Review: Qantas First Class Lounge Sydney SYD

Pretty much one of my favourite places in the world. Partly for the above but also party because it means I'm going on holidays 🙂

Great write-up – for my money it's THE best first class lounge in the world, as no other first lounge offers the same winning combo of the great food and wine (true restaurant-grade), spa and design.

Nice review of the lounge. Your security experience sounds like something I can imagine happening in U.S. airports.

the decor colors reminds me of In-n-Out burgers. Doesn't scream luxury like the other top lounges in the world. Food looks good though.

Wow, what a lounge! Thanks for the review. Do other 1st class passengers on OneWorld flights get access (JAL F SYD to NRT)? If not, what lounge would you recommend?

Thanks!

Hands-down best lounge in the world... simply beautiful. And, you know you're in for a treat the moment you enter... I agree with David, the luxurious combination of aesthetic, service, spa and (Neil Perry) dining puts it in a class of its own. I strive to retain my QFF platinum membership in order to be able to access this lounge 1-2 times a year (as I now live in the US).

@ JimC -- All oneworld first class passengers are allowed in as well. 🙂

Yes I agree with you that this lounge is the
1) best for décor and view, for sure, no place can beat! I thought AF First lounge at CDG had classy décor as well but since they change to the newer one (since September 2014) with a bit more IKEA-like and red, then not so much.
2) Second best for food after AF First: after I tried several things from the Menu from both QF SYD/MEL and AF CDG, it seems to be almost equally good but maybe AF CDG slightly better.
3) Second best for spa... yes... the good thing is J and Y Oneworld Emerald can use it... that's awesome!

One more thing to add:
I think the QF SYD F lounge service was not so attentive and personal. Since this lounge caters Y and J Oneworld Emerald pax as well, it is harder. When you sit (not at the restaurant area), the server may approach you and ask for something to drink, I found QF MEL, TG BKK, AF CDG, to be more attentive. When you sit down at the restaurant area, in QF MEL, TG BKK, AF CDG, the servers would explain the Menu to you if you ask something or give suggestion... engage in small talk..... there is no rush.... so it feels more like a nice restaurant. While in QF SYD, you can't do that cuz the restaurant area is always busy.

For me I agree with you on the top list of QF SYD/MEL, TG BKK, AF CDG, LH FRA are the top first class lounge of the world... but not so much for EK DXB. The EK F is just big and has lots of things... but most things are more like good but not great for FCL standard. Food is good but not great, service/attentiveness is good but not great, spa is good but not great, the décor was good but not great, the view... there is no view, and no transportation to the gate other than walk.

Also note that QF SYD/MEL lounge do not have a sleeping area but that is understandable cuz the only "international" connecting pax from long haul flight is to New Zealand and those lay overs are usually not long.

Ben I'm flying out on BA F in May can I prebook the lounge treatments or is the pre booking for QF passengers only?

Dom.

It's interesting that they're still offering Kevin Murphy toiletries in the SYD First Lounge. I think they stopped offering those in the MEL First lounge over a year ago.

In case anyone is wondering, Kevin Murphy shampoo and conditioner is fantastic!

Weren't you at all concerned about flying the plane with the QF32 incident??

I take it when the F team called you to arrange spa appointment they didn't mention about kerbside assistance? They can meet you at kerbside with those hotel-style trolley and start the check-in process as you're approaching the airport (by calling a direct number) so by the time you arrive at the F check-in counter your boarding pass is ready and they just need to glance at your passport to verify the details.

I have to agree with an above comment - the MEL QF F lounge is better than the SYD QF F lounge. More attentive, better service.

In the QF F lounge 5 days after Ben and the service was terrible. Check in agent kept interrupting me to check in more people as she check for spa appointment. The appointment took 20 second so to do once she stop the interruptions.

Service in the restaurant was the worst I have ever seen. Waiter approaches us with Breaksfast menu - and I ask it there was a lunch menu. He said lunch started at 12 noon (it as 11:50am). I said we would wait til 12 to order , but bring the drink now. While the waiter disappears for over an hour and I had to call over to get another waiter to help.

