The only place to stop-over in Hong Kong
Cathay Pacif ic’s new lounge delivers peak stopover luxury
According to Al Gore, “Airplane travel is nature’s way of making you look like your passport photo”. Well, airplane travel, or more specifically long-haul stopovers, just got a whole lot more refreshing with the opening of Cathay Pacific’s new Business Class Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. The lounge, also known as The Pier, is at Gate 65.
So what, you say? Well, if you’ve ever transited through that airport you’ll know gate numbers are neither sequential nor logical. The airport covers almost five square miles with 90 gates numbered from 1–525 (us neither). Some of the gates don’t even exist — they’re virtual. We got lost. Twice. But once you’re through (down the escalator, turn immediately right), it’s worth the circumnavigation.
At 1,000sq m larger than its predecessor, it seats 550 people. Occupying several rooms, the space concept by British designer Ilse Crawford (Soho House New York, Cecconi’s), has been designed to feel like a leisurely stroll along a Hong Kong street. In the fast lane is a food hall with self-service kiosks and a barista coffee cart, a noodle bar with Asian specialities and dim sum cooked to order, and a tea house with an actual, er, tea specialist. Keep going.
In the slow lane there’s a relaxation room with 14 large bookable shower suites with fluffy white towels and Aesop products. At the end there are beds — real beds! — with pillows, blankets and low lighting. But the pièce de résistance? Surely The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga — a tranquil paradise — and The Mind Sanctuary for meditation. The next time you think someone looks like their passport photo, do them a favour and direct them to Gate 65. cathaypacific.com
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