wines, perhaps?
Alas, no such extravagant wine choices awaited me in the international lounge, though the lounge host there was particularly friendly and offering great service (radioed someone from the gate to come and check my passport for me, as I'd done a web check-in, so I didn't need to leave the lounge).
Aug 5, 2016, 1:09 am
#1914
Moderator, Hilton Honors
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: on a short leash
Programs: some
Posts: 71,422
Sep 23, 2016, 3:19 pm
#1916
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 778
Departing back to CHC from NAN later today. I was already aware that the NZ lounge was closed due to refurbishment. I was given 2x FJD$25 vouchers upon request at check-in for use at Bula Bar & Bistro or Gloria Jean's Coffee. They weren't offered to me outright and I would have been left high and dry if I hadn't have asked as the checkin counters are behind immigration / security, etc.
After seeing the disappointing selection of food and beverages at the aforementioned stores, I decided to try my luck at the FJ "Tabua" lounge. I was met with a smile and the lounge dragon proceeded to check a list of passengers which I didn't appear to be on. She then checked my BP and asked which membership level I had (Koru). She then exclaimed that I should have been given vouchers and would not be allowed in.
I wouldn't have an issue with this as I understand that from time to time the lounges will be closed for refurbishment, etc., however, there was no effort made to allow Koru members into the lounge. This lounge also offers Priority Pass so it's not like NZ couldn't have let Koru in. It is also my understanding that NZ*G/*E are allowed into the lounge.
My other issue is that you are paying for lounge access, not for a FJD$25 meal voucher (which was enough for one small pizza). It is plainly inadequate. More-so, why is it taking NZ over 7 & 1/2 months now to get the place refurbished? That's over half a year. Had I have known this in advance of taking out the Koru membership I may not have even bothered to fly with NZ.
/rant over
After seeing the disappointing selection of food and beverages at the aforementioned stores, I decided to try my luck at the FJ "Tabua" lounge. I was met with a smile and the lounge dragon proceeded to check a list of passengers which I didn't appear to be on. She then checked my BP and asked which membership level I had (Koru). She then exclaimed that I should have been given vouchers and would not be allowed in.
I wouldn't have an issue with this as I understand that from time to time the lounges will be closed for refurbishment, etc., however, there was no effort made to allow Koru members into the lounge. This lounge also offers Priority Pass so it's not like NZ couldn't have let Koru in. It is also my understanding that NZ*G/*E are allowed into the lounge.
My other issue is that you are paying for lounge access, not for a FJD$25 meal voucher (which was enough for one small pizza). It is plainly inadequate. More-so, why is it taking NZ over 7 & 1/2 months now to get the place refurbished? That's over half a year. Had I have known this in advance of taking out the Koru membership I may not have even bothered to fly with NZ.
/rant over
Sep 23, 2016, 7:03 pm
#1917
Join Date: Feb 2007
Programs: NZ Koru
Posts: 6,415
My other issue is that you are paying for lounge access, not for a FJD$25 meal voucher (which was enough for one small pizza). It is plainly inadequate. More-so, why is it taking NZ over 7 & 1/2 months now to get the place refurbished? That's over half a year. Had I have known this in advance of taking out the Koru membership I may not have even bothered to fly with NZ.
/rant over
Sep 24, 2016, 6:25 pm
#1918
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Auckland
Programs: NZ*GE / EK*GOLD
Posts: 2,513
They were letting Elites/Business into the Tabua lounge, but it's average at best. Honestly it's one of those things that happen when Air NZ are creating a new lounge, I certainly didn't have a cry about it and went and got some food upstairs. The airport is improving which is the main thing.
Sep 24, 2016, 9:45 pm
#1919
Suspended
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 550
Departing back to CHC from NAN later today. I was already aware that the NZ lounge was closed due to refurbishment. I was given 2x FJD$25 vouchers upon request at check-in for use at Bula Bar & Bistro or Gloria Jean's Coffee. They weren't offered to me outright and I would have been left high and dry if I hadn't have asked as the checkin counters are behind immigration / security, etc.
After seeing the disappointing selection of food and beverages at the aforementioned stores, I decided to try my luck at the FJ "Tabua" lounge. I was met with a smile and the lounge dragon proceeded to check a list of passengers which I didn't appear to be on. She then checked my BP and asked which membership level I had (Koru). She then exclaimed that I should have been given vouchers and would not be allowed in.
I wouldn't have an issue with this as I understand that from time to time the lounges will be closed for refurbishment, etc., however, there was no effort made to allow Koru members into the lounge. This lounge also offers Priority Pass so it's not like NZ couldn't have let Koru in. It is also my understanding that NZ*G/*E are allowed into the lounge.
My other issue is that you are paying for lounge access, not for a FJD$25 meal voucher (which was enough for one small pizza). It is plainly inadequate. More-so, why is it taking NZ over 7 & 1/2 months now to get the place refurbished? That's over half a year. Had I have known this in advance of taking out the Koru membership I may not have even bothered to fly with NZ.
/rant over
After seeing the disappointing selection of food and beverages at the aforementioned stores, I decided to try my luck at the FJ "Tabua" lounge. I was met with a smile and the lounge dragon proceeded to check a list of passengers which I didn't appear to be on. She then checked my BP and asked which membership level I had (Koru). She then exclaimed that I should have been given vouchers and would not be allowed in.
I wouldn't have an issue with this as I understand that from time to time the lounges will be closed for refurbishment, etc., however, there was no effort made to allow Koru members into the lounge. This lounge also offers Priority Pass so it's not like NZ couldn't have let Koru in. It is also my understanding that NZ*G/*E are allowed into the lounge.
My other issue is that you are paying for lounge access, not for a FJD$25 meal voucher (which was enough for one small pizza). It is plainly inadequate. More-so, why is it taking NZ over 7 & 1/2 months now to get the place refurbished? That's over half a year. Had I have known this in advance of taking out the Koru membership I may not have even bothered to fly with NZ.
/rant over