Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Class Hong Kong Lounge
Cathay Pacific has re-opened the newly revamped The Pier Business Class lounge at the airline's Hong Kong hub.The brand new Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Class lounge at Hong Kong is very much the flagship lounge for the hub, and it is now newly opened.
Hong Kong Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Class Lounge
The lounge is a delight after a year-long renovation, with a home away from home style. It has bar, noodle restaurant, showers and a business centre for travellers stopping over in Hong Kong.
The brand new Cathay Pacific the Pier Business Class lounge at Hong Kong is located right at the end of the long 'arm' of the terminal at Hong Kong. It is worth making the trek, firstly to the end of the main spine of the airport, the branch right at the Bridge lounge, then further along past the next two gates, right to Gate 63 in the northwest concourse of the Hong Kong airport and descending to the basement, where there is a brief welcome on the podium, and then further inside more reception staff.
With seating for a huge number of passengers - 550 travellers in total - the Pier's footprint occupies some 3,300 square meters, 1,000 square metres larger than the old business class lounge.
That means the new Cathay Pacific Pier Lounge takes the crown as the largest in the worldwide Cathay Pacific network, and it is very definitely one of the best Business Class lounges in Asia.
The Pier Business Class Lounge follows the design template crafted by London-based StudioIlse which elegantly sports its own unique identity, with residential touches such as plant pots, arm chairs, rich textiles and artworks much in abundance in the new space.
The long thin space of The Pier Business Class Lounge is modelled on a 'street' and divided into separate zones, which go from funky to homely as you wheel your wheelybag through the lounge.
StudioIlse have obviously studied how passengers pass through a lounge, as the lounge's runway, or high street starts at a dining area dubbed the Food Hall.
There is also a classic Cathay marble bench, with power sockets (both USB and UK style Hong Kong plugs.)
Then you walk through separate rooms. Next along is the Noodle Bar, which is a feature of many Cathay Pacific lounges. Then, there is the real bar, and the Tea House.
Beside it is The Relaxation Room: a calm, quiet zone with 14 low upholstered daybeds
and footstools for catching up with jetlag.
There is a smaller, secondary 'street' running parallel from the main reception area. It has great chairs, and a good view over the airport and runway.
Back in the reception area, and there is the smaller hallway running in the other direction, up to the working space, called The Bureau, with computers.
In total, the new The Pier Cathay Pacific Business Class Hong Kong lounge is a worthy flagship. It is certainly in step with its famous sibling - The Pier First Class lounge next door.
Although some of the custom pieces of furniture may look familiar, that's no surprise, as some are already in other new lounges around the network.
All the finishes all are of the highest standard, with plenty of Cherry wood, limestone, bronze and leather.
The overall feel is authentic and similar to what passengers might find in a contemporary Asian home.
Food
In the main food hall there is a decent spread of hot and cold dishes, plus a range of European tapas, bakery, salads and hot and cold dishes. In the morning don't miss the croissant truck and the coffee cart for that Hong Kong staple, a quick latte.There is of course the famous Noodle Bar, which is a feature of many Cathay Pacific lounges.
On the worktop there are a list of three or four noodle dishes. Order at the counter, and you're given a buzzer, which rings when they are ready.
Bar
Cathay Pacific are moving away from 'pour your own' drinks to all their lounges having a fully tended bar serving spirits, cocktails and wines.There is champagne here (Moet is often available), plus a decent cocktail list (just look at all those spirits - seriously, there's pretty much anything you could want to put in a cocktail), and beer in bottles (Tiger and Singa).
The bar staff are always helpful in suggesting a drink, but sometimes the wait for grog can be long - the problem about having a served bar is that if the person ahead of you wants a complicated drink, you can wait 10 or 15 minutes.
If you don't want booze or it's too early, try the Tea House.
A 'first' for Cathay Pacific, created in conjunction with UK-based tea specialist Jing, it is right at the very end of The Pier Business Class Lounge.
You can try 10 teas on the normal menu, plus some seasonal ones, and some snacks to go with them.
Business Facilities
If you need to work, check out The Bureau by reception.It is designed as a working space, with 10 iMacs and printers, running both Windows and iOS, plus the new Solo chairs.
These famous chars, a staple of many a Cathay lounge, are high-walled where travellers can work or relax, and includes a side table, reading lamp and a coat hook, and it's on its third iteration here, and it's changed from curved grey leather to a green baize square.
But it's still useful to plonk down with a laptop and catch up on emails. There is a USB charging point in the wall.
Bathrooms
There are good bathrooms in the lounge, with a huge long marble bench which has gold taps.Next to this are fourteen shower suites stocked with Aesop products.
At times when the flights come in from Europe and are about to depart for Australia, there can be a long queue for showers - it helps to ask as soon as you get into the lounge, and then go for a drink.
Access
Access to the Pier Hong Kong Business lounge is strictly controlled.The Pier Business Class Lounge welcomes business class passengers, Marco Polo Gold and Silver card-holders and their Oneworld Sapphire and Emerald equivalents, including the British Airways Silver and Gold Executive Club card.
There is no pay-in access for those in economy. Instead, try the Hong Kong Plaza lounge next to the Bridge.
Video: Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Lounge
