Review: Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge Sydney

The Sydney SilverKris Lounge punches above its weight for an outstation facility, though it's still shaking off some cobwebs after a long shutdown.

After a week in Sydney, it was time to head back to Singapore- and not a moment too soon.ย  The new Omicron variant was getting everyone jittery, and with border measures tightening by the day, I figured that for the next month or so there was no place like home.

My flight to Singapore would be on SQ222, a B777-300ER equipped with the 2013 Business Class seat. Since I’ve reviewed that product numerous times already, I’m just going to focus on the lounge experience in Sydney.ย 

๐Ÿฆ˜ Journey to the Hermit Kingdom
๐Ÿ›ซ tl;dr: SilverKris Lounge Sydney
The Sydney SilverKris Lounge punches above its weight for an outstation facility, though it’s still shaking off some cobwebs after a long shutdown.
The Good The Bad
  • Separate First Class section
  • Productivity pods
  • Barista-made coffee
  • Not much difference between First and Business Class food (for the moment)
  • Champagne no longer offered in Business Class section

Access and Operating Hours

SilverKris Lounge

The SilverKris Lounge at Sydney Airport operates according to the following schedule:

  • Mon, Tue, Wed, Sun: 0530 to 0900 hours & 1200 to 1600 hours
  • Thu, Fri and Sat: 0530 to 0900 hours & 1200 to 1900 hours

The extended operating hours on Thursday, Friday and Saturday enable it to host passengers on the 3X weekly SQ242, which departs at 1910 hours.ย 

The lounge has separate Business Class and First Class sections.ย 

Access to the Business Class section is available to:

  • Business Class passengers on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flights
  • Premium Economy or Economy Class passengers on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flights with PPS Club, KrisFlyer Elite Gold or Star Gold status
  • Premium Economy or Economy Class passengers on Singapore Airlines flights with Virgin Australia Velocity Platinum or Gold status

Access to the First Class section is available to:

  • First Class/Suites passengers on Singapore Airlines or Star Alliance flights
  • Business, Premium Economy or Economy Class passengers on Singapore Airlines with Solitaire PPS Club status

Solitaire PPS Club, PPS Club, and KrisFlyer Elite Gold members may bring one guest into the lounge, provided he/she is departing on a same-day Singapore Airlines flight.

Star Gold members may also bring one guest, but he/she must be travelling on theย same flightย as the member. This is in line withย Star Allianceโ€™s tightened lounge access rulesย that took effect from May 2021

Lounge Overview

The SilverKris Lounge at Sydney Airport is located after security at Pier C (near gates 50-63), and even at a fairly brisk pace, it probably took me close to eight minutes to walk over.ย 

This lounge was the firstย to receive Singapore Airlines’ “home away from home” makeover in December 2013. Said Singapore Airlines’ SVP for Products & Services at the time:

“Our customers frequently tell us that they have a feeling of โ€˜homeโ€™ as soon as they board our aircraft, and our aim is to extend this experience to the ground. Through our new ‘home away from home’ concept, the intention is for our customers to experience the feeling of being taken care of at every step of their journey. Each space is thoughtfully designed to create the ambiance of home that is familiar and comforting, adding to the warm, authentic and personalised service that Singapore Airlines is well known for.”

This design concept by ONG&ONG was originally meant to be rolled out to all 15 SilverKris lounges including Singapore,ย but even though it came to Bangkok, Brisbane, Hong Kong, London, Manila and Seoul, it never reached Changi.

Why that happened, only Singapore Airlines knows. Its flagship lounge only just completed renovations last month (the first since Terminal 3’s opening in 2008) with a concept unrelated to home away from home.

Business Class Lounge

Immediately next to the reception desk is a small alcove that serves as a spillover area. It has seating for 12 guests, although current social distancing regulations cap it at six.ย 

Business Class spillover area
Business Class spillover area

You could, in the past, find a dedicated drinks counter here with wines and champagne, but all F&B has been relocated to the main lounge.ย 

Former drinks area

Walk a little further in and you’ll reach the lounge proper. It’s styled like a giant living room with display shelves and magazine racks, temporarily emptied as part of the hygiene theatre that pervades everyday life now.ย 

Business Class lounge
Business Class lounge

Excluding the alcove area near the entrance, the main lounge seats about 160 passengers (reduced to 80 at the moment). Congestion isn’t much of an issue right now, given how light Star Alliance traffic out of Sydney is.

