While frequent travellers will visit many different airport lounges throughout the year, everybody has their favourites. For those flying with the oneworld Alliance, a lounge that often comes up in conversation is Cathay Pacific’s The Pier, First Class Lounge in Hong Kong.
Designed as Cathay Pacific’s modern flagship, the tranquil retreat features everything from daybeds to a day spa. There’s also a dining room with a degustation menu from a Michelin-starred restaurant, airport views, shower suites, and everything else you’d expect of a tier one lounge from a tier one airline.
Better yet, while this is a First Class lounge, you don’t necessarily need to be flying First Class to get through the door. An Emerald-tier frequent flyer card can be just the ticket, like Cathay Diamond or Qantas Platinum. Whichever way you manage to qualify, here’s what awaits inside.
Location, layout and seating
With a number of lounges scattered across Hong Kong International Airport, you’ll find this one down by gate 63. This places Cathay Pacific’s The Pier, First Class Lounge near some of the gates often used for Australia-bound flights. For instance, my service to Melbourne is boarding just a short walk away.
Keep your eyes peeled for signage along the concourse to take you downstairs. That’s because this lounge is one level below the main concourse. While The Wing feels grandiose, The Pier adopts a much cosier vibe. Each space within is divided into smaller nooks, rather than one large cavern. It certainly brings a more intimate feel to the lounge.
The design style lends itself towards an upmarket residential apartment – and intentionally so. Softer and darker tones are offset by sprouts of greenery, creating a sense of familiarity and warmth.
I’m stopping by late in the evening before the overnight CX105 service from Hong Kong to Melbourne. This makes the lounge much quieter than during peak periods in the morning and early evening.
This lounge usually closes at 12:30 am, so even though my flight is a little late to board, I’m not the last to leave or being rushed out the door. In fact, when I return after that short delay becomes apparent, I’m welcomed right back with staff offering to announce my flight once boarding is underway. Staff deliver on that promise and I venture back to the gate. Otherwise, routine and on-time flights aren’t announced to aid the serenity.
Food and beverage in Cathay Pacific’s The Pier, First Class Lounge, Hong Kong
It’s widely known that Cathay Pacific’s First Class Lounge at The Pier is worth arriving early for. It seems, many frequent visitors are in that habit, and the lounge offerings are designed accordingly. This means that while there’s a small buffet available for those in a rush or who are only marginally peckish, a full restaurant-style dining room is where you’ll find everything else served to order.
The lounge also has two bar counters. The main bar is centrally located, and it’s a great place to stop for a refreshing lemon, lime and bitters while I settle in. After that, I make my way to the dining room.
Coming at the end of a day spent lounge hopping, I’ve already enjoyed lunch in First Class section of The Wing, along with nibbles in its Business Class section and in The Deck. I’m in the mood for dinner but don’t want huge serves of food. I’m very pleased to find a Cantonese-inspired tasting menu, curated for Cathay by The Legacy House: a Michelin-starred Hong Kong restaurant.
The marinated abalone and tofu appetiser is a tasty first bite. Following that, the double-boiled chicken soup with porcini mushroom is light and flavourful.
The meal continues with a wok-fried prawn served atop a crispy rice cracker. It’s listed as a main course although the serving size is a little small – no complaints when I haven’t arrived ravenous. To finish, a sweetened black glutinous rice with cream and coconut. It’s a pleasant way to finish up.
More dining in The Pier First Class
I’ve left plenty of time for my flight and I’m still a little peckish in the end. Having tried many of the other Asian-inspired dishes on the menu on previous visits (the Dan Dan noodles are a favourite), I opt for something simple to continue. That’s the wagyu beef cheeseburger. It’s usually served with fried and salad, but I ask for the burger alone having already enjoyed the earlier courses. It tastes as good as it looks.
I happen to bump into a contact who’s jetting back to London on the same evening. They take the chance to order the smoked salmon and fennel salad and the Hungarian beef goulash with sour cream and Spätzle. I’m too full to try a bite, but I hear no complaints.
Before leaving Cathay Pacific’s The Pier, First Class Lounge, I happen to spot the cookie jars. The delicious bites within are arranged in very visually pleasing way. Top marks.
