Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounge, Melbourne Airport

Step inside the Singapore Airlines SilverKris lounge at Melbourne Airport: welcoming not only SQ's own passengers but also those of United, Thai Airways, Air China and more.

Divided into two areas – one for first class passengers and the other for business class travellers – we take a look at what Singapore Airlines has to offer in the lounge's business class section.

Located after security and the duty-free stores, SQ's lounge sits on the concourse level of Melbourne Airport's satellite pier: a good 5-10 minute hike from passport control.

Inside, travellers are greeted by a relaxing and somewhat upmarket space, reinforced with fine touches like gold Rolex clocks on the wall and fresh flowers on some of the tables.There's also a glimpse of natural light through the windows at the far end, but which back onto the terminal concourse rather than providing an unobstructed outlook over the tarmac.

• Business class and first class passengers of Singapore Airlines, Air New Zealand, Air China, Air India, Thai Airways and United Airlines
• Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer Elite Gold, PPS Club and Solitaire PPS Club before Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance flights
• Other Star Alliance Gold cardholders before Singapore Airlines and Star Alliance flights
• Virgin Australia Velocity Gold, Platinum and The Club plus Virgin Atlantic Flying Club Gold members before Singapore Airlines flights
• Air Canada Maple Leaf Club and United Club members prior to any Star Alliance flight

The business class section of the SilverKris lounge opens during the following times, while passengers travelling outside of these hours can retreat to the nearby Air New Zealand, Star Alliance Gold lounge:

• 7:30am - 10:30am
• 12:40pm - 6:25pm
• 9:05pm - 12:05am

It's worth remembering too that even if your airline directs you to the Air NZ lounge, you're also welcome to use SQ's facilities when they're open if your journey is covered by the access list above.

Singapore Airlines' first class passengers and Solitaire PPS Club members flying with SQ may also relax in the adjacent SilverKris first class lounge – fittingly, you'll find it by turning left at the entrance.

We found a reasonable breakfast spread during our early visit with yummy hot items such as French toast, eggs and bacon at the ready...... along with cereals, yoghurt, fruit salad and banana bread...... and an always-open bar with plenty of juice and water for the morning crowd, along with Singapore's signature Tiger beer and other varieties:Although lacking a barista, the lounge does provide a Nespresso machine at the buffet, but which was extremely slow in producing coffees.

On the upside, lounge staff are often found nearby during the morning rush to assist first-time users in preparing their coffees or in selecting their perfect Nespresso pod from the selection provided: a simple and subtle way to improve the passenger experience, but one we're sure that many travellers do appreciate.

Also welcome for an international lounge are dishes catering for travellers 'living' in other time zones. Even at 8am (Melbourne time), dumplings and frittata-style party pies were on offer, as was Maggie Beer ice cream.Admittedly, we grabbed the ice cream in our morning haze – assuming it to be yoghurt – but then decided to switch breakfast for brunch.

Travellers departing later in the day can also find sandwiches, rolls, salads, macarons and sweets to nibble on...... and can enjoy their meal at a small number of buffet-adjacent dining tables or at the longer communal bench that's also great for laptop work:

There are two main aspects that we love about SQ's Melbourne lounge: the first being that solo travellers are well and truly catered for, with almost every seat having its own cocktail table and power outlet...... and the second being that the entire lounge has a 'relaxed work' vibe, in that practically every seat is suitable for productivity but equally so for enjoying a nice glass of wine before your long international flight.The seats are also close enough together for couples and groups to converse...... but far enough apart that you don't lose the feeling of 'personal space'.There's also high-speed WiFi throughout and a small business centre at the entrance with computing facilities...... but as it sits before you enter either the business class or first class lounges, it's easy to overlook and to forget about once you're inside.

While it's easy to relax almost anywhere in SQ's lounge, one zone makes that particularly easy with plentiful reading material...... along with TVs set at an ideal volume: they're loud enough to listen to if the show if of interest, but quiet enough to ignore if you've got other plans.

Shower suites are also available with amenities provided – a staple of any respectable international business class lounge, in which Singapore Airlines doesn't disappoint.

Also read: United B787 'BusinessFirst' review: Melbourne-Los Angeles