Ahh the airport lounge.
A bastion of peace, unlimited buffet, flowing drinks and magazines, far from the madding crowds.
Reserved for those who are frequent flyers, have a credit cards reward program with free passes, or sneaky eBay buyers, the lounge is a special way to kick off a journey.
Virgin Australia
Virgin Australia have domestic lounges, located at Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Canberra, Mackay, Cairns, Gold Coast, Darwin and Alice Springs domestic airports.
Entry is for Virgin Australia Business Class and Premium Economy guests, Velocity Platinum and Gold members and partner airline reciprocal status members.
Business Class, Velocity Platinum and Velocity Gold members can access partner airline lounges when travelling internationally, check the website for which international lounge you can visit.
A fair bit of time and money has been put into updating Virgin Australia’s lounges. For a start, they have style, architectural style. Curvy benches, breakout quiet areas, colourful bucket seats.
Quirky occasional features are also available from time to time.
How about some live music? They’ve got you covered. Live music is one of the features I love about Adelaide airport too, that and always having an art, sculpture or both exhibit.
Pop up shoe shine services are in the lounge sometimes if you are lucky too.
30 minutes in the Virgin Australia Lounge on the Gold Coast was like heaven. TE HANA Sparkling (AU) Reserve Cuvée,…
Posted by Willunga Wino on Sunday, August 16, 2015
Arrival
After recently achieving Silver Velocity Frequent Flyer status, I was given two free lounge passes, automatically loaded onto my Velocity card. No messing about with vouchers.
Smiling staff at the Gold Coast lounge quickly scanned my card, let me know when my remaining pass expired, let me know my flight would be called in the lounge, and directed me how to get into the lounge via lift or stairs.
Decor
Modern, sleek, curvy white decor with pops of colour.
Plenty of space between seating, working, and eating zones.
Modern, sleek, curvy decor with pops of colour. Photo: Willunga Wino
Seating
From colourful bucket seats at the charging bar, to comfy lounges, armchairs and workstations, there are a variety of seating options and zones.
Comfy, pretty bucket seats up at the bar. Photo: Willunga Wino
Food
A menu was on display making it easier to choose.
Make-your-own-toasties always win brownie points from me. Especially with a good selection of potential fillings.
Why don’t my toasties at home turn out like this?! Photo: Willunga Wino
The toastie oven was nice and clean too. As was the buffet, spotless.
A photo posted by Louise Rhodes @ Willunga Wino (@willungawino) on
Two gourmet salads were on offer, the first a beetroot and feta number, and second a spiced quinoa with chickpeas and pine nuts. Both delicious, not acidic or over seasoned.
Eating the rainbow & making friends with salad. Photo: Willunga Wino
Two soups with freshly sliced sourdough baguette or other breads were also available. I opted for the thick, smooth and tasty cauliflower and leek.
Cauli soup and a sandwich. How NYC! Also Ireland, they love soup and a sandwich too. Photo: Willunga Wino
Beverages
Three reds, three whites, and a sparkling, all on free pour, at 11.15am in the morning. My version of heaven!
Nice red wine selection. I’m looking at you Mr Hallett. Photo: Willunga Wino
With more than the 30 mins I had, you could have a nice little tasting.
White wines on parade. Help thyself! Photo: Willunga Wino
As it was, I had time for just one tipple, so opted for the Te Hana Cuvee Brut (rrp $16.99 at Dans). Clean citrus nose with just a hint of nuttiness, like a proper almond macaroon (not a lolly coloured macaron!). On the palate it was crisp and juicy, with that roasted almond hint on the finish. A step above the sub-$15 (or even $10) sparklings.
Te Hana bubbles fit’s the bill. If only my bill could hold more than my belly-can. Photo: Willunga Wino
A good selection of beers and soft drinks are available in the fridge, with staff on hand to serve them to you. Juice available on the buffet, as well as fancy and delicious Madame Flavour teas (try the lavender tisane – amazing!).
A barista is on hand to craft your coffee exactly how you like it.
Bathrooms
Fully equipped with showers.
Australian made and owned skincare products by REN are also available in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane bathrooms and showers, ooh la la.
Business
Meeting rooms, workstations, printing, photocopiers, phones, free wi fi throughout.
All the usual and all you could need.
Other Facilities
Handy charging points are available at the bar seating for your phone, tablet, laptop or camera.
Magazines and newspapers.
Nice view of the tarmac and planes coming and going.
Amazingly quiet given the din in the terminal below.
Service
Employees were greeting guests by name and with a warm welcome. The barista was chatty with guests as they crafted coffees.
Flight announcements were clear, easy to hear, and well timed. I walked straight up to have my boarding pass scanned but was not late.
Cleaning was constant, without being disruptive, and resulted in the lounge being spotless at all times.
Up at the bar, when I finished the last dribble of a bottle of wine, a new bottle was opened immediately for me.
Alas my 30 minutes spare was up and I had to jet (haha – geddit?).
Up…up…and away! Photo: Willunga Wino
Overall I was really impressed. It had a ‘fun’ atmosphere but was not crowded or noisy.
Food and beverage options were great, as were seating and business facilities. Service was sparkling, like my wine.
So glad I have another pass left to visit again!
Would you like this snack? Comments make my day, leave one below!
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