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THE ALVIATOR'S VERDICT
This is a beautiful and well-equipped lounge, though I still prefer the Chase Sapphire Lounge Hong Kong for its more extensive a-la-carte dining options and more seating |
4.5
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After flying a crazy route to Hong Kong in August 2024 and spending a few days with family, it was time to continue the craziness, first by flying to the Philippines. I knew that the Kyra Lounge Hong Kong had recently opened when I was flying out of Hong Kong, and was joining the Priority Pass network, so I was very keen to check it out. This lounge would join the Chase Sapphire Lounge Hong Kong and the airport’s three Plaza Premium lounges as the fifth Priority Pass lounge in the network – I was curious to see how this lounge compared.
Hong Kong Airport has some beautiful lounges, and the Kyra Lounge definitely fits the bill as one of them. I do think that this is just a very nice contract lounge, as opposed to somewhere worth coming early for, mainly due to the more limited drinks options and no a-la-carte menu. This puts it below the Chase Sapphire Lounge for me, and I’d definitely choose any of the airport’s stunning Oneworld lounges over this one.
Here’s my review, detailing the seating options, catering, and other facilities.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Opening Hours and Access Requirements
The Kyra Lounge Hong Kong is accessible to Priority Pass passengers, LoungeKey members, Venture X cardholders, and AMEX Platinum cardholders. In my case, my AMEX Gold Card gave me Priority Pass access, which I used to enter this lounge (I certainly wasn’t accessing on behalf of my boarding pass, as I was flying Cebu Pacific).
You can also purchase access to the lounge for a rather steep US$80 (£60.27/HK$620). As far as I know, no airlines offer access to the Kyra Lounge as an outstation lounge.
The lounge is open daily from 5:30 AM to 11:30 PM.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Location
The Kyra Lounge is located by gate 23, where Cathay Pacific’s The Cabin lounge used to be located (as of quite a few years ago now). This was a very quick walk from immigration, so my dad and I made our way one level down the stairs, where there was a very clear sign to the lounge.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Entrance
Once we made it to the lower level, there was a beautiful entryway into the lounge, where my Priority Pass card was scanned and we were let in.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Entrance
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Seating and Atmosphere
The Kyra Lounge Hong Kong is mainly one long room, slightly broken down by a few pillars. I love the bright colours throughout this lounge, and personally prefer a lower ceiling to one that’s “exposed” to the terminal.
Straight into the lounge past the entrance and bar were some armchairs and round tables.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Seating
Further into the lounge was some restaurant-style seating, with benches and square tables, as well as some more individual “workbench”-style seating with power ports.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Seating
Then by the very far end of the lounge were a few wider and more private cubicles.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Cubicle Seating
Right near the very end of the lounge was a hidden alcove, which stayed deserted throughout our stay. While there’s not much natural light here, this is a very sleek space to bring a drink, and I loved the candles, the faux fireplace, and the darker colour scheme throughout this area of the lounge.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Intimate Alcove Area
Meanwhile, if you enter the lounge and turn left to the opposite side, there’s even more restaurant-style seating, which is fitting, given that’s where the lounge’s food spread is located.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Restaurant-Style Seating
As you can probably tell from the above pictures, the lounge has a stunning vantage point of whatever aircraft is parked at gate 23, as well as the taxiway behind.
View of Cathay Pacific 777 from the Kyra Lounge Hong Kong
There’s some bar seating along the side of the lounge, as well as some recliners, if you wanted to planespot during your time in this lounge.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Window Seating
WiFi was a shockingly fast 186 Mbps down and 177 Mbps up – probs fast enough to start a small business. When I first arrived at around 7:30 AM the lounge had a bit of a buzz, though it became significantly quieter at around 8:30 AM.
This is a beautiful lounge with lots of different seating options, and a good size to serve its purpose as well. I’d say that especially in terms of workstations, I do think that the Chase Sapphire Lounge (the other Priority Pass lounge at Hong Kong Airport) is larger with a greater variety of options. However, I’m not sure what the general patterns are for how crowded the two lounges can be – I can only speak from my firsthand experience I had at this lounge, on a Monday morning during the summer holidays.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Bar
The centerpiece of the Kyra Lounge Hong Kong is a stunning bar, which serves a variety of signature cocktails (when the bar is manned, I’m sure you can get any classic cocktails as well, though I didn’t try ahead of my 9 AM flight).
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Bar
The bar is quite fully stocked, and features a small selection of signature cocktails and mocktails.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Bar Menu
I decided to go for a Lunar Lantern, whereas my dad went for a Fragrant Harbour. We were told that the lounge hadn’t stocked yoghurt (which both of our drinks were supposed to have), though we enjoyed our drinks without it as well.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Drinks
It’s always fun to have a bar with on-demand drinks at a Priority Pass lounge.
The bar also did some energiser shots in the morning, which my dad and I were invited to try while we walked into the lounge.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Bar Drinks
However, one thing the bar doesn’t serve is barista coffee, and there are separate machines in the lounge for coffee and soft drinks. Not serving barista coffee is a bit of a missed opportunity in my opinion, given that there’s already a full-time staff member manning the bar.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Coffee and Soda Machines
However, this is a fun amenity with high-quality drinks, and the actual design of the bar is gorgeous. The bar isn’t something to come early for, though it is a fun place to get a couple of drinks.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Food Spread
The Kyra Lounge Hong Kong features a buffet, which was located in the area to the left of the entrance. The spread is small but fairly high-quality, and during my 8 AM visit, featured a range of Western and Chinese breakfast options.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Food Spread
There was a self-serve congee station – since I was home for such a short time, I couldn’t pass up some good old congee with spring onions, dough sticks and chilli oil, which was tasty.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Congee
For any contract lounge this would be an awesome food spread, though unfortunately this lounge is just outshadowed by the Chase Sapphire Lounge when it comes to food and beverages. Ultimately this comes down to tough competition, though from a consumer standpoint I’d recommend the Chase lounge (by gate 40) if you’re looking to eat before your flight, and have lounge access with Priority Pass.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Other Facilities
The Kyra Lounge Hong Kong also has a phone booth, which is tucked in by the far end just short of the alcove area.
Kyra Lounge Hong Kong Phone Booth
There are no showers or nap rooms here unfortunately, so you’re best off going elsewhere if you’d like either of these options.
Conclusion: Kyra Lounge Hong Kong
The Kyra Lounge Hong Kong is a beautiful lounge, and I’d be happy recommending this lounge at a majority of airports. Lounge competition is tough at Hong Kong Airport, and I’d say that in terms of contract lounges, the Chase Sapphire lounge has the same access requirements for most passengers, and is slightly better equipped with more seating and facilities. I’d also say that I can’t justify the US$80 price point if you’re outright buying access to this lounge.
I’d say that the Kyra Lounge is more intimate and can be quieter, and also has a more fun bar area than the Chase Sapphire lounge, with more signature drinks. Perhaps if you had a couple of friends to guest into a Priority Pass lounge and wanted to grab a drink or two, this could be a very appropriate space.
What’s your favourite Priority Pass lounge at Hong Kong Airport?
