Hong Kong International Airport, Hong Kong

Neil Scrivener reviews Cathay Pacific’s The Pier (Business), in Hong Kong’s International Airport (HKG), by Gate 65.

Introduction

What is the best airline lounge in the word for Business Class passengers?

Possibly, quite possibly, it is this: the Pier Lounge (Business) lounge by Cathay Pacific, in Hong Kong…….in fact, despite visiting many exceptional other Business Class lounges including by Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, Qantas, Qatar Airways, British Airways and others – I am sure of it!

Sadly, Hong Kong’s airport has some of the best lounges in the world, and you really are spoilt for choice here in quality lounges!

Visited

July 2024 at 23:30

Opening Hours

The lounge is open daily from 05:30 to 00:30 (or technically 05:30 to last departure).

Entry Conditions

The lounge is open to both those flying First Class and Business Class with any OneWorld airline, and of course Cathay Pacific.

Access can also be obtained if you are a OneWorld Emerald or OneWorld Sapphire Member.

It may be possible to get into the lounge by other means, such as credit cards or paying to enter – but I am not sure on this!

How to Get There

Hong Kong’s airport can be a bit of mess to navigate – it’s very long and has lots of gates vey far from each other.

One real shame about this lounge is that it is so far away – but in my view completely well worth the walk there! Once you’re out of security, you’ll need to follow the signs to Gate 65……..it’s a good 15 minutes walk at least!

If you’re limited on time, it may be worth considering visiting The Wing or The Deck – which are located close to Gate 1.

When you get to Gate 65, you’ll see the elevator on the left, or the escalators just behind.

Once you’re a level down, you’ll be greeted by the the very friendly team at the entrance.

Layout

This is one huge lounge, with many different find explore areas.

Immediately on your left you’ll come across a deli area, which caters for the more Western style of food (more on that later!). The deli area has mostly dining seating and some high table seating.

Walking out of the deli, you will find the bar area. The bar area has mostly sofa and low-table seating. It also has the classic throne seats overlooking the apron of the airport.

Walking further into the lounge you’ll find the classic restaurant/noodle bar – this has more of a Chinese/Asian offering.

Finally, towards the ‘back’ of the lounge you’ll fine the tranquil tea room. There is just ‘something’ about this area of the lounge, which is incredibly well lit and very peaceful.

Other quality areas of the lounge include a very nice ‘sleep area’, with proper beds – and a well thought about business area, complete with a series of desks/stations……and printer!

Food and Drink

Drinks

Perhaps the main area to get drinks is the bar. At the bar you’ll find all kinds of excellent beers, wines, champagnes, and cocktails!

Alternatively, there are some self-serve drinks available in the deli area, including beers, wines and soft drinks.

Perhaps one of the ‘different’ things about this lounge is the tea room. Here you can find a wide variety of quality Chinese tea (Jing), and some snacks!

Food

One of the most obvious things about this lounge is the classic restaurant/noodle bar – which offers a small range of self-serve foods, and of course the noodle bar. You’re given a buzzer when you place your order, and when it buzzes you collect your order. The food available here includes noodles, dim sum and various other traditional Chinese foods.

The deli is one of my favourite areas…….possibly this is because it has something I’ve never in an airport lounge before – pizza ovens! Here you grab deliciously fresh pizzas, and they are very good! I’ve been longing for years to find an airline lounge that does pizzas!

Other food includes Italian foods, Macaroni Cheese and various sausage dishes. Really all very good food!

Also in the deli area you can find self-service snack stations with biscuits, sweets, etc.

It has to be said whatever food you want to eat – everything is exceptionally presented and well thought about!

Wifi

I found the Wifi in the lounge to be very fast and reliable, which was great.

Showers

Like everything else in this lounge, the showers were of high quality, and of ‘luxury’ feeling. Automatically placed in the shower rooms were a variety of quality amenities and Elemis products.

Conclusion

This is undoubtably one of the best Business Class lounges in the world….if not THE best!

The layout is well thought about and has a true ‘luxury’ feel to it. The food and drinks are absolutely excellent, well presented and well thought about. The tea room is a nice traditional Chinese feature, and a lovely place to be. The showers are excellent. Moreover, the service and friendliness of the staff is absolutely excellent.

I’ve visited Business Class lounges all over the world, and this (I think) is my firm favourite!

A genuinely world-class lounge – well done Cathay Pacific!