Review: Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge Hong Kong Airport

Great post. I was through this lounge in August and I really appreciated it. One question I have is whether you would have had access to the lounge on your First Class ticket without status, even if you had laid over several days and there was no First cabin on your following aircraft. I know same day transfers it is based on your long-haul segment. If any flight on your itinerary is in CX first, does that mean you retain access to first lounges for all parts of the rest, regardless of date flown?

I was also blown away by this place. It was so quiet and relaxing. I have now been 4 times since the opening and the menu even changes slightly in the restraraunt. I thought the service and the food beat the Qantas lounge in Sydney but I still prefer LH FCT, SQ Private Room , Thai First lounge (and ground service ) and EK first lounge for its endless sashimi ! CX wins for classiest decor !

First Class review. Thanks for ticking all the boxes and for the rankings at the end. Thorough! Useful!

My favorite lounge period and I do go out of the way to visit it each time I'm in HKG

Nice review. Great pictures. My favorite things: Those black chairs; did you sit in them? Were they as comfortable as they looked? I also enjoyed seeing those amazing leather wing back chairs. That lamp in the business room was pretty cool. And I find that wooden chair in the shower room with the hanger back a pretty considerate thing to have. Thanks or sharing this.

So how many guests did you have? As an EXP don't you only get 1 guest?

Your pics are quite good - do you take them on your phone or DSLR for the most part?

Hi Ben,
Do you if in any HGK Business class lounge has any place to sleep (like nap rooms or similar)?
Thank you very much!

Is "Uniquer" even a word? If something is unique(~one of a kind), then how can anything be "unique, but more so"?

Nice review!!

Lucky uses a Cannon s90 (compact, not dslr) for most shots. I have the same camera and love it!

I was in the Pier Lounge last month for several hours and was a little disappointed with the service.

Restaurant – the service was poor and disorganized. Two of us were seated and ordered drinks and food. But we did not have a dedicated waiter and the maître d’ was also serving food. After ordering it took a long time, and at one point, a waitress delivered food to our table but it wasn’t ours. We had to repeatedly flag down a server to get service. Clearly they were understaffed. Overall the experience wasn’t pleasant since it was so disorganized.

On the foot message – we got the buzzer and was told it would be a 2 hour wait. OK – we had lots of time. So then we thought we would lounge hop for 45 minutes and then come back (went to UA Club and the Plaza Lounge contract lounge used by AA – obviously neither as good as the Pier). We came back an hour before our appointment and they said we had been buzzed earlier so they rescheduled us for later. Then opt’ed for a shower, and buzzed while in the shower. But the time I came out my appointment was gone as well. I call for the manager and told him they really need to schedule an appointment time (like they do at Amer Ex lounge in DFW). The message is for a fixed amount time so there is no reason for not being able to schedule time slots.

The restaurant food was good – but the CX is changing from the Peninsula Hotel to a cheaper caterer – so it could change. Also the food in the buffet room is not that great if you do not opt for the restaurant versus the buffet.

The Pier Lounge is a big jump over regular lounges but it is somewhat disorganized.

@ Federico -- Nope, no Cathay Pacific business class lounges in Hong Kong have nap rooms.

@ Jubbin -- Thanks! Just a combination of my iPhone and my point-and-shoot Canon.

@ Adam M -- They weren't my guests, they had access to the lounge as well.

@ Mark F. -- They were indeed comfortable!

@ Garrett -- Nope, it would have to be a same day connection to access it based on first class.

had a look around at the end of november aswell (and was lucky that I had a flight to FRA leaving from gate 64 or so) and the decor is nice.
But sadly I had the same experience with the restaurant as randy. First I had like seconds to choose my dish and I went for a starter and main - both arrived after 5 minutes togehter and sadly didn't tasted great. A short reheat in the microwave?
The rest of the lounge was extremly busy around 11 pm - and there was just one poor guy at the bar, so I decided to be nice and give the coffee a go.

It is nice, but in my eyes not worth the walk back

Hi!

The HKG - LAX flights usually leave from near the Wing, correct? Which flights leave from near the Pier?

This reminded me, for aviation geeks, I highly recommend checking out the China Clipper room on the top floor of the Peninsula in Hong Kong. It's where they do the helicopter tours.

It's about the coolest room I've been in. Here's some photos: http://www.airlinereporter.com/2013/07/the-peninsula-china-clipper-lounge-in-hong-kong/

Great review. Visited The Pier a couple months ago and loved it. Though I think The Wing wins out for showers if you can snag a cabana, and I appreciate the buffet at The Wing (though would choose The Pier for a la carte).

Also - it's cool that you use an S90 for the blog pictures! I had that camera for several years, and then got the S110 after the screen broke on my S90. Great cameras!

