An airline lounge for all travellers
Getting to international airports three hours ahead of departure, or having to hang around for long stopovers can be really painful. If you’re on a long haul flight or just plain tired, the waiting time can be excruciating.
The seats feel more uncomfortable than ever before, the people around me seem louder or more annoying, and for some reason it always feels like everyone is sneezing in my direction.
As a frequent flyer with my national airline, I haven’t had to experience any of this for over ten years. I actually don’t mind being in the airports early as it gives me a chance to relax before I get on a very long flight.
But for many, the opportunity for getting into a lounge seems a difficult one. When airline lounge is mentioned, many people think they need to be flying first or business class, or, at the very least be a frequent flyer with a specific airline.
But this is not always the case.
So, on my recent trip to Vietnam, I explored another avenue. I wanted to check out the lounges that are available to all travellers, irrespective of airline or travel class.
I reached out to Plaza Premium Lounge, the largest network of independent airline lounges in the world and spent some time in several of their lounges.
Plaza Premium Lounge – Brisbane Australia
This lounge, officially opened in September 2016, occupies a spot on Level 4, with a terrific view of the aeroplanes outside. If plane spotting is your thing, then pulling up a comfortable armchair just inside the window should see you starting off your trip in style.
For those that have other things on their mind, then there are other things to keep you occupied.
The entire lounge has been designed and decorated with the Australian landscape and natural resources in mind. Tiles represent the waves and pieces of Victorian Ash timber separate the areas. It’s an open, natural looking space, and it represents this country well.
The lounge area
The lounge offers a space to get away from the general crowds of the airport, allowing you some peace and quiet before your flight. There are plenty of comfortable spots to sit, with easy access to the dining area.
Some of the chairs near the window are more secluded than others in the main area. Having said that, I never felt as though I was being crowded out.
All chairs have built-in tables between them which also contain the ever-important power points, meaning you don’t need to sit in the business area to charge your devices.
A selection of magazines and newspapers are also available.
The lounge makes use of Australian products
All the timber in this lounge is Victorian Ashwood sourced from Australia
Business facilities
Individual pods make up the business area, immediately inside the entrance. Here travellers can get some privacy to work and power up their devices. They are perhaps a little on the small side, but remain functional.
There are also two lounge owned Windows PCs which may be used if necessary.
Free wifi is provided throughout the lounge and runs at a suitable speed.
Bar and Dining
A modest variety of food is available at all times when the lounge is open. Dining options are self-serve from the bar area. An a la carte menu offered on a rotational basis is also available. Food and beverages may be consumed in the dedicated dining area or in the lounge area.
All food is sourced from local producers where possible or further afield in Australia.
A bar service is provided with a focus on Australian beer and wine.
Whilst the entry price covers many things, this lounge is not a five-star restaurant nor does it have an expensive or expansive wine list. But it’s not pretending to have either.
The bar and dining area
Refreshment facilities
If you have been into airline lounges before, this is probably the area where you will notice a difference. Here in this lounge, the bathroom facilities are basic. They are clean and efficient, but basic nonetheless. One shower only is provided and is combined with the disabled facilities.
The Spa
The spa here at the Plaza Premium Lounge is not included as part of your entrance price. The prices for treatments are a bit steep in my opinion, with AUD$49 for a 15 minute hand therapy through to AUD$150 for a one hour massage.
It does however excel with the range of products used. Continuing their philosophy of using Australian sourced products, the spa uses products from Jasmin Organics. Based on Tamborine Mountain in the Gold Coast hinterland, this organic farm produces a natural range of beautiful skincare.
Even if you don’t use the spa, you can purchase some of this product to take away with you.
The spa area – lots of massage chairs
Location
This lounge is located at the Brisbane International Airport, on the departures level (4), between Gate 81 and Gate 82.
Once you pass through security and passport control, turn right into the general concourse, head towards gate 81 and it’s up an escalator.
It’s open every day from 5.30am until 11.30pm.
Who can come here?
The lounge is open to anyone, irrespective of who you are flying with.
Plaza Premium Lounges have also become the lounge of preference for many airlines around the world who don’t have their own dedicated lounges. So, whenever you are travelling, make sure you check to see if your airline is one of these.
Priority Pass members can also rest their legs here.
There are also certain access privileges open to holders of some top-tier credit cards like American Express, so once again, it’s worth checking prior to flying.
Cost
To access this lounge you can simply pay at the door. 5 hours of lounge access is available for AUD$66 per person (inclusive of tax). Children aged 2-11 receive a 30% discount.
The Plaza Premium Lounge also runs regular promotions.
