I recently visited the QF lounge at HKG around 1700, just before catching a QF flight. Thought I'd share some thoughts and make comparisons between the QF and CX lounges (J).
**Staff:**
The staff at the QF lounge were exceptionally friendly and easy to strike up a conversation with. During my visit, I enjoyed a pleasant chat with the staff in the dining area. In terms of service, some have mentioned that QF's service is superior. I would tend to agree, especially if you value a more personal touch. While CX staff are efficient, they don't often engage in conversations with visitors in the lounge. However, I did encounter a minor language barrier with a few of the QF bar staff. Some of them seemed uncomfortable communicating in English and quickly redirected me to another staff member. I consider this a minor drawback.
**Food:**
Food preferences can be subjective, but I personally enjoyed the offerings at the QF lounge. Initially, I was uncertain about the ordering process and approached the bar area to place my order. Later, I learned that I should have seated myself in the dining area, and a server would take my order. This wasn't immediately clear to me upon entering, and improved signage would be helpful. Nonetheless, I found the ordering process to be a nice touch overall, as it is typically associated with the F lounges.
Among the menu options, I particularly enjoyed the BBQ pork, which was reminiscent of The Pier. However, I wasn't as impressed with their Guangdong chicken, which resembled a typical in-flight meal one might encounter in economy class. I'd say the QF buffet was on par with, or perhaps even better than, the CX J lounges.
The Yum Cha trolley was more of a talking point, in my opinion. The har gow was served in an adorable single-serve steam basket, although it didn't quite resemble the typical har gow most would expect. I wouldn't go out of my way to chase the trolley if I missed it.
**Shower:**
Shower facilities are a matter of personal preference, and both QF and CX lounges had attentive staff stationed near the shower entrances. Personally, I favoured the cozy and warm decor inside the CX lounges, which had a homely atmosphere. Nevertheless, the QF showers were more than adequate, and there were plenty of them available.
Regarding the distance between The Pier and the QF lounge, I managed to briskly walk it in approximately 10 minutes, in the usual airport traffic. If you prefer a more leisurely pace, I would recommend allowing about 20 minutes for the journey between The Pier and the QF lounge. The time and distance between The Wing/The Deck and the QF lounge would be easily under 5 minutes.
Overall, I had a great lounge experience with the QF team at HKG. I would happily place this lounge on par with the CX J lounges, and perhaps even above if you highly value friendliness.
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