Last edit by: sxc
Discussion of The Deck continues here:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1895979-deck-opens-22-march-2018-a.html
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cathay-pacific-marco-polo-club/1895979-deck-opens-22-march-2018-a.html
Confirmed: CX lounge operator change to Sodexo
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
Confirmed: CX lounge operator change to Sodexo
A bit of news I have heard re: lounges... (subject to change of course)
1) G16 lounge will be renamed to The Deck and should be reopening in March/April this year. It will be a business class lounge. At the same time The Cabin will be closed for renovation, it will have shower suites after the renovation so all CX lounges in HKIA with have shower facilities.
2) From April, Plaza Premium will longer be the catering company for CX lounges. Sodexo will take over and provide catering service in all the lounges. Let's hope the quality will improve....
Admin: Feel free to amend the title or put this in an existing thread
1) G16 lounge will be renamed to The Deck and should be reopening in March/April this year. It will be a business class lounge. At the same time The Cabin will be closed for renovation, it will have shower suites after the renovation so all CX lounges in HKIA with have shower facilities.
2) From April, Plaza Premium will longer be the catering company for CX lounges. Sodexo will take over and provide catering service in all the lounges. Let's hope the quality will improve....
Admin: Feel free to amend the title or put this in an existing thread
Last edited by HKGglobaltrotter; Jan 13, 2018 at 7:22 pm
#4
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
While ultimately all the companies that CX have used provide a product to a budget, at least they are hospitality companies or experienced in lounge provision.
Sodexo is purely a faceless catering company that really is experienced in providing a product based on the money they’re given and have no skin in the game. I don’t have high hopes for this change.
Sodexo is purely a faceless catering company that really is experienced in providing a product based on the money they’re given and have no skin in the game. I don’t have high hopes for this change.
#5
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
Although I *bet* Plaza Premium throws out lower bids overall than Peninsula, and in general isn't as image-conscious as Peninsula / HKSH. No doubt PP says they can deliver the same service at lower cost. Deep down I'm sure whoever at CX is receiving this pitch knows it's a bit false, but you wink wink and nod and lie to yourself that you can actually cut costs without sacrificing quality. Which of course is usually not true.
I'm not familiar with Sodexo. But end of the day I suspect it all comes down to how much CX is willing to pay per head. Given new management at CX, and frankly some possibly *good* changes (canned the knee jerk DoD, introducing duvets, hot meals return on some TPE flights, etc), I wonder if we might be pleasantly surprised. Or I could just be dreaming.
#6
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2012
Programs: CX - DM; Hilton - Diamond, Marriott - Titanium
Posts: 542
End of the day, most of what we receive has to do with how much CX is willing to pay per head. Not necessarily the caterer.
Although I *bet* Plaza Premium throws out lower bids overall than Peninsula, and in general isn't as image-conscious as Peninsula / HKSH. No doubt PP says they can deliver the same service at lower cost. Deep down I'm sure whoever at CX is receiving this pitch knows it's a bit false, but you wink wink and nod and lie to yourself that you can actually cut costs without sacrificing quality. Which of course is usually not true.
I'm not familiar with Sodexo. But end of the day I suspect it all comes down to how much CX is willing to pay per head. Given new management at CX, and frankly some possibly *good* changes (canned the knee jerk DoD, introducing duvets, hot meals return on some TPE flights, etc), I wonder if we might be pleasantly surprised. Or I could just be dreaming.
Although I *bet* Plaza Premium throws out lower bids overall than Peninsula, and in general isn't as image-conscious as Peninsula / HKSH. No doubt PP says they can deliver the same service at lower cost. Deep down I'm sure whoever at CX is receiving this pitch knows it's a bit false, but you wink wink and nod and lie to yourself that you can actually cut costs without sacrificing quality. Which of course is usually not true.
I'm not familiar with Sodexo. But end of the day I suspect it all comes down to how much CX is willing to pay per head. Given new management at CX, and frankly some possibly *good* changes (canned the knee jerk DoD, introducing duvets, hot meals return on some TPE flights, etc), I wonder if we might be pleasantly surprised. Or I could just be dreaming.
#8
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: JFK 🇺🇸 (mostly); YVR 🇨🇦 (a bit less); HKG 🇭🇰 (even less)
Programs: Marco Polo GR 😂😂; HHonors Gold; Ritz Carlton Gold
Posts: 494
Sodexo? Is that a joke?
