It's not as if Hong Kong has any shortage of airport lounges – especially not when it comes to the Oneworld airlines of Cathay Pacific and Qantas – but now there's another space to relax before your flight.
American Express this week opened one of its upmarket Centurion Lounges at Hong Kong International Airport. It's not only the first Centurion lounge in Asia but the first outside the USA (the AMEX lounges in Sydney and soon Melbourne don't belong to the Centurion family).
The lounge is tucked away at the far end of the main terminal concourse, upstairs from Gate 61, at the first stop for passengers on the 'people mover' shuttle.
Thoughtfully decorated and decked out in designer furniture, the lounge is open to all American Express Platinum cardholders and Centurion Members, with Platinum Card members also allowed to bring two guests into the lounge.
In fact, if there's an American Express Centurion card sitting in your travel wallet you can use an exclusive private area set aside for Centurion members and their guests.
American Express' global lounge exec Janey Whiteside describes this arrangement as being "kind of like business class and first class."
The Centurion-only space includes a dining room boasting a delicious a la carte menu built around Cantonese specialities.
Explore the new American Express Centurion Lounge at Hong Kong in our photo gallery.
Hong Kong's new American Express Centurion Lounge is located above the main concourse near Gate 61, upstairs from where the shuttle train drops you off and next door to the Plaza Premium lounge.
Entry is available to all American Express Platinum cardholders and Centurion Members, with Platinum Card members able to bring two guests into the lounge. There's no option to pay your way into the lounge if you don't happen to have the right type of AMEX plastic at hand.
Travellers will appreciate the lounge's airy, open design (AMEX has taken over the space previously used by the Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse).
Like most modern lounges there's a variety of seating and spaces, including these interesting nooks, along with a meeting room, private phone areas and a 'computer bar' workspace.
The complimentary bar serves up the usual selection of drinks along with custom cocktails and a curated selection of wines. Go on, try something different on each visit...
The substantial buffet features a mix of Chinese and western dishes.
The substantial buffet features a mix of Chinese and western dishes.
There's also a dedicated area for Centurion cardholders, affording extra privacy away from the main lounge – think of it as the lounge's equivalent to first class over business class.
Centurion cardholders can relax in a separate dining room and select dishes from an a la carte menu.
The Centurion dining room menu, designed by Michelin star Chef Lau Yiu Fai of Yan Toh Heen at the InterContinental Hong Kong, features many local favourites.
The Centurion dining room menu, designed by Michelin star Chef Lau Yiu Fai of Yan Toh Heen at the InterContinental Hong Kong, features many local favourites.
It's always hard to go past Char Siu, or Chinese BBQ pork...
... and there are some delightful desserts to finish, including egg tartlettes.
David Flynn is the Editor-in-Chief of Executive Traveller and a bit of a travel tragic with a weakness for good coffee, shopping and lychee martinis.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Dec 2012
Total posts 20
Fantastic... now that we've given CX the flick for having very one sided credit and rebooking policies.
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 8
From what I can see, not all American Express Platinum Cards have access to the lounges. When you click on "lounge access", the Platinum Edge credit card drops off the list.
13 Sep 2013
Total posts 116
Would the Velocity Platinum Amex get a look in here?
23 Sep 2017
Total posts 8
If you look on Amex all cards then tick "lounge access", it looks as though that does qualify. Enjoy.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
I was at the new AMEX HK lounge on Thursday night and it’s so new the showers are still being done. Great lounge and definitely a big benefit for being Amex Platinum. As for access the front reception confirmed to me it’s only AMEX Platinum Charge Card or Amex Centurion card from anywhere in the world, if you don’t hold these two cards then you can’t get access.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
14 Sep 2012
Total posts 382
Let me add a Platinum or Centurion card member can guest others in but at a charge.
09 Oct 2017
Total posts 1
My cousin is literally in that lounge now and he is Centurion and he was told that he could bring in two guests and his immediate family (wife kids etc).
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