We booked Cathay Pacific business class for a trip from Asia to the US in April 2023. However, when we arrived, we found that their lounges were closed for cleaning from mid-night to 5:00AM. Per the staff’s recommendation, we utilized the fee-based Plaza Premium Lounge, since, we figured, a lounge was a lounge, how bad could it be.
The line to check-in Plaza Premium Lounge was pretty long. We had a 45-minute wait, only to be informed that the sleep cabins were at max capacity, all they had left were chairs, not beds. Between the two of us, we paid $220 for 3hrs, lounging on very uncomfortable non reclining armchairs.
Nothing was Premium about the experience. The lounge was crowded and absolutely NOT premier. The food and drink were also extremely basic, with limited choice. It’s a self-service cafeteria which consisted of mixed nuts, premade sandwiches