Splendid: Cathay Pacific First Class Lounges Hong Kong

Splendid: Cathay Pacific First Class Lounges Hong Kong

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Hello from Hong Kong! I’m in the middle of my wild review trip, and just finished up some lounge hopping. While I’ll eventually have reviews of several lounges in Hong Kong, I wanted to briefly sum up just how much I love Cathay Pacific’s first class lounges, and how nice it is to be able to visit these with oneworld Emerald status. I hadn’t visited them in several years, so I almost felt like I was discovering them all over again.

Cathay Pacific’s two Hong Kong first class lounges

Cathay Pacific has two first class lounges in Hong Kong — The Pier and The Wing — and they each have things that make them special. Personally I far prefer The Pier, and rank it among the best first class lounges in world. However, there are a couple of reasons you may want to visit The Wing as well.

Back in the day, I’d pass through these lounges multiple times per year. However, prior to this trip, I hadn’t been to Hong Kong since before the pandemic, and boy was it a pleasure to get back to these lounges. They’re every bit as good as I remember, and maybe even better?

Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge

Cathay Pacific’s The Pier First Class Lounge is in my opinion the most gorgeously designed lounge in the world. Cathay Pacific has done a phenomenal job with its product design in recent years, and this lounge is the prime example of that, perhaps the carrier’s greatest masterpiece.

Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge hallway

What’s amazing about the design is that it’s not just elegant and warm, but it also feels so cozy and residential. It’s not just a lounge you want to look at, but rather it’s one you want to hang out in, as it’s so easy to get comfortable and feel at home.

Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge seating

But even beyond the great design, there’s a lot to love about this lounge. There’s a stunning bar area with everything from cocktails to barista coffee, and there’s even a proper restaurant, with a la carte dining.

Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge bar
Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge restaurant

The food in the restaurant is better than I remember. For example, the restaurant is currently partnering with the Rosewood Hong Kong on an Italian-inspired set menu, which is absolutely delicious.

Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge meal

If you’re just feeling a bit peckish, there’s a pantry area, where you can grab anything from some afternoon tea treats, to freshly squeezed juice.

If you’re feeling a bit tired between flights, there’s an area with semi-private rooms with daybeds, which have curtains. They even have views of the apron, so you can plane spot (though the views don’t compare to Hong Kong’s Sky Bridge).

Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge rest area

The lounge also features complimentary spa treatments, with the choice of 15 minute foot reflexology, a head massage, a neck & shoulder massage, or an eye revitalizer.

Cathay Pacific The Pier First Class Lounge spa

I could easily spend all day in this lounge… actually, I basically did!

Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class Lounge

Cathay Pacific’s The Wing First Class Lounge is the other first class lounge at the airport. It’s right by the main security and immigration checkpoint, so it tends to get a bit busier than The Pier. It has a completely different design than The Pier — as a matter of fact, not a whole lot has changed since I first visited this lounge over 15 years ago, though it still does feel fresh.

The lounge has a champagne bar, a restaurant with both a buffet and a la carte dining, and a cafe area.

Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge champagne bar
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge restaurant
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge cafe

However, there’s one feature that really sets this lounge apart, and I’m talking about the shower suites, known as cabanas. It’s always nice to freshen up in an airport shower room between flights, but there’s not a single other lounge in the world with showers like this.

This is a full-on suite with a huge shower, a bathtub, a couch on which you can lounge, a table with a chair, a separate toilet, and more. Heck, I’d gladly just spend my whole layover in one of these cabanas, if only there weren’t a recommended limit on how long you can stay in them.

Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge cabana
Cathay Pacific The Wing First Class Lounge cabana

These lounges make me love oneworld Emerald status

What makes these Cathay Pacific lounges even more of a treat is how easy they are to access. Unlike most of the other top first class lounges, you don’t need to buy a super expensive long haul first class ticket to access these. Instead, oneworld Emerald members have access to many oneworld first class lounges.

