Anyone who has flown out of Sydney International Airport in the last year or so will know major works are on the go. I fly in and out of SYD International (T1) every eight weeks or so and each time I visit it’s different. Just when I think I have it figured out, they go and change it on me again. Airports are normally chaotic at the best of times, but all this construction just adds to the drama. I usually fly in the cheap seats and end up in killing time in Maccas (McDonalds for the non-Aussies!) so I was thrilled to have lounge access en route to our week long road trip around New Zealand’s stunning North Island. I’m no stranger to an airport lounge and I had high expectations that the Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport would be a cut above the rest. So did it live up to my expectations? Read on for all the details …
Finding Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport
Given the renovations currently underway we weren’t taking any chances and asked at check in where the lounge was located. High 5 to us for being ahead of the game right? Well you would think so … Our server advised the lounge was down the stairs near gate 57. Perfect. We would be departing from 58 so it should be pretty hard to miss. We walked around all the gates in the 50’s twice before admitting defeat and asking for directions again at the currency conversion kiosk. She mumbled something about a glass elevator and vaguely waved us off in the other direction. We finally located the elevator that would take us down to the elusive lounge near the entrance to the Heimann Duty Free (not the first one straight after X-ray the one further along near the departure gates). Annoyingly, we had been in the store 15 minutes beforehand stocking up on essentials (booze!) and had we glanced up we would have seen the signs. C’est La Vie.
Even if you can find the lounge, entrance to the Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport is sadly not open to everyone. We got our ticket to the game by virtue of blowing a bunch of frequent flyer points on our business class tickets on the Emirates flagship A380. They do check your boarding pass at the door so don’t even think about sneaking in! It was a little after 9am when the glass sliding doors parted and we were greeted by a very compact space. I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting as a virgin visitor to an Emirates lounge, but given Emirates’ reputation for being one of the worlds premier airlines I expected a ‘wow’ moment I didn’t get. The lounge was on par, although a lot smaller, than a Virgin Australia domestic lounge and felt somewhat unworthy of being reserved for Emirates’ very best customers. I swallowed my initially disappointment and checked out the rest of the facilities. A functional business centre, lavish bathrooms and comfy seats were all squeezed in to the limited available space. The wi-fi is free and all your favourite mags are on offer.
Food & Drink
After a quick scan of our surroundings we decided to make a bee line for breakfast. There was both a hot and cold buffet serving all the breakfast staples and a dedicated dining area set out restaurant style. Not being a big breakfast eater, I went for a simple plate of sausages, pancakes and fruit toast followed by some fruit. Again I was underwhelmed and failed to finish everything on my plate. I wasn’t too worried though as I was anticipating a fabulous lunch to be served in business class as we sped across the Tasman shortly.
A full bar is offered including a large selection of spirits and of course top shelf champagne. Veuve Clicquot anyone? This is one area that the Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport has it all over the competition. But did I mention it was 9am? I opted for the water instead. I know right? Turning down free Veuve … Lightweight!
The Final Word
I’ve been in many an airport lounge in my time and I was expecting my very first visit to an Emirates lounge to be a little more ‘wow’, but save for the premium booze the Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport is on par with every other lounge I had been in up until that point. Don’t get me wrong, it was way better than than hard plastic seat at Macca’s, but I was expecting more. That said, Emirates redeemed themselves big time when we visited the Emirates Lounge at Auckland International airport before we flew home on Emirates A380 in first class. Auckland’s lounge is streets ahead of Sydney and has a fabulous atmosphere that encourages you to linger.
Have you been to the Emirates Lounge Sydney International Airport? Do you think I’m being too harsh? Feel free to bring me down a peg or two in the comments below.
Until Next Time …
Disclaimer: This post is not sponsored. I paid for my business class ticket on Emirates which afforded me access to the Emirates lounge Sydney International Airport with frequent flyer points. As always, all opinions are my own.
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Gina says
I’ve never been to a premium lounge before and this would have to be my first time seeing an Emrates one! I can’t believe you turned down free champagne! Mimosas anyone?
