Review: Plaza Premium First Lounge Hong Kong

FYI, Lufthansa uses this as the contrast lounge for F pax. Flew HKG-FRA in October on LH F and they gave us passes for here.

I can confirm what Sean says.

Being in LH First did not entitle you to free drinks beyond what was complimentary to all guests. I used the SQ F lounge as well and preferred that lounge.

I dont think Qatar Airways uses this lounge for all their flights.

Qatar Airways directed me to the (not so great) SATS Lounge in SIN when I was traveling from SIN-DOH in November this year. I ended up going next door to the rather nice British Airways lounge instead (since the Qantas First lounge was far too crowded with their afternoon rush of flights to Australia).

I usually fly business class on the long-haul flights that might take me through Hong Kong, but if I were flying PE or Economy and had a 2.5hr + layover in HK, I could see myself paying the extra to use this lounge. I recall the normal Plaza Premium lounges in HK being very busy, so I think an extra $25 would be worth it for the tranquility (assuming I could use it for the full 3 hrs).

I’ve heard that Swiss give passes to the Plaza premium first to their biz/first passengers

They probably make money from the airlines that use it for their J/F pax, as well as the branding.

As far as your question on economics, you're missing a pretty big detail. You even note in your review the amount of branding. That is your answer. It reminds me of the Barclay's Center in Brooklyn, with the branding not so in your face, that is to say a bit more tasteful than you'd find on the concourses in the airport itself. Even in the picture of the bar, there is branding for the scotch above it. All that sponsorship brings in COI, which is probably covering most, if not all, of their operating expenses. The extra monetization (entrance fees etc) is probably pure profit. It looks like the art pieces on the walls have name tags next to them, wouldn't be surprised if those were offered for sale, in partnership with whatever artist created them.

Sorry missed the line where you note the branding partnerships early on, I need more coffee.

As cited, Lufthansa/Swiss uses it for F passengers but also guests with HON status can enjoy it.

For LH guests, the "1 dish" limit shown on the dinner menu doesn't apply

I would pay for this in a heartbeat.

Virgin Atlantic also uses this lounge for its business class passengers as well as its gold members.

We just visited this lounge yesterday for our 3 hr layover at HKG. It was PACKED at around 9PM when we entered, with almost no available seatings. Did the 10 minute massage and shower, and ate at the Primo. Mussels for appetizer and Lobster spaghetti was spot on, food quality was much better than the ANA NRT suite lounge we just visited two weeks back. We were too full to enjoy drinks at the bar but will definitely recommend this lounge over the crowded regular plaza premium, which has always a line waiting to enter. Since we both have the Amex Green, we just used the LoungeBuddy credit to enter, $89 for 3 hours per person.

Not just the branding or the airline deals, it's also the cross-subsidisation from the regular lounges. Let's face it, every time I've been at a Premium Plaza, no matter how nice, I don't consume $25 or $30 (that's what Ben estimates the lounge gets paid by Priority Pass per pax) worth of food, especially not at wholesale prices. I may be an outlier (some folks do get stuffed at lounges), but the food at the regular lounges, while decent, isn't expensive, so it's a question of the profits in those lounges making up for any losses in the first class ones.

The HKG QF lounge is nicer with excellent staff, so don't waste your money if you're flying One World.

Flew in Biz with Qatar Airways from Hong-Kong last November and had the chance to experience this lounge. I was told that I had the right to "unlimited number" of dishes and drinks courtesy of Qatar Airways unlike visitors who pay for a 3-hour visit, who are only allowed to select one dish.

"The Plaza Premium First Lounge is accessible to those with a Priority Pass membership or with The Platinum Card® from American Express (review) or The Business Platinum® Card from American Express (review)." Is possibly not correct unless they have changed things in the past 3 weeks.
This is not mentioned anywhere on their website and when contacted by email this is their response.
"Thank you for your inquiry. For your kind information,priority pass cardholder is eligible to access our Plaza Premium Lounge( Plaza Premium First not included). We appreciate if you can provide your Arrture membership ID for further assistance. etc...
As you can see it says Plaza Premium First not included. They only offered us a paid in full access. Where did you see this on their website? I am interested to point that out to them.

This lounge is full during the evening peak. I would assume from F/J passengers rather than paying customers. The 10 minute massage was over 90 minutes wait.
During the same time the normal Plaza Premium is over packed worse than Centurion Lounge + SkyClub. Avoid that at all cost.

HKG is loaded with good to great lounges for any alliances + AMEX cardholders. No reason to fight the chaotic horde in the normal Plaza Premium lounge or even spend money on this lounge. Unlike BKK or SIN where it's loaded with tons of huge Priority Pass lounges, HKG only has 2 tiny ones (while probably having the highest PP holder density per sq.m. in the world)

When I flew through HKG during peak times for CX lounges, I always paid the premium and used this lounge. It maintains a quiet ambiance most of the time (i.e. when AY, VA, LH flights do not depart) and offers amazing food and beverage options, which I'd argue are way better than CX J or QF offerings. Absolutely love it.

Visited that lounge in May 2019. Had the evening HKG-DOH flight at around 7pm in Biz and received an invite for the First Lohnge. Loved it. It was almost empty. Less than 10 people in it. Had the massage, short but nice. The food was really good. During the tour the host did tell me that as airline guests we can have several dishes for free. Non airline pass guesta need to pay an extra HKD158 for their second dish.

Sorry forgot to mention it was on QR flight. The menu was different. I took the bouillabaisse and the dice Angus beef tenderloin. The second dish was delicious and super tender. The fish soup was well good but not really a bouillabaisse 🙂

I've experienced the one in KUL (which QR indeed uses for their J-class pax). The HKG version does look slightly more stylish and larger compared to the one in KUL. I don't believe the one in KUL offers the massage option.
On the remark "My one feedback here is that the masseuses use a stopwatch, and at the end of the 10 minute massage it beeps really loudly." - to me this is typical in Hong Kong from what I experience, not having the refined touch to things. Those at the CX lounge are more refined, no such shocking end to what is supposed to be a relaxing session.

We paid to use this lounge last year when our CX flight to JFK was delayed and we couldn't get into the regular Plaza Premium lounge due to overcrowding. We didn't want to go all the way back to the CX lounge, and Plaza Premium First lounge was close to the gate. Our experience was overwhelming, from the greeting/payment process to the facilities to the friendly people.

When we were there (late morning to early afternoon) there were only four people in the lounge the entire time.

Loved this lounge and will definitely return.

"Amenities listed below are available to ensure you (missing word here) having a seamless and ANTICIPATORY service. MAKE A REQUEST to our team anytime."

What an ironic message.

As others have said, in the evenings this lounge is a total ZOO. Packed, and messy. Such a shame.

Not sure of good reviews here. For me: Crappy champagne, crappy beer on tap with no choices, Cheap cookies with coffee, 1 hour wait for shower already - the pager is not working and the person responsible clueless and trying to walk me into another lounge for a shower room!

Just left... wow this lounge is so good. I just had the lamb curry and it was delicious. Probably the best I’ve had in or out of a lounge...

The offer for food is now a starter and a main included in your access, and ability to buy a second main if you like. The price I can’t remember, unfortunately.

QR sends their F and OW Emerald pax traveling in J to this lounge. At check in, there is someone that will accompany you and take you to this secret area just for those pax and it feels very exclusive away from the general public. Good champagne and very good a la carte dining on par with CX's first class lounges. QR's flight to DOH leaves at 1:25am and CX's lounges close at 12:30am so this lounge serves a good purpose.