Hong Kong - EK lounge may be best F&B bet for QF J/WP/SG these days

[serfty]

I had a long time airside today at HKG.

I went strait to the Wing "First Lounge" as I have been doing for two decades.

After a bit went to "the Haven" being the Wing's signature restaurant for a meal. My experience there was disappointing, small menu (4 options), small serve.

Ok, I had time, so took the people mover to gate 40 and the EK lounge. I had not been there before. Currently it's open for an early morning flight and afternoon 3:45pm to ~6:00pm. Being WP on a QF flight I had access.

[edit]

There is also the 9:30pm flight to BKK to I believe the lounge would re-open after 7pm for that flight before closing ~9pm.​

[/edit]

The difference was amazing, F&B was at another level. The space was bright and airy albeit standard EK furnishing.

I eventually had to leave as the late afternoon EK flight was boarding.

I am now sitting in the Pier lounge waiting until it's time to head to the gate.

These days, for those with QF Status or class of service lounge access and have time, the EK lounge can be the better option for F&B.

 

[defurax]

I find that recently the food available in the "Pantry" in the Pier First is higher quality. I know CX have been changing catering providers a few times...
My routine is usually passport control, glass of champagne in the Wing First and then making my way to the Pier First. But I guess I'll try the EK lounge on my next QF flight.

 

[Isochronous]

Let me add another vote for the HKG EK lounge - good F&B and seldom if ever crowded.

 

[RooFlyer]

I must admit my last meal at the Pier First wasnt anything to write home (or to AFF) about.

 

[jase05]

I have always headed to the Pier F straight away and never had a bad experience there. Food has always been good if not on the little small side. Having dropped back to a SG recently I’m going to have to find a new lounge on Sunday when I pass through.

 

[JohnK]

I tend to agree.

In HKG my preference is the Haven as I quite like the buffet even though not as good as previously. And if on a QF flight then EK/QF lounges. The food in EK lounge is similar to that in SIN and suits me as I prefer to western style food and like to see what's on offer rather than ordering something off the menu.

Shame don't visit HKG as often as I'd like to visit.

 

[RooFlyer]

I’m going to have to find a new lounge on Sunday when I pass through.

That was me a year ago. The Pier business lounge is very good!

Now back in Pier First, fortunately

 

[jase05]

That was me a year ago. The Pier business lounge is very good!

Now back in Pier First, fortunately

Cheers. Heading through on CX J so the EK lounge is out. Will give the Pier business lounge a crack

 

[GoldCanyon340]

Cheers. Heading through on CX J so the EK lounge is out. Will give the Pier business lounge a crack

If you trawl through FlyerTalk you’ll see a number of people who prefer, or at least rate as equal, Pier J to Pier F. It’s usually the noodle bar that’s the draw card.

The EK lounge hours don’t usually align with my flying as I tend to be on late night departures. But as with LHR I can’t imagine a scenario where I’d visit QF over a CX lounge. Pity this option won’t be available at AKL after the renovation.

 

[Max Samuels]

I haven't been to HKG for a few years but I remember the CX F lounges being really good? I especially loved the Cabanas (do they still have those?)
Sad to hear the standard has dropped....

 

[jase05]

I haven't been to HKG for a few years but I remember the CX F lounges being really good? I especially loved the Cabanas (do they still have those?)
Sad to hear the standard has dropped....

I don’t get through HKG as often as I would like but 4 visits to the Pier F lounge in the last 8 months and haven’t noticed a drop in the standard at all apart from there being more unruly kids and loud people on phones. Maybe it was just the timing when I was there but it used to be so much quieter

 

[theoracle30]

I just booked QF HKG-SYD in First class for early Jan 2020, departing 6:25pm.

I'll be arriving into Hong Kong from Hanoi with Cathay Dragon economy, landing at 1:50pm (so 4.5 hrs in Hong Kong).

First the fun question: Which lounge/s would you recommend visiting in that period of time?

Second: Do I get lounge access in Hanoi prior to my economy flight, due to my onwards lang-haul flight being in first class, according to Oneworld rules? My confusion is whether Cathay Dragon counts in Oneworld rules or not.

 

[JohnK]

If you trawl through FlyerTalk you’ll see a number of people who prefer, or at least rate as equal, Pier J to Pier F. It’s usually the noodle bar that’s the draw card.

Fantastic if you really want to eat noodles.

I'd rather lamb, beef (or pork but not in EK lounge) without being suffocated in herbs and spices any day of the week.

Looking forward to SIN EK lounge Saturday.

 

[mrsterryn]

I havnt had a chance to go to the Cathay lounges in Hong Kong, hopefully will get there before I lose platinum
However agree with @GoldCanyon340 I really really enjoy the Cathay at Heathrow

 

[FL360]

For the CX F lounges, what's the chance of getting the cabanas and the massages for departures around 22:00 ? assume I get there 2 hours before departure ?

also does the EK F lounges provides similar to the cabanas and massages ?

 

[sudoer]

For the CX F lounges, what's the chance of getting the cabanas and the massages for departures around 22:00 ? assume I get there 2 hours before departure ?

Massages at Pier F have always had a 4-6 hour wait time in my experience. Cabanas usually about 30 minutes.

 

[sudoer]

First the fun question: Which lounge/s would you recommend visiting in that period of time?

Have a bath at Wing F and then head to Pier F for a meal.

Second: Do I get lounge access in Hanoi prior to my economy flight, due to my onwards lang-haul flight being in first class, according to Oneworld rules? My confusion is whether Cathay Dragon counts in Oneworld rules or not.

Yes, KA is an affiliate member of Oneworld, and according to the Oneworld rules you should have access.

First and Business Class customers connecting on the same day of travel, or before 6am the following day, can access the lounge when travelling between an international long haul (a oneworld international long haul flight is defined as an international flight marketed and operated by any oneworld carrier with a scheduled flight time longer than 5 hours) and an international short haul or domestic flight (and vice-versa).

The only OW lounge at Hanoi is operated by a third party though, and they may not be aware of this rule. I'd take a print out of this page (expand the First/Business drop down) and hope for the best.

 

[eddie 73]

Pier F for me. Shower, eat, cabana... cabana the biggest drawcard - drop the blind, stream some Aussie AM radio, lay back and shut eyes, aaaah bliss before boarding.

 

[jase05]

Pier F for me. Shower, eat, cabana... cabana the biggest drawcard - drop the blind, stream some Aussie AM radio, lay back and shut eyes, aaaah bliss before boarding.

Pier F lounge doesn’t have cabanas, they are in the Wing F lounge

 

[eddie 73]

Pier F lounge doesn’t have cabanas, they are in the Wing F lounge

These curtained rooms that are in the pier, whatever they call them, they’re the bees.