The House Lounge by Aspire, Melbourne — Local services in Melbourne

The House Lounge in Melbourne Airport’s Terminal 2 earns a solid 5-star rating from me—but for two reasons and two reasons only: the people.

First, Michael. From the moment we walked in, he greeted us like long-lost friends. Warm, professional, and genuinely enthusiastic, he didn’t just check us in, he gave us a full tour, explained every offering, remembered our names, and made us feel genuinely welcome. In over two decades of using Priority Pass lounges across the globe - from Singapore to London, Doha to Tokyo - I have never encountered a lounge ambassador quite like Michael. He wasn’t just doing his job; he was elevating the entire travel experience. If I could give him 10 stars, I would. And I mean that without exaggeration.

Then there are the two gentlemen behind the bar. Equally outstanding. Attentive, cheerful, and impeccably professional, they moved with calm efficiency, always with a smile. Whether pouring a glass of wine, offering coffee, or just sharing a light joke, they made the space feel like a proper sanctuary. Another 10 stars without hesitation.

Because of Michael and the bar team alone, The House Lounge gets my 5-star rating. And let me be clear: I don’t hand out 5 stars lightly. I’m typically reserved, even critical, when it comes to airport lounges. But human connection matters, and these individuals made the experience memorable in the best possible way.

Now… the food.

I wish I could be kind here. But I can’t. The food offering is, quite frankly, abysmal. I’d genuinely prefer to pay and eat elsewhere in the terminal than subject myself to this spread again.

We’re talking about a tasteless penne pasta with zero protein. It is just sad, overcooked noodles in cream. The chicken adobo was inedible: rubbery, salty, and completely lacking in the rich, garlicky depth the dish should have. The Chinese-style noodles were either badly fried or blanched beyond recognition - soggy, bland, and tossed with vegetables that looked like they’d been frozen since 2018. And the quinoa and bean salads? Dry, under-seasoned, and forgettable.

Even the pita was stale - flat in texture and in flavor (pun unintended, but fitting). It honestly felt like the kitchen had given up. At one point, I half-joked that the cook must have had long COVID and lost their sense of taste - because no one with a working palate would serve this.

And look, I’ve had my share of underwhelming lounge food - dry sandwiches, lukewarm curries, sad fruit platters. But this? This stands out. Not for being good. For being the worst I’ve seen in a major airport lounge.

So here’s my verdict: a. Outstanding, world-class service - human hospitality at its finest. b. Food that actively detracts from the experience - a serious downgrade from what you’d expect, even in a domestic terminal.

Would I return? It’s a tough call. Yes, but only because of the people. If Michael and the bar team are still there, I’ll come back in a heartbeat. I want to support staff who go above and beyond. But I’ll pack my own snacks—or grab a meal airside before heading in.

To the management: you have gold-star employees. Now please, for their sake, fix...

Sitting here writing this from said “Lounge” I encountered a concerning situation regarding the buffet-style food at the lounge. Despite my request for the staff to verify that the food was maintained at a safe temperature of above 60 degrees Celsius, it was disappointingly found to be only at 40 degrees Celsius upon testing. This temperature falls significantly below the mandated safety standards (60-65 degrees Celsius) in Australia, posing a notable risk of foodborne illness, particularly for individuals preparing for an extended 8-hour flight.

Of particular concern was the absence of a manager or chef overseeing the food service, (I asked, they didn’t exist) necessitating multiple requests from me for the food to be replaced. Witnessing guests for atleast 45 minutes consuming hazardous food while the staff displayed a lack of urgency, accountability, and training was disheartening. It wasn’t busy.

I eventually got one bowl of microwaved pasta from the Bain that came with sass and attitude. But at-least it was hot (I had to hear beg for this) $120 not well spent.

It is imperative for establishments to prioritise food safety protocols and ensure that their team is adequately trained to uphold stringent standards of service and quality. Attached is one of your three food options … penne in tomato sauce.. no one to collect dishes so just plates piling up everywhere leaving an awful stagnant food smell.

I do not recommend this lounge until properly trained staff are hired it’s a health risk. I have reported to the health department who have noted this is not the first time. I...

I got entry to the lounge via Dragon Pass. Be aware that credit card entry (Dragon Pass and Priority Pass) does not include a shower! It is a AUD 20 top-up for that.

The lounge itself is actually rather nice. Quiet, spacious, and located just above the central departure gates. Definitely beats jostling for a seat at the gate.

Lounge access gets you a salad bar, snacks, and coffee and tea. During my visit, the coffee machine was not working, and there was no hot water dispenser to make tea either! The salad bar is reasonable. 2-3 hot and cold dishes each.

The AUD 20 shower top-up gets you access to a clean well equipped shower cubicle within the ladies'/gents' washrooms. These must be unlocked by staff members for each person who wishes to have a shower.

Towel, soaps, hygiene kits are provided. However, during my visit there was no hot water (for both the sink and shower). Suffice to say I was fully refreshed after that shower.

Service was good, though the two staff members on duty had their work cut out for them unlocking the shower doors.

All in all, I would recommend it as a quiet place to wait for your flight. I saw many customers enjoying a glass of wine and a light meal.

For a $20 cold shower, maybe...