My Melbourne lounge room, The Pacific Club Lounge
The Pacific Club Lounge, Melbourne, Australia
LOCATION
Melbourne, Australia
VENUE
Hotel Lounge
TREND
Club lounge
MAPPING
Food & Beverage
It's a bit like your lounge at home, only it's bigger, you can enjoy a glass of bubbles, and you don't have to clean up!
Major hotel chains are renowned for their club lounges, where they tempt high end clients and business travellers to their brand. Accor Hotels offers Club Millesime (French for vintage) in their Sofitel brand, IHG offers Club Intercontinental, but one of my favourites is GHA's Pacific Club at the Pan Pacific Melbourne. So, come into my Melbourne lounge room, lounge with me for a while, and I will show you around.
the pan pacific hotel
2 Convention Centre Place
South Wharf, Vic, 3006
Ph: (61) 3 9027 2000
A quiet escape from the hotel lobby
The lounge is open all day and hotel guests with lounge access are free to come and go as they please. It's an ideal space do some work, hold a meeting, or simply read and relax. In the morning a breakfast buffet is available as an alternative to the main restaurant. In the twilight hours guests can enjoy canapés, and a selection of pre-dinner beverages, before they head off to dinner.
Do you know what Friday means? . . . Lounge Time!
Stephen Duncan
Lounge arrival
Staff were available at the reception desk in peak periods. They provide help with hotel services, reservation confirmation, late checkout requests, and they let you know when your room is ready, if it wasn't available on arrival.
At the entrance, there's a section of newspapers to choose from. Such a luxury these days to be able to browse through one! There was also a bowl of fresh apples, a nice touch and handy snack to take as you leave the lounge.
So many chairs to choose from . . . the choice!
The lounge is quite expansive and the floor to ceiling windows offer views to the city skyline on three sides. The room is carpeted throughout, so it's calm and relaxing, and there's a range of lounges and chairs to sit on. I have an affliction where I have to try every seat, until I find the right one that's; comfortable, has good support, a nice view, and perfect side table to put my glass of wine on. Thankfully this lounge addresses my hang up!
Daily refreshments
During the day the lounge is not staffed, however refreshments are still available.
When in need of a flat white, latte or cappuccino, it's just the push of a button away. The self service area is equipped with an automated coffee machine where you can make your favourite coffee, and there is a range of milk and dairy free options available. For those that prefer tea, there's a large selection of teas on display, as well as shortbread cookies and fruit cake.
The canapé hour or two
A significant benefit of lounge access is the evening service. This two hour period is designed to be a pre-cursor to dinner. The Pacific Club lounge offers a generous spread of hot and cold finger food, and a selection of alcoholic and no-alcoholic beverages.
Beverages
The beverage choice includes sparkling, white and red wines, along with beer, juice and soft drinks. Staff are on hand to pour for you, but guests are also welcome to serve themselves.
Something light
Guests can build their own antipasto plate, including a choice of olives, hummus, roasted capsicum and crudités, along with warmed flat breads.
Finger food
There is a generous range of canapés, including beetroot tarts, mini truffled egg and salmon wraps, prawn and avocado on crackers, along with a selection cold cuts and smoked salmon.
Hot selection
Hot food choices include small bites! On this stay some of the choices included chicken pies and arancini balls. There is always a dish of the day, like a pasta, dumpling or stew with rice.
Cheese and condiments
Let's not forget cheese! Guests can select from hard and soft cheeses, dried fruits, paste, nuts and their choice of crackers or breads.
Sweets
Various bite size treats await the sweet tooth. This layered chocolate and coffee cake shared its place along with a selection of cakes, tarts and fresh fruit.
The breakfast
What choice! There is nothing like a freshly extracted apple, carrot and ginger juice to power up the body for the day ahead! Other healthy options available are; fresh fruits, yoghurts, cereals, bircher muesli, canned fruits like peaches, prunes, nuts and seeds.
Delicious bakery items always catch my attention. There's a generous choice of breads and pastries to choose from, including Portuguese tarts. It's worthy to note the selections here are full size. These days many hotels tend to buy in cheaper mini croissants and danish.
The hot selection does not disappoint! Guests can choose from grilled tomato, hash browns, bacon and boiled eggs. The staff also take orders for omelettes and eggs done your way.
At breakfast time the tables are set nicely with polished cutlery, something we don't see that often. In case you're missing the point, that's a linen not a paper napkin! The table is also prepared with salt, pepper and, a selection of jams and honey. A fresh flower sits in the middle of the table giving a splash of colour to brighten our day.
Stephen's Take
The Pacific Club Lounge offers a quiet escape away from the bustle of the main lobby, restaurant and bars. It's an exclusive space where you can relax and call your own for your stay. It provides exceptional value as an add on for any hotel stay, as the cost for breakfast in locals cafes tend to come in higher when considering the value of the club access inclusions. It's worth watching out for deals because the rates tend to fluctuate during the year and certain days of the week, such as Sunday, tend to be cheaper. A club stay is an ideal opportunity to observe, experience and enjoy another style of hospitality, and maintain your teacher currency.
Stephen
Unit of Competency Mapping
Serve food and beverage
Source and use information on the hospitality industry
Please note; the purpose of this article is to introduce current hospitality trends. The content broadly applies to the units of competency listed. It is not intended that all content in this article maps directly to all performance evidence and knowledge evidence in the unit of competency.
Teacher Resources
For further information please take advantage of the following documents and website links!
GHA Discovery Loyalty Program Website
Article and photos original by Stephen Duncan