The beautiful new American Express Centurion Lounge in Hong Kong represents an excellent new addition to the AMEX lounge network.
I arrived at the airport nearly 2.5 hours before my flight to Chicago and thus had plenty of time to relax in the lounge. But I had to get there first, and admittedly had a little trouble finding it. Just follow the signs near Gate 60 in Terminal 1 and you will see it on the upper floor (use the escalator).
Inside the blue glass doors an agent welcomed me and swiped my card. Handing me my card back along with a Wi-Fi card (same password as in U.S. lounge), she wished me a pleasant stay.
American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong Conference Room + Phone Room
As you walk down the hall, on the right is a conference room, phone room, and a small seating area.
American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong Beverages
Turn right at the end of the corridor and you enter the main part of the land, which has a fairly open floor plan. In the center of the lounge is a well-stocked bar, offering a huge selection of alcoholic beverages and most importantly to me, barista-made coffee.
One Mile at a Time reported trouble actually having a custom coffee drink made (he was instead referred to the machine pictured below), but I had no trouble requesting a cappuccino, which turned out beautifully.
Besides the coffee machine, soft drinks and even nicer water like San Pelligrino and Acqua Panna are available.
American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong Dining
A huge buffet offers a wide variety of food. I was present in the mid-morning hours and the brunch spread was even more comprehensive than the food we often see in a U.S. Centurion Lounge. I had already had breakfast and was content with coffee, but the food was certainly better than onboard my United flight to Chicago.
Centurion Lounge Within a Lounge
For Centurion (Black) cardholders, there is a lounge within a lounge offering more personalized service like a la carte dining. The entrance is located near the buffet.
American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong Showers
In addition to large restrooms, two shower suites are available. I had a look into one and noted they are quite nice, with L’Occitane amenities and a rainhead shower.
The restrooms have real towels:
American Express Centurion Lounge Hong Kong Additional Seating
More seating is available overlooking the terminal concourse below as well as additional tables for dining. Electrical outlets (with USB ports) are well-situated throughout the lounge, though be sure to bring your adaptors.
CONCLUSION
The latest American Express Lounge outside the USA is a great one, well-worth a visit before your next flight from Hong Kong. Hours of operation are daily from 5:30a to 12:30a. Your Platinum card from American Express entitles you to two additional guests (three for Centurion members).
The downside for me was the uncomfortsble seating. It was all plastic and metal chairs, no leather lounge chairs that you could relax in over a long layover. If you are flying Cathay J/F then don’t waste your time here, just go to the Pier or Wing lounges.
Agreed if flying CX
If not – I might go to the Centurion for a cocktail, but I still like the SQ lounge more if flying *A.
All my travels between SFO and Hong Kong have been with Cathay Pacific, so enjoyment of great lounges has never been an issue. This Centurion lounge does look very nice, and should be a great addition to a great airport. I wonder though, if it will have the same absurd overcrowding problems that burden every other Centurion Lounge?
How was the Fim Sum
Did not try it. Have you?
I was just going to post the same thing. Seats are really uncomfortable. Was there two months ago. They really need to change the seats. They might look nice but rock hard and small. What a shame.
I as a I hoping to be excited by this lounge when I went through in November. Felt it missed in most every category other than the bar itself. The selection of spirits was impressive. Uncomfortable seating. Indifferent food selections.
After having spent earlier time, on this layover, in the Wing & Pier, I chose to head down to the quite busy Bridge rather than stay. Unless I have no other options, I doubt I will bother to return.
I literally am sitting in the lounge reading your review. Aside from the bartender serving today being the exact one in your photo, my biggest takeaway is your photo taking ability.
Should you stop blogging, which I hope you do not, your photos are stellar. Although the lounge is wonderful, your photos make the lounge look about 15% better than it appears live.
The lounge has a wide open design, and my only issue is there is no place to close your eyes.
I’m with Tim on this one. I was very disappointed and headed back to the Pier. As a person who doesn’t drink alcohol, I didn’t see anything that interested me in this small, cold space. However, your photos are amazing, Matthew. I was a bit hasty and didn’t even see the showers. I guess it deserves a second look.
Beware terrible bartenders here – pay attention to what they are pouring! They’ll pour the cheapest gin or vodka when you order a mixed drink, even if the menu specifies a specific brand. Expect indignant attitude and a re-made drink with no care or garnish if you point this out. They’ll then stare at you and your company and talk under their breath in the most unprofessional manner until you leave in disgust.
Highly disapointing lounge. Not a chance I’ll go back. An embarrassment to the American Express brand.
I did not see any mention or pictures of a child’s play room like most of the US Centurion lounges. I assume this lounge does not have one?
I did not see any.
Stopped by Centurion during my long layover to NZ from EWR. The lounge is an open space design and filled with fried food smell. At the airplane to my horror I noticed my jacket smelling like a deep fryer. On the way back from NZ I stopped at the Centurion again and it was the same deep fryer. Had to pay extra for my third child for it allows only two guests, Other than that it was good.
Doesn’t sound like you had a good experience! Qantas Lounge is much better in HKG.
It’s all relative, comparing to general public space my experience was great.
This lounge is absolute garbage. I think the author probably has not visited many of the quality lounges in Asia. AMEX centurion lounge is among the worst lounges I’ve seen in all Asia.
I’ve visited them all.
I am Oneworld emerald and frequently visit The Pier, I have a 13 hour layover next week. I just got the Amex Plat. I think I will still visit the Centurion lounge to see what it is like, since I have so much time. But apparently it will not compare to CC F lounges, am I right?
It will not compare. Was just there a couple days ago and it was very crowded as well.
I would have to politely beg to differ. Loud, crowded uncomfortable seating. Difficult to find a place to make a phone call as it’s essentially a popup within the airport rather than its own enclosed space. Don’t suggest the Phone Room since an entire family was having dinner in the (one) phone area. Dim sum wasn’t bad. Not among my top airport club experiences.