I reviewed the SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong again in July 2018 here
Introduction: To Grub Steaks and Getting CX’d (Twice)
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong
Hong Kong Airport Midfield Terminal
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Korean Air 777 Business Class Seoul to Vancouver
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Cathay Pacific A330 Economy Class Kuala Lumpur to Hong Kong
I arrived the airport extra early on Tuesday, February 9th, in hopes of checking out both the Midfield Terminal and the SkyTeam Lounge.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Entrance
I made my way down the escalators, and found myself near the entrance, which was spacious, and featured a huge screen featuring landscape views, which seems to be the norm in SkyTeam lounges.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Entrance
Upon entry of the lounge, I was pretty excited, and the lounge attendant (probably confused at a 14-year-old entering a lounge during peak season alone) let me in after checking my boarding pass. I walked through the hallway decorated with fake plants, which also seems to be a SkyTeam lounge norm.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Entrance Hallway
I asked the guy in the picture if I could take some photos, and the guy said, “limit your photos, please, but sure”. I tried to be as discreet as possible and took more pictures of less crowded areas, which was handy, as everyone seemed to hang around the food spread.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Hallway
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Hallway
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Hallway
Positioned on the hallway was a VIP room. While I didn’t have access, there wasn’t anyone there, so I had a little peek.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong VIP Room
The lounge was stunning. There was a dining area, that featured a few tables, a few high tables and restaurant-style seating.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Dining Area
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Dining Area
I had breakfast at the lounge, so there were more breakfast-y items at the food spread. The food was extensive, and wasn’t anything special – it wasn’t amazing, but it definitely was good. It’s worth noting that from the language and manners in this area alone, it’s pretty clear that China Eastern and China Southern both operate flights out of Hong Kong around this time at 10 AM.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Food Spread
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Food Spread
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Food Spread
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Food Spread
The juice was ice cold, and I kept going back for more throughout the stay. The apple juice also wasn’t sour at all, and the orange juice seemed freshly squeezed.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Food Spread
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Food Spread
However, my favourite area was the grey-carpeted area after the dining area. Not only was it not nearly as crowded, it also featured far brighter and more comfortable seating.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
As you see, this area is not only beautifully decorated but also incredibly spacious. Unless you’re in one of the (very private) cubicles like I was, you get a good “feel” of the lounge, which is good when there aren’t many people around.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
The cubicles were padded in bright orange, and were very comfortable were sitting, if not so much for working.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
Each table at the seating area featured both USB and universal 110V power ports, which were really handy for charging my phone. The tables were slightly too low for computer use.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area Power Ports
I sat down at one of the cubicles and started working, hoping to kickstart some of the more important work I had to do during the break.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area Cubicles
Outside the area was another seating area, which featured tableside seating like a café. After I returned from my terminal visit, I sat here for a little of the stay. There were desktops, though they featured no privacy, so technically you can’t really procrastinate on them.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
As noted, the area was stunning. There really wasn’t an area that didn’t look at least mildly appealing.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Seating Area
There’s also a fitness room and a TV room, the former of which I didn’t use and the latter of which our family ended up hanging out for the last half hour of the stay.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Fitness Room
The actual TV area featured a large couch, individual temperature controls, and of course, a flatscreen TV. While it looks like the blinds could be put up, the lounge (pretty stupidly, in my opinion) frosted the windows, so there weren’t any plane views from the lounge. In fact, that stays true for the entire lounge.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong TV Room
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong TV Room
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong TV Room
While I wish there were plane views, it was a nice place for families to hang out, especially as not many people knew about it.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong TV Room
Prior to leaving for the midfield terminal visit, I asked for pictures of the shower room, which I’ve never had a problem with (I only do that in Hong Kong). The conversation went like this:
Agent: Why are you taking photos?
Me: I’m a travel blogger, and I’m just trying to take the best photos.
Agent: As per SkyTeam, you cannot publicize any pictures of the SkyTeam lounge, as it isn’t a public area.
Me: Can I see the policy of that please?*silence*
The agent soon allowed me, as he saw I was quite adamant about it.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Shower Room
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Shower Room
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong Shower Room
I did write an extensive email to SkyTeam for permission saying I would automatically assume granted permission if I didn’t receive an email by February 28th, the day I planned to start the report. They didn’t say anything, so here you go. :)The service stayed awkward throughout the entire stay,
That said, the service stayed awkward throughout the entire stay. While they were efficient and did clear plates within seconds after I was done, there were no interactions whatsoever. It felt like they were servants, almost, which never helps.
For the first 30 minutes, the lounge wasn’t crowded at all, but increased substantially after I came back for the terminal visit (which I’ll talk about in the next installment, stay tuned).
As I was walking to assigned gate 26, I saw a guy dressed in one of the Chinese eleven-foot-tall (and wide) costumes. He was “blessing” people along the way, and taking photos.
Hong Kong International Airport “Choy Sun”
Our bird was right there, at the gate. As you see, I was excited to flying in this beautiful weather.
Korean Air Boeing 777-200 Hong Kong Airport
Korean Air Boeing 777-200 Hong Kong Airport
Korean Air Boeing 777-200 Hong Kong Airport
Unfortunately, boarding had already started for all cabins (Korean Air started boarding a few minutes prior to what was said on the boarding pass), so I hurried on so I could take a few cabin photos.
SkyTeam Lounge Hong Kong – Bottom Line
Overall, the lounge was a nice space to hang out, and I guess I’d spend more time there if I could. There’s no “wow” factor, as in the fact that the staff aren’t friendly and there isn’t much to actually do, so I wouldn’t position myself to arrive early at the lounge. In other words, it’s not the Qantas Lounge Hong Kong.
Is this the (second) best lounge in Hong Kong? No. But it definitely is a good place for SkyTeam flyers to hang out.