The Pier is not only Cathay’s Pacific’s finest first class lounges, but one of the best first class lounges in the world.
For years I have been looking forward to visiting this lounge. Finally, during a recent layover, I had the chance to spend a few hours here.
You’ll find the lounge near Gate 63 in Terminal 1. It is open daily from 5:30 AM to 12:30 AM and available to oneworld first class and sapphire members.
The Pier Design + Furnishings
Let’s start with the beauty of the lounge itself. Designed by Ilse Crawford, the lounge is the epitome of soft-spoken elegance. Its furniture, lighting, walls, floors, and artwork combine to create the feel of a posh home that you just want to take your shoes off and relax in.
Each section is unique yet you can see the common theme woven throughout the lounge.
The Pier Service
Although I was warned that service levels have deteriorated, I had no prior frame of reference in which to compare and found the service not just satisfactory, but excellent.
The star of the lounge was Ms. Zepho, the lovely bartender pictured below.
She was so friendly and we had a great laugh trying to figure out what ingredients to put in my Mai Tai. Later on, she made a perfect cappuccino. I appreciated her professionalism and I appreciated her warm heart and wonderful smile.
But she wasn’t the only one who was excellent. The restaurant staff were also courteous and attentive. As I was leaving, my waitress thanked me and said she hoped to welcome me back soon.
Meanwhile, the ladies at the spa were also kind and willing to go the extra mile. When I attempted to make a spa appointment, I was told there was no availability until three hours after my flight departed. But the attendant proactively put me on a waiting list and handed me a buzzer, telling me she would page me if someone cancelled.
Sure enough, someone did…and I would not have even known to place myself on a waiting list if she had not offered it.
The Pier Dining Room
Even after a hearty lunch in Cathay Pacific First Class, I could not resist the chance to try a meal in The Pier’s dining room. The spacious restaurant with wood paneling and green leather chairs offers a beautiful place to eat.
After choosing a seat, I was presented with a food menu and beverage list:
I chose spinach and ricotta ravioli as a starter and a cheeseburger as a main course. Why oh why would I choose a cheeseburger in a Hong Kong lounge? To test it. I suspected that Cathay Pacific would offer a better “American” burger than in a U.S. lounge. Sure enough, the hamburger was juicy and flavorful and the hidden gruyere cheese was excellent.
A full bar was available, but I stuck to water during the meal and enjoyed a cappuccino after. Ms. Zepho made a far better cappuccino than her colleague.
The “bad” cappuccino from another bartender:
See the difference?
The Pier Bar
Speaking of the bar, the menu is the same as the restaurant above, though just about any drink type is available upon request.
The Pier Pantry
If you don’t want to sit down for a meal, a buffet offers high quality snacks and drinks. Nice sandwiches, fruit, cold pressed juices, macarons, and other tasty sweets. If you want something hot, head to the restaurant.
The Pier Bureau
In a nod to older times, a business center with iMacs is available. Certainly there is still a use for work areas, but I just wonder how often these stationary computers are actually used when everyone now seems to have a smart phone and laptop. Still, a beautiful work area.
The Pier Retreat
One of my first stops in the lounge was to make a spa appointment. Cathay Pacific offers complimentary 15-minute foot or neck/shoulder treatments. Everything was booked, but as I outlined above, I was added to a waiting list.
Just as I was preparing to depart, my buzzer rang. I walked over to the counter and was immediately ushered into an empty room, where I received a short massage. In the interest of time, I chose scalp/neck/shoulder…it was worth having to rush to the gate.
Also in the Retreat were two dozen private cabana-like resting areas, with daybeds where I relaxed after my meal. The rooms include a privacy curtain, but not an actual door. I watched an Emirates A380 load up directly outside my window.
Restrooms too:
CONCLUSION
The Pier is one of the best first class lounges in the world…and I’ve visited the best of them. I highly recommend you budget a lot of time for this lounge, because it a lounge meant to be enjoyed at a leisurely pace. I look forward to returning.
To me it seems that the better choice is The Pier biz lounge. The last two visits for me have offered way more food choices, no crowding…..don’t need a massage. Got to HKG two hours after a shower. Where’s the upside? Duh.
How long are you permitted to stay in the cabanas?
No time limit.
Looking forward to checking this out. I’m flying CX F on the mistake fare this upcoming weekend.
Enjoy your trip!
Access by oneworld status is restricted to Emerald passengers, not Sapphire.
Nice review, Matthew, and I agree with your assessment – such a soothing, calm, relaxing environment – the perfect prelude to a long-haul flight. The residential feel has been executed perfectly, without compromising on the lounge’s functionality. I much prefer this space to the open and much noisier Wing lounge, although the bathroom cabanas at the latter are great if you can get one.
Correction: oneworld emerald, not sapphire.