Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club HKG

Introduction
During our recent transit through Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), we had the opportunity to experience the Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club, one of the newer premium lounge offerings at this global aviation hub. Located in Terminal 1, this lounge represents Chase’s continued expansion into the airport lounge space, complementing their established credit card travel benefits. This review examines the lounge’s accessibility, physical space, amenities, food and beverage offerings, and overall value proposition for travelers.
Access and Location
The Chase Sapphire Lounge is situated in Terminal 1 near Gate 40, in the West Hall of the main departure level. The location proves convenient for most international departures, though passengers departing from gates at the far ends of Terminal 1 should allow additional transit time (approximately 10-15 minutes walking).
Access to the lounge is available through several channels:
- Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders receive complimentary access with up to two guests
- Priority Pass Select members with eligible cards (including select Chase credit cards)
- LoungeKey members with applicable benefits
- Eligible passengers may purchase single-visit passes at the reception desk for approximately $75 USD
During our visit on a weekday afternoon, the entry process was efficient, with verification of our Chase Sapphire Reserve card and boarding passes completed within minutes. Staff members provided a brief orientation to the lounge layout and highlighted the available amenities upon entry.
Physical Space and Ambiance
The Chase Sapphire Lounge in Hong Kong occupies approximately 11,500 square feet and accommodates up to 300 guests. The design aesthetic blends contemporary international styling with subtle elements reflective of Hong Kong’s cultural heritage, creating a sophisticated environment that feels both globally familiar and locally distinctive.
The lounge is segmented into clearly defined zones:
- A central dining area with both communal and individual seating
- A quiet relaxation zone with reclined seating and acoustic partitioning
- A business center with workstations and meeting pods
- A bar area featuring both counter seating and lounge-style arrangements
- Private shower suites and restroom facilities
The overall design employs a palette of neutral tones accented with Chase’s signature blue branding elements. Floor-to-ceiling windows along one side of the lounge provide abundant natural light and partial views of the tarmac, enhancing the sense of spaciousness.
During our afternoon visit, the lounge operated at approximately 60% capacity, with sufficient seating available in all zones. Noise levels remained moderate, with effective acoustic management creating a pleasant environment even in the more populated central areas.
Seating and Comfort

The lounge offers diverse seating configurations to accommodate different traveler preferences:
- Dining chairs and tables in the restaurant section
- Lounge chairs with side tables in the relaxation areas
- Productivity-focused seating in the business zone
- Counter seating at the bar
- Semi-private booths along perimeter walls
Seating comfort proved exceptional across all configurations, with high-quality materials and ergonomic designs evident throughout. Power outlets (featuring universal sockets and USB ports) were abundantly available at virtually every seat—a thoughtful detail that eliminated the common frustration of hunting for charging opportunities.
The quiet zone deserves particular mention for its well-executed design. Semi-reclined loungers with ottomans, individual reading lights, and acoustic privacy panels created genuine opportunities for rest without the need for fully enclosed sleeping pods.
Food and Beverage
Culinary offerings represent a highlight of the Chase Sapphire Lounge experience in Hong Kong, with a notable emphasis on quality and variety that exceeds typical contract lounge standards.
The dining area features:
- A staffed hot food station offering made-to-order items and chef’s specials
- A substantial buffet with hot and cold selections
- A dedicated noodle bar featuring regional specialties
- A dessert and pastry section with both Western and Asian options
During our visit, the hot buffet included well-executed international standards (grilled chicken, roasted vegetables, pasta selections) alongside locally-inspired dishes (dim sum selection, Chinese-style braised beef). The quality of preparation surpassed expectations, with appropriate temperature maintenance and regular refreshment of offerings.
The made-to-order station presented a rotating menu of 4-5 items, including a remarkably flavorful wonton noodle soup and pan-seared fish with seasonal vegetables. Wait times for these items averaged 5-7 minutes, with staff delivering completed orders directly to guests’ tables.
