Rex Lounge

One of the worst lounges I've ever been to.
Terrible staff / service at the entrance, not helpful at all and even made us feel that we weren't welcome (the opposite of what these spaces are created for)....absolutely zero sense of hospitality principles.
Selection of food is almost inexistent as they only have pre-packed sandwiches and a couple of sweet treats. No lactose-free or vegan milk alternatives for coffee.
Definitely would have paid for a normal bar to spend my 2 hours before the flight if I knew this experience would be so dreadful.

I got here in the early morning when they just opened. I read a lot of bad things, but Icannot complain. I probably indulged in more food and drinks than the entrance is worth. The chairs are quite dirty, but generally the sofa's, chairs and tables are fine to spend some time before your flight. I got myself some breakfast, toasties, vegetarian wraps, muffins, cookies, chocolates, coffee and tea. There are noodles and many soft drinks too. There are toilets yoo, which were clean in the morning. I guess it's normal you cannot take foods and drinks from the lounge. Nothing to complain about!

As someone from Middle East might see this lounge as a mediocre, but, it’s not bad, maybe it doesn’t have a full spread of food offerings as one used to, but the basics are taken care of. It’s a good place to relax for a bite of sandwich or few drinks and good coffee. This served my purpose as I had a morning flight to catch and also I was the first and only passenger when I checked in. Slowly afterwards few more joined, yet, the lounge was relatively empty. The check-in was straightforward. However, the doors are secured using a secret number lock which can be opened only by the staff. The only strange thing what I found is no drinks of food can be taken out of the launch. This is the first time I got to see it. I didn’t get the point, but maybe there is some logic to it. I use my diners club, lounge key is also acceptable apart from the priority pass. Lounge is maintained clean and well kept. Comfortable seats and high chairs for working. Few charging ports were broken but others worked.

Everything there was delicious.. chicken sandwich, pork sandwich, banana bread, fresh brownie, tasty yogurt with granola, freshly squeezed juice in a bottle.. The only downside is that they don't hurry to open the lounge on time.

Probably the weirdest lounge I’ve been too. Woman had to punch in a code and use her fingerprint to open door. They verbally told us we can’t take anything out of the lounge, then there were signs everywhere saying don’t take anything and you are being watched by cameras. Made me feel like I was back in prison. Had a good selection of food and drink. Was worried they were going to complain I filled up my water bottle. Even though I get in for free I probably wouldn’t go back.

Welcome to the Rex Business Lounge, incorporating Centrelink Mascot as that is the interior design look they've gone for here. I call it 'Faded Local Government'. The signature look here is worn, varnished teak and decoration that wouldn't look out of place in a poorly maintained Bowling club. Now this would be OK if it was somewhere remote in the far reaches of REXs network - but this is their Sydney lounge which you can't help but compare it to Virgin and Qantas. The biggest issue on top of this is that it's general vibe suggests the lounge network is run by a mean, recently-divorced B&B owner from somewhere on the Central Coast who only issues one set of biscuits for the entire duration of your stay. The general vibe is that REX resents every biscuit, mini- chocolate or noodle cup it provides to its guests. REX's biggest concern in it's lounge is that its premium business class customers who've paid hundreds of dollars for a ticket might pilfer something worth less than a dollar. This fear is pretty damn clear from the signage which just makes you sigh and wonder who decided to mandate such a mean policy. Food options at brunch time were pretty limited. Some convenience store prepackaged sandwiches were hidden away in the corner of the fridge, and replaced with a papable sense of resentment. A permanently connected sandwich toaster radiated heat throughout the kitchen, with the promise of 3rd degree burns, but there wasn't anything to put on it until just before I had to run for my flight. Add to this the fact that it's beer fridge is padlocked until not 12pm, but 3pm, it's hard to feel welcome. To add to the insult, someone in REX has decided that the Business lounge needs Channel Nine at full volume to best look after it's guests. REX needs to look at what kind of message its lounge experience gives to customers who were about to give the airline a chance now that it has expanded into some mainline routes. I can just imagine someone in REX holding onto their precious noodle cups or a yoghurt pots for fear a premium customer, one who was about to switch their significant spend away from Qantas, might blatantly run off with one! It's the wrong kind of message to send to the market, even considering the company origins.

It was a worse lounge I ever been to, I have to wait for a while to use it I was asked staff that I could use it because by the look of it of it not many people inside but only Rex customer got to use it not PP. I went to get food and then come back because I want to experience it. Staffs have to train how hospitality really work. It was awful experiences. food and drink are very limited.

The lounge is surprisingly ok for a low budget domestic stopover. Seating is limited but otherwise it would get a bit crowded. It's separated from the public area by a privacy glass so it can be a bit interesting to watch people walking past all the time. The windows are facing a quiet corner of the airport.

Food is plenty and restocked. Food options are sandwiches, toasts etc. Drinks options are decent but not great. Alcohol is only available in the afternoon so cannot comment. Didn't try the coffee. Passengers get to pick whatever from the kitchen on their own.

Private toilets within the lounge.

Overall a positive experience.