Lounge Review: Qantas International First, Melbourne

Rating: 8.5 out of 10

Entrance to the Qantas First Lounge.

The Qantas Melbourne First Lounge offers a sophisticated and comfortable space for eligible travellers departing from Melbourne Airport. Located on Level 3, accessible via escalator near Gates 9 and 10, it provides a premium experience for those flying with Qantas, oneworld, or Emirates.

Access and Opening Hours

Access to this exclusive lounge is granted to:

• First Class passengers on Qantas or oneworld flights,
• Qantas Platinum or Platinum One members before Jetstar, Qantas, oneworld, or Emirates flights, and
• oneworld Emerald members prior to oneworld flights.

The lounge operates with consistent evening hours but varying morning opening times:

• Monday, Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 4:45 AM to 11:15 PM
• Wednesday and Thursday: 5:30 AM to 11:15 PM

Dining Experience

The lounge boasts an à la carte restaurant to the right of the entrance, offering an extensive menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

The dining area with its integrated open kitchen.

The Autumn Breakfast menu - quite extensive.

Buttermilk pancakes with poached pear

Generous whole egg omelette

Refreshing fruit salad.

Steamed snapper with Jiangxi sauce

Stunning signature pavlova.

My breakfast experience, though generally good, had a couple of minor hiccups. While the corn fritters were delicious and the generous whole egg omelette tasted fresh, the buttermilk pancakes were slightly burnt for my preference, and unfortunately, the pineapple in the fruit salad had gone bad. A nice touch was learning that the honey served with the pancakes is sourced from Qantas beehives in Mascot, near their HQ.

Lunch proved to be a more consistently excellent affair. The steamed snapper with Jiangxi sauce was fresh, moist, and perfectly cooked. The signature pavlova was a visual delight and tasted great, albeit a tad on the sweeter side.

Environment

The lounge itself is rather compact but thoughtfully laid out. Lounge chairs offer superb tarmac views, providing a great vantage point for plane spotting. During my visit, I observed two Qantas A380s parked side-by-side, a truly impressive sight.

Seating area with tarmac view

Close-up of not one, but two, Qantas A380s from the lounge.

A glass of Lalier Champagne, paired with the stunning view of Qantas A380.

Sit back, relax and enjoy the good times.

Old-school mechanical flight departure board - in case you wonder where the noise comes from once in a while, this is the answer. 😉

The convenient self-service snack and beverage area offers a quick bite or refreshment.

While comfortable, it can get a bit crowded during peak flight departure times. The lounge also provides several working desk cubicles and office rooms for those needing to catch up on work. Self-service options for snacks and beverages like soft drinks, coffee and wine are available. However, what truly stands out is the proactive and attentive staff who are quick to offer barista-made coffee or a glass of Lallier Champagne, enhancing the overall comfort and service.

Service and Amenities

One of the standout amenities is the Spa, though it's highly advisable to book a session as soon as you arrive due to its popularity and limited availability. If you're lucky enough to secure a slot, you can enjoy a 20-minute massage session with options including Facial Elevation, Neck, Shoulder & Scalp Massage, Hot Stone Back Massage, or Foot Soak & Massage.

Spa treatment room interior.

Spa room with tarmac view. Hold on a minute, is that an A380?

Indulge with luxurious LUE products, readily available for your pampering session in the spa.

A look inside one of the spacious shower suites, complete with marble finishes and plush towels.

Another look of the interior of a shower suite.

Upon entering the spa, the experience begins with the gentle offering of a scented towel, creating an immediate sense of calm. The private massage rooms are bright and inviting, featuring expansive windows that offer a unique, soothing panorama of the active tarmac outside. My hot stone back massage proved to be a highly effective and relaxing way to prepare for my journey, significantly easing any pre-flight tension and contributing to a more comfortable overall travel experience.

For freshening up, the Shower Suites are spacious and well-appointed, offering a full assortment of amenities including dental kits, shaving kits, and combs.

Verdict

The Qantas Melbourne First Lounge undeniably delivers a premium and highly desirable pre-flight experience, justifying its reputation as a leading airport lounge. While my breakfast had a couple of minor culinary inconsistencies, these were largely overshadowed by the excellent lunch service in another visit and the lounge's array of standout features.

The attentive and proactive staff truly elevate the experience, ensuring comfort and convenience at every turn, from offering Champagne to maintaining the impeccably clean environment. The highlight for many will undoubtedly be the tranquil spa, offering a luxurious respite before a long flight, a truly valuable amenity for any traveler. Combined with the superb tarmac views and thoughtful design, the lounge provides an oasis of calm and luxury.

Given its exceptional service, impressive amenities, and overall refined ambiance, the Qantas Melbourne First Lounge earns a strong commendation. It’s a space that genuinely enhances the start of your journey, making it a highly recommended stop for eligible passengers.