The Plaza Premium Arrival Lounge is really much better. My feeling is that it may be quite costly for CX to use it because many passengers who do not need it will use it, and the fees are quite high.

The other reason can be the image. It is a little strange for CX to use another lounge in their home base. The interior of The Arrival, however small, is like The Wing or The Pier.

is the Plaza Premium arrivals lounge also accessible by Priority Pass, like other Plaza Premium departure lounges ? if so maybe next time I'll just go there and also the CX arrivals ounge to have a comparison myself...

It's not on the list at their website (only the two Plaza Premium and one Traveller's Lounge airside).

I doubt that, but it only opened in May. Things may not be updated or can be changing. The CX Arrival lounge manager is also the Plaza Premium Arrival Lounge manager, at least for the time I was there. You can possibly ask her that question. If the CX lounge is not too busy, she can possibly take you on a tour across the hall.

Arrival Lounge -
 

I had a chance to try the arrival lounge at HKG this afternoon as I had plenty of time.

Came in on Dragon Air (J) from Xiamen.Was staying at the Regal airport hotel.
As EXP no problem.

Asked if it was possible to have several entries. My intention was to check into a non-Regal club floor room and use the lounge for internet, drinks and food, etc. No problem said the attendent.

However, when I found out there was no booze of any flavor, I choose the Regal Club floor room.

Said they expect a license for booze "in few months".

I was there in the late afternoon. I also noticed that there was no liquor. That was OK for me. I already had two glasses on my flight this afternoon.

I tried the lounge a few days ago. It's small, but packs a punch: good food, stocked showers, friendly attendants, and new facilities. It's way better than most lounges 10 times the size (at least here in the US). I had a morning flight, so I didn't notice the lack of alcohol.

At LAX, they wouldn't give me an invitation insisting that the Arrivals lounge is restricted to their own members, and CX's own OW Emeralds. However, I just flashed my AA EXP card at the desk when I arrived, and they let me in.

Same here, just tried that yesterday. The congee is pretty good for someone who has been away from Asia for a while... The server (lounge rep?) is really nice and even serve you coffee. Nothing like the cleaning ladies at the Wing/Pier.

Do you mean the attendants in the J side of Wing/Pier? The J side is supposed to be self-serviced. The F side attendants will take orders.

The Arrival is run by Plaza. The service is excellent. Perhaps that is because there are likely fewer passengers than attendants. When I was there earlier this week, I was the only one when I entered. There were six when I left 45 minutes later.

I think that's also because the Arrivals is supposed to be closer to being a F lounge than J lounge - only F pax and Emerald's (except CX GO). so supposedly more F level service...

Is it easy to find the arrivals lounge? Is it well sign posted?

The Arrival is located past the arrivals hall, at the centre passage connecting Terminal 1 and Terminal 2, right below the Airport Express station.

source: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cpa/en...lounge_arrival

I had seen a blog from someone who used the arrivals lounge a few months ago, saying even with this information, it was difficult to find. Have others found that to be the case? Has any signage been added?

It is difficult to find. See if there is a map from the check-in agent when you get your invitation.

It is located in the underground walkway between T1 and T2. The walkway is in the middle between the two custom exits. Look for the Airport Bus (or something similar) sign. This is the mid-section. When you get there, do NOT turn right (that will lead you down a very wide walkway to the bus terminal). Simply walk forward and take the escalator down. There is a Plaza Premium Arrival Lounge on the left. The Arrival is further down on the right.

fsklee, thank you. That's very helpful. I've printed your post out to take with me.