Any food catered by Sodexo is hideous and laughable. I went to one of the top boarding schools in Canada and where catering was switched to Sodexo and is stilled catered by them; completely inedible (Jack Ma's son attended, Lai Sun's Peter Lam and his son also attended, Nicholas Tse, and numerous others). Hospitals and prisons in Canada are catered by Sodexo.
Let's just say the food was so bad that people would rather just eat outside instead of at the cafeteria and once, the headmaster was seen dumping his plate of food in the trash after a bite. Sodexo became a running joke and meme around the the school to the point some individuals had #sodexo on one of the patches for their grad jackets.
I hope this is just a bad joke.
Any food catered by Sodexo is hideous and laughable. I went to one of the top boarding schools in Canada and where catering was switched to Sodexo and is stilled catered by them; completely inedible (Jack Ma's son attended, Lai Sun's Peter Lam and his son also attended, Nicholas Tse, and numerous others). Hospitals and prisons in Canada are catered by Sodexo.
Let's just say the food was so bad that people would rather just eat outside instead of at the cafeteria and once, the headmaster was seen dumping his plate of food in the trash after a bite. Sodexo became a running joke and meme around the the school to the point some individuals had #sodexo on one of the patches for their grad jackets.
I hope this is just a bad joke.
Last edited by hl176; Jan 13, 2018 at 10:53 pm
#9
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: JFK 🇺🇸 (mostly); YVR 🇨🇦 (a bit less); HKG 🇭🇰 (even less)
Programs: Marco Polo GR 😂😂; HHonors Gold; Ritz Carlton Gold
Posts: 494
End of the day, most of what we receive has to do with how much CX is willing to pay per head. Not necessarily the caterer.
Although I *bet* Plaza Premium throws out lower bids overall than Peninsula, and in general isn't as image-conscious as Peninsula / HKSH. No doubt PP says they can deliver the same service at lower cost. Deep down I'm sure whoever at CX is receiving this pitch knows it's a bit false, but you wink wink and nod and lie to yourself that you can actually cut costs without sacrificing quality. Which of course is usually not true.
I'm not familiar with Sodexo. But end of the day I suspect it all comes down to how much CX is willing to pay per head. Given new management at CX, and frankly some possibly *good* changes (canned the knee jerk DoD, introducing duvets, hot meals return on some TPE flights, etc), I wonder if we might be pleasantly surprised. Or I could just be dreaming.
Although I *bet* Plaza Premium throws out lower bids overall than Peninsula, and in general isn't as image-conscious as Peninsula / HKSH. No doubt PP says they can deliver the same service at lower cost. Deep down I'm sure whoever at CX is receiving this pitch knows it's a bit false, but you wink wink and nod and lie to yourself that you can actually cut costs without sacrificing quality. Which of course is usually not true.
I'm not familiar with Sodexo. But end of the day I suspect it all comes down to how much CX is willing to pay per head. Given new management at CX, and frankly some possibly *good* changes (canned the knee jerk DoD, introducing duvets, hot meals return on some TPE flights, etc), I wonder if we might be pleasantly surprised. Or I could just be dreaming.
#10
#11
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
HKSH = Peninsula parent company.
The fact HKSH is also affiliated with Burger King and three hour snaking lines filled with mainland tourists to take the Tram, doesn't take away from high standards overseen in The Peninsula Hotels.
I don't think it matters if Sodexo caters an elitist boarding school with bad food, or a hospital in Bangkok. It just tells me the company is big. The bad food you ate may say more about your school's administration or priorities than it does the caterer. It reminds me of the laughable praise of Do & Co on the internet, bloggers who know nothing of the company infer a causal relationship when none exists (I had great catering on board! Catering was Do & Co! Therefore, Do and Co is excellent!)
I'm going to hold an open mind until it's open. CX, end of the day, will determine things like Champagne type, food budget, wine availability, water bottles, etc., not the caterer. The caterer will simply provide the budget. furthermore, if The Deck is biz only as expected, then there won't be service a la carte style, as in Pier F. This a la carte dining was hands down the biggest problem for the HKSH to PP switch a few years ago, which we all complained about.
#12
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
@QRC3288 I think the inference is that all lounges will change over to Sodexo. So a la carte dining will be in scope.
I was positive prior to the Plaza Premium takeover. I have a negative sentiment re Sodexo. Firstly given “Time to Win”, I’m sure the budget is not higher than before. And sodexo’s reputation isn’t high.
I was positive prior to the Plaza Premium takeover. I have a negative sentiment re Sodexo. Firstly given “Time to Win”, I’m sure the budget is not higher than before. And sodexo’s reputation isn’t high.
