Cathay Pacific’s Pier Business Lounge has set a new standard for luxury airport lounges. Located in Hong Kong International Airport’s Terminal 1, The Pier offers business class passengers an experience that rivals 5-star hotels, making it the perfect destination for business travellers passing through before heading out for their next trip.
In this ‘The Pier’ review
Cathay Pacific’s ‘The Pier, Business’
With a short layover at Hong Kong Airport, there are few places more inviting than Cathay Pacific’s Business Class lounge, The Pier. Featuring a variety of rooms and spaces tailored to every passenger’s needs, it offers a perfect environment to relax, dine, or stay productive between flights.
Pros
- Variety of relaxing spaces
- Premium hot food selection
- Fully-stocked bar
Cons
- I only had five hours to spend here
The Pier, Business: A 5-Star Hotel Experience
It’s just over eight hours from Sydney to Hong Kong, and with five hours to kill before my onward flight to London Heathrow, I was eager to settle into one of Cathay Pacific’s most impressive Business Class lounges.
This was my first time relaxing in a lounge between flights, so I think I can be forgiven for accidentally taking the escalators down into Cathay Pacific’s First Class alternative just a short walk away from my eventual destination. To her credit, the staff member was polite enough not to make me feel like a complete fool as I tucked my Business Lounge admittance back into my pocket and feigned a casual 360-degree look around before returning to the upper level of Hong Kong Airport’s Terminal 1.
Where is Cathay Pacific’s The Pier Business Class Lounge?
Located just by Gate 65, the Pier Business Lounge entrance felt as though I was checking into a 5-star hotel in Hong Kong instead of a sub-level airport waiting room. Cathay Pacific staff were extremely attentive and friendly, something I had hoped to reciprocate but after arriving well into the night in Hong Kong, I’d hazard a guess and say I probably wasn’t my usual animated self.
Redesigned by Studio Ilse and designer Ilse Crawford in 2015, it combines modern elegance with superior comfort. Crawford’s redesign emphasises a warm, inviting atmosphere with natural materials, spacious layouts, and private areas designed for relaxation and well-being.
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Diverse Seating Options for Every Need
After arriving, I wanted to be sure I got the best seat available for my lengthy wait in between transfers. Walking up and down the lounge, I was immediately surprised by the distinct areas catering to different passenger needs.
The Pier Lounge offers an array of seating options to suit various preferences. For those looking to relax and unwind, there are comfortable loungers strategically placed throughout the space. Go further towards the Relaxation Room and passengers are spoiled to resiting pods nestled within dimmed lighting and a tranquil ambience.
Of course, after just eight hours in the air, I wasn’t ready to shut my eyes just yet, but for those waiting through the night or awkwardly trying to line up the different time zones to avoid the scorn of jet lag, The Pier’s Relaxation Room is a business traveller’s dream. For me, it was a welcomed chance to lie down and charge my devices before my onward flight to London.
The lounge also features 14 luxurious shower suites, each meticulously designed to provide a refreshing and rejuvenating experience before and after your flights. These suites are completely complementary, and equipped with premium bath products including high-quality shampoos, conditioners, and body washes, ensuring you have everything you need for a thorough cleanse.
If you’re like me and left your towel in your checked luggage – don’t worry. Cathay Pacific provided me with fluffy, plush towels on request, adding a touch of comfort and 5-star service to your layover.
Gourmet Dining and Traditional Teahouse Experience
The dining experience is equally impressive. There was a restaurant area that evoked the charm of a traditional noodle house, with an open-worked kitchen making fresh dishes to order at the bar with a surplus of minimalist, yet thoughtfully designed, seating and dining.
Further along, there was a Hong Kong-style Teahouse that offered a menu of premium, warming teas to sample and savour in between flights. Here, passengers can sample and savour a range of options, from classic black tea and soothing chamomile to invigorating lemongrass and ginger. The selection also includes traditional teas from China and Japan, with a variety of exquisite ingredients to choose from.
Part of the unique teahouse experience includes an interactive tea menu, allowing you to preview the aromatic infusions on offer. Each fine tea selection comes with individual instructions for optimum brewing and maximum taste.
As one of the world’s leading carriers, Cathay Pacific provides an impressive array of hot food options. In addition to traditional dim sum, noodles, and pork bao, there are four distinct food stations offering a range of authentic Italian, Chinese, and Western delicacies.
The overall quality of the food was exceptional, with standout dishes including the traditional Hong Kong pork, huge chunks of succulent pork belly meat seasoned to perfection, to go along with soft and juicy pork and prawn siu mai, which earned special mentions.
I have this rule where I tend to only eat the cuisine of the country I’m visiting – even during short layovers. So I spent most of the team alternating between the restaurant’s many traditional offerings. But for those who want a taste of Europe, Cathay Pacific imports specialty ingredients such as oils and meats, providing an incredible selection of Spanish tapas and French charcuterie, cheese boards, salads and a fish platter.
Business Facilities and Complimentary Amenities
Tucked away at one end of the Pier Lounge is a hot desk area suitable for Business travellers looking to catch up on emails or, for a journalist like myself, get started on this review. Passengers looking for a quiet place to unwind are truly spoiled for choice, with comfortable ergonomic seating, and spacious desks equipped with state-of-the-art iMacs with the latest software.
Of course, as business travellers occupy multiple time zones at once, it can be rather difficult to work through the Hong Kong night whilst your team is active back home in Sydney, for example. Cathay Pacific offers a full barista service reminiscent of the carts that line Hong Kong’s streets, serving specialty coffee to order that can be delivered to your desk.
I was already trying to line up the UK time zone so caffeine was off the cards for me. As I knew that my work was likely done for the evening, my thoughts turned to more alcoholic varieties. As DMARGE’s self-anointed drinks expert, I appreciated the fully stocked fridge with Asahis and Tsingtao that were readily available throughout the space. Fresh water bottles and soft drinks were also on offer.
For those seeking something more adventurous, the bar offers a range of classic drinks and cocktails with skilled mixologists willing to conjure a unique creation completely complimentary. If you’re in the mood for something truly exceptional, simply share your taste preferences with them. They’ll gladly concoct a one-of-a-kind creation tailored to your palate, completely complimentary.
I was ready to pay, but everything from the coffee and cookies at entry to the freshly baked focaccia and xiaolongbao, and even the hot steamy showers, was included in the ticket.
Next stop, London.