Current promotions are:
- One person AUD$55 or 2 for AUD$99. This promotion concludes at the end of December 2016
- Book a 5 hour lounge package online and receive a free 15 minute hand or foot therapy
- Christmas giftcard special- Buy a giftcard that is valid for 5 visits for AUD$199
They also have a free membership option whereby providing a simple name and email address at the door will get you an instant (and ongoing) 15% off the current rate.
Booking
Bookings may be made online or you can just pay at the door. If you are wanting to use the spa during peak times, it would be advisable to book in advance.
The website is a little glitchy when trying to select options from drop down boxes, but nothing I couldn’t work through.
Staff here are responsive so if you are encountering any issues they will help you work through them.
Summary
If I didn’t have an airline lounge to go to and I had a long wait at an airport, I would definitely find value in paying for a lounge such as this.
The quietness away from the rest of the airport crowds along with the ability to have a few drinks, some good food and even sometimes a shower makes all the difference to a long haul flyer like me. Added benefits such as easy access to electricity, free wifi and reading material tick more boxes.
This is the first independent lounge to open at Brisbane International Airport and it’s already becoming popular with travellers.
It’s important to remember if you are visiting this lounge that they are not competing with many of the classy airline lounges. The way I look at these lounges is that they are “middle of the road”. They offer a respite away from the general airport population and the higher-end luxury of the airline lounges.
With a footprint that covers 140 locations in 35 airports, they really are an airline lounge for all travellers. I know I will find myself in one of these sometime in the future.
Planning on coming to Brisbane? There are a huge variety of hotels to choose from.
Thanks to Plaza Premium Lounges who sent me a complimentary pass for access to their new lounge. As always, all opinions and observations are entirely my own.
Kerri now travels regularly with her husband, Stirling, where eating great food, drinking quality beer and wine, and cooking international foods are integral to their adventures.
Thanks for your review! I live in Brissy so it’s great to read a review that is super relevant to me. I haven’t had a chance to check it out since it opened in September but I love that it isn’t exclusive to a particular airline.
It’s starting to get known a bit now in Brissie circles which is great. It’s got an awesome view out over the tarmac too.
Looks very cool! Some of the seats have privacy also! Recently I had a great time in luxury lounge in Hong Kong and so could relate to it. 🙂
Aren’t they just wonderful Nisha !
Awesome! I love it when Airport Lounges have a spa. Sometimes you just need a quick massage and drink from the bar, before tackling the next flight.
Exactly Jen, and this one has it covered.
I always assumed lounges were only open to first class/business class fliers! I’d gladly pay more money if I had a long layover or wait time to hang out in a lounge. I’ll have to keep an eye on this for the different airports I go to in January.
I think that’s what a lot of people think Samantha. I’m happy to suck up small amounts of time, particularly in small airports, but not big ones and not for huge layovers.
I like the individual pods! Even if it’s not for business, I feel like it gives me a bit of privacy and down time for a few minutes! I absolutely love that there’s a spa too! I’d love to be relaxed for a flight 🙂
I’m a little embarrassed to admit I have never been to an airport lounge before! I usually just sit and work on my laptop near the gate before departure. However, I do have to say that the spa chairs won me over…
Don’t be embarrassed 🙂 Some people are perfectly ok out there as well and I do it sometimes overseas on small flights, but not for the big long haul ones.
This place looks amazing! I really like that all their product is sourced locally, it really adds a nice Australian feel to the place. Are all their lounges around the world done in a similar fashion? This is totally worth the price in my opinion!
they are similar but a little different. Just went to the Hong Kong one, they do their food a little differently.
It’s so nice to have a nice lounge to wait in before your flight especially if you have a long wait until your flight. We love just having a comfortable seat, some snacks and a chance to recharge our electronics/use WiFi. Lounges definitely add some buffer to the flying experience and makes it better.
Absolutely agree on all counts Shobha.
I didn’t realize that you didn’t have to fly business or first class to get into a lounge. I had an EIGHTEEN-HOUR layover in Vietnam, but I didn’t have the visa to leave the airport, plus it’s not a cheap visa. I would have loved to go to the spa and have some nice food. Thanks for sharing and I’ll keep this in mind if something like that happens again!
I know, it’s a great idea. And you’re right about the Vietnamese visa. I just paid AUD$95 each for a single entry, 30 day visa.
What a good idea! We are in Europe and usually travel low cost, so our airport time is usually spent at the gate… love the idea of this, it would make a huge difference
I never go to airport lounges because I don’t really feel like I’m missing out, but now that I’ve seen into one, I feel like I’m missing out. I like the decor of this one– fits with my style! I’ll have to check it out.
