Review: Qantas Hong Kong Lounge (2023)

Introduction

Nearly a decade after it opened and three long years on a pandemic hiatus, the Qantas Hong Kong International Lounge is back, and depending on who you talk to, it's just as good or even a little better.

Either way, the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge remains an unexpected gem in the HKG lounge landscape, even taking into account Oneworld's flagship sister lounges, Cathay Pacific.

If you have Qantas Platinum status, you can visit Cathay's The Wing First lounge to enjoy the à la carte menu in the dining room, champagne bar and private Cabana suites or, if you have abatchWith time on your sleeve, head to The Pier First (when it reopens in mid-2023).

Either way, it's worth returning to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge for great food, delicious cocktails and a friendly atmosphere before your Qantas flight back to Australia.

Qantas Hong Kong Lounge: acesso

So who walks through the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge door? As a nominal business class lounge, the access list is quite generous:

• First and Business Class travelers on Qantas flights, as well as Oneworld partner airlines (such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines and Qatar Airways)
• Qantas frequent flyers with Platinum One, Platinum or Gold status (who can also bring a guest to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, provided the guest is flying with Qantas or a Oneworld member)
• Frequent flyers with other Oneworld airlines with Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire status
• Qantas Club members (who can also bring a guest to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, provided that guest is traveling on the same flight)
• travelers on Qantas flights with a Qantas lounge invitation pass
• Qantas President's Lounge members by invitation only

Qantas Hong Kong Lounge: Hours of Operation

At the time of writing (May 2023) the Qantas Hong Kong lounge opens at 2.30pm and closes on the last Qantas flight and in the short term this is likely to be QF128 to Sydney at 7pm. :30, or QF30 to Melbourne at 10pm

These hours mean that the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge could be an option before Cathay Pacific afternoon and evening flights, as well as Finnair and Qatar Airways overnight flights.

(That said, the above openings could happen if Qantas arranges for its Hong Kong lounge to be the contracted lounge for airlines withMorningflights, as happened in the days before the pandemic with Japan Airlines).

Visite o lounge Qantas Hong Kong

The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is located opposite Gate 5 of Terminal 1. After checking in for your Qantas flight at J check-in counters in Terminal 1, proceed to the adjacent Departures checkpoint ( North) and after going through security and immigration, make a sharp right, this will take you to a walkway that leads directly to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge.

The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge looks deceptively small, but the relatively narrow footprint stretches back and forth into multiple living and dining areas, allowing space for nearly 300 travelers.

And it's a location-influenced look: yousabrethis is a Qantas lounge, butalsothat you are in Hong Kong.

As it happens, the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge is almost identical to its pre-pandemic days, save for an update with some new furniture and a slightly warmer color palette that makes for an overall lighter vibe.

Upon entry to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, pride of place is the longtime favorite barbecue pork, serving not only its namesakeChar siubut the other dishes in the room are prepared to order, along with cocktails, wines and beers.

The remainder of the salon is devoted to various dining and seating areas, from armchairs for solo travelers or couples to cushioned stools and benches.

So get out there and explore - you're sure to find your own space.

The other end of the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge appears to be a family-friendly children's zone, although there is no official designation as such.

(Also missing is a declared "quiet zone," where travelers can seek respite from those pesky companions making loud FaceTime calls or watching videos without headphones.)

Almost everywhere in the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, you'll find AC and USB outlets to keep your tech charged, while Wi-Fi is free and blazing fast (with a wireless printer handy when you need a last-minute printout). ).

Due to the elevated position of the lounge on the upper level of Terminal 1, you can enjoy views across the gates and onto the taxiway, dominated by the elevated Sky Bridge that connects T1 to the Satellite Concourse and is high enough to allow an A380 from two floors pass. below.

However, the terminal's high west-facing glass walls also let in a lot of heat from the afternoon sun, which can make the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge a "hot spot" for all the wrong reasons.

That alone might make you want to freshen up before your flight; fortunately, there are 12 spacious suites with shower, Li'Tya shampoo and conditioner.

Qantas Hong Kong Lounge: comedor

There is absolutely no risk of going hungry at Qantas Hong Kong Lounge, especially when you sit down at one of the dining tables.

In addition to that delicious char siu roast pork, a 'dish of the day' menu is also available.

During our visit this list of

• Guangdong-style chicken with black beans and steamed rice
• noodle soup with braised beef breast, or
• cuts of that delicious barbecued pork with steamed rice, cucumber puree salad, pickled cabbage and radish

This 'dish of the day' menu changes every month, so even frequent travelers to Hong Kong can expect some variety.

Come at 5pm. m. and the Yum Cha cart rolls around offering a selection of dim sum and Qantas signature salt and pepper squid.

To complete this feast, the obligatory help yourself buffet with a generous variety of main dishes, salads and desserts.

During our recent visit, the buffet included the following:

• mushroom soup
• braised lamb
• pasta with cheese
• Ratatouille
• grilled chicken salad
• Macaroni and Tofu Salad
• potato and bean salad
• Caramel cheesecake
• tiramasú
• mango and grapefruit pudding
• brownies de chocolate

And yes, this is the same Morish caramel cheesecake that the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge has made famous among frequent flyers.

The L-shaped barbecue pork bar doubles as a cocktail bar, and the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge has its own "signature cocktail" at Rabbit, a delicious mix of Aperol, Limoncello and passion fruit.

Also on the menu is a Hong Kong Highball (tangerine whiskey and soda), Chi Chi (rum, pineapple, vanilla and lime) and Gibson Fizz (gin, dry vermouth, pickle juice and soda).

Bartenders will happily mix classic cocktails like mimosa, screwdriver or gin and tonic, while Platinum One frequent flyers and President's Lounge members can also enjoy a glass of Laurent-Perrier Champagne. Oh, and of course, there's good coffee designed by a barista.

Summary

The Qantas Hong Kong Lounge continues to be an impressive part of Flying Kangaroo's international lounge network.

Nothing stops you from walking the 10 minutes to the south end of the terminal to visit Cathay Pacific's The Wing lounges, especially The Wing First if you have Qantas Platinum status or higher, but the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge should please everyone but the more demanding. ruffles