The breakfast looked absolutely delicious and the fruit looked very fresh. I would definitely give it a try!
Mel I TravelingMel says
Bummer that it was underwhelming, but it still looks nicer than sitting at the gate
You just need to plan it so you get there later in the day to take advantage of the free booze. A lavish bathroom is always a plus!
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Agree maybe that’s why we enjoyed the lounge in Auckland in the way home so much more lol. I didn’t even mind the flight delay there as I have Vueve lol
finja says
How interesting. It must have been such a special, VIP feeling.
xx finja | www.effcaa.com
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Much better than Maccas ?
Ticking the Bucketlist says
Nice to get your honest review … I too would have expected it to be a wow thing for me. Good to know about the quality of booze … though I am so scared to dehydration that I just don’t drink before or during a flight… even then I bloat ?. The food looks good … that’s what attracts me to a lounge cos the food at the restaurants in at airport is so so expensive!
Anna says
I recently got a Priority Pass so now I try to visit an airport lounge every time I travel somewhere (unfortunately, it looks like the airport in Sydney is not in the programme yet). This one looks pretty fancy! The selection of food sounds good to me, it’s always good to have a proper snack before flying, just in case the plane food does not meet your expectations. If I ever fly out of Sydney with Emirates, I will check this lounge out!
Natalie says
How nice! We’ve always wanted to fly Emirates but haven’t had the chance. The lounge is a fabulous way to spend time in an airport! We did experience a fantastic lounge in Istanbul when we flew business class on Turkish air. WOW!! What a treat! We hope to get another chance to enjoy that!! Sure adds to the adventure!
Aryane @ Valises & Gourmandises says
Airport lounges do sound fancy! We always buy the cheapest tickets we can.. I don’t think we’ll ever manage to fly first class. But man would that be fun!
I agree with you that it’s not as opulent as what I would expect from Emirates, but at the same time, I’m not one for luxury and unnecessary consumerism, so I think it would be fine to just relax before a long flight
And I would have totally enjoyed a mimosa with that champagne!
Prasad Np says
A very comprehensive review. I have been to there Dubai, NewYork and Hyderabad Lounges and found them to be decent. The Dubai one gets too crowded being there home base….
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
Really? I would have thought Dubai would have been a stand out! I guess there is not a lot they can do about the crowding other than to build a bigger lounge lol
Ticker Eats The World says
I love a disclaimer that says the opposite of what most people expect.
I have to agree with you, based on your description and the photos, while there is luxury there at the lounge no doubt, but it is similar to many other lounges. You are right, I do expect a little over the top statement by Emirates, but then maybe it depends on the sectors or what’s economical for them.
Nevertheless, the food looks great and free alcohol is always appreciated even though I don’t drink much, it’s comforting to know that I can.
I’m usually happy with a lounge as long as it has comfy seats and free wifi.
Sydney Fashion Hunter says
I was just expecting a little more from Emirates. Sydney is probably the exception I think as Auckland was amazing and I can only image what the Dubai lounge is like!
Melbtravel says
I am not going to lie, I love a good business lounge especially when I am in the airport for ages. This looks better than some fo the lounges around the world and the champagne would definitely make me feel a whole lot better :-). I flew upper class from LA to London last year and I loved loved loved their lounge, unlimited champagne cocktails. You should definitely try it out
Pete says
I’ve got an upcoming flight with Emirates out of Sydney, and I’ve got a choice between Emirates and Qantas First – which is a fabulous lounge. Only problem is that my flight leaves at 0600, and I’d have just enough time for a latte in the Qantas lounge before having to scuttle off to the far end of the terminal to hop on my Dubai bird.
So looks like I’ll be taking things a little more leisurely in the Emirates lounge. Thanks for the review, and I might just have a taste of that Veuve as I watch the sun rise.
Clare says
I never flown out of sydney and only a couple of times been in business class lounges. I haven’t visited the Emirates one, but I did visit Air France lounge which for a backpacker was a great experience. I just loved having wifi and free food so I could do a bit of work before flying!!! I wish it was something I could experience more often!!