Hong Kong Airport

After shopping and packing up, we had to check out at around 4PM from W Hong Kong. Due to the amount of luggage, instead of going down to -1 Floor for the City Check In, we decided to call an uber to the airport. The minivan was sufficient for all our luggage and we were on our way to the airport. Since we left at 4PM on a Sunday, the traffic was very light/minimal at best and we arrived at the airport at around 4:30PM.

Compare to Incheon Airport with no priority security and weak (massive understatement) lounges, Hong Kong has often been rated very highly amongst frequently travelled individuals. For First Class travellers and OneWorld Emerald status holders have access to a dedicated First Class Check In at Hong Kong Airport. Cathay Pacific’s First Class Check-In is located on the left side of the terminal and consists of multiple two sided kiosks. Unlike traditional First Class Check-In Areas (e.g. British Airways LHR T5/Qatar DOH Check In Area) – it’s a more of a face to face check-in. As I walked to the First Class Check-In, an agent quickly came and grabbed my filled luggage trolly. The check-in was extremely quick and efficient


First Class Check-In Counter

Ready to Go!!

My one major complaint is that HKG lacks premium security/immigration queues, however unlike ICN – the lines were extremely quick and I finished security in 5 minutes. Since my South Korean passport allows for e-gate access, I cleared immigration in less than 30 seconds and I was ready to “lounge hop”. The concept of lounge hopping was extremely new to my wife – the sheer thought of “hopping” between lounge was unheard of and rather stupid in her opinion.

We headed straight to the Wing First Class Lounge. The Wing is one of two Flagship lounges in Hong Kong and its conveniently located just after security near Gate 1 – 4. Compare to the Pier (which is located a level below departures), the Wing is an open ceiling lounge that overlooks the terminal concourse. In many people’s opinion, the Pier’s reputation far exceeds that of the Wing – however, I tend to disagree. The Wing has good amount of view/light (due to the open ceiling) and the seating area is much more spacious in comparison to the Pier. However, the Private Cabana is one element that truly sets the Wing apart from other lounges in Hong Kong. Once I entered the Wing, I immediately went to reserve the Private Cabana and was told that there was 3 groups before me – which is fine, I’m in HKG for another 8 hours! Since it was almost 5 PM, we headed straight for the “The Haven” – which is a dining room which offers a la carte and buffet dining.

There has been numerous articles in regards to Sodexo’s current offering in HKG Lounges – I’ve been a frequent traveller to HKG since 2013 and I’ve seen the ups and downs. The pictures will speak for it self, but its quite sad (actually borderline depressing) to see the quality of the food offering in the Wing.

The a la carte menu at the Wing

Buffet Area

Buffet Area

Buffet Area

Buffet Area

Buffet Area

Buffet Area

After a quick look around the buffet area in which I saw couple small flies – we declined to sit down and headed to the Champagne Bar area for some bubbly. My wife gets extremely agitated – actually let me rephrase – hostile when she gets hungry. I have to schedule transit/minimize movement when I’m with her to ensure that she is in a comfortable surrounding with plenty of food/drink. But today was different – it was almost dinner time and she wasn’t complaining (a truly rare situation). To much my surprise – she actually purchased some dimsum at Jade Garden shortly after check-in and started to eat at the Lounge. Prior to the trip, she also started to review numerous trip reports in regards to the Pier/Wing and its downward spiral in their food offering/quality – thus she prepared her self for the worst and packed her own food (GOOD FOR YOU SWEETIE – YOU ARE FINALLY LEARNING! Now if you can remember which credit card to use at Grocery/Travel then we will be 100%!)

While my wife is eating, I had a quick walk around the Wing

Champagne

The Bar - there is a dedicated server behind whom will make you a drink

The seating area

Snacks

Tea

Snacks

After charging our phones and our belly for champagne – we got a ring starting that our private Cabanas were ready!

In comparison to other private shower facilities (e.g. Terminal 5 Concorde Room, Lufthansa First Class Terminal and others) – The Private Cabana in the Wing is extremely spacious and almost has a zen like feel to the outlay/design. If you fancy a shower you have a choice of three shower heads (1. Hand Held, 2. Rainfall Shower, 3. Waterfall style) as well as a huge bathtub. We told one of the agents that we were celebrating our honeymoon and they allowed us to bring a fresh bottle of champagne and glass into the cabana for us to enjoy!




Additionally, you have a day bed for your use as well as Jurlique bath products at your disposal. The nice feature about the Cabana is that the wardrobe allows for individuals to press your clothes (at your request). The clothes are returned to you in around 20 minutes and it’s a wonderful feature in which a lot of lounges should have!

After three hours of naps/baths/showers and just bumming around in the cabana, my wife’s hunger finally got to her and we decided to lounge hop to the Pier.

In comparison to the Wing, The First Class Pier is located a level below departure near Gate 63.


We were promptly greeted when we left the escalator and the agents welcomed us after reviewing the boarding pass. After check-in area, you will see a large wooden table that splits the lounge.



The “Pantry” area has light snacks and drinks and at the end of the wooden table was the entrance to the bar.


Snacks and Drinks at the Pantry

Snacks and Drinks at the Pantry

Snacks and Drinks at the Pantry

Snacks and Drinks at the Pantry

The bar area was quite empty (since we entered at 9PM) but otherwise it was quite relaxing and had a low-key feel.


To the right of the wooden table – the “Library” was present. The “Library” was a large seating area with plush chairs and had plenty of seating areas for that time.

Down the hallway is the “Retreat” which provides first come first serve massage services. My friend whom is a 1 MIL CX flyer states that “workers often hide their timetable and/or often say they are fully booked so that they won’t have to take on additional massage services” – this seemed little bit off for a First Class Lounge. However, when my wife and I tried to book the massage service, the lady’s first response (in like 2 seconds) was that the it was full. However, after having a quick look at the schedule (written on a sheet of paper) and noticing an empty slot at 11PM, the Manager agreed to take us. As a visitor you can book:

• Signature Gentlemen Tonic Foot Massage
• Reinvigorating neck, shoulder, scalp massage
• Signature Gentlemen Tonic Eye Revitalizer

After booking the massage, we headed the Dining Room. The Dining Room had around 12-13 tables occupied and the servers did a good job for spacing out groups as well as taking orders/requests.


The Dining Room

Main Menu

Drinks Menu

The server brought us the menu and water. After having a quick look, the server took our order. We managed to order

• Chili Sesame Prawns and Fried Tofu
• Spinach and Ricotta Cheese Ravioli
• Teriyaki Chicken
• Dan Dan Mien
• Wagyu Beef Cheese Burger

Both the Ravioli and Teriyaki Chicken arrived shortly after but the serving size was borderline tasteless and semi salty. Since we both striked out on our mains, we ordered the Dan Dan Mien and the Burger.


The Dan Dan Mien shortly arrived but the serving size was similar to the Business Class Lounge noodle bar but it was quite tasty. The burger was nicely cooked and my wife enjoyed it very much.


The Chili Sesame Prawns and Fried Tofu was nicely presented but was small.

Overall: Having a quick conversation with my friend as well as experiencing both the Wing and the Pier, the quality and the service went down tremendously in comparison to just 2-3 years ago… Its quite disappointing for Cathay’s Flagship Lounge in its Hub City to allow its food/services to go down hill (but it is what it is)…. Maybe next time I will go try the AMEX Centurion Lounge!

After a quick massage and relaxing till about 01:00 AM, my wife and I headed over to our gate.