Fazer becomes the lounge operator at HEL
Jul 28, 2017, 4:14 am
#76
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: try to stay home
Programs: AY, M&M, BAEC ...and don t care of status anymore
Posts: 2,041
Was there the first time since Fazer took over - did not like the new concept.
Close to no self service food, ordering food was kind of complicated since there where no menus and no signs for them (without this FT I never had the idea to order food there).
The food was very good, my wife says "close to Luftwaffe FCL" (I got a kind of lamb loaf), but small portions. It looks like the old staff is still working there, everybody is just super friendly.
Close to no self service food, ordering food was kind of complicated since there where no menus and no signs for them (without this FT I never had the idea to order food there).
The food was very good, my wife says "close to Luftwaffe FCL" (I got a kind of lamb loaf), but small portions. It looks like the old staff is still working there, everybody is just super friendly.
Jul 28, 2017, 5:14 am
#77
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,164
Might this think with missing menus just be that they haven't managed to print them yet? I remember that HKG the Wing First re-opened without menus and everyone was very confused about it - but menus arrived a few months after opening.
Jul 28, 2017, 6:07 am
#78
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,156
I've been very satisfied with Fazer so far, not have visited non-Schengen side yet, though.
The improvement on the Schengen side is huge. Two different options on soup and dessert, nice-looking presentation of the options and better staff. I'm also glad about the new "fresh options" such as the varying smoothie.
I just hope they'd introduce champagne!
The improvement on the Schengen side is huge. Two different options on soup and dessert, nice-looking presentation of the options and better staff. I'm also glad about the new "fresh options" such as the varying smoothie.
I just hope they'd introduce champagne!
Jul 29, 2017, 5:07 am
#79
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: BRU/TAY
Programs: AY+ Plat Basic
Posts: 22
1st Fazer experience as well - what a welcome change!
Schengen, lazy saturday morning with very few visitors. Great food on offer - tried delicious goat cheese omelette, some quiche that was just as delicious, and some cute little sandwiches with cheese & cucumber. The smoothie (mango for me) is a great idea - it's a bit warm the way it's being served but staff kept it very nicely presented. This is not an exhaustive list of what was on offer, rather just what I chose to sample (there were also karelian pasties, boston cake with cinnamon, porridge, maybe something else).
The food selection was good enough for me not to go see whether the drinks/spirits selection has improved (which has been a weak point in HEL Schengen thus far). Next time I guess! Good stuff so far.
Schengen, lazy saturday morning with very few visitors. Great food on offer - tried delicious goat cheese omelette, some quiche that was just as delicious, and some cute little sandwiches with cheese & cucumber. The smoothie (mango for me) is a great idea - it's a bit warm the way it's being served but staff kept it very nicely presented. This is not an exhaustive list of what was on offer, rather just what I chose to sample (there were also karelian pasties, boston cake with cinnamon, porridge, maybe something else).
The food selection was good enough for me not to go see whether the drinks/spirits selection has improved (which has been a weak point in HEL Schengen thus far). Next time I guess! Good stuff so far.
Jul 30, 2017, 2:13 am
#80
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,164
Did anyone do an evening visit to the non-schengen side?
I am wondering is they still are offering hot meals for the late night departures (SIN, HKG)?
They've updated the lounge descriptions on their website saying hot meals are served between 14 and 18 - expanding the hours from the earlier 15-17:30, but dropping the 21-23:59 meal service.
I am wondering is they still are offering hot meals for the late night departures (SIN, HKG)?
They've updated the lounge descriptions on their website saying hot meals are served between 14 and 18 - expanding the hours from the earlier 15-17:30, but dropping the 21-23:59 meal service.
Jul 30, 2017, 2:28 am
#81
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Finland
Programs: AY Platinum,Marriott Gold,HH Diamond,Sixt Platinum,Hertz PC,AMEX Platinum
Posts: 1,946
Did anyone do an evening visit to the non-schengen side?
I am wondering is they still are offering hot meals for the late night departures (SIN, HKG)?
