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The lounge may not be new as such, having first opened back in 2014, but after closing during the pandemic it officially reopened for business on the 3rd of May as part of Qantas’ $100-million-dollar global lounge network investment and I’m one of the first to see its new look.
The 2000sqm space has retained most of its original layout – including the 12.5m long bar – but now every piece of furniture by Australian designer David Caon is either new or has been freshly upholstered, the 12 luxury private shower suites with Li’Tya amenities have fresh tiles, and there’s new, albeit plastic, plants adding green zones to the updated and warmer colour palette.
As I breathe it all in, I discover that New Lounge Smell is a blend of designer furniture showroom and excitement. And in this case, Neil Perry dishes.
Chef Neil Perry has designed a menu of multicultural dishes for the Qantas Business Class Lounge in Hong Kong.
At the lounge relaunch event Qantas’ Creative Director of Food, Beverage and Service is mingling with guests and chatting to the team who bring his creations to life. For this lounge Mr Perry says he’s designed a menu that reflects the multicultural nature of Hong Kong.
“You don’t just have some of the best Chinese food in the world here, but some of the best French, Italian and Japanese restaurants too. We’ve been inspired by all of that. So across the buffet and the plate of the day experience you’ll see us jump in and out of Western and Eastern genres.”
Mr Perry says there will be a few familiar sights and tastes for former lounge guests, including the char siu Chinese barbeque pork dish and the Yum Cha trolley. “Dumplings are an important centrepiece and part of the culture that pretty much everyone in the world loves. So it’s great to have those crowd pleasers.”
From scenic views to sumptuous dumplings, business class passengers will have plenty to keep them busy…
Drinks include the rather tasty and refreshing Neil Perry mixologist designed Chi Chi cocktail with dark rum and pineapple, lime and vanilla, along with premium Australian wines, beer and spirits. Guests can dine and drink at the bar, in the formal dining area or on tables in the lounge seating area, while those who need to do some work can set themselves up in the business zone where there are plenty of power and data outlets along with high speed Wi-Fi.
At the launch party we’re treated to Qantas fortune cookies, a colourful lion dance that temporarily leads to a mix of cabbage and streamers on surfaces, and photo opportunities with a neon lucky cat that was created for the event and will now become a part of the kids’ zone for more happy snaps for years to come.
Whether you want to work or relax, this lounge has you more than covered.
The Qantas business class lounge looks straight out onto Hong Kong Airport’s Sky Bridge, which became the world’s longest airside bridge that can allow an A380 to pass under it when it opened in November 2022. When our Qantas A380 arrives there’s a moment when it’s perfectly framed by the Sky Bridge. It’s our cue to leave our luxury lounge bubble but as passengers disembark there’s just enough time for one last quick bite before heading down to the gate and home.
The writer travelled as a guest of Qantas and the Hong Kong Tourism Board.
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