The Pier: Cathay Pacific opens new first class airport lounge in Hong Kong

Cathay Pacific has upped the ante in the airport lounge stakes in Hong Kong, opening the refurbished The Pier first class lounge featuring complimentary massages, eight daybed suites, 14 showers and an a la carte dining menu among the many amenities.

The 2061 square metre lounge will be available to first class passengers, Diamond Marco Polo Club members and Emerald oneworld members, including Qantas platinum frequent flyers. It is the latest in a series of luxury lounges to open at Hong Kong International Airport, bringing a wealth of choice to high-status oneworld frequent flyers in transit at Cathay's hub.

Qantas last year opened a mixed business and first class lounge featuring a cocktail bar, a Neil Perry designed food offering and flexible work areas. In 2013, Cathay opened The Wing first class lounge, which offers enclosed cabanas including a day bed and shower area and a Champagne bar.

Cathay said The Pier was designed around the concept of being an apartment that visitors were guests in and focused on well-being. Complimentary foot massages are on offer and neck and shoulder massages are also available upon request. It is the first time Cathay has offered massages in its lounges. Qantas does so at its first class lounges in Sydney and Melbourne, but not in Hong Kong.

The lounge's dining room, offering a la carte meals, can cater to 100 guests at once, but for those in a hurry, grab and go food will be available at its pantry. Cathay will also offer a wide selection of wines and cocktails at the lounge's full service bar.

The Pier will also feature an abundance of plants and a new signature scent.

Industry website The Design Air, which has visited the new lounge on Friday said it was "a true retreat from the airport experience" and would "undoubtedly be one of the most talked about lounges of 2015".

The Pier is located near Gate 63 at the airport's north-west concourse and can seat up to 231 guests. Cathay also plans to refurbish the business class section of The Pier.

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