They've updated the lounge descriptions on their website saying hot meals are served between 14 and 18 - expanding the hours from the earlier 15-17:30, but dropping the 21-23:59 meal service.
I am wondering is they still are offering hot meals for the late night departures (SIN, HKG)?
They've updated the lounge descriptions on their website saying hot meals are served between 14 and 18 - expanding the hours from the earlier 15-17:30, but dropping the 21-23:59 meal service.
Jul 30, 2017, 2:45 am
#82
Moderator, Finnair
Join Date: May 2011
Location: MMX (CPH)
Programs: Eurobonus Diamond, QR Gold, AY+ Platinum, A3*G, Nordic Choice Lifetime Platinum, SJ Prio Black
Posts: 14,164
Sounds like they've dropped evening meals, as soup is served all day (10-24).
Since these night meals were offered in conjunction with the "midnight menu" (ie reduced service onboard) it would be interesting to know if they adjusted inflight service accordingly. I have a HKG flight in a few weeks so I will find out.
Since these night meals were offered in conjunction with the "midnight menu" (ie reduced service onboard) it would be interesting to know if they adjusted inflight service accordingly. I have a HKG flight in a few weeks so I will find out.
Last edited by intuition; Jul 30, 2017 at 2:51 am
Aug 15, 2017, 7:21 am
#84
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,156
My first time in the Premium lounge after the change: I must say I'm very glad. The service is better, there's a dedicated smiling drinks attendant and the a'la carte-offered salmon tasted excellent. Amouse bouches in the buffet are of high quality and everything is served with a smile.
Sep 2, 2017, 10:53 am
#85
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Platinum, TK Elite, BT VIP, AA, BA, SK, DL, NT, WB + hotels
Posts: 8,732
I have to say that the food in the Schengen lounge has improved dramatically.
Today at around 11 am, they had mushroom soup (a bit watery but ok), Karelian pastries and munavoi (good!) and feta-spinach pies (not very good), small chocolate bites they called mudcake and bostonkakku (has nothing to do with Boston cream pie, but it's very good). Unfortunately, today's smoothie was lingonberry but I suppose there's variety so I just happened to be there on the wrong day.
Today at around 11 am, they had mushroom soup (a bit watery but ok), Karelian pastries and munavoi (good!) and feta-spinach pies (not very good), small chocolate bites they called mudcake and bostonkakku (has nothing to do with Boston cream pie, but it's very good). Unfortunately, today's smoothie was lingonberry but I suppose there's variety so I just happened to be there on the wrong day.
Sep 2, 2017, 12:05 pm
#86
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), SAS Diamond (*G)
Posts: 584
I have to say, I'm not so happy with the new selection in the Schengen lounge.
If they could at least make the soup vegetarian and have some nice fresh fruit salad at breakfast, I would be happier. I'm sick of the only thing that I want to eat being those sugary cereal bars.
If they could at least make the soup vegetarian and have some nice fresh fruit salad at breakfast, I would be happier. I'm sick of the only thing that I want to eat being those sugary cereal bars.
Sep 2, 2017, 12:10 pm
#87
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2013
Location: HEL
Programs: AY Plat (OWE), SK EBG (*A Gold), KQ Plat (STE+), Accor Plat
Posts: 3,156
Being a vegetarian, I can somewhat relate. However, there are often two soups, one of which is (always?) vegetarian.
Sep 2, 2017, 12:39 pm
#88
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: C2
Programs: AY ex-Lumo, TK Elite, BT VIP, ITA Executive
Posts: 1,157
Yeah, I have had mango and cherry smoothies there so far, so they do definitely change it in some intervals; luckily not having just simply 1 taste for each day.
Sep 2, 2017, 12:50 pm
#89
Join Date: Jul 2012
Programs: BA Gold (OWE), SAS Diamond (*G)
Posts: 584
Quite, but it's more about providing things which be combined to suit a variety of diets. The old regime was good in that regard, and (e.g.) SK and BA lounges remain so. In fact, it's somewhat tempting to use the Aspire lounge instead with Priority Pass.