It doesn’t matter what class of service you’re traveling in, as long as you’re flying a oneworld carrier the same day. In a different life, if I lived in Hong Kong and didn’t enjoy being home as much as I do nowadays, you can bet that I’d be jetting off on a short flight somewhere every weekend on Cathay Pacific, spending endless hours in these lounges.

Best of all, I got the impression that these lounges might just be quieter than pre-pandemic, which you can’t say about many lounges in the world. I suspect that comes down to a few factors:

  • Cathay Pacific hasn’t brought back as much first class capacity as pre-pandemic, and also hasn’t fully restored its capacity in general
  • Business travel in Hong Kong is way down compared to pre-pandemic
  • American no longer flies to Hong Kong, and US airlines tend to have a disproportionate number of elite members

Honestly, at times I question why I bother going for American AAdvantage Executive Platinum status, as the perks are limited. Near the very top of my list of reasons is the joy of oneworld Emerald status, and those peak times I get to visit lounges like this.

I love the value of oneworld Emerald status

Bottom line

I finally had the chance to visit Cathay Pacific’s first class lounges in Hong Kong for the first time in years, and they’re as good as ever. The Pier is definitely my preferred of the two lounges, though The Wing’s shower suites have to be experienced at least once as well.

While I think airline status as such isn’t nearly as valuable as it used to be, oneworld Emerald status continues to delight when flying on oneworld’s better carriers, as it gets you access to some top notch lounges.

Anyone else love Cathay Pacific’s first class lounges and oneworld Emerald as much as I do?

Conversations (30)
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  1. Syed Guest

    Hi Ben. Do you know if these two first class lounges are open 24 hours? Would Cathay grant access if one has an overnight transit. Btw..I am a One World Emerald member. Thanks in advanced.

  2. Todd Guest

    If doing both lounges for a daytime 9 am flight, which do you recommend going to first? We want to try both the cabana and the pier dining experience. Is there dim sum in either lounge?

  3. Andy Guest

    any idea what the operating hours of cathay pacific first class lounges are

  4. CPH-Flyer Diamond

    @Ben
    As nothing has really changed in the Cathay lounges, it is a bit of a missed opportunity that you did not check out the new Chase lounge and the reopened Qantas lounge, having something actually new to write about.

    1. CPH-Flyer Diamond

      The assumption that they got no mention in the post, and I quote "I could easily spend all day in this lounge… actually, I basically did!", would make me assume that there was no visit. Like the Plaza Premium bar in the Sky Bridge, that is a missed opportunity for sure....

    2. Ben Schlappig OMAAT

      @ CPH-Flyer -- I visited both of those lounges, and will be reviewing them! :-)

  5. PJRabie Guest

    Perhaps a naive question but are these lounges available if I'm flying Qatar first out of Hong Kong (on one of the ex-CP 777 I assume) ?

  6. Ethan Guest

    Wow! No one jab at China or the declining of HK after 16 comments. I am amazed.

    1. cassiohui Member

      Well fun while it lasted, but Hong Kong is nothing like what it was. Here you go.

  7. David Guest

    In hotter months, Wing is way too hot, and Pier has good aircon in only one location

    1. Emily Guest

      I believe your experience is way tooooo... long ago. U have to do it again as I was using them last month, have same comments as the writer. Will do it again in 2 weeks time.

  8. nunzio Guest

    Spent almost 18 hours in Wing and Pier on prelast November Sunday upon special Cathay First Class award ticket trick allowing me to fly for same mileage from Paris to Hkg then to Lax, and confirm had wonderful time in both lounges and as you, slightly prefer Pier for design, atmosphere and best resto.

  9. Super Diamond

    Wow this brings back the nostalgia. Sometimes miss being a road warrior and using OneWorld Emerald status for incredible experiences like this.

    The only flaw of The Pier was its location. If your boarding gate isn't close to the lounge, the moving walkways only go in one direction... so it's a loooooong walk to your gate. Has that been fixed? Maybe offers of a cart ride a la Thai First?

    1. WHS Guest

      Moving walkways go in both directions - maybe you’re thinking about the automated people mover?