The first section (there are two separate restaurant sections) had more waiters, my side had only one. A nice waitress finally came by and took our order. But it took over an hour to get. Others arriving much after us, had there order and food before our order was even taken.

I asked to see the manager of the waiters and express displeasure with the service and the disappearance of the waiter. Shortly after the waiter reappear and asked if we wanted something else to drink. Acted as if nothing happened. He was Indian/Middle Eastern chubby guy - not sure if he did not want to serve two men sitting together.

Spa treatment (facial) was great. Overall a great lounge, just some bad people working there. But MEL is by far more service orientated in my view.

That's so nice you met up with a friend there! When I'll visit this lounge, I'll be all alone. 🙁
anyone else departing SYD on February 15?

Does it seem a bit claustrophobic to you??

How'd you like SYD airport overall?

This is the lounge Virgin would have, if they had a First Class product.

So glad you liked it but MEL is better! Lucky only used the domestic in MEL not international where the First Lounge is.

FYI, There are also 2 private rooms available. Not that private in the sense that people are able to look in, but you have your own space.

You only become a customs officer if you cant get into the police force. Complete bunch of wankers. One asked why I would want to go to a country with so many asians.

@ Dom -- I believe only Qantas passengers can pre-book.

@ Ted -- No, not at all. Clearly the problem with the plane had been fixed and it has been flying for years since.

@ TKK -- Nope, and frankly wouldn't have gotten much value out of it, especially since I wasn't using data abroad. Cool service, though!

@ Fred -- Can't say I got that feeling.

@ wwk5d -- Hah, great point about Virgin. As far as the airport overall, I thought it was okay. Reasonably nice, but not comparable to some of the better Asian airports.

@ duncan -- I have used the first class lounge in Melbourne a few years back, for what it's worth.

Thanks for the report.

The first agents you refer to are colloquially known as the bouncers as their sole job is to keep obviously ineligible passengers making it to the reception desk.

It seems to always be the case before those US flights depart in the morning that the lounge is chockers, which does impact the service in the restaurant and stops this from being a truly great first class lounge.

We just did a report of the Qantas F lounge in Melbourne, although it hasn't changed much since you last visited: www.milesdownunder.com/2015/01/review-qantas-first-lounge-melbourne/

Wow that lounge looks like the complete package decor/food/spa treatment! Makes me sad I couldn't get QF F tickets for my parents

Have you been to the QF business lounge there? Any opinions? Do they offer menu service?

EK F pax and EK Platinum pax can use the QF F Lounge as well.

Unsurprised, though, at your lack of research as a travel blogger. A Qantas First host would have met you kerbside with a porter, checked you in, had your immigration forms filled in, escorted you through security and to the lounge. They would also pick you up and take you straight to the plane. These are all QF F benefits.

You really need to work on your research PRIOR to travel if you are going to offer advice on your blog.

@ Kijo -- I haven't, though hopefully someone else can chime in.

You're flying on Qantas's first A380...

I'm with those who prefer the MEL lounge. SYD wins on aesthetics and view, but MEL offers vastly more attentive service. When my friend and I were in the MEL lounge, the host knew where we were and what we were doing at every moment. So, for example, when I came out of my spa treatment, the host met me at the door and escorted me to the table where my friend was eating. At SYD, by contrast, I had a minor problem with which the front desk staff might have helped, but they showed no interest in doing so. I don't really fault the people; the SYD lounge is so much larger and busier that it would be very difficult to provide the personal attention you get at MEL.

Lounge access question when *connecting* in Sydney.

Flying AA in F from LAX to SYD. In Sydney connecting on QF to Cairns in J (no first class from SYD-CNS). Can I access the first class lounge?

Sorry for the resurrection of an old topic. I just wanted to check, I'm flying Emirates first class from Syd to Dubai on Sunday. I understand I can access the Qantas lounge, but is the spa available to me? I plan to see both lounges, but the treatments sound better at Qantas.
Cheers

I've wanted to visit this lounge for 10 years. Finally got to see it this year - 10 years after it opened. For my view of the lounge follow this link: http://2paxfly.com/2017/09/12/finally-i-make-it-to-the-qantas-first-class-lounge-sydney/