The Pier, Hong Kong
Back to the airport and to the departures area.
Once again, passport control and security were quick and friendly, though my bag did have enough USB cables and travel adaptors to warrant a secondary hand inspection. Down about a dozen escalators to the train that would take us halfway down the concourse.
One downside to visiting The Pier is that it’s all the way at the end of the terminal, impossibly far away from anything and everything. Hardly impacts the upside, though. It took us about 15 minutes to get from security to this lounge.
Down the escalator, we were warmly welcomed by four or five staff members.
We had four and a half hours until boarding, so we reserved a time for massages two hours later and started off with a shower.
I took a look around the lounge.
“Bureau” has quiet work areas and computers to use.
“Library” is the main seating area and has lots of different places to sit as well as the bar.
“Pantry” is the self-service buffet with light snacks. Definitely more in line with the kind of self-service food options I’d hope for from a first class lounge.
The dining room is at the opposite end of the lounge and was relatively busy throughout our stay in the lounge. We stopped in for a light meal.
Sesame chicken with cucumber, mung bean sheet, and spicy cucumber dressing. Really amazing.
Braised beef cheek. Pretty small portion, which is great when you have a big meal coming up on your flight or when you might want to try other options on the menu.
Fruit and cheese plate.
Just like that, it was time for our massages. We opted for the neck, shoulder, and scalp massage, really the exclamation point on what is a truly fantastic lounge experience.
We still had almost two hours before boarding, but having sampled almost all of the lounge’s amenities and since our flight was due to depart from a gate next to The Wing, we decided to depart and investigate Cathay Pacific’s other first class lounge at their home airport.
The review
Starting off the day at The Private Room in Singapore and finishing it at The Pier in Hong Kong might be one of the life’s greatest ways to spoil yourself. Other than the wine selection, I’d say this lounge for me handily beats out The Private Room and rockets to the top of my own personal rankings.
I realize others may disagree;
This piece from last summer by John Walton suggests it’s awfully anachronistic and led to an interesting discussion in its comments. But I think the mid-century aesthetic is executed pretty perfectly. I’d agree with the commenter who said “it is single handedly the most beautifully considered lounge I’ve ever [had] the pleasure of visiting.”
I’d almost go so far as to say it was worth extending our trip by eight hours and spending the extra miles. Bravo, Cathay Pacific.