Review : Virgin Australia Melbourne Lounge

Rohit

14/12/2021

Virgin Australia’s Melbourne lounge recently reopened its doors after spending best part of two years shut down. The closure, first brought on by Covid-19 was extended further when Virgin’s new owner Bain Capital decided to refresh the airlines’ lounge network to better align with its mid-market values.

I was recently in Melbourne to check out the new Marriott Melbourne Docklands Hotel and spent some time in the lounge prior to the flight home.

Location

The lounge holds the distinction of being the only one in Virgin Australia’s network to be located before the Security screening. Its quiet an oddity and I am not aware of too many instances where this is the case.

Over the years, I have sometimes rushed through the security – only to realise the lounge has been left behind. Luckily, its easy to back-track if you have the time and don’t mind the hassle of having to go through the security twice.

Once you enter the Terminal, take the stairs or the escalators up and turn left. The lounge is located about 15 metres down the hallway.

So what’s changed

Temper your expectations if you haven’t passed through this lounge yet. Unlike the Adelaide lounge which Virgin Australia have built from scratch, the changes at Melbourne facility are not very substantial and retain many of its past features.

As you come up to the lounge, you will notice that the entrance has received a facelift – although the unfinished ceiling exposes the air-conditioning pipes, which is not great if you are trying to make a first impression.

Virgin Australia Lounge Entrance, Melbourne Airport

Stepping inside, the glossy check-in desk is straight ahead.

Check-in Desk – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

Further in, you have the main food and drinks buffet to the left.

Food & Drinks Buffet – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

My impression was that there weren’t too many noticeable changes in the offering from the past, although this could have been due to the late afternoon time of the day I was there. If you happen to visit the lounge during lunch or dinner hours – when lounges typically put out more options, your experience might be different.

For what its worth – and in keeping with the times we are in, the buffet is hosted and guests are not yet able to self-serve. A notice to this affect was prominently displayed.

First up, there was a tray of assorted cookies, a cracker and cheese board and a whole fruit platter.

Afternoon Tea – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

Next, you had the salad bar with pre-made Caesar salad bowls

Afternoon Tea – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

and a half empty hot food station.

Afternoon Tea – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

The beef pide’s were popular with the patrons and I noticed a steady stream of people returning for the second helping.

Then you had the drinks section with soft drinks and bottles of red and white wine. I did not notice any spirits or champagne. There were several fridges behind the bar stocked with beer and sparkling wine.

Drinks – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

Down the hallway and away from the main food and drinks section, there was a deserted coffee station.

Coffee Station – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

I was surprised to see it so empty as the barista made coffee is one of the defining features of all Virgin Australia lounge and normally there is a horde waiting around for their caffeine fix.

I waited near the station for a few minutes hoping someone will see me and come to serve. In the end, I had to go back and ask for someone to be sent down. I ordered a cappuccino which was excellent.

Cappuccino – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

The guy who made my coffee explained that the facility was operating with minimal staff, as visitation was substantially down (about 500 guests daily) due to most interstate borders being closed to Victoria. He said they expect this to increase to about 1,200 guests when borders with Queensland opened later in the month.

There is another coffee station on the opposite end of the lounge which was not operational.

Coffee Station – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

The lounge offers tonnes of sitting space which is a massive improvement over the older, somewhat cramped facility. I will let the pictures speak.

Seating – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

Grad a window seat for awesome views of the apron or to gaze endlessly as some planes pull up to the gates while others depart.

Seating – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

For those travelling on business, there is free, albeit lousy wifi and a communal work desk with bar stools. The set up doesn’t exactly scream BUSINESS, but is in keeping with Virgin’s young, casual vibe. The desk is fitted with power outlets & USB ports.

Communal Work Desk – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

Regular visitors to the lounge will recognise the desk as a hangover from the older version of the lounge. Having said that, it is perfectly serviceable.

The fully renovated bathroom with toilets and showers are located in a corner, right at the far end of the lounge. They were well maintained and squeaky clean as you can tell.

Bathroom – Virgin Australia Lounge, Melbourne Airport

My Thoughts

The refreshed Virgin Australia lounge at Melbourne Airport is welcoming guests once again. Although modelled on Virgin’s Adelaide lounge, its nowhere near as nice or impressive.

The location of the lounge (before security screening) means that the 1st timers to the Melbourne Airport or those not familiar with the lay out might sometimes miss it.

Unlike Qantas lounges which have well-defined seating, working and lounging zones, Virgin Australia lounges are geared more towards the young, casual traveller and the Melbourne facility sticks true to that theme.

Have you visited the refreshed Virgin Australia lounge at Melbourne Airport? Leave a comment below.

Review : Marriott Melbourne Docklands

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