Plaza Premium Lounge West Hall

Plaza Premium’s “West Hall” Lounge at Hong Kong airport is the world’s #1 pay-in lounge operator’s flagship venue in Hong Kong. At 1,394 sqm., it’s also supposedly the largest pay-in lounge in Asia. The club welcomes all travelers for a daily fee regardless of their airline or class of service, as well as Priority Pass members, and premium passengers of multiple airlines.

Plaza Premium Lounge West Hall HKG design

The lounge is located by gate 40 on a mezzanine next to several airline-operated lounges and conveniently accessible from the airport transit system. The location benefits from plenty of daylight and offers striking views on the tarmac, unlike Plaza Premium’s “East Hall” lounge by gate 1.

Designed by Hong Kong designer Kinney Chan, the Plaza Premium West Hall Lounge boasts a variety of spaces with different vibes and custom furniture and finishes. The ensemble is modern and casually elegant, with hardwood floors, marble, warm colors, and clean lines.

Plaza Premium Lounge West Hall HKG amenities

Immediately when entering, to the left of the reception desk, is a work zone – a modern interpretation of the business center with an open design, counter style seating, plenty of power outlets and light background music which fosters a sense of serenity. Wi-Fi is complimentary and secure.

The highlight of the lounge is the dining area which features Plaza Premium’s “marketplace” concept. In addition to buffets offering a choice of snacks, appetizers and desserts, patrons may visit a number of food stands which serve Hong Kong specialties such as milk tea and cooked-to-order fish ball noodles with XO sauce. Despite the emphasis on local cuisine, several western dishes are also available, in addition to “The Green market,” a salad bar with healthy options. The food is tasty and the options varied, although the design might emphasize style over substance – many of the same entrees are available at airline lounges nearby, albeit with in a lower key setup. The dining area is open onto the adjacent mezzanine – while the design creates a sense of space (also presumably enticing passersby) it lacks privacy and the area can be noisy.

Beyond the dining area is a secluded and quiet seating space. To get there, follow the hallway at the edge of the mezzanine which is dotted with self-service computers, in an odd setup. The seating features Plaza Premium’s signature chairs and offers prime views on the tarmac. In the back of the room is a small buffet with snacks.

So, how does this add up to 1,394 sqm.? Well, there’s a catch. Unfortunately, the better parts of the lounge are off-limits to pay-in guests. Beyond the business zone to the left of the reception desk, a cordoned-off area stretches in several directions. The fortunate visitors will find a beautiful dining room with a bar and a large communal table, a seating zone with honeycomb style individual booths offering ample privacy, and loads of comfortable seating. The space is typically reserved for guests of specific airlines, and there’s even a posh VIP zone.

Plaza Premium also offers a vast area of a-la-carte services, such as showers, massages, and individual  sleeping rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Available at an additional cost, these services can be booked from the reception desk located outside the main lounge, one door to the right.

Plaza Premium Lounge West Hall HKG bottom line

Overall, the Plaza Premium “West Hall” Lounge at HKG is a modern and pleasant facility, and a great place for a meal on the ground or plane spotting. With fewer visitors, an expanded food selection, and a quieter environment, it is far superior to the “East Hall” lounge by gate 1. However, be sure to read the fine print – services including showers all cost extra, and most of the signature spaces that Plaza Premium highlights on their web site are off-limits to pay-in guests.