Fantastic review Ben! I have been searching for many details online that you just answered. Thanks!

If I have a first class ticket to HKG on CX. Will I be able to access PIER lounge. I will be staying in HKG for 5 days. My outbound ticket is not first class. I wanted to see it upon arrival.

@ Travelmia -- Only if you're departing Hong Kong in first class or connecting from a first class ticket same day. So you wouldn't get access, unfortunately.

@ Michael C -- Thanks! Do you find the S110 is better? If so, might have to update. The previous one has served me well, so never felt the need to upgrade.

@ beachfan -- Correct, US bound flights generally leave from the first few gates, so it's quite a ways from The Pier. Lots of regional flights leave from close to The Pier.

new to this.
I didnt see any prices quoted for the restaurant. Is the dining , snacks ect all complimentary?
Does flying first class award ticket qualify you for the lounge?
Does cathay have first class lounges in all the airports they connect thru? Where do they list the lounges and requirements to use them?

@ Lucky - No, I haven't noticed much of a difference between the two cameras. I only upgraded because my S90's screen broke. I wouldn't bother upgrading if your S90 is still working properly.

@ ray -- All complimentary, and flying on an award ticket gets you access to the lounge. Cathay Pacific doesn't have their own lounge everywhere, but you will always have access to some lounge. You can find access rules here:
http://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/en_US/travel-information/airport/lounges/lounge-admittance.HKG.html

nice report, I am intrigued by the fruit in jars in the beverage cabinet, I've never noticed them before ( 2 years ago since I went cx first) any idea what it is, beverage, or fresh cut fruit ?

I'm with everyone else with complimenting you on an excellent review! Makes me want to go to Hong Kong just to experience the lounge lol.

Great review - much appreciated.

@ lucky, The AA flight to DFW leaves from the area of the Pier, as well as all the United flights to the USA. So most US bound flights operated by US carriers leave from the Pier area. It is only the CX flights that leave near the Wings. I have flown both CX and AA.

The Pier is near the UA Club as well as the Plaza contract Lounge used by AA. The QF lounge is near the Wings.

I was there last week and generally agreed with Ben the deco is homely. But I still preferred the Wing lounge. To borrow a slogan from CX, " People, they make an airline. " At The Wing, I am always treated well by the bartender, shower maids, waiters I am familiar with. Even the matire d always leads me to my preferred seat. I didn't feel the same at The Pier. It might need take some time for them to catch up the sophistication. But I feel the staff are not very happy working there. How comfy could it be when the people working there are not happy?
I will say The Wing is still a more classic and elegant First class lounge experience in general. Plus they just add a new Chinese tea bar service. Foot spa is an awesome add on but not necessary.

Great review. Can someone educate me on when these HKG lounges actually close for the day? I have a C class trip connecting in HKG in 2016 and I land around 8pm and my connection doesn't depart until 1am. Given Lucky's review of the arrivals lounge I'd like to just use one of the C class lounges for a bit but I don't know what time the 'last departure' means. A ballpark time would be nice to know.

"It’s one of the uniquer check-in setups, as you basically stand across from a representative as they check you in, and then are sent on your way to security and immigration."

Unique is an absolute description...It can be modified with an "er" or terms like "somewhat." Something is either unique or it isn't in a binary sense. In that way unique is different than distinctive or unusual, both of which could describe things that fall along a spectrum from very rare to commonplace.

@ J-Town -- They're definitely all open until your departure at 1AM, which is a busy time of the night in Hong Kong.

Lucky, what do you have to show them as proof of ow emerald? We're flying business class lax-HKG and HKG-mnl and just recently got my AA exp status. I understand you can take one guest with you, how strict are they with this? I'm flying with my husband and 6-year old, I wonder if the 1 guest limit doesn't apply below a certain age. Anyone knows? You mentioned you handed them your lounge pass invitations,
Excited to check it out on our 7- hour layover in HKG tomorrow!

Sorry got cut off. Where does one get the lounge pass invitation? Would a print out of my aa exp status or from my mobile suffice to enter the pier? Or the wing for the matter? Any kids area in any of the cx lounges in HKG? Leaving tomorrow and your (or anyone who knows) reply will be super helpful!

@ D3dish -- Just the boarding pass showing Emerald status will do the trick. You don't actually need a lounge invitation, and if you do get a lounge invitation it should be for the first class lounge based on your Executive Platinum status. I don't think there's an area for kid.

