We visited The Pier as part of our Chasing the Northern Lights trip, and this ended up being one of the more memorable stops at Hong Kong International Airport. Cathay Pacific operates several lounges across Terminal 1, but The Pier is their flagship lounge. Since we had a five-hour layover, we decided to drop by after a visit to the Qantas Lounge.

Location and access

The Pier is located at Gate 65, right at the far end of the terminal. If you’re connecting or starting your journey in Hong Kong, it does take a bit of walking, so be mindful of where your departure gates are.

You access the lounge via a dedicated escalator that brings you down to a quieter level beneath the main gates. It’s easy to spot once you’re near Gate 65.

Access follows the usual oneworld rules for business class lounges. One exception is that Cathay Pacific Silver members are allowed in, though they can’t bring guests. If you’re flying on oneworld, this is a lounge you should make time for, especially if you have a longer layover.

Layout

The Pier is long. Very long. The space stretches out from the reception, and each section naturally leads into the next. Despite the size, it’s often busy, regardless of the time of day.

The design comes from Studioilse, the London-based studio led by Ilse Crawford. It follows a “home away from home” concept, with warm woods, soft lighting and residential-style furniture. It’s easily one of the most recognisable lounge design styles anywhere.

When we first visited in 2019, there was The Sanctuary by Pure Yoga. This area has since been removed and replaced by The Bureau, which is essentially a business centre with iMac workstations and printers. Here is what The Sanctuary used to look like.

On the left begins the main lounge. Most seating areas offer tarmac views, and the natural light makes the space feel warm rather than cavernous given it’s in the basement.

The first section is the Italian deli and barista station. The barista counter runs most of the day (except in the early morning around opening), serving fresh barista-made coffee. You’ll also find local butter cookies that taste quite similar to those from Jenny Bakery. Maybe it’s the amount of butter, maybe a coincidence, but they’re really pretty similar.

Further in is the main bar, one of the most recognisable parts of the lounge. It’s a proper staffed bar with cocktails made to order, and the surrounding seating ranges from bar stools to deeper armchairs and small tables.

The lounge branches here. If you follow the path to the right, you’ll find quieter seating with long views of aircraft parked outside. It’s a great spot for plane watching.

There are also more private alcoves with large individual seats. These are useful if you need to work or just want a bit more personal space, but they still match the lounge’s overall warm aesthetic.

Backtracking slightly brings you to the Noodle Bar. This is where freshly made Hong Kong-style dishes are prepared, giving the lounge a more local touch than the typical reheated buffet items you find elsewhere.

Just after the Noodle Bar is the Tea Room. It’s aesthetically one of the nicest corners of the lounge, with a wall of neatly arranged tea tins that nods to Chinese tea culture. I would think it’s pretty Instagram-worthy though!

Towards the far end are the showers, followed by the Relaxation Room. The Relaxation Room has lie-flat sofas meant for sleep, and while I didn’t use them, they looked genuinely comfortable for a proper nap before a long flight.

Food and drinks

Barista stand

The first stop for drinks is the barista stand, found near the entrance. You can choose between regular illy espresso-based drinks or flavoured lattes.

Italian deli

The first stop for food at The Pier is the Italian deli section. On one visit, we arrived slightly after 5am and could see that the breakfast spread had already been laid out.

Closer to lunch, the menu changes. You’ll find pizzas, pastas, and other light bites. There’s also a Häagen-Dazs ice cream section, if you want something sweet after a savoury snack. At least the ice cream here isn’t as rock hard as it is on Cathay Pacific’s flights!

Bar

The bar is one of the highlights of the lounge. It offers a well-curated menu of cocktails, including the signature Cathay Delight, alongside wines and Champagne.

Noodle Bar

The Noodle Bar comes next. This is where you can get freshly made Hong Kong-style dishes, from wonton noodles to dan dan noodles. We very much liked the taste of Hong Kong here. I mean, if you’re in Hong Kong, always go for the roasted delights!

Tea Room

The tea menu offers a carefully curated selection, all made with fresh leaves sourced from Jing and brewed right in front of you. You can also enjoy the light snacks displayed at the counter, or pair your tea with some refreshing juices. Below is the most recent menu as of October 2025.

The snacks do rotate around. We’ve had some festive specials during the Christmas period, and regular Hong Kong-style snacks during other times. The egg tarts were always there, no matter the season though!

Amenities

Pure Yoga

There used to be the Yoga Room by Pure near the entrance when the lounge first opened its doors. But it has since been taken down and no longer available. In its place, it has now become The Bureau.

Showers

The shower suites are spacious and clean, with plenty of room to move around comfortably. I also think it’s pretty well-designed and fits into the overall design language.

Each suite comes with its own toilet, which is convenient if you want a proper refresh before a long flight. The photo was taken when Cathay was still using Aesop, but that has been changed to Bamford.

Relaxation Room

To use the Relaxation Room’s lie-flat sofas, you can ask the shower staff for blankets while you catch up on some shuteye before your flight. Just make sure you don’t miss your departure!

Final thoughts

The Pier is still one of the best business class lounges at Hong Kong International Airport. Each area has a clear purpose, whether you want a quiet corner to work, a proper Hong Kong meal, or somewhere to sit with a cup of tea and do nothing for a while.

What stands out is how little here feels generic. The Italian deli, Noodle Bar, bar and Tea Room each have their own personality, instead of being iterations of the same buffet line. Add the showers, Relaxation Room and yoga space, and you get a lounge that genuinely feels like Cathay Pacific’s home base.

After a few hours here, it doesn’t feel like time wasted. Instead, it feels like time well spent. If your routing or status gives you access, The Pier is worth the walk, whether for a long layover or even a short transit through Hong Kong.