CX lounge access in HKG for a 15 hour stopover

[adelee]

Hi all

My husband, 18 month old and I will be transiting in HKG for 15 hours from 6 am to 9 pm on 30th December. We are flying J from FRA-HKG and then HKG - AKL and are both Oneworld Sapphire.

We are all likely to be in a rough mood after the long haul from FRA, and I'm wondering what the best option is in regards to resting up during the transit. Firstly, can I check whether we'll have CX lounge access during the entire transit time?

If so, we may just try to find a little corner where my child can sleep / have a crawl around / may pop into the city for the afternoon. If not, is it worth booking a 'day rate' at an airport hotel? (The only one I can find is the Regal Airport hotel - a day room will set us back around $300 from 9 am to 9 pm). Any assistance appreciated.

 

[clazman]

Flying J you will have access to the CX & QF lounges .. alternately there is a paid lounge near gate 3 (IIRC) where you can get a room with bed and shower.

CX used to have a deal for a day trip to Disney World ... i will see if i can find it

 

[clazman]

Hong Kong Disneyland Pass Deal - Cathay Pacific

 

[adelee]

Thanks for that. So I take it I have lounge access throughout the 15 hours. Looks like the Disneyland deal expires in September, but will check back to see if it is extended.

Does anyone know the name of the paid lounge near Gate 3 with bed and shower? I'd be interested to know if it's cheaper than the Regal Airport Hotel (ca $300 for an average day room is getting up there).

 

[mannej]

15 hours is a long time for an 18 month old to be in a lounge type environment IMHO - why not look into getting some fresh air as that is ample time to explore HKG for a bit.

 

[Princess Fiona]

15 hours is a long time for an 18 month old to be in a lounge type environment IMHO - why not look into getting some fresh air as that is ample time to explore HKG for a bit.

I agree with this. I'd get a day room at either the airport hotel or more likely hop on the airport express and get one at a hotel in Central.

 

[TheBOSman]

I agree with this. I'd get a day room at either the airport hotel or more likely hop on the airport express and get one at a hotel in Central.

Likewise. I've done overnights at the Regal Hotel at HKG, and it is convenient, extremely purple in the hallways, on the smaller side in the rooms, and not often worth the prices charged. $300 is more than I would pay for a day room there for sure.

 

[RooFlyer]

I agree with this. I'd get a day room at either the airport hotel or more likely hop on the airport express and get one at a hotel in Central.

+1 to that. In case the OP hasn't been to HKG before, there is a very efficient train from the airport to Kowloon and Central ( downtown) - maybe 30 mins. So don't feel confined to the airport for a hotel room for day use ( just make sure you can get in early ). From the tran stations there are even free shuttle busses to hotels.

Go into Kowloon, have a rest, then take in some of HKG's sights, sounds and smells

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The main issue I see for the OP is the arrival time - unless they want to pay for two night's hotel, they won't be able to check-in until 2pm. By the time you do that (at a reasonable 3.5 star hotel in Wan Chai), and add return train fares, you might as well stay at the Regal.

Alternatively you will have access to the Cathay Arrival Lounge (clear immigration and the lounge is right under the train station). The lounge is very small. however you can shower and have a bite to eat and a coffee. You could then head in to town to see the sights before going back to the airport lounges... the QF is huge and can be pretty quiet before the bank of QF flights leaving in the evening. Plenty of room for child to play and perhaps even for one adult at a time to have a snooze. The only thing is that Hong Kong is pretty quiet until around 10am... although the Star Ferry will be operating as will the trams.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Regal airport hotel has day rooms available in 12 hour blocks designed for just this type of layover. Great if you want some rest and have no desire to venture outside the airport

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Regal airport hotel has day rooms available in 12 hour blocks designed for just this type of layover. Great if you want some rest and have no desire to venture outside the airport

Indeed the OP found these - but I agree at $300 that's getting quite pricey

I believe they have specials from time to time. I think Lucky from onemileatatime got it for about $155 for 12 hours.

 

[trippin_the_rift]

Indeed the OP found these - but I agree at $300 that's getting quite pricey

I believe they have specials from time to time. I think Lucky from onemileatatime got it for about $155 for 12 hours.

I've never paid more than 1000 hkd. They become cheaper on the days leading up to check in. Always book direct for the best deal

 

[TheBOSman]

I've never paid more than 1000 hkd. They become cheaper on the days leading up to check in. Always book direct for the best deal

I've actually had the opposite experience, in that the price has increased as check in date got closer. Cost myself 500 HKD by waiting a few days too long once .

 

[MEL_Traveller]

The other thing I just noticed is the date! 30 December is very close to NYE, could be expensive in HK at that time.

 

[adelee]

Thanks for all the suggestions! We might hold off booking the regal for a little while, just in case, and will look for some specials. Interestingly, the direct hotel website currently prices rooms for 1 adult at $1300 HKD for 30th Dec, and for two adults at $1700 HKD. I haven't yet worked out a way to book a day rate hotel on a non direct website (as all the booking websites make you input at least one night.

I agree it would be nice to get some fresh air during the day (and ideally, I want to prevent my toddler from sleeping 12 hours on the transit, which is likely to lead to a torturous journey all the way back to AKL on the second long haul)!

 

[Danger]

http://www.australianfrequentflyer....-questions/lounge-access-help-desk-59405.html

 

[JohnK]

HKG hotels not cheap these days.

Personally I would book a cheap (ish) hotel for the night and try to check in early. Worked for me.

 

[teaHSRn]

You could duck across the border to Shenzhen and go to a day spa, for a similar cost to a hotel, but indulge in massage and have an interesting cultural experience to boot.

You can get the metro to the border in about an hour - and a special 5 day Shenzhen SEZ visa on arrival in 15mins or so. The spa I'd recommend is Queen Day Spa - and they have a free shuttle from Lo Wu / Louhu station.

Queen Day Spa is the grand daddy of day spa's in Shenzhen, it's 7 floors, takes up an entire block and is divine. Massages are about 168RMB (~$35AUD) for 45mins, plus a tip of about 25RMB. Once you spend 168RMB entry is free and includes free juice, fruit and ice-cream. Food is good, and I'm sure they would be accommodating of a toddler.

I first went there on a tip from a friend, and the wife and I enjoyed it so much that a few years ago when re-routing our around the world journey, detoured to Hong Kong for 3 days of massages.

edit: Spelling

 

[TheBOSman]

HKG hotels not cheap these days.

Personally I would book a cheap (ish) hotel for the night and try to check in early. Worked for me.

Mostly because HKD is basically USD with the hard peg of HKD-USD...Good for me (for now), not so much for AUD holders.

 

[Limewood]

Hi all

The only one I can find is the Regal Airport hotel - a day room will set us back around $300 from 9 am to 9 pm. Any assistance appreciated.

Good choice, big rooms, close to it all and train to city, should be able to get it for around $160 for that period email and ask.