I really enjoyed reading your review. I haven't been to a first class lounge yet, but judging from the pictures and reviews of your first class lounge posts, I feel like this is the best one yet. It hits a home run in my eyes, as my own home looks very similar (of course a bit less cool ;)) to this lounge. I'll try my best to visit it at least once! 🙂

We are flying JAL out of HKG. Flight to NRT is J, as there is no FC. Then NRT LAX is JA

(computer glitch) Then NRT LAX is JAL FC. Only AA Lifetime Gold, but I'm assuming our Long Haul FC partner award gets up Wing/Pier FC access. Please let me know if I've got it right.

I love this lounge a lot! I personally think it's much better than the Wing! I love the dinning area in this lounge and the foot massage! These Nepalese girls are strong!

Ben, make sure you don't wear your skinny jeans, I am surprised she did not ask you to take your paints off for foot massage!

Can you get to the lounge when you are connecting from a first class flight to a business one that doesnt offer first?

@ Auntie

No, "uniquer" is not a word, as something can't be more or less "one of a kind" than something else. It either is one of a kind or it isn't. I had a really strict English teacher in high school and that was one of the things that is forever burned in my brain.

That said, Lucky this was a great review even with the usage issue 🙂

I also loved the design, the private rooms, the showers, the amenities, etc.Truly spectacular.

The one downside I saw was that the service in the Dining Room was awful (on 3 occasions). Spectacularly so. They would forget half of the order, agree to bring something (drink, side, dessert, you name it) and never return with it. After taking my order, someone else brought the food and they never came back. It was a struggle even to wave them down. One waitress was so utterly confused by a side order of potatoes for breakfast, which 2 other waitresses said they would bring. On my last visit, I just gave up and left after ordering twice and never seeing half of the meal.

What an impressive lounge indeed. This review is a return to form.

Great review Lucky. Will check the Pier First Class lounge out next week.

Always love your review... looking forward to that review in Bali

i am surprised you didn't use the complimentary buggy rather than use the train, the buggy is fun as it zooms thru the airport and is alot quicker, maybe its only offered to CX Diamond members rather than Emerald members

Lucky, I just printed my CX (J) boarding pass, however there's nothing in there that says I'm OneWorld Emerald. I just made EXP 12/7, and I've booked the tickets months ago. The lounge invitation I got when I printed my boarding pass is only for the Biz class lounges. Any advice? Should I call AA or CX? I booked the J tix using AA miles btw.

@ d3dish -- You can have them re-enter your frequent flyer number, as that may cause the status to "update." I'd give that a try.

Good to see The Amazing Race flying Cathay Pacific from Hong Kong...

I realize this is a review of The Pier, but how long is the bathtub in one of the cabanas in The Wing? I always enjoy a good soak in a bathtub that is also comfortable for tall folk

Was at HKG a few weeks ago and thoroughly impressed by the Pier...I agree, I hope one day my home looks exactly like this lounge. I find it interesting that people did not like the Pier as opposed to the Wing. I have always found the Wing to be very crowded and harried service (in fairness I've only been there twice) but the Pier seemed like my own private apartment. Granted US flights leave next to the Wing and while the cabanas are quite impressive (even if showering out in the open is a bit strange), I'd give an edge to the Pier.

@cory - the bathtubs are quite large, I am 6'1" tall and fit quite comfortably in the tub.

Hi Lucky,

Just curious as a passenger connecting to same day long haul first class without OW status, do I get first class checkin or just the lounge?

I've enjoyed The Bridge and The Cabin on previous HKG visits and can't wait to visit The Pier on my next pass through in a couple months. This review has me even more excited! It's great to finally see photos from not CX's PR team, haha! Thanks for the great details!

@Curt

I was hugely disappointed in the Cabin. I was departing from gate 32 (I think) back in August and left the Pier to head down to the gate to only see we were delayed about twenty minutes. The Cabin is right there so I fiugred I'd try it out. I found the offerings to be poor and the temperature to be unbearable. They had a bunch of ground fans around so maybe the AC was having an issue or something. But if you haven't been to the Pier or the Wing F lounge you do need to try them out!

I understand you get access only if you are departing from 1 st class in Hong Kong or connecting from 1 st class same day ticket. Does 1 am departure count as same day? We arrived Hong Kong previous day at 6 am on 1 st class
Thanks

I spend half my life in here and the Wing. I am always upset that the congee is so runny they just dont know how to make it and when I try to help them they just walk away. I always manage to keep my Diamond card just about each year as my company only let me fly economy but I pay extra to fly PE to get extra miles and use as many credit cards as I can to get miles on my account. I also find the staff in the both F lounges has no sense about how to cook real western food like burgers and French fries. They obviously have never lived in USA. I also find they are very rude if you try to bring extra people into the lounge, I took my parents into the Wing and then my wife and kids into the Pier and they wouldnt let me bring the wife and kids into the pier because I already had two guests in the Wing. This is ridiculous as kids shouldnt count and my wife was very upset with me at being refused entry.