    2. Super Diamond

      It's been a while so perhaps you're right. All I remember was having to run(!!) from The Pier to my gate because I didn't realize how far it was and the transport option only ran towards the end of the terminal, not towards the hub (which is bizarre IMO).

  10. Lee Guest

    Thanks for the review. CP is a class act.

  11. Jan Guest

    have been in The Pier a week ago twice. One time in the early afternoon, one time in the evening. Both times the lounge was pretty quiet. Even more quiet in the evening. Staff was great, barkeeper war great, food was great. I dit not check out the foot massage. Next time. That's how a lounge has to be.

  12. Danny Guest

    I was at the Pier last month. The food is still finely prepared and delicious, particularly the ice cream dessert (two small scoops). I do wish the Pier was slightly larger for a first-class lounge.

  13. Randy Diamond

    Agree - great lounges - good food and shower suites. The "SPA" benefit isn't much - just a foot massage - if you can get a appointment. At the Pier, if you ask for one - you will get a 1.5 hour wait time and they will call you. But you leave the lounge and come back in 1 hour. They will say you missed you appointment, but then they will work you in.

  14. Randy Diamond

    Agree - great lounges - good food and shower suites. The "SPA" benefit isn't much - just a foot massage - if you can get a appointment. At the Pier, if you ask for one - you will get a 1.5 hour wait time and they will call you. But you leave the lounge and come back in 1 hour. They , they will say you missed you appointment.

  15. Randy Diamond

    You indicated why you question going for AA EXP, but Emerald is a compelling. Of course, as discussed many times - AA PlatPro provides the same Emerald status - if 1st Class Lounge access is the desired benefit.

  16. JK Guest

    Studioilse did a fantastic job with the high-end residential feel of The Pier design as well as their outstation lounges. Bangkok and Taipei have a very similar 'feel' even though they are business lounges. No doubt the furnishings are just as high quality in each class of lounge, it's more the soft product that differ in quality. The Wing is amazing for the Cabanas though and after my long flights from Toronto and New York...

    Studioilse did a fantastic job with the high-end residential feel of The Pier design as well as their outstation lounges. Bangkok and Taipei have a very similar 'feel' even though they are business lounges. No doubt the furnishings are just as high quality in each class of lounge, it's more the soft product that differ in quality. The Wing is amazing for the Cabanas though and after my long flights from Toronto and New York I prefer them vs. The Pier when transiting at HKG. Look forward to the detailed reviews!

  17. Andy Diamond

    Glad to hear that their lounges are still top notch. I yesterday visited their LHR T3 First lounge and while the facilities and the quality of food and beverages was outstanding, the service left quite a bit to desired. I had to place my orders both for food and drink several times, tables were not cleaned right away once passengers had left etc.

    1. cassiohui Member

      In T3 I prefer food in Qantas lounge

  18. Mark Noble Guest

    I remember using this lounge way back in 2006. The cabana was amazing and I even had my own private room with day bed , waitress service etc. Fond memories. Such a beautiful space.

  19. Bonny Guest

    What champagne are they serving?

    1. JK Guest

      When I was there last it was Henriot, Perrier Joet & Moet Rose.

    2. WHS Guest

      Drappier Millésime Exception, Champagne, France, 2017

      AND

      Billecart Salmon Brut, Champagne, France, N.V.

      As of November 28

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.

Randy Diamond

You indicated why you question going for AA EXP, but Emerald is a compelling. Of course, as discussed many times - AA PlatPro provides the same Emerald status - if 1st Class Lounge access is the desired benefit.

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JK Guest

Studioilse did a fantastic job with the high-end residential feel of The Pier design as well as their outstation lounges. Bangkok and Taipei have a very similar 'feel' even though they are business lounges. No doubt the furnishings are just as high quality in each class of lounge, it's more the soft product that differ in quality. The Wing is amazing for the Cabanas though and after my long flights from Toronto and New York I prefer them vs. The Pier when transiting at HKG. Look forward to the detailed reviews!

2
Ben Schlappig OMAAT

@ CPH-Flyer -- I visited both of those lounges, and will be reviewing them! :-)

1
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