It has been a while since I was able to visit a new American Express Centurion Lounge. So I had to visit the one in Hong Kong during my trip there, even tho I was also invited to one of the many Cathay Pacific Lounges at the airport.
This was my first visit to a Centurion Lounge outside of the United States. After finding the right check-in line for US-bound flights I was able to get through security fairly quickly. There is no TSA Pre-check in Hong Kong and I went with all the other passengers and security was very quick and the staff professional. After a short train ride to my departure gates, I headed up the escalator to the departure level. From there it was a short walk to the escalator or elevator which would bring me up to the lounge level of the American Express Centurion Lounge.
- American Express Platinum Card Holders
- American Express Centurion Card Holders
Above cards are eligible for entry no matter in which country the cards were issued.
- Complimentary Food and Drinks
- Phone Room
- Locally inspired cuisine
- Shower Suites
- Dedicated Work Area
- Printer, Copy and Fax Services
- Member Desk
- Centurion Dining and Seating
- Complimentary WiFi
daily from 5:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
- Location
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- Access
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- American Express Platinum Card Holders
- American Express Centurion Card Holders
Above cards are eligible for entry no matter in which country the cards were issued.
- Amenities
-
- Complimentary Food and Drinks
- Phone Room
- Locally inspired cuisine
- Shower Suites
- Dedicated Work Area
- Printer, Copy and Fax Services
- Member Desk
- Centurion Dining and Seating
- Complimentary WiFi
- Hours of Operation
-
daily from 5:30 p.m. until 12:30 a.m.
The lounge is located in Terminal 1 at Level 7. The escalator is located just before Gate 60 but the Hong Kong Airport has pretty good signage which will lead you to the lounge. You can even see the lounge from the departure level when you are near the escalator which goes down to Cathay Pacific’s “The Bridge” lounge. Just look up to your right. Once you are upstairs at Level 7 it’s a short walk to get into the lounge. The entrance has a big automatic sliding door which will lead you to the service desk where you will get checked in. I got welcomed by two very friendly ladies working at the service desk. From there you walk along a kind of terrace-style walkway. To your left side, you have a great view of the airport and the food court. To your right, you will find a meeting room with a big table, flatscreen TV, a workstation, and printer.
At the end of the walkway, you will turn right into the main lounge area with the bar and food buffet as well as various seating spots. To my surprise, the lounge was not very crowded at all. Completely different to what I am used to in the US. Maybe it was just the time of the day or not too many people in Hong Kong have an American Express Platinum Card or they probably use other lounges.
As usual, everything in the lounge is complimentary and as you might know from other lounges they offer a great variety of drinks and a locally inspired food buffet. The food buffet is not just snacks you get real hot food throughout the day. Which is a rare feature in the US but seems to be common here in Hong Kong, like at Cathay Pacific’s The Bridge Lounge. Centurion Card holders get a special invite to a private dining area which is accessed to the left of the buffet. Another member of the staff is “guarding” the entrance to this area. This is a really great benefit for Centurion Card holders compared to other Centurion Lounges, where they only get a reserved table in the main area of the lounge. Let’s see what American Express has planned for the upcoming JFK Lounge.
The lounge area is like a gigantic balcony as you get a view of the food court below and thanks to the big glass front of the airport, also a view of the tarmac and all the planes parked at the gates.
The seating spots are spaced out over the lounge area and grouped with dining tables around the buffet and bar. Some comfy chairs in the main seating area with a small table in the middle and a counter like seating area with high chairs at the corner. Most of the seating spots have a power outlet nearby to charge your devices except the free-standing dining tables near the buffet. Which wouldn’t matter too much for me. I would prefer a spot there to enjoy my food and then just move on to another spot in the lounge.
As usual, the lounge has on-site bathrooms and two shower suites which were both occupied during my visit.
Overall it’s a very nice and comfy lounge. Smaller than most other Centurion Lounges in the U.S. but design-wise probably the nicest one from all of them. I liked the open-air style and balcony-like feeling of the lounge. You have great views of the tarmac and still a nice spot to relax before a long flight to your next destination. The location of the lounge is on the far end of the main corridor of Terminal 1 which puts it pretty centralized at the airport as there is a good automated train system to get you to farther away gates.
Peter has a passion for Traveling, Photography, and Geocaching. These are the best ingredients for amazing adventures all over the globe. “Traveling is fun, no matter if you stay in a luxury hotel or travel like a backpacker.” Peter shares his experiences on his Blog www.gatetoadventures.com
Some of Peter’s photos are published on corporate websites, in-flight magazines, travel guides, and much more.