Beverage options were similarly comprehensive:
- A full-service bar offering premium spirits, wines, and cocktails
- A self-service section for non-alcoholic beverages
- Barista-prepared coffee and specialty tea service
The cocktail program merits specific recognition, featuring several signature drinks exclusive to Chase lounges alongside classic preparations. The “Hong Kong Horizon,” a gin-based cocktail incorporating local botanicals and tea elements, provided a refined taste experience with regional character.
Wine selections, while not extensive, demonstrated thoughtful curation with approximately eight options spanning major regions and styles, all of respectable quality for a lounge environment.
Amenities and Services
The Chase Sapphire Lounge in Hong Kong provides a comprehensive suite of amenities catering to diverse traveler needs:
Wellness Facilities: Private shower suites equipped with premium bath products, plush towels, and effective ventilation. Unlike some competing lounges, shower access did not require additional payment or elite status—a significant advantage during our long-haul transit.
Business Services: The business center features individual workstations with monitors that support laptop connectivity, reasonably fast Wi-Fi (tested at 68 Mbps download/42 Mbps upload), and two bookable meeting pods suitable for 2-4 people. Printing and scanning services are available through staff assistance.
Digital Amenities: A lounge-specific app interface accessible via QR codes enables ordering from expanded menu options, provides flight updates, and facilitates service requests without requiring download of a separate application—an elegant solution that enhances the experience without technological barriers.
Wellness Programming: During our visit, a scheduled 15-minute guided meditation session was offered in a designated quiet area—an innovative feature that recognizes the stress of international travel. While we did not participate, several guests appeared to appreciate this offering.
Service Quality
Service represents another distinguishing feature of the Chase lounge experience. Staff members demonstrated consistent professionalism throughout our three-hour stay, with several aspects worthy of specific mention:
- Proactive table clearing and maintenance of buffet areas
- Knowledgeable responses to inquiries about both lounge facilities and airport navigation
- Appropriate service pacing at the bar with recognition of guests awaiting attention
- Multilingual capabilities among staff, observed handling requests in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese
The staff-to-guest ratio appeared well-calibrated, with service personnel visible throughout the lounge without creating an intrusive presence. Wait times for assistance never exceeded two minutes during our observation.
Comparative Analysis
To contextualize this assessment, it’s useful to compare the Chase Sapphire Lounge to other premium options at Hong Kong International Airport:
Relative to Cathay Pacific’s business class lounges, the Chase offering provides comparable food quality with marginally less extensive options, equally comfortable seating, but more consistent service during peak periods. The Cathay lounges maintain an edge in shower facilities and overall space allocation.
Compared to the Centurion Lounge operated by American Express, the Chase Sapphire Lounge offers more diverse seating configurations and superior workspace functionality, while both maintain similar standards for food and beverage.
Against Priority Pass contract lounges at HKG, the Chase lounge represents a substantial upgrade across all evaluated criteria, justifying its positioning as a premium alternative.
Value Assessment
For Chase Sapphire Reserve cardholders, who receive complimentary access, the lounge delivers exceptional value as a complement to the card’s annual fee. The quality of food, beverages, and amenities represents a substantial in-kind benefit, particularly for frequent international travelers.
Priority Pass members with access through eligible cards similarly receive excellent value, as this lounge substantially outperforms the average quality level within that network.
For potential day pass purchasers, the $75 price point represents reasonable value for longer layovers (3+ hours) when accounting for the quality of food, premium beverages, and amenities like shower facilities that would otherwise require separate payment at many airports.
Conclusion
The Chase Sapphire Lounge by The Club at Hong Kong International Airport delivers a refined airport lounge experience that successfully balances broad accessibility with premium quality. Through thoughtful design, superior culinary offerings, comprehensive amenities, and attentive service, it creates a genuinely restorative transit environment that enhances the overall travel experience.
For travelers with eligible access credentials connecting through Hong Kong, this lounge warrants prioritization among the available options, particularly when factoring in consistent service levels and the quality-to-crowding ratio. While not reaching the absolute pinnacle of international first-class lounges, it occupies a compelling position in the premium business class equivalent category.
Overall Rating: 8.5/10