#13
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Hong Kong
Programs: CX, UA, Shangri-La, Hyatt, Starwood
Posts: 7,708
@QRC3288 I think the inference is that all lounges will change over to Sodexo. So a la carte dining will be in scope.
I was positive prior to the Plaza Premium takeover. I have a negative sentiment re Sodexo. Firstly given “Time to Win”, I’m sure the budget is not higher than before. And sodexo’s reputation isn’t high.
I was positive prior to the Plaza Premium takeover. I have a negative sentiment re Sodexo. Firstly given “Time to Win”, I’m sure the budget is not higher than before. And sodexo’s reputation isn’t high.
Now that you say it, I'm definitely thinking too narrowly - I was thinking only The Deck. Of course it would make sense for them to give other lounges too.
I guess maybe I should be getting pessimistic, after all.
#14
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: JFK 🇺🇸 (mostly); YVR 🇨🇦 (a bit less); HKG 🇭🇰 (even less)
Programs: Marco Polo GR 😂😂; HHonors Gold; Ritz Carlton Gold
Posts: 494
Oh come on. You also know the Peak Galleria - that tacky, tourist trap mall atop The Peak which houses a Burger King and Madame Theusads, among other wonders - is owned and managed by HKSH?
HKSH = Peninsula parent company.
The fact HKSH is also affiliated with Burger King and three hour snaking lines filled with mainland tourists to take the Tram, doesn't take away from high standards overseen in The Peninsula Hotels.
I don't think it matters if Sodexo caters an elitist boarding school with bad food, or a hospital in Bangkok. It just tells me the company is big. The bad food you ate may say more about your school's administration or priorities than it does the caterer. It reminds me of the laughable praise of Do & Co on the internet, bloggers who know nothing of the company infer a causal relationship when none exists (I had great catering on board! Catering was Do & Co! Therefore, Do and Co is excellent!)
I'm going to hold an open mind until it's open. CX, end of the day, will determine things like Champagne type, food budget, wine availability, water bottles, etc., not the caterer. The caterer will simply provide the budget. furthermore, if The Deck is biz only as expected, then there won't be service a la carte style, as in Pier F. This a la carte dining was hands down the biggest problem for the HKSH to PP switch a few years ago, which we all complained about.
HKSH = Peninsula parent company.
The fact HKSH is also affiliated with Burger King and three hour snaking lines filled with mainland tourists to take the Tram, doesn't take away from high standards overseen in The Peninsula Hotels.
I don't think it matters if Sodexo caters an elitist boarding school with bad food, or a hospital in Bangkok. It just tells me the company is big. The bad food you ate may say more about your school's administration or priorities than it does the caterer. It reminds me of the laughable praise of Do & Co on the internet, bloggers who know nothing of the company infer a causal relationship when none exists (I had great catering on board! Catering was Do & Co! Therefore, Do and Co is excellent!)
I'm going to hold an open mind until it's open. CX, end of the day, will determine things like Champagne type, food budget, wine availability, water bottles, etc., not the caterer. The caterer will simply provide the budget. furthermore, if The Deck is biz only as expected, then there won't be service a la carte style, as in Pier F. This a la carte dining was hands down the biggest problem for the HKSH to PP switch a few years ago, which we all complained about.
If you do a quick google search of Sodexo, there is no doubt that they are a large corporation with lots of experience in the catering industry. What you will see is that they supply catering to a wide variety of universities in America as well to prisons and hospitals around the world. Given the number of complaints, to the point where student run newspages in college are rating them an F, and the lack of track record with regards to higher end catering, this does not instil confidence whatsoever.
#15
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Dec 2004
Programs: CX Green, QF Platinum, BAEC Silver, Hyatt Glob
Posts: 10,780
I don't disagree with the points you brought up about HKSH. However, unlike Sodexo, they cater to a wide range of level of catering standards.
If you do a quick google search of Sodexo, there is no doubt that they are a large corporation with lots of experience in the catering industry. What you will see is that they supply catering to a wide variety of universities in America as well to prisons and hospitals around the world. Given the number of complaints, to the point where student run newspages in college are rating them an F, and the lack of track record with regards to higher end catering, this does not instil confidence whatsoever.
If you do a quick google search of Sodexo, there is no doubt that they are a large corporation with lots of experience in the catering industry. What you will see is that they supply catering to a wide variety of universities in America as well to prisons and hospitals around the world. Given the number of complaints, to the point where student run newspages in college are rating them an F, and the lack of track record with regards to higher end catering, this does not instil confidence whatsoever.