Cathay Pacific Asia Miles - How to handle HKG arrival at 0540, but hotel check in at 1400

I'm arriving HKG at 0540 from LAX on CX, and staying several days. My hotel (Grand Hyatt) won't confirm that I can check in when I arrive at the hotel from the airport - their normal checkin is 1400.

So I must plan for contingencies - mainly how to get a shower and change clothes. I'd thought of the Wing (but it is airside on departures level) and I don't think it would work. Plus don't even know if they're open at that time.

I'd also thought of maybe using the GH's spa - maybe they'd let me use that for a shower and change of clothes. I could leave bags at hotel no problem.

Would appreciate anyone's suggestions.

Many thanks.

Getting to The Wing would be difficult/impossible. The idea of using the Spa is much better - I haven't done it specifically at the HK GH, but I hjave done it in other places with no problem.

Since you really can't use the arrivals facilities, your best bet is to head to the GH, see if you can get an early check in. Worst case, I don't see why they wouldn't let you hang out at the Plateau for the three S's.

In April I came in on a very early flight from SYD. I believe the schedule time was ~5:20a but we came in ~5a. What I didn't know at that time was that the train to the city does not start running till 6:30a. I took a cab. Just something to think about as well.

Anyway, just because the hotel will not guarantee early checkin it does not mean you won't be able to. I stayed at the Conrad and when I arrived ~6a, I had a room key in about 15 minutes. It took little longer because the front desk clerk needed to check with housekeeping. If there are no rooms, the Spa is the way to go.

No way around getting to the Wing/Pier. They are departure lounges ONLY.

I'm arriving HKG at 0540 from LAX on CX, and staying several days. My hotel (Grand Hyatt) won't confirm that I can check in when I arrive at the hotel from the airport - their normal checkin is 1400.

I'd thought of the Wing (but it is airside on departures level) and I don't think it would work. Plus don't even know if they're open at that time.

Anyway, just because the hotel will not guarantee early checkin it does not mean you won't be able to. I stayed at the Conrad and when I arrived ~6a, I had a room key in about 15 minutes. It took little longer because the front desk clerk needed to check with housekeeping. If there are no rooms, the Spa is the way to go.

Yes, hotels sometimes let you check in early. Do give them a call and tell them your predicament and they will be accomodating as long as they are not full.

Aside from TAXI, i think you can try the KMB bus.

The Wing opens very early (before 6am), the Pier opens after 7am. And you can only access them on onward or departure flights >> http://www.cathaytalk.com/showthread.php?t=432

Of course the obvious solution and I'm definitely not recommending it, would be to buy a refundable connecting CX ticket, so as to be able to use the Pier or WIng. Again-- not recommending it, but it would surely work.

I would also suggest trying the GH and hoping for the best. I have not stayed there, but with other hotels at which I have stayed there has never been a problem with checking in early. Good luck!

Of course the obvious solution and I'm definitely not recommending it, would be to buy a refundable connecting CX ticket, so as to be able to use the Pier or WIng. Again-- not recommending it, but it would surely work.

I posted the same recommendation some time back but some of the replies gave me the impression that CX has a refund charge regardless of the fare. Don't know if it's true or not.

Besides, as great as the HKG CX lounges are, does anybody really want to go through passport checks/customs/security just to shower/hangout?

Think the spa at the hotel would be your best back-up plan. Perhaps send them an e-mail just to confirm that you can use it if no room available.

Besides, as great as the HKG CX lounges are, does anybody really want to go through passport checks/customs/security just to shower/hangout?
I'm not sure what you are saying-- if you are transferring to another flight, you use one of the designated transfer points-- no customs, passport, etc. (just a quick metal detector and luggage scan)-- if you're quick off the flight quickly it takes seconds. You can be safely ensconced in the Wing/Pier in a matter of a few minutes.

You could always book the hotel from the night before! Many people who arrive very early on flights often book a room from the night before to ensure access to their room. Its always a gamble if a room is going to be ready or not. It really all depends on how important it is to you to have immediate access to your room.

Enjoy your trip !

You could always book the hotel from the night before!
Well.. yeah. I think that kind of goes without saying.

Of course the obvious solution and I'm definitely not recommending it, would be to buy a refundable connecting CX ticket, so as to be able to use the Pier or WIng. Again-- not recommending it, but it would surely work.
I don't think this would work because the security check-in to transfer from Arrivals level to Departure level requires a BOARDING PASS (they don't care about your passport) which means you would have had to check in with your "refundable connecting CX ticket" earlier either at your departure city or at a CX transfer counter located on the Departure level. Once you check-in and get a boarding pass, isn't that onward ticket already used? So I don't know how much more 100% refundable it becomes at this point.

I don't think this would work because the security check-in to transfer from Arrivals level to Departure level requires a BOARDING PASS (they don't care about your passport) which means you would have had to check in with your "refundable connecting CX ticket" earlier either at your departure city or at a CX transfer counter located on the Departure level. Once you check-in and get a boarding pass, isn't that onward ticket already used? So I don't know how much more 100% refundable it becomes at this point.
I've had them cheerfully let me through with an open-dated ticket and a printed itinerary on more than one occasion.