Lounge Review: Cathay Pacific The Pier First, Hong Kong

Rating: 9 out of 10

The Pier First Class Lounge is unequivocally the best airline lounge in Hong Kong. With its tasteful decor, genuinely friendly service, top-notch amenities, and fine-dining experience, this Cathay Pacific lounge truly delivers a seamless First Class experience on the ground. Follow me in this review to immerse yourself in one of the best airline lounges in the world.

Location & Access

The Pier First Class Lounge is conveniently situated next to Gate 63. Once you've completed immigration, follow the signs for the gates. You can quickly reach the location by taking the Automated People Mover (APM) for one stop or walking the distance using the travelators.

Access Requirements:

• oneworld Emerald members flying on a oneworld carrier flight (+ 1 guest)
• First Class passengers flying on a oneworld carrier flight (+ 1 guest)

Keep Calm And Slow Down

The lounge is located a level down from the main departure concourse. As you descend on the escalator, you will be warmly greeted by a host who will quickly scan your boarding pass, inviting you into this exclusive club in Hong Kong airport. In immediate contrast to the bright, white airport concourse above, this lounge embraces warmth and tranquility with its dim lighting, deep-toned carpets, and cozy furnishings—a true invitation to relax and slow down.

The discreet entrance with the iconic Cathay Pacific brushwing logo.

The long, ambient corridor lined with tasteful artwork and the iconic curved sofa.

The Dining Experience

The Pier First Class Lounge offers a versatile and sophisticated array of dining options. For a refined start, you could head to the tended bar on the left end of the corridor to enjoy a fancy cocktail paired with light snacks. If you prefer to maximize your rest and need something quick and simple, the Pantry offers a variety of quick buffet offerings, perfect for a speedy grab-and-go.

The elegant Pantry, offering quick snacks, pastries, and self-serve beverages.

The main central bar, staffed and surrounded by comfortable seating areas.

A wide selection of spirits and liquor available at the tended bar.

The Culinary Showcase: The Dining Room

As a foodie, I was thrilled to try a selection of items from the à la carte menu. For lunch and dinner service, The Pier offers a rotating tasting menu, currently featuring a prestigious collaboration with the renowned Mott 32 in 2025, alongside the regular menu. I found the Mott 32 dishes to be incredibly creative, incorporating Western elements into traditional Chinese fare—a truly representative expression of Hong Kong's unique East-meets-West identity. However, what truly took me back to the Hong Kong I grew up in was the simple, traditional comfort of the sweetened black glutinous rice. This fantastic dinner was perfectly rounded off with a Dewar's 12 scotch, a delightful coincidence as I had just visited their distillery back in Scotland on this very trip.

The welcoming entrance to The Dining Room, the lounge's signature restaurant.

The Dining Room's modern, wood-paneled interior.

The exclusive Mott 32 Tasting Menu, a rotating seasonal highlight.

The diverse à la carte menu, including signature noodles and mains.

The extensive beverage menu, including champagnes, cocktails, and whiskies.

A rich double-boiled chicken soup.

Braised Wagyu Beef with aged tangerine peel.

A beautifully cooked Seared Salmon from the regular à la carte menu. (From past visit)

A creamy Scallop Risotto. (From past visit)

The comforting, traditional Cantonese sweet soup dessert: Sweetened Black Glutinous Rice.

Relax, Let The Time Flow

The lounge provides an abundance of comfortable seating options where you can truly let the time slip away. Along the floor-to-ceiling windows, you can rest on lounge chairs while enjoying sweeping tarmac views. Alternatively, catch up with friends over a drink in one of the cozy sofa areas. If you're looking for distraction, head to the Library, which offers a curated selection of books and magazines to help you kill time.

But my absolute favourite place to relax has to be the Day Suite. There are only around a dozen of these suites, each a fully enclosed space featuring a day bed for maximum privacy. Like the main seating areas, you can still enjoy the tarmac view through the large window. I had, by far, the best rest in any lounge inside a Day Suite. Just beware of the time—you might miss your flight should you enjoy the nap a little too much!

Comfortable seating and armchairs along the windows, offering tarmac views. (From past visit)

The tranquil Library, a quiet reading space leading to a more secluded area.

A private workstation in The Bureau.

The exclusive Day Suite, offering ultimate privacy and a comfortable daybed with an apron view. (From past visit)

Recharge and Refresh

The lounge is equipped with over a dozen individual shower suites, offering a perfect place to recharge after a long flight or set a relaxing mood before your next departure. For travelers seeking deeper relaxation, there is a separate spa service available. While I have not personally tried a massage—as I was always on a waiting list—I learned a key piece of advice: you can pre-book your massage session directly through the Manage My Booking section on Cathay Pacific's website. The shower suites, however, are most often immediately available. They are spacious and fully stocked with essentials like dental kits and shower caps, with other amenities like slippers and shaving kits readily provided upon request.

The luxurious shower suite vanity area, featuring gold fixtures and a hairdryer.

High-quality Bamford bath products provided in the shower.

A comprehensive tray of personal amenities, including face mist and dental kits.

Final Verdict

Cathay Pacific's The Pier First Class Lounge in Hong Kong is nothing short of a sanctuary. It is a true haven for top-tier oneworld travelers, thanks to Cathay's generous admittance policy. This lounge not only fulfills the basic purpose of providing a secluded and comfortable environment for frequent flyers but truly distinguishes itself with an exceptional fine-dining experience and the one-of-a-kind facilities like the Day Suites. The professional and genuinely friendly staff rounded out the experience, ensuring every moment was pleasant and effortless. The Pier is, without question, the gold standard for ground service and the best airline lounge in Hong Kong.