Very interesting concept, and a great idea for a lot less money than the price of a business class ticket. Looks like a beautiful lounge, but I don’t have a lot to compare it too 🙂
There are definitely ones that are fancier but then you pay mega bucks for business or first class to get in there. This one fills the gap nicely I think.
This airline lounge is amazing! I’ve never been in one, but I definitely need to check one out when I have a long layover. Thanks for sharing!
This sounds great for a nice long layover without kids, but finding a toned down version of this for traveling with kids would be super-ideal. Maybe someday when we get to take a trip just the two of us…
The business pads look real cosy and classy. I think the lounge is really worth the buck.
Plaza Premium looks like a decent lounge. Although, $66 a person for five hours sounds a little steep to me. Having access to a lounge while on a long trip certainly makes travelling more comfortable.
I guess it comes down to how much you like a little comfort. For me on mega long hauls, I would almost pay anything 🙂
Oh man, it is SO NICE to have access to a lounge. I don’t always get to fly on airlines where I have tons of miles (esp. when work pays for my tickets) and it’s great that there are increasingly options for me.
definitely ticks these boxes
We just signed up for a new credit card that gets us into some of the fancy airport lounges I have read so much about. Your post is getting me even more excited than I already was to hang out and be pampered! Wi-Fi, snacks, outlets… ahh airport heaven! It sounds like it is the way to go and like having a smart phone, once we start I’m not sure we’ll ever go back!
Exactly the way I feel Angela, can’t do without them now.
I have never tried one of these lounges. This would be awesome during a long layover! Thanks for the detailed review.
pleasure, always good to know new info
It looks like a great lounge to head to before your flight. Such a great idea when you want some peace and quiet and you want to do some work. I would definitely try it.
And there’s so many all over the world so you should be able to find one.
It looks so fancy, would love to check this lounge out. As always, my favourite part of lounges is the food!
Uau!! Really amazing this place 🙂 So bad that the spa is not included….. It seems so fine!
Lounges are great for long layovers. I usually skip them to save money but if you can buy a package deal like that xmas special its totally worth it! Also great to know that anyone can access these lounges 🙂
This looks gorgeous and so much nicer than sitting in a terribly uncomfortable chair during my layover! The spa treatments do seem pricey but would be so welcome.
I didn’t bother with the spa treatments but the rest was awesome.
This looks great- especially for long haul flights in ungodly hours! Useful to know 🙂
I have only ever been in airport lounges several times and they are nice. The Plaza Premium lounges offer a service that I could not get otherwise ( I don’t typically fly business class and I fly too many different airlines to accumulate enough points to earn lounge entry).
Yes that’s why these are the perfect lounge for everyday travellers.
Ohhh that looks like a fancy shmansey lounge. I like it 🙂
When I was travelling twice a year from France to Asia with Qatar Airways, I could access their lounge as I had their free fidelity card and the required fidelity level. I really loved it, especially when I could take a shower between my two flights. And the food in Doha, especially humus and pastries… Even when I was upgraded (often!!!), I couldn’t resist to eat it 😀
The lounge looks lovely. At AUD 66 (And the current promo of 55 bucks) it is a steal. Did you look at that bar/ dining area? It looks so chic! Glad you got to spend time there and relax. I do agree its amazing in between flights.
I’m always in the bar JO 🙂
I have never taken advantage of an option like this – mainly because I always seem to be running late for my flight! I love those work pods, though, and would definitely take advantage if the opportunity came up.
It would do my head in if I was late to flights !
I’ve never sprung for lounge access, but it sure looks nice.
Such an awesome lounge. I recently applied for the new Chase card and they gave me access to many lounges throughout the world. Can’t wait to use them!
Getting access through credit cards is the way to go
I hate getting to the airport too early, it makes it so much more stressful!! This is a great place to relax and get some work done too and a good price as well!
I never mind getting there early if there is a lounge, so I totally agree.
Amazing! I always thought the lounges where for the rich and important people of this world, not travellers on a budget! I will have to keep my eyes open for more lounges inside airports similar to this!
yes that’s why they fill the gap so nicely Jess
I’m a real sucker for business lounges, but I’m rarely flying business. So this seems a great alternative – thanks for sharing!
Yes that’s why they are such good value
Thank you Kerri for putting these information together. I really appreciate it when author’s write an objective article. Most articles I read only show the pros of lounges but your’s give an unbiased take. Have you tried the spa? Were the services any good?
Great article, very informative, easy to read and very fair. Good read.
I didn’t get time to try the spa. It looked good and smelt great…maybe next time. Service was good without being excellent. Essentially a great place to rest and relax and get some peace and quiet too.