Business Class lounge

Most of the lounge consists of armchair-style seating, but for those who need to get serious work done, ten productivity pods are arranged in two neat rows near the front. Each has high walls for privacy, plus power outlets and USB ports.ย 

Productivity pods
Productivity pods

The far end of the lounge overlooks the tarmac, although the views are unfortunately obscured by an ugly overhang. It didn’t always use to be like this; the overhang was built by the airport after the lounge opened, and I don’t imagine SIA had much of a say in the matter.

Viewing area
Viewing area

Those who want to grab a meal can sit at the dining area,ย demarcated by a long grey settee. A mix of two and four-top tables are available, with striking red chairs.ย 

Dining area
Dining area

Food & Beverage

Buffet area

While self-serve buffets have returned to hotels in Sydney, the SilverKris Lounge has yet to revert to the concept. Instead, the only items available at the counter are individually plated and wrapped cheeses, sandwiches and salads.

Cheese plates
Sandwiches and wraps

Two hot food items are available on demand: Dim sum, and chicken curry with potato and rice (see the First Class section below for photos).ย 

Business Class menu

Thankfully, the bar remains well-stocked with various types of beer, soft drinks and juices.ย 

Drinks selection

Guests can choose from a range of white and red wines including:

White wines
White wines

When I last visited the lounge in 2018, Business Class passengers enjoyed Champagne Aubert Et Fils, not vintage by any means but still a pleasant enough pour. Unfortunately, that’s been scaled back to a much less impressive Australian sparkling wine, Seppelt ‘The Drives’ Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV.

Australian sparkling wine

Various hard liquors, condiments and garnishes are offered to those who fancy whipping up their own concoction.ย 

Liquor selection

T2 teas and a WMF espresso machine provide a hit of caffeine for those who need it…

Coffee machine

…but why settle for that when you can get barista-made coffee? At some point in 2019, the SilverKris Lounge added a barista station, which was always a curious omission given how seriously Australians take their coffee. Before this, it wasn’t uncommon for guests to hop over to the next-door Air New Zealand lounge which had a barista on call.

Barista station
Coffee selection

Beans are from Double Roasters, and if you order a latte, it comes with SilverKris foam art.

Coffee beans

First Class Lounge

First Class lounge
Note: As a Business Class passenger with no Solitaire PPS status, I wouldn’t normally have access to the First Class lounge. The following impressions are based on a hosted tour by the station manager.

The First Class section is accessed through a discreet sliding door behind the reception counter. Most passengers probably don’t even know it exists, and perhaps that’s the point. The receptionist needs to buzz you in, and since the lounge is self-contained (with its own toilets and showers), you probably won’t be heading in and out very often.ย 

First Class lounge
First Class lounge

The First Class section is obviously a smaller area; I’d estimate the footprint to be maybe 50% of Business Class. Both sections are aesthetically similar, though First Class benefits from less dense seating.ย 

Dining area

The First Class lounge has eight productivity pods of its own, with yellow leather finishes.ย 

Productivity pods
Productivity pods

Six high-backed throne seats and small coffee tables line the far end near the windows.

Throne seats
Throne seats

Just like the Business Class lounge, this area had a view once upon a time…before they paved paradise and put up a concrete overhang.

Viewing area

Food & Beverage

Buffet area

The First Class buffet area has been emptied out due to the current COVID situation. Instead, all dining is on-demand, with attentive waitstaff ready to take your orders. First Class passengers can choose from the following options:

To save you from having to scroll up, I can tell you that the only difference between the First and Business Class menus is the laksa (and fancier plates). From what I understand, the First Class menu will be expanded once the lounge kicks back into full gear, andย guests visiting in the next couple of months can expect some upgrades (for an idea of what was offered pre-COVID, check out this post).

