During my undergraduate years, I vaguely recall visiting an exquisite lounge with my father during his business trips to Hong Kong. Many years later, I can confidently say that my search for that same lounge has finally concluded.
There is something profoundly beautiful about the memory of such a splendid space. The moment I stepped into The Pier First Class Lounge during my recent trip to London where I travelled 19 hours on Cathay Pacific, I felt as if I had been transported back in time.
The tranquility and ambiance of the lounge are surreal, surpassing any luxury I’ve previously experienced, with my visit to The Private Room by Singapore Airlines ranking as a distant second. It’s remarkable how Cathay Pacific maintains such an outstanding lounge amidst the hustle and bustle of Hong Kong International Airport.
Let’s explore what this lounge offers and what it looks like in June 2024.
Lounge Location
The Pier First Class Lounge is situated at the terminal’s far end, near the higher-numbered gates, specifically adjacent to Gate 63.
Keep in mind that traveling from The Pier First Class Lounge to the lower-numbered gates, such as Gates 1-10, would require a 15-20 minute walk. Additionally, there is an underground automated people mover train service available that can transport you swiftly to each terminal end.
Upon entering the lounge, you are immediately greeted by marvelous wood sculptures and minimalistic architecture. The lounge is designed in the shape of a ‘T,’ with the tip of the alphabet stretching far longer than one might initially imagine.
Turning left upon entry leads you to a quaint snack room, offering a variety of small bites like cheeses, cookies, fruits, and self-service drinks.
The Bar Area
Nearby, you’ll find The Bar, a standout feature of the lounge. The seating area around The Bar is spacious, providing spectacular views of the bustling Hong Kong International Airport apron.
As I was eager to explore as much of the lounge as possible, I started by ordering a cocktail at The Bar. The very friendly bartender suggested a drink famously featured in the movie ‘The Godfather,’ made with Cognac, after I expressed an interest in a cocktail with this specific liquor. Although I’m no liquor expert, I’d love to hear your thoughts on whether this was a fitting choice!
The bar offers the flexibility to order any drink you desire, even those not listed on the menu, as I shared above.
My engaging conversation with the bartender revealed some interesting insights, such as the relative quietness of the lounge compared to others at Hong Kong International Airport, which I believe contributes significantly to the prestige and luxury it offers.
The rest of the bar seating area is self-explanatory, but I'll leave you to experience the quietness of the lounge from the pictures above. You'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to seating, and I haven't even talked about the dining area yet!
The Dining Room
Let’s now shift our focus to The Dining Room.
Located at the opposite end of the lounge from the bar, The Dining Room is the most bustling area within The Pier First Class Lounge.
While I refrained from taking many photos out of respect for other travelers, I managed to capture a quick angled shot of the lounge, which showcases its vast size. Interestingly, there’s even another bar located within The Dining Room itself.
As is customary with Cathay Pacific lounges, the dining experience was nothing short of exemplary. The extensive à la carte menu might lead you to think that nothing could top this experience.
However, it was my lucky day, as Cathay Pacific was featuring a tasting menu in collaboration with Rosewood Hong Kong! Despite having already eaten at The Wing First Class Lounge, I couldn’t resist indulging in the three-course tasting menu—a decision I certainly didn’t regret after seeing the offerings.
The menu included selections of high-quality ingredients such as abalone, fish maw, and tiger prawns.
It’s impressive that Cathay Pacific serves delicacies like abalone in its First Class lounges, a stark contrast to the cheap local flavors like Laksa served by Malaysia Airlines at the Platinum Lounge!
Additionally, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to order the signature Wanton Noodles at the lounge.
As I continue to review the dining options across Hong Kong’s lounges, I want to emphasize the importance of prioritizing limited-time dishes. These exclusive offerings often showcase unique flavors and culinary creativity, making them must-try options.
For example, while Wanton noodles are a staple across Cathay Pacific lounges, including their Business class offerings, they are readily available. If it’s your first visit, I recommend opting for more distinctive dishes.
Take the Wagyu Beef Burger, featured in the menu above, as a prime example. Such selections not only enhance your culinary experience but also allow you to enjoy flavors that are not typically associated with airline lounges.
The Retreat Area
Now, let’s explore the Retreat Area. The Pier First Class Lounge features a distinctive Retreat Area that offers complimentary 15-minute foot massages.
Unfortunately, the slots were fully booked until three hours later, by which time my flight to London would have already departed, so I missed out on experiencing this.
However, I encourage you to look up reviews from other visitors who may have enjoyed this service.
Despite this, I did check out the shower suites. They were quite accommodating and well-stocked with a variety of amenities.
If you’re considering a shower during your layover, I would personally recommend the showers at The Wing First Class Lounge, which I will be reviewing shortly. Additionally, it’s important to keep track of your time, especially if your departure gate is at the other end of the terminal.
Final Thoughts
Wrapping up this review, The Pier First Class Lounge is unequivocally the finest lounge I’ve ever visited.
While I don’t typically travel in luxury, I seize every opportunity to explore renowned lounges around the world. Having experienced some of the top lounges in the Middle East and Singapore, I find that The Pier First personally resonates with me the most.
Perhaps it’s a blend of nostalgia from my visit nearly a decade ago and the Asian design elements that I favor. In fact, I enjoyed my time in the lounge so much that I might prioritize flying with Cathay Pacific again just for this experience, over my usual routes through the Middle East.
Don’t get me wrong—the luxury and service at Qatar’s Al-Safwa and Al-Mourjan lounges are impressive, but they don’t quite match the personal touch and catering to Asian tastes that The Pier First offers.
Additionally, Cathay Pacific’s treatment of its Oneworld Emerald frequent flyers, allowing them access to this lounge, contrasts sharply with the stringent requirements at the Qatari lounges. Achieving Oneworld Emerald status is no small feat even for a business traveler, so kudos to Cathay for recognizing loyalty where it truly matters.
Stay tuned for several more reviews from my lounge hopping tour at Hong Kong International Airport. And for my fellow Oneworld Sapphire or Enrich Gold frequent flyers, rest assured—I have not overlooked you. I’ll soon be sharing a comprehensive review of a surprisingly excellent business class lounge in Hong Kong!
