Review: Qantas Lounge Hong Kong Airport (HKG)

Review: Qantas Lounge Hong Kong Airport (HKG)

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NAME: Qantas Lounge
Airport: HKG
DATE: December 2023
REVIEW RATING:
BEN SAYS: The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong is a beautiful, open, modern space, with amazing coffee and friendly service. The lounge is worth a stop for premium oneworld flyers.
15
The Long Way to Abu Dhabi
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During my long journey to Abu Dhabi, I had the chance to visit several lounges at Hong Kong Airport. Many of the best lounges at Hong Kong Airport are run by Cathay Pacific, including The Pier First Class Lounge, The Wing First Class Lounge, and The Pier Business Class Lounge.

However, there’s another oneworld lounge that’s often overlooked, which is definitely worth a visit — I’m talking about the Qantas Lounge Hong Kong. This is also an exceptional business class lounge, with the best coffee at the airport, friendly service, and a modern, open design. Let’s get into the review.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong location

The Qantas Lounge is located in Hong Kong Kong Airport Terminal 1, near gate 5. If you’re originating in Hong Kong, after clearing the north immigration checkpoint, just make a sharp right turn before even going down to the concourse level. It can be easy to miss the lounge, as there’s just one sign pointing in the direction of the lounge, without much other signage or branding.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong location

After turning right, just keep walking down the long corridor, and then you’ll find yourself at the entrance to the lounge.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong location
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong location
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong entrance

For what it’s worth, the Qantas Lounge is in the same general area as Cathay Pacific’s The Wing Lounge, with The Pier Lounge being at the other end of the terminal.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong hours

The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong is currently open daily from 7:30AM until 11PM. While this doesn’t cover all oneworld departures from the airport, it does cover all Qantas departures. You’ll typically find that the lounge is extremely quiet in the mornings, given that it seems to primarily be Qantas flyers who use this lounge, and those flights are in the afternoons.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong entry requirements

The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong is a standard oneworld Sapphire and oneworld business class lounge. In line with oneworld lounge access policies:

  • The lounge can be accessed by oneworld Sapphire and oneworld Emerald members traveling in any cabin on a oneworld flight
  • The lounge can be accessed by any same day oneworld business class or first class passenger, not only on Qantas, but also on airline partners

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong layout & seating

The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong is roughly 2,000 square meters (21,500+ square feet), and can accommodate 290 travelers. This is one of the larger outstation lounges out there, as that’s a pretty huge space. The lounge is entirely open-air with the terminal, as it’s one level above the concourse, and overlooking it.

The entire lounge is along one main corridor, with the bar and seating on one side, and bathrooms, showers, and the buffet, on the other side.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong walkway

As you enter the lounge, there’s one seating area right by the entrance, mostly with chairs around tables, plus a booth. I love the lounge’s modern aesthetic, which continues throughout.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong seating
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong seating

Next up is the bar, which features a ton of high-top seating, and it’s where you’ll get cocktails, barista coffee, etc.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong bar

Behind the bar is an area set up with about a dozen cafe style tables, each seating two people. You have a view of Hong Kong Airport in one direction, and a huge picture of the Hong Kong skyline in the other direction.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong cafe tables
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong cafe tables

Then there’s another small sitting area, as well as some booths in a slightly darker, more enclosed room.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong seating
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong cafe tables
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong seating

Then in the next part of the lounge you’ll find a lot more tables — there are communal tables, as well as more tables that can each accommodate two people.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong seating
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong seating
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong seating
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong cafe tables

At the very back of the lounge there were some plants blocking access to the rest of the lounge, as the lounge is much bigger than the above, but part this part seems to remain closed for much of the day. I’m not sure if this just opens up to everyone during peak hours, or if this area is reserved for elite flyers on Qantas. Does anyone know?

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong secret area

As mentioned above, the lounge has views primarily of the terminal, but there are also views of aircraft in the distance, and even Hong Kong’s awesome Sky Bridge.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong view

There are a few other things I wanted to mention about this lounge, before I continue.

First of all, I found this lounge to have the nicest staff of any lounge I visited at the airport. Everyone working here just seemed proud of the lounge, and was extremely friendly, in a way I didn’t experience at other lounges (even though service was good at other lounges as well).

Next, the lounge is very much not optimized in terms of charging ports. While some airport lounges have charging at every seat nowadays, this lounge most definitely doesn’t. Quite to the contrary, you’ll have to be deliberate with your seating choice if you want to charge.

Lastly, in the mornings this lounge seems to stay very quiet. For example, when I visited for around an hour, there wasn’t a single other guest the entire time. As you’d expect, most non-Qantas passengers choose to use Cathay Pacific’s lounges, but this could be a great alternative.

All-in-all, I think this is a great business class lounge in terms of design. It’s modern and bright, and is just an all-around very nice lounge space.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong food & drinks

The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong has a buffet in the back right corner of the lounge. I visited over breakfast hours.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet

While the food was exclusively available from a buffet, I appreciated that there was a menu describing what everything is.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong menu
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong menu

The cold breakfast selection included danishes, croissants, muffins, chia and coconut milk pudding, bircher muesli, fresh fruit salad, yogurt, and cereal.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet

Then the hot breakfast selection included scrambled eggs, hardboiled eggs, pork sausage, baked beans, mushrooms, and miso soup.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet

The self-serve drink selection at the buffet included an espresso machine, a selection of Dilmah tea, water, and even the ability to make your own fruit and vegetable juice.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong buffet

There was also a selection of wine, beer, and soda, that guests could help themselves to.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong drinks
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong drinks

Then the bar back near the entrance has a proper drinks menu, including some signature cocktails, as well as mocktails, beer, wine and coffee.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong drinks menu
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong drinks
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong drinks

I had a flat white to drink, and this was by far the best coffee I had at Hong Kong Airport (and I had some pretty good coffees in Cathay Pacific’s lounges). So if you’re a coffee freak like me, you absolutely have to stop here for that reason, if nothing else.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong coffee

In terms of food, it’s my understanding in the afternoons (prior to Qantas flights) there’s a small menu with some “plate of the day” options that guests can order off of, to complement the buffet. That didn’t overlap with my visit, though.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong bathrooms & showers

The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong has both bathrooms and shower suites, and they’re located inside the entrance and to the right (near the cute little neon sign seen below).

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong design

The men’s room had several sinks, stalls, and urinals, and was clean (as you’d expect, since I was the only guest in the lounge, and I wasn’t making a mess!).

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong bathroom
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong bathroom
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong bathroom

The lounge then has 12 private shower suites, which are nicely appointed. They feature a sink, a toilet, and a walk-in shower that has a glass shield.

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong shower suite
Qantas Lounge Hong Kong shower suite

Toiletries are from Li’Tya, which I don’t think I’ve seen in any other airport lounge?

Qantas Lounge Hong Kong shower suite toiletries

Bottom line

I’m a huge fan of the Qantas Lounge Hong Kong. It’s a beautiful, spacious, modern lounge, with friendly staff, amazing coffee, and decent food. Ultimately oneworld flyers are spoiled with choice at Hong Kong Airport. While I wouldn’t say that I like this lounge more than Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Business Class Lounge, I think it can be fun to visit both, as they’re so different in terms of design, food, drinks, and more.

What’s your take on the Qantas Lounge Hong Kong?

Conversations (15)
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  1. Aki Guest

    Agreed, I'd go insofar as to say that this is the best J lounge in HKG.

    Extremely good experiences with the staff as well – they were even doing smalltalk which is very much not given in HKG.

  2. Points Adventure Guest

    For a lounge in Asia, the lack of Asian food (even during breakfast) is kinda notable. Couldn't they at least get some buns or noodle? I didn't care much for this lounge years ago; I think this reminded me why.

  3. Points Adventure Guest

    There's an employee in one of your pics. You have failed as a reviewer!

    J/K. Fantastic pics here and in the Pier J review. I was one of the last guests to leave the latter for the day and don't remember it being that empty (aka photogenic). Your strategic timing paid off.

  4. Michael Guest

    It’s a great lounge indeed! KLM and Air France customers can also use this lounge recently, before they were in Plaza Premium lounge which can be crowded. I flew out of HKG in the evening and then that back section is opened.

  5. eponymous coward Guest

    This is the pick if you’re on an EK flight out of HKG, right?

    1. Weymar Osborne Diamond

      EK's Website says they'll send you to the Plaza Premium Lounge

    2. eponymous coward Guest

      Right, I’ve been to that lounge. It’s pants.

    3. eponymous coward Guest

      I’ll have a first class boarding pass for EK. Says this is good for all their lounges right here.

      https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/qantas-lounge-access-eligibility.html#eligible-travel-class

      They will of course send me to Plaza Premium since that’s their contract lounge at HKG, but doesn’t mean I have to go there if I have lounge privileges elsewhere.

    4. Stephen Guest

      If you have QF or EK status you should be let in under the terms of their alliance. Otherwise it is the Plaza Premium Lounge further up the terminal.

    5. Hutch Guest

      EK first ticket provides access to this lounge if so desired. Status not required.

  6. JH Guest

    Re the secret area, yes it opens during peak hours. I was sitting there last month departing QF30.
    Also, in the evenings there's a dim sum trolley out!

  7. Jimmy Guest

    The food at the Qantas lounge at HKIA is hands down better than any of the Cathay lounges, and that includes ala carte at the First Class Pier by Rosewood HK. In fact, I think the food by Rosewood is so subpar they should have just kept the old caterers!

  8. Julia Guest

    "Then the cold breakfast selection included scrambled eggs"

    You mean hot items.

    1. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ Julia -- Indeed, thank you. Fixed.

  9. Steven E Guest

    The lounge looks terrific and youve captured some great photos - nice to see a modern lounge with all that you need for a comfortable stay

Featured Comments Most helpful comments ( as chosen by the OMAAT community ).

The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

Hutch Guest

EK first ticket provides access to this lounge if so desired. Status not required.

0
Aki Guest

Agreed, I'd go insofar as to say that this is the best J lounge in HKG. Extremely good experiences with the staff as well – they were even doing smalltalk which is very much not given in HKG.

0
eponymous coward Guest

I’ll have a first class boarding pass for EK. Says this is good for all their lounges right here. https://www.qantas.com/au/en/qantas-experience/at-the-airport/airport-lounges/qantas-lounge-access-eligibility.html#eligible-travel-class They will of course send me to Plaza Premium since that’s their contract lounge at HKG, but doesn’t mean I have to go there if I have lounge privileges elsewhere.

0
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