San Francisco Lounge

I started my trip to Hong Kong and Sri Lanka at Cathay Pacific’s First & Business Class Lounge at San Francisco Airport (SFO). Complete with showers, a fully stocked self-service bar, and a full-service noodle bar, Cathay’s lounge at SFO is quite the pit-stop before a 13 hour flight.

With a bar and showers being normal these days in airport lounges, Cathay Pacific stands out with their full-service Noodle Bar. Here one can get delicious Dan Dan noodles or tasty Wonton noodle soup made on the spot. Of course, other nibbles such as french cheeses, well-cured meats and buffet style plates are available for those not looking for noodles. 

The great lounges don’t stop there though – in fact, things only get better….

The Wing (Hong Kong #1)

At The Wing First Class Lounge, I was able to sit down to a meal at a full-service restaurant – something I haven’t seen in any other airline lounges outside of Cathay’s Hong Kong lounges.

Once on the other side of the Pacific, Cathay Pacific’s lounges get even more exciting!

At the restaurant you can pick a variety of meals and cocktails from the a la carte menu. I personally had the Dan Dan noodles – which were wonderfully cooked noodles in a soupy peanut sauce. Yummy!

After dinner, I was able to book one of the onsite “Cabanas” which are much like hotel rooms minus a bed. That means there’s a bathroom, full vanity, waterfall shower as well as a massive bathtub! 

Cathay’s Cabanas were splendid places to recharge before my flight onwards to Colombo. However, you’ll only find the Cabanas within the Wing First Class Lounge as the Business Class lounge only has showers…

The Pier (Hong Kong #2)

While the Wing at Hong Kong airport has Cabanas, it was the Pier which I was most impressed by. The Pier First Class Lounge (there’s a Pier Business Class Lounge as well, but this lacks a full service restaurant and massages) was beautifully designed and featured wooden and jade finishes throughout. The surroundings alone put you right at ease before your flight.

At the in-lounge restaurant, I had Hong Kong style beef noodles, pork ribs as well as a delicious coconut panna cotta. My waitress was incredibly friendly and recommended the Mojito as well as a mocktail made from coconut milk.

After lunch, I caught up on some work in one of the private nooks, called “Daily Suites” that overlook the runway and boarding gates. The Daily Suite was a private and tranquil spot to hunker down with my laptop and pass a few hours in between flights.

To round it all out, the Pier provided complimentary massages for passengers. Nothing like a massage before a flight! Of course, if you need a pre-flight drink as well, there’s a full-service bar as well.

The Bridge (Hong Kong #3)

Perhaps you thought two lounges was already one too many for an airport? Well think again! Cathay Pacific has FOUR lounges in Hong Kong International Airport!

The Bridge is a Business Class lounge which has all the amenities that you’d expect from an airport lounge, however, you won’t find Cabanas and First Class lounge treatment there as I did at the Wing and Pier.

The Deck (Hong Kong #4)

I ended my seven hour layover at Hong Kong International Airport at the Deck. 

This is perhaps the quietest and smallest of Cathay Pacific’s four different Hong Kong lounges. That said, there was still a fully-stocked bar, showers, relaxation space as well as the trademark Cathay Pacific Noodle bar. 

It was at the The Deck’s Noodle Bar where I spent the last few hours before boarding my flight home. It was all very fitting considering my trip started a week earlier on the other side of the Pacific – at the Cathay Pacific Noodle Bar in San Francisco!

Bangkok

While I only transited Bangkok’s Suvarnabhumi Airport for a little over an hour, an honorable mention goes out to Cathay’s lounge there. I enjoyed an early breakfast at the Business Class Lounge, where they served some tasty muffins, chocolate croissants, and of course, noodles from their now signature Noodle Bar.

The lounge was well appointed with wood and jade colored decor throughout – something which seemed to be a recurring theme across most of the newer Cathay Pacific lounges on both sides of the Pacific Ocean.

When in Hong Kong, relax and take in the unrivaled view of Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong Island at the InterContinental. It’s a Forbes five star hotel with multiple Michelin-starred restaurants, impeccable service, and luxurious accommodations. Its Presidential Suite is the largest hotel suite in Hong Kong!

It was my first time in Hong Kong and visited at the start of September (my birthday month). The InterContinental Team went above and beyond to make it an experience I will never forget! Upon arrival at Hong Kong International Airport, an InterContinental chauffeur warmly greeted us and drove in style in a classy black Mercedes S-Class sedan – equipped with WiFi so that I could catch up on emails after a 14 hour flight from San Francisco.

Upon arrival at the hotel, we continued to receive the royal treatment. Luggage was immediately brought up to the room and when I stepped into my Harbourview Room, a scrumptious chocolate Birthday cake and thoughtful card from the InterContinental Team awaited me.

The following morning, I started my day on the right note at Harbourview’s breakfast buffet. Perched directly at the harbor’s edge, the breakfast buffet showcases an elaborate assortment of both Western and Asian dishes. It was fun mixing and matching dishes that I had never tasted before – who would have ever thought that curry and dumplings could go well together for breakfast!

For lunch, Yan Toh Heen is a special experience. With 2-Michelin Stars, the restaurant is recognized as one of the world’s finest Chinese restaurants specializing in Cantonese cuisine. Executive Chef Lau Yiu Fai takes guests on a culinary exploration with exquisite Cantonese dishes that blend tradition with modern flair, using the finest ingredients sourced from around the world. Tea service becomes an art form with rare tea leaves uniquely presented by Tea Sommelier Kelvin Ng, the first Tea Sommelier in Hong Kong, who has perfected the pairing of Chinese Tea with Cantonese cuisine.

In the evening, relax and drink in the view over “68 Moments” – a selection of 68 drinks and snacks at just $68HKD each. I especially enjoyed the Symphony of Lights – a daily light and laser show over the Hong Kong skyline which, according to the Guinness World Records, it’s the world’s largest permanent light and sounds show.

The hotel has so many things to do and because of the beautiful views of Victoria Harbor and Hong Kong island everywhere you turn, it’s a hard place to leave! Did you know that the hotel is also an urban resort? The large outdoor swimming pool and unique trio of infinity spa pools on the third floor overlook the harbor and are the perfect place to take it easy and recharge.

Internationally acclaimed as one of the world’s top hotels for business and leisure, InterContinental Hong Kong defines superior hospitality. From incredible Michelin-starred restaurants to the beautiful ambiance and top-notch service… this hotel is one of a kind!