I tried all three hot items, and found the laksa to be particularly impressive. I was surprised at how they managed to get the broth and sambal just right, although this is a dish that could use an upgrade to more lux ingredients (slipper lobster, maybe).

Dim sum
Curry chicken
Laksa

Both desserts were nicely done too, but if I had to pick one, I’d go with the pavlova without a doubt.ย 

Ice cream and cake
Pavlova

Over lunch, I had an interesting chat with the Sydney station manager, who shared some insights about getting the lounge out of cold storage. As it turns out, it’s not as simple as switching on the lights. Staff need to be trained; provisions need to be purchased; menus need to be redesigned; Wi-Fi needs to be recontracted.ย 

Not everything is available on short notice, and therefore guests can expect the F&B selection to be in flux for a while before stabilising. They were taste testing some proposed new menu items on the day I visited, and my itchy ears happened to pick up on “lobster congee”… let’s hope that really happens!ย 

In terms of drinks, the non-alcoholic selection is largely similar to that in the Business Class lounge. While there isn’t a dedicated barista, guests can of course request for a coffee to be brewed and brought over.ย 

Drinks area
Coffee machine
Wines, soft drinks, juices

The wine selection has some notable upgrades, including proper champagne. Before the pandemic, the pour was Veuve Clicquot, now it’s GH Mumm. I personally prefer Mumm, although it must be said that both champagnes are more Business Class offerings than First (it’s not the Piper Heidsieck Rare 2006 you’ll find in the First Class lounge in Singapore, that’s for sure!).

Champagne

First Class guests can also enjoy the following red and white wines:

White wines
White wines
White wines
Red wines

All in all, it’s a fairly extensive wine selection for an outstation lounge.ย 

Wi-Fi & Productivity

The complimentary Wi-Fi network offered very quick speeds of 68 Mbps down and 31 Mbps up. It handled everything I threw at it, whether HD streaming, Whatsapp voice calls or a Zoom video call.ย 

Throughout the lounge are USB Type-A ports and Australian Type I outlets- it’s a shame they didn’t spring for universal ones because the vast majority of travellers would need an adapter.ย 

Power outlets and USB ports
Power outlets and USB ports

Showers

Business Class shower room

The Business Class and First Class lounges each have two showers, which are more or less similar in terms of layout and fittings.ย 

First Class shower room
First Class shower room
First Class shower room

Where they do differ is amenities, with First Class passengers enjoying the sameย Lalique Neroli range that can be found onboard, and Business Class passengers getting Penhaligon’s Quercus range.

First Class shower amenities

Shampoo, conditioner and body wash were from the Raw by Romy range, which I can’t say I’ve heard of before.ย 

Raw by Romy amenities

Both lounges also have their own toilets, which were kept very clean during my visit.ย 

Toilet

Conclusion

The SilverKris Lounge in Sydney is rather impressive for an outstation facility, finding the space for separate working, lounging and dining areas. I love that there are productivity pods for getting serious work done, and it feels like a pleasant place to catch your breath before flying.

That said, the dining experience is not quite the sameย compared to pre-COVID days, and First Class passengers will certainly note the scaled-back menu.

On the bright side, the F&B selection should improve over time as the lounge finds its footing, and I’d be interested to hear how that’s evolving from anyone visiting in the next few weeks/months.

Aaron Wong
Aaron Wong
Aaron founded The Milelion to help people travel better for less and impress chiobu. He was 50% successful.

Similar Articles

Comments

5 COMMENTS

Subscribe
Notify of
guest

5 Comments
Oldest
Newest
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
Daniel

Iโ€™ve really been enjoying reading your Singapore Airlines flight reviews and this lounge review. Itโ€™s helping me get more and more excited for finally getting to go to Singapore from Sydney in the next few months hopefully!

Abc

Is the Syd amex lounge open? Tbh with that business class menu, I’d be lounge hopping to see other food offerings…

Sqt

That 2 pathetic shower cubicles can hardly handle the crowd from J and SA gold members during pre-COVID time.