We released just the other day the news of the new Cathay Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. But for those unfortunate folks not travelling on Cathay or a OneWorld carrier shouldn’t dismay! Plaza Premium’s latest lounge in Hong Kong, which is a pay-as-you-go lounge is open to all travellers at the airport for a fee. To coincide with the company’s 15th anniversary, Plaza Premium Lounge (PPL) has made a big change with the opening of their flagship Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport. Centrally located in the airport’s West Hall and measuring a gargantuan 15,000 ft², the 24-hour retreat has become the largest pay-in lounge in Asia.
Designed by über cool Kinney Chan of Kinney Chan & Associates, the space is divided into several zones to provide travellers with multiple experiences and choices while at the lounge. Beyond the well-lit reception area, guests enter the main lounge and are greeted by a variety of seating configurations and a sleek, sophisticated design.
What’s nice to see is the fact they are trying to appeal to single travellers and couples/groups as well, with a variety of seating areas. Our favourite (and most plane geeks may agree) seats are the bar stools that look over the apron at HKG.
What trip to Hong Kong, even if you are just transfering would be complete without some amazing food. From their new release, Plaza Premium Lounge states they will introduce a new dining concept in the West Hall Lounge with the launch of The Market Place. “Catering to discerning diners with an appetite for variety, The Market Place comprises a range of food and beverage stalls, from a tea station serving Chinese milk tea and artisan, to a salad bar serving a range of healthy food options, to a Noodle Bar serving its signature Hong Kong-style fish ball noodles, steamed rice rolls and steamed dim sum. A feast for the senses, it is designed so that guests can interact with chefs at the various food stations and indulge in a selection of Hong Kong delicacies.”
But the main focus isn’t the food here, it’s the well designed, effortless intimate space that perhaps even Cathay would be proud to call their lounge (If it wasn’t on their doorstep!) In fact, the similarity between the Plaza premium lounge and Cathay’s ‘Solus’ chairs appear to be a little more than coincidence.
It’s not all ‘style and no substance’ WiFi, Showers, computer stations, power points and the natural concierge services of the team there mean you are more than catered for, no matter what your needs are from the lounge. And just like Cathay, Plaza offer plenty of other lounges at Hong Kong, including an arrivals lounge, land-side.
We have been to the Plaza lounges before, and this lounge in our opinion take the company to a whole new level of luxury and style, hopefully re-igniting their 110 other lounges around the world. To book your lounge access (and enjoy 15% off their multi visit passes, to celebrate their 15 years – until 31st Dec 2013) visit www.plaza-network.com
TheDesignAir 
very nice lounge. Should put the price in the write up!