I had heard that the Cathay Pacific Business Lounge, The Pier, was the largest Cathay Pacific Lounge in the world, so I was excited to visit and check it out for myself. The lounge was well signposted and I found it with no problem, close to gate 65 in Terminal 1 of Hong Kong International Airport, the 5th best airport in the world according to Skytrax.
Checking into the lounge
The decor is calming and tranquil from the moment you enter the reception area of this lounge, a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the airport. With wooden paneling and a spattering of greenery, the entrance feels both sophisticated and relaxing. I was immediately welcomed and after the staff member scanned my boarding card, I was able to enter the lounge.
First impressions
This lounge really is huge. It’s so big it needs signs to direct you from one area to another. As I like to do when I visit a new lounge, I took a stroll around and got my bearings. My first thoughts were that the time was certainly going to fly by here. The space has a contemporary feel, but it’s also cosy and relaxing. I was immediately impressed.
The seating
I wanted to relax for a moment and check my correspondence before I started investigating the facilities, so I checked out the options and there is certainly plenty of choice with areas to work, pleasant spots for groups to gather and chat, and a quiet relaxation area where you can take a nap on one of the full length beds.
But I wanted to make the most of the lounge, so sleeping certainly wasn’t on the cards for me. Instead I chose a delightful spot right by the huge windows overlooking the runway.
The bar
My next stop was the bar which was nicely lit and well stocked, I lingered a while over the wine list before selecting a glass of red. On the way back to my seat I spotted a decent selection of magazines and newspapers, so the next half an hour was spent very pleasantly, reading the paper, sipping wine and watching the impressive runway view. This lounge is so spacious, I can’t ever imagine it would feel crowded or get too noisy.
The Food Hall
Now I’d heard good things about the Noodle Bar here, so I had planned to eat there, but of course I couldn’t resist a visit to the Food Hall, to see what was available. I was impressed with the wide selection of hot and cold dishes, plenty of salads and some gorgeous looking pastries. Despite my good intentions of saving my appetite for the Noodle Bar, I gave in and picked out a slice of pizza to snack on. I’m glad I did too, it was really light, perfectly crispy and fresh tasting.
The Sanctuary
So before I set off earlier in the day, I’d been reading up on the facilities available in the lounge, and The Sanctuary had really intrigued me, so that was the next area to visit. I took my shoes off as instructed and stepped in. On one side is a yoga area with mats and instructional videos to follow. I didn’t feel appropriately dressed for a full yoga session, and I think the designers had thought of this, as opposite is a seated yoga area with exercises you do while sitting down. Perfect. A few stretches and twists following the instructions in front of me and I felt the tensions ease from my neck and back. I knew that would serve me well on the long flight to come.
Next I ventured into the Meditation area. I donned a pair of Bang & Olufsen noise cancelling headphones and selected a guided meditation from the screen. This was so relaxing, you totally forget you’re in an airport. Afterwards I was feeling almost sleepy, so it was time to head off for something to eat…
The Noodle Bar
For me, this was the high point of this lounge. Everything cooked fresh to order, it looked and tasted truly authentic and absolutely delicious. Knowing I’d be eating on the plane, I didn’t want anything too filling, so I opted for the wonton noodle soup. The flavors were divine, it was cooked to perfection.
The Tea House
A stroll across to the Tea House was next on the agenda. Here you’ll find a wide selection of teas and infusions. I’m no tea connoisseur so I picked rather at random a tea I liked the name of – Traditional Iron Buddha. A roasted oolong tea with notes of nut, fruit and chocolate. This was certainly a drink to be savored and unlike anything I’d ever tried before. I also couldn’t resist helping myself to a Jasmine Tea Butter Cake. If you visit this lounge, you must try them. To be honest I could have eaten half a dozen of these.
The business center
Not far from the food hall, you’ll find a business center with several computers and printers.
The final half hour
A visit to the wash rooms, which were spotlessly clean, and I noticed there are 14 showers, so you’re likely to always find one vacant should you want to freshen up before a flight. I then retreated back to my comfortable spot by the window to relax until my flight was called. The time really had passed quickly and while I was glad to be on my way, I was rather sad to leave this lounge.
With great service from all the staff I came into contact with, such spacious surroundings, relaxing decor and all those extra facilities, this lounge really does have the edge and I’d go as far as to say it’s one of the best I’ve been to. I very much look forward to returning next time I’m in Hong Kong.
Can economy class passengers use the lounge?
Short answer: yes! You don’t need to have a Business Class or First Class ticket on Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon to get access into Cathay Pacific Hong Kong lounge. Cathay Pacific is part of oneworld alliance which includes American Airlines, British Airways, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, Iberia, Finnair, LATAM Chile, Malaysia Airlines, S7 Airlines, SriLankan Airlines and Royal Jordanian. If you are a Sapphire Tier or Emerald Tier oneworld frequent flyer, you will get airport lounge access.
Can you buy Cathay Pacific lounge pass?
Yes, you can buy your access to Cathay Pacific Business Class Hong Kong lounge, even if you are not flying business or a frequent traveler in one cathay pacific partners. The cost of the access to the lounge is HK$600 which is around USD $76. You can buy this access at the front desk of the lounge.
What are the hours of the lounge?
Cathay Pacific Business Class Hong Kong lounge is open every day between 5.30am and 00:30.
Emily is an avid writer with a passion for the travel industry. She also loves learning and writing about nutrition and healthy living. Emily is based in the UK.