Amenities in The Pier, First Class Lounge by Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong
Beyond the dining room, there’s more to enjoy within what many consider to be Cathay Pacific’s flagship First Class Lounge here at The Pier. At the end of a long day, I’m pleased to find a daybed available at The Retreat. There are eight such spaces available on a first-come, first-rested basis. Tonight, I secure one without a wait.
The suites offer fantastic airport views, although you can close the shutters if it’s too bright. Each suite also has privacy curtains and adjustable lighting. Just be sure to set an alarm on your watch or smartphone, as there’s no wake-up service here.
A day spa is available too with complimentary short massage treatments. Given that today’s lounge hopping has already seen me secure a cabana in The Wing, First Class Lounge and a daybed within The Retreat, I’m happy to leave the available spa appointments for other travellers to enjoy this time around. Luxuriously appointed shower suites are available too – again, without any wait on this visit.
If your journey tailors more towards productivity, venture to The Bureau to tackle any serious work. Here, you’ll find workstations in a secluded area away from the main bar and seating zones. If you choose to sit elsewhere and need power, look for the elegant side tables with lamps atop. Opening the drawers reveals secluded AC outlets within.
Average Wi-Fi speeds recorded during this visit are 25Mbps for downloads and 7.5Mbps for uploads. That’s usable, without being exceedingly fast. A selection of complimentary reading material can also be found throughout the lounge.
Accessing The Pier, First Class Lounge in Hong Kong
The guest list for Cathay Pacific’s The Pier, First Class Lounge mirrors The Wing, First Class Lounge. Here’s a rundown of who makes the cut.
- By cabin:
- First Class on Cathay Pacific and other oneworld airlines (+1 guest).
- Passengers connecting between a oneworld international flight of 5+ hours in First Class and a oneworld flight of fewer than five hours in a lower cabin (+1 guest). For example, arriving from London on British Airways First and connecting onwards in any other cabin on any oneworld airline.
- Travellers arriving in Cathay Pacific First Class and connecting to another Cathay Pacific flight in any cabin to any destination, regardless of flight length (+1 guest).
- By frequent flyer tier:
- Cathay Diamond Plus members departing on any airline (+ guests).
- Cathay Diamond travellers departing on Cathay Pacific, Qantas, other oneworld airlines or a CX codeshare flight operated by any airline (+2 guests).
- Qantas Platinum, Platinum One, Chairman’s Lounge and other oneworld Emerald frequent flyers departing on Cathay Pacific, Qantas or another oneworld marketed and operated flight (+1 guest).
- Via lounge membership or other pass:
- Cathay Diamond members (and above) can claim a First Class lounge pass as a ‘mid-status benefit’ for sharing with a travel companion or a member of their Redemption Group.
- Customers holding the Standard Chartered Cathay Mastercard Priority Private credit card (issued in Hong Kong) can redeem one of their eligible First Class lounge invitations.
The verdict
Overall, Cathay Pacific’s The Pier, First Class Lounge is one of my personal favourites. I’d go so far as to say it’s one of the lounges that motivates me to retain oneworld Emerald every year, ensuring I’ll be able to return on each subsequent visit to or through Hong Kong.
Its combination of elegant design, premium amenities and thoughtful dining menus make it stand out from most others. A convenient location for many Australia-bound flights and a great position within the airport for enjoying the views also deem the lounge worthy of an early arrival.
Settle in, relax, have a bite, a spa treatment, perhaps a nap… then wander to the gate to enjoy your bed in the sky. It’s an experience that’s hard to beat. Just don’t get too comfortable… nobody likes running to the gate with a flight on final call.
Also reviewed: Cathay Pacific First Class Lounge, London Heathrow
Featured image courtesy of Cathay Pacific. Other photography by Chris Chamberlin. Chris travelled as a guest of Cathay Pacific on this journey, but entered the lounge courtesy of (earned) oneworld Emerald frequent flyer status.
Stay up to date with the latest news, reviews and guides by subscribing to Point Hacks’ email newsletter.
Community