Lounge Reviews, Qantas (Lounges)

Review: The Qantas Lounge Hong Kong HKG

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YOUTUBE: SWISS: San Francisco to Zurich
YOUTUBE: SWISS: Zurich to Hong Kong
YOUTUBE: Cathay Pacific: Hong Kong to Mumbai
YOUTUBE: ANA: Mumbai to Tokyo Narita
YOUTUBE: ANA: Tokyo Narita to San Francisco

Introduction

Hong Kong is a oneworld megahub, and Cathay Pacific has several lounges spread throughout the terminal. With so many Cathay lounges available, I honestly was not expecting the Qantas Lounge to be nearly as large as it was. Not only was the size a surprise, but after visiting the different options at the airport, this ended up being my favorite oneworld business class lounge in Hong Kong.

The lounge is located on Level 7 of Terminal 1 near Gate 5. After North Immigration, turn right and take the escalator up to the level above the main concourse.

The Qantas Lounge is located one level above Gate 5.
The Qantas Lounge is located one level above Gate 5.

The entrance is bright, open, and very easy to identify once you reach the upper level.

The entrance to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge.
The entrance to the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge.

Qantas reopened this lounge in May 2023 after a refresh. According to Qantas, it covers approximately 2,000 square meters and has seating for 290 guests. That explains why it felt so much bigger than I was expecting.

Access Requirements

Before we properly enter the lounge, let’s go over the main access requirements. Eligible guests generally include:

  • Passengers traveling in First or Business Class on a oneworld airline
  • oneworld Emerald and Sapphire members traveling on an eligible oneworld flight, with one guest
  • Eligible Qantas Platinum One, Platinum, and Gold frequent flyers
  • Eligible Qantas Club members traveling on a qualifying flight

I accessed the lounge as a oneworld business class passenger before my Cathay Pacific flight to Mumbai. Since the details can vary by membership and operating carrier, it is always worth checking the current Qantas lounge access rules before traveling.

The lounge is currently listed as being open daily from 7:30 AM to 11:00 PM.

Seating

Immediately after entering, the first seating area has a mixture of individual armchairs and a long bench against the wall. The floor-to-ceiling windows also give you great views of the ramp.

The first seating area had armchairs, bench seating, and excellent views of the ramp.
The first seating area had armchairs, bench seating, and excellent views of the ramp.
Bench seating and armchairs beside the windows.
Bench seating and armchairs beside the windows.
More seating with a Singapore Airlines aircraft visible outside.
More seating with a Singapore Airlines aircraft visible outside.

I started my visit with a drink from the bar and found a seat near the windows.

A drink from the bar with a lemon garnish.
A drink from the bar with a lemon garnish.

One of the things I liked most about the lounge was how open it felt. Qantas used screens, plants, and changes in flooring to break the space into different zones without making any of them feel boxed in.

The lounge seating opened directly toward the long staffed bar.
The lounge seating opened directly toward the long staffed bar.
The long bar was one of the visual centerpieces of the lounge.
The long bar was one of the visual centerpieces of the lounge.

The dining area had small tables beside the windows, as well as a larger communal table. These seats made a lot more sense for eating than trying to balance a plate on one of the small lounge tables.

Dining tables beside the windows and a wall with reading material.
Dining tables beside the windows and a wall with reading material.
The dining area overlooked the terminal and parked aircraft.
The dining area overlooked the terminal and parked aircraft.
The large communal dining table was already set with glassware and cutlery.
The large communal dining table was already set with glassware and cutlery.

The lounge continued much farther than I expected. There were several more seating zones beyond the bar and dining area, including quieter benches and clusters of armchairs.

A quieter seating area with long wall benches and armchairs.
A quieter seating area with long wall benches and armchairs.
Seating was built around one of the lounge's large planters.
Seating was built around one of the lounge’s large planters.
Another open seating area beneath the terminal's high ceiling.
Another open seating area beneath the terminal’s high ceiling.
Armchairs were arranged with individual side tables throughout the lounge.
Armchairs were arranged with individual side tables throughout the lounge.

Power was incorporated into many of the tables, and there was also a dedicated counter with outlets and USB ports. That is always appreciated in a lounge where people are likely to be spending a few hours.

A counter with power outlets and USB charging ports.
A counter with power outlets and USB charging ports.

As the lounge filled up later in the evening, there was still a good amount of space available. That is where the lounge’s size really made a difference.

The large window-side seating area later in the evening.
The large window-side seating area later in the evening.
Another seating zone wrapped around a central planter.
Another seating zone wrapped around a central planter.
The dining and lounge seating areas beneath the terminal's soaring roof.
The dining and lounge seating areas beneath the terminal’s soaring roof.
A television seating area overlooking the concourse below.
A television seating area overlooking the concourse below.
Long bench seating beside wall art inspired by Hong Kong streetscapes.
Long bench seating beside wall art inspired by Hong Kong streetscapes.

Food and Drink

The food and drink setup was another strength of this lounge. In addition to the staffed bar, there was a substantial self-service buffet and a separate beverage station.

The main buffet stretched along a large stone island.
The main buffet stretched along a large stone island.

The menu changes, but during my visit the made-to-order plate of the day included braised beef brisket noodle soup, stir-fried cumin lamb with rice, house-made BBQ pork with steamed rice, and a cheese selection.

The plate of the day menu during my visit.
The plate of the day menu during my visit.

Qantas designed the food around regional flavors, and I really liked seeing dishes that felt connected to Hong Kong. The lounge is also known for its yum cha trolley and char siu, although offerings can vary depending on the time of day.

The cold buffet included several salads, mixed fruit, whole fruit, and breads.

The cold buffet included several prepared salads and mixed fruit.
The cold buffet included several prepared salads and mixed fruit.
Whole fruit was also available at the buffet.
Whole fruit was also available at the buffet.
Bread rolls and condiments at the buffet.
Bread rolls and condiments at the buffet.

There was also a good assortment of desserts, including brownies, cakes, cookies, and small dessert cups.

Brownies, cakes, cookies, and small dessert cups at the buffet.
Brownies, cakes, cookies, and small dessert cups at the buffet.

The hot buffet included rice, pasta, vegetables, and several sauced dishes. Since the individual dishes were not labeled in my photos, I will leave the exact names at that rather than guess.

One of the sauced dishes on the hot buffet.
One of the sauced chicken dishes on the hot buffet.
Steamed rice on the hot buffet.
Steamed rice on the hot buffet.
Broccoli, carrots, onions, and mushrooms on the hot buffet.
Broccoli, carrots, onions, and mushrooms on the hot buffet.
Penne pasta in tomato sauce on the hot buffet.
Penne pasta in tomato sauce on the hot buffet.

I put together a small plate with chicken, vegetables, and potatoes from the buffet.

My plate from the buffet with chicken, vegetables, and potatoes.
My plate from the buffet with chicken, vegetables, and potatoes.

The self-service drink selection was extensive. There were Australian and international wines, sparkling wine, beer, soft drinks, infused water, and a Qantas Quench hydration station.

The self-service wine selection.
The self-service wine selection.
The refrigerator held wine, sparkling wine, beer, and soft drinks.
The refrigerator held wine, sparkling wine, beer, and soft drinks.
The full self-service beverage station.
The full self-service beverage station.
Chilled wines and infused water at the beverage station.
Chilled wines and infused water at the beverage station.

For anyone who wanted coffee or tea, there was a self-service machine with cups, tea bags, milk, and sweeteners.

The self-service coffee and tea station.
The self-service coffee and tea station.

Family Zone

The lounge also had a dedicated family zone with beanbags, small tables and chairs, toys, high chairs, and a television. It was separated from the main seating areas enough to give families their own space without feeling completely isolated.

The family zone had beanbags, toys, children's furniture, high chairs, and a television.
The family zone had beanbags, toys, children’s furniture, high chairs, and a television.

Showers

The lounge has private shower suites, along with accessible toilets and baby-changing facilities. I did not photograph the shower rooms themselves, but Qantas says there are 12 private shower suites.

Signs pointed toward the showers, toilets, and baby-changing facilities.
Signs pointed toward the showers, toilets, and baby-changing facilities.

Bottom Line

Overall, the Qantas Hong Kong Lounge impressed me far more than I expected. Hong Kong is Cathay Pacific’s home and one of the biggest oneworld hubs in the world, so I assumed the Qantas presence would be relatively modest beside all of Cathay’s lounges. Instead, Qantas has a huge lounge with several distinct seating zones, great views, a proper staffed bar, a substantial buffet, a family area, and showers.

After visiting the different oneworld business class lounges at Hong Kong, this was my favorite. The Cathay lounges each have their strengths, but this one brought together space, natural light, food, drinks, and variety better than the others for me. The bar here also had the most balanced, well made cocktails of any of the OneWorld lounges here. If you are eligible and your gate is anywhere near this side of the terminal, I would make time to stop here.

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