The Qantas International Hong Kong Lounge was not originally on my itinerary during my 5-hour layover at Hong Kong International Airport en route to London. The Cathay Pacific lounges are renowned for their excellence, making it tempting to spend hours there without considering other options, especially since the Qantas lounge is somewhat hidden.
However, I’m grateful that I decided to visit the lounge, as I was pleasantly surprised by its quality. I would even go so far as to say it is one of the best Business Class lounges I’ve encountered in recent years.
With à la carte dining and a full-service bar, it’s astonishing that this lounge caters to Business Lounge and Oneworld Sapphire members—it surpasses even the Qantas First Lounge in Singapore in my view.
Without further ado, let’s explore what this lounge has to offer.
Lounge Location
The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is situated to the far right past both immigration and security checkpoints. Perched directly above Gate 5, it features a rather unassuming entrance.
A long hallway leads from the main concourse to the lounge, and given its somewhat hidden location, many visitors might find it challenging to locate. This is likely why a large sign indicating the lounge’s entrance is prominently displayed next to the immigration and security areas.
If you find yourself at The Wing First and Business Class lounges but struggling to locate the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, simply turn around and head towards the opposite end of the gates. While The Wing First Class Lounge is located directly above Gate 2, the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is conveniently positioned above Gate 5.
Entry Requirements
The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge primarily serves as a Business Class lounge, welcoming Business Class passengers flying on Oneworld airlines and Oneworld Sapphire members. Naturally, access extends to those with Oneworld Emerald status or First Class tickets as well.
For my fellow Malaysians, both Enrich Gold and Enrich Platinum memberships grant lounge access, provided you are traveling on a Oneworld airline.
The Bar Area
Upon entering the lounge, you are greeted by a seating area and a beautifully designed bar.
Having experienced several Qantas lounges, I particularly admire their bars, with the Qantas First Lounge in Singapore being a standout. The layout of the lounge is dictated by the terminal’s design, presenting itself in a long ‘L’ shape, essentially a straight line. At the far end of the lounge, there’s a kids’ play area, which I unfortunately couldn’t photograph as it was in use during my visit.
The dining and buffet areas occupy about half of the lounge’s space, with the remainder dedicated to general seating.
Believe me when I say the natural lighting enveloping the lounge is truly mesmerizing. During my visit, the lounge was almost empty, making it feel like an oasis amid the bustling Hong Kong International Airport.
Interestingly, when I visited The Wing Business Class Lounge shortly after, I was surprised to find it completely packed, with many travelers even dining outside the Noodle Bar area. This made me realize that many passengers flying on Oneworld airlines, like Cathay Pacific, might not be aware of the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, or they might simply prefer the Cathay lounges.
I personally found the food and beverages at the Qantas Lounge superior, but more on that later. For now, let the pictures I’ve included transport you into the lounge, allowing you to see through my eyes just how beautiful the space is.
The Dining Area
Speaking of food and beverages, I couldn’t resist sampling some dishes at the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, even though I had just indulged at The Wing First Class Lounge. The Qantas Lounge offers both a buffet and an à la carte menu.
While the à la carte options were limited, they perfectly catered to my Asian palate, and I’m sure some of you Malaysians would be drooling too!
I started with the Sichuan Beef Noodle Soup, which was outstanding, followed by the Mapo Tofu with Pork.
The Mapo Tofu was so delicious that I was tempted to order a second helping, but I restrained myself as I still planned to visit other Cathay Pacific lounges in the terminal.
Regarding the buffet, I skipped the hot foods, which seemed similar to those found in lounges back home in KL or Singapore, where I frequently visit.
Coincidentally, they were serving Malaysian Curry Chicken during my visit to the lounge!
However, I couldn’t miss out on the signature Cheesecake, highly recommended by a friend.
It was a delicate delight, reminiscent of the luxurious cheesecakes you’d find for RM30 a slice at 5-star hotels in KL—not the dense type served at the Tokyo Restaurant in Lot 10.
With a fully-manned bar at my disposal, I ordered a Monks Rum cocktail. It was a tad too sweet for my taste, but enjoyable nonetheless. I’m not much of an alcohol connoisseur, as you might gather from my review of The Pier First Class Lounge, but I do enjoy a bit of indulgence.
If any alcohol experts are reading this, please drop me an email with your recommendations for the best value cocktail on the menu!
Overall, my dining experience at the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge was exemplary. It still amazes me to find table service and à la carte dining in a Business Class lounge. Even more puzzling is why travelers would choose the Cathay Business Class Lounges over this gem. Having discovered this lounge, it will likely become my first choice, especially if The Wing First Class Lounge is ever too crowded.
Shower Suites
Let’s address a question right off the bat. I recently received an email asking why I emphasize showers at airport lounges, given that one could simply shower at home. There are several practical reasons for using lounge showers.
Firstly, if you’ve just disembarked from a long flight, a shower is an excellent way to refresh and reinvigorate yourself before your next flight. Secondly, if you’re running late and didn’t have time to shower at home, the lounge provides a convenient solution. Generally, the need for a lounge shower is based on necessity rather than desire, especially for those who like to keep squeaky clean like myself. As someone who frequently travels for work, utilizing lounge showers has become routine for me, and I’ve even kept a mental note of which lounges offer the best shower facilities.
The shower facilities at the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge are both clean and excellent. Coupled with the fact that this lounge is usually quieter than other Cathay Pacific lounges, it makes it a top choice if you need a shower. While I still consider the best shower at Hong Kong International Airport to be in The Wing First Class Lounge—famous for its Cabanas—the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is a close second, even surpassing The Pier First Class Lounge in my opinion.
Final Thoughts
My visit to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge was truly an eye-opener. This is a spectacular lounge, especially impressive for a Business Class facility. I know I’ve mentioned this multiple times, but it bears repeating: this lounge is so exceptional that it surpasses even the Qantas First Lounge in Singapore. Qantas could easily rebrand this as a First Class lounge, and it would stand shoulder to shoulder with many of the top First Class lounges globally. However, given the typically low occupancy, such a change might not benefit Qantas much.
For all Refined Points readers holding Enrich Gold or Oneworld Sapphire status, make sure to visit the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge during your travels. Note that your lounge invitation might not list the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge as an option, but rest assured, as a Oneworld Sapphire frequent flyer traveling on a Oneworld airline, you are entitled to access this lounge.
