A tale of gluttony and first Firsts; BA F A380, CX F, QR F A380, HKG Lounge Crawl
Jan 27, 2015, 4:08 am
#61
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: London, UK
Programs: AA 2MM - PLT, BA GGL, SPG Plat, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 6,221
Excellent report and wonderful photos. I agree with you re your CX conclusions. The food in F used to be top notch a few years back but it seems to have gone down hill.
I am looking forward to your QR sectors.
I am looking forward to your QR sectors.
Jan 27, 2015, 6:53 am
#63
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: yyz
Posts: 1,611
I'm loving this trip report. Your emphasis on food during travels is right up my alley.
Although I love Asian food...those pictures of bratwurst grilling and currywurst are making me thing of a trip to Germany. Love that stuff.
Can't wait until your Taipei posts!
Although I love Asian food...those pictures of bratwurst grilling and currywurst are making me thing of a trip to Germany. Love that stuff.
Can't wait until your Taipei posts!
Jan 27, 2015, 7:34 am
#64
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
Jan 27, 2015, 7:40 am
#65
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
Ultimate HKG Lounge Crawl
What to do with 8 hours to kill in HKG? Go to every single CX lounge there. We spent the majority of our time in The Wing. Unfortunately due to the odd opening hours of the Qantas Lounge, I wasn't able to visit until the return flight, but I'll include that here as well.
I'm sure you all know this familiar wall. What the? Who left that luggage cart there and messed up my shot?!
Morning pastries. Not terrible exciting.
Onwards! To the First class lounge section.
First class lounge section
They stocked the champagne lounge with Moet?! But the glasses of Cathay Delight were far bigger than the ones on the plane.
What to do with 8 hours to kill in HKG? Go to every single CX lounge there. We spent the majority of our time in The Wing. Unfortunately due to the odd opening hours of the Qantas Lounge, I wasn't able to visit until the return flight, but I'll include that here as well.
I'm sure you all know this familiar wall. What the? Who left that luggage cart there and messed up my shot?!
Morning pastries. Not terrible exciting.
Onwards! To the First class lounge section.
First class lounge section
They stocked the champagne lounge with Moet?! But the glasses of Cathay Delight were far bigger than the ones on the plane.
Last edited by iluvdoco; Jan 27, 2015 at 7:51 am
Jan 27, 2015, 7:47 am
#67
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
Just a quick note: who in the world designs these airport showers? As Jasper Beardly would say, "That's a paddlin' ".
I wasn't sure if I was using the CX Cabana shower correctly as water was splashing everywhere and onto the nice wooden floor. Fortunately they provided more than one towel so I was able to mop up somewhat.
The Arrival shower stall only had a half glass wall, so water also escaped onto the floor.
Poor functionality detracting from otherwise amazing shower stalls. Only the QR bathrooms got it right with fully enclosed shower stalls (but they had other issues).
I wasn't sure if I was using the CX Cabana shower correctly as water was splashing everywhere and onto the nice wooden floor. Fortunately they provided more than one towel so I was able to mop up somewhat.
The Arrival shower stall only had a half glass wall, so water also escaped onto the floor.
Poor functionality detracting from otherwise amazing shower stalls. Only the QR bathrooms got it right with fully enclosed shower stalls (but they had other issues).
Jan 27, 2015, 10:29 am
#69
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: DTW - Rochester Hills, MI
Programs: Cathay MPC, IHG Diamond Ambassador, Domestic Airline Nobody
Posts: 715
Just a quick note: who in the world designs these airport showers? As Jasper Beardly would say, "That's a paddlin' ".
I wasn't sure if I was using the CX Cabana shower correctly as water was splashing everywhere and onto the nice wooden floor. Fortunately they provided more than one towel so I was able to mop up somewhat.
The Arrival shower stall only had a half glass wall, so water also escaped onto the floor.
Poor functionality detracting from otherwise amazing shower stalls. Only the QR bathrooms got it right with fully enclosed shower stalls (but they had other issues).
I wasn't sure if I was using the CX Cabana shower correctly as water was splashing everywhere and onto the nice wooden floor. Fortunately they provided more than one towel so I was able to mop up somewhat.
The Arrival shower stall only had a half glass wall, so water also escaped onto the floor.
Poor functionality detracting from otherwise amazing shower stalls. Only the QR bathrooms got it right with fully enclosed shower stalls (but they had other issues).
I also found the shower design in The Arrival as bizarre, and had the same "water escape" issue. I too used the extra towel/bathmath for cleanup.
It was also a bummer that there were no electrical outlets in the rooms. My electric shaver had apparently discharged during the flight, and so I had no way to shave. I ended up charging it a computer station in the lounge, and then had to ask if I could use one of the shower rooms again to shave.
Jan 27, 2015, 10:38 am
#71
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: San Diego, CA
Programs: AA Plat, Hilton Diamond *Wood Gold, Hertz PC
Posts: 368
Have to ask, was this a wonderful use of miles booked as a single trip with stopovers or a miles upgrade or just one amazing treat (resulting in more credit card miles)
Jan 27, 2015, 12:30 pm
#73
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
Nice report.
I also found the shower design in The Arrival as bizarre, and had the same "water escape" issue. I too used the extra towel/bathmath for cleanup.
It was also a bummer that there were no electrical outlets in the rooms. My electric shaver had apparently discharged during the flight, and so I had no way to shave. I ended up charging it a computer station in the lounge, and then had to ask if I could use one of the shower rooms again to shave.
I also found the shower design in The Arrival as bizarre, and had the same "water escape" issue. I too used the extra towel/bathmath for cleanup.
It was also a bummer that there were no electrical outlets in the rooms. My electric shaver had apparently discharged during the flight, and so I had no way to shave. I ended up charging it a computer station in the lounge, and then had to ask if I could use one of the shower rooms again to shave.
Thanks rugrgrli!
Jan 27, 2015, 12:36 pm
#74
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
So how was food at The Haven?
Buffet/carving section
Dessert buffet. Yeah, I kind of went to town here. I remember the apple tart being especially tasty. Had like 3 slices. Shhh.
More buffet. The dim sum was disappointingly the same as in the J class lounges. I only had about 20 of the same shu mai earlier, so I didn't partake (as much) at the Haven.
A la carte menu at The Haven.
Clay pot rice
Sauteed king prawns with lemon, ginger, and potato coleslaw (!!) salad
Roasted pork tenderloin with beetroot puree, swiss chard, apricot salsa.
Buffet/carving section
Dessert buffet. Yeah, I kind of went to town here. I remember the apple tart being especially tasty. Had like 3 slices. Shhh.
More buffet. The dim sum was disappointingly the same as in the J class lounges. I only had about 20 of the same shu mai earlier, so I didn't partake (as much) at the Haven.
A la carte menu at The Haven.
Clay pot rice
Sauteed king prawns with lemon, ginger, and potato coleslaw (!!) salad
Roasted pork tenderloin with beetroot puree, swiss chard, apricot salsa.
Jan 27, 2015, 12:39 pm
#75
Original Poster
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,714
NOTES on The Haven:
I will say that service at The Haven was somewhat chaotic, due to all the passengers. You will have to flag down a server in order to get an order.
The food was not as spectacular as I was expecting, or maybe it's just that the food at CX's other J lounges are very good.
So if you're flying J, you're not missing much food-wise from the F-passengers. Food selection and freshness at the Qantas Business Lounge was superb.
I will say that service at The Haven was somewhat chaotic, due to all the passengers. You will have to flag down a server in order to get an order.
The food was not as spectacular as I was expecting, or maybe it's just that the food at CX's other J lounges are very good.
So if you're flying J, you're not missing much food-wise from the F-passengers. Food selection and freshness at the Qantas Business Lounge was superb.