Thanks for the review. I was in this lounge about 10 days before you, and man did I miss out! I had no idea all the amenities! Thankfully, I'll be in HKG later this week. I planned to checkout the Wing First lounge, but I definitely have to make time for the foot massage. I don't visit your site much, but this review is well written. I plan to bookmark you, and visit more often. Cheers!

Lucky,

Same question as Koff. My JFK-HKG first class flight arrives at 19:05, and my flight to Bali in Dragonair Business departs the next day at 12:35 PM.

Will I be able to use the lounge:
1. on arrival the same day and on departure the next day (staying overnight at Grand Hyatt HK),
2. or just on arrival
3. or not at all

@ Bob -- In this instance not at all, technically. You can't use the lounge on arrivals (though you can use the arrivals lounge, which isn't so nice), and technically since you're not connecting same day, you can't use the first class lounge the next day either. It can't hurt to try, though, and to explain that you had a forced overnight.

Hi. Long time lurker, first time commenter.
I lucked out and landed an F seat HKG-LAX departing midday. If I want to "lounge hop" - as I have never been to any premium lounges - do you foresee any trouble?
I know I can check-in my luggage 24hrs ahead, but how about lounge access? How early can I enter an F lounge before flight?

@Lucky- can I use Cathay first class lounge if flying AA in first? Or is it just the plaza lounge?

@Lang - shouldn't be a problem, I've visited the Bridge and the Wing Business class lounges in a single stopover, so it ought to be the same for the Pier and the Wing F lounges. Took a little typing, scanning and persuading - both times - that I was allowed in at all (BA longhaul business -> Dragonair shorthaul economy), but we got there! Hope you have fun.

@Ray - yep, any Oneworld operated First Class or Business lounge. The Plaza is a decent lounge, but the Pier - I agree with Lucky - wow. Understated, classy, elegant.

Hi Lucky if I have a loooooong layover (almost 8 hours), can I just go in and out of the First Lounges for both Pier and Wing multiple times?

Also are there different a la carte menus at Pier First Class for lunch vs dinner times or is it the same for the whole day? Do you know anything about the timeline of when CX will be switching over from Peninsula Hotels catering to the cheaper caterer mentioned by randy in the comments above?

Last, did you see any luggage storage lockers in either of the CX First Class lounges like they have in Doha QR lounges?

I am quite excited to lounge hop my way through.

Thanks.
RK

Dear Lucky,

Which Cathay lounge has the most food? The Wing, Pier, or Bridge?

Thanks

Regards,

LRM

@Lucky Can you describe what was in that dessert room in the afternoon. When did they clear the breakfast stuff out of there and are the sweets in the dessert room in the afternoon the same as the evening spread? The 2 pictures you have look identical between the morning and the afternoon. What were the differences?

Hi,

I am flying Cathay first class from JFK to HK, then business class HK to MLA using miles, would I be able to use the lounges at the HK airport, particularly, "the Pier"? TIA.

[…] for this blog, once reached Diamond I gained access to the two First Class Lounges, The Wing and The Pier. The latter is the better one in my opinion. It was just renovated, reopened in mid 2015 and […]

I LOVE this lounge (even more so than the Quantas in Sydney). We're actually considering diverting our Asia trips via Hong Kong just to go back to it. Whole heartedly agree with your review.

Hi
Visited the lounge a couple of days ago on a 5 hour layover between London and Australia. Its the best lounge I have visited anywhere in the world. Well balanced between function and comfort. Recommend that visitors book a massage as soon as they arrive as I had a two hour wait. The only negative was the children. Several young children treated the lounge as a Broadway stage with complete disregard for the obviously exhausted travellers trying to relax. Parents seemed to ignore or encourage the obnoxious behaviour. Lounge staff were too polite to intervene. Maybe I am showing my age.

Saw this lounge featured on the Netflix show Abstract Ep 8. Nice to see the designer accomplished her goal from Lucky's comments:)

I visited this lounge three weeks ago and I must agree that this is one of the best first class lounges out there. The lobby has a very welcoming vibe to it and the sitting area with the bar felt like a country club, it was very classy; the dining room was nicely decorated and the food was very good with the exception of the spare ribs which were dry but the burger was to die for. There is also a small selection of cold cuts, cheeses and desserts in a separate area. They served Perrier-Jouet while I was there and two other respectable champagnes including a Rose. The only disappointment was that I had to wait 1.5 hour for a foot massage. My flight was taking off in one hour so I declined. I'm going back to Hong Kong in November and I can't wait to spend some time there again, this time I'll allow myself three hours so that I can have that foot massage.