Review: Cathay Pacific The Pier Business Class Lounge Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific The Pier lounge offers stiff competition to be considered the best lounge in the Hong Kong airport, and even one of the top lounges in the world. The business class lounge alone is over 35,000 square feet (3,300 square meters) and could easily pass for a first class lounge. If you are ever in Hong Kong and have access, this lounge is a destination to itself and certainly worth a lengthy visit!

“Discover our largest lounge, Cathay Pacific The Pier, Business, modeled after seminal Hong Kong experiences. You’ll enjoy the city’s flavors and home comforts at your own pace: the lounge’s signature features include a unique and elegant Teahouse, our popular Noodle Bar, and a quiet Relaxation Room.”

-Cathay Pacific

Location

Terminal 1, Level 6 (departures level), by gate 65. Take the escalators downstairs.

There is a separate first class lounge entrance by gate 63. (eight private day suites, massages and fantastic made to order dining)

Access

Access is reserved for passengers who are either

Departing on an international business/first class flight on Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, or another Oneworld partner that day.
Marco Polo Diamond, or Gold departing on a Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, or another Oneworld partner flight that day (any class of service)
1. Silver only if departing on a Cathay Pacific or Cathay Dragon flight that day
Oneworld sapphire/emerald members departing on a Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, or another Oneworld partner flight that day (any class of service)

One guest is allowed for first class passengers, Marco Polo Diamond or Gold, or Oneworld sapphire/emerald, and must be departing on a Cathay Pacific, Cathay Dragon, or another Oneworld partner flight that day

Hours of operation 05:30-00:30 daily.

Entrance

The entrance is by gate 65, take the escalators downstairs to the greeting area. There is a separate first class entrance to The Pier lounge by gate 63.

To the right are the restrooms and luggage storage.

To the left is the main lounge area, Food Hall, Bar, Noodle Bar, Teahouse, showers and Relaxation Room.

Decor

The Pier lounge was recently renovated in 2016 and it is quite exceptional. The design is by Studioilse, the London based design studio lead by Ilse Crawford. The vibe is warm and relaxed with classy decor. It is the type of classy that doesn’t need to try because it just is. The limestone flooring, beige carpets, cherry wood and occasional plants combine with the soft lighting to create a very relaxing and contemporary feel. I absolutely loved the decor. Just another reason why I consider it to be one of the best business class lounges at the Hong Kong airport.

There is plenty of seating in the lounge. One of the attendants mentioned that it can fit 550 travelers! I can’t imagine it ever gets that packed though. There are a total of eight Cathay Pacific lounges at the Hong Kong airport for travelers to choose from. In addition to the incredible size of the business class lounge area, there was a wide variety and number of seating options. One could choose to sit at the counter top, bar, two person tables, communal tables, sofas etc.

The first room when entering the main business class lounge area is called the Food Hall. This is where you will find most of the food served buffet style.

The next room contained the Bar. I must admit I took a break from writing this lounge review to try out their wide selection of international champagnes and wines

This was followed by the Noodle Bar and Teahouse. The Noodle Bar has become a Cathay Pacific staple. While the Teahouse was a nice complement to some of the other lounges which have a Coffee Loft.

At the very end of the lounge are the showers and Relaxation Room.

What is beautiful about the design of is that there are five separate “areas”. Each has a distinctly different purpose, and carefully positioned so that the busier and noisier areas are toward the front while the quieter and relaxing areas are toward the back.

Food and Beverages

The food and drink was exceptional for a business class lounge. This is another reason why I consider The Pier to be one of the best lounges at the Hong Kong Airport. The food was much better than what was offered at “The Wing”, slightly better than “The Bridge”, but not quite as good as at the Qantas Lounge. The main food area for The Pier business class lounge was at the Food Hall. There was a wide selection of Asian as well as international food. There was a plethora of scrumptious looking bread, potato gnocci, margherita pizza, veggies, steamed sole fillet and braised beef in red wine sauce.

The desserts and fresh fruit looked great as well.

Unfortunately I didn’t get to try out the noodle bar for this lounge review. I was completely fully at that point on my fourth lounge review at the Hong Kong airport (HKG). However, a quick survey showed the dishes to look appetizing.

The Teahouse had a wide selection of teas and accompanying treats.

Relaxation Room

The relaxation room is at the far end of the lounge and was very quiet. There were a dozen or so soft lounge beds that looked perfect to take a snooze on. This is just another reason why The Pier is one of the best lounges at the Hong Kong airport (HKG).

I think this guy had the right idea.

Showers and Restrooms

The showers and restrooms were beautiful and well maintained, no issues to note for this lounge review. There are a total of 14 spacious shower suites.

Extras

The wifi worked with no issues to note in this lounge review. It was nice that there was a luggage storage area as well.

The business area called the Bureau was to the right side of the lounge.

Lounge Review Conclusion

Cathay Pacific The Pier business class lounge is certainly one of the top two business class lounges at the Hong Kong airport (HKG) (the Qantas Lounge being the other), and is easily a top 10 lounge in the world. The high quality food and beverages, classy decor and Relaxation Room set this lounge apart and make it one of the best lounges in Hong Kong. If you are ever in Hong Kong and have access, this lounge is a destination to itself and definitely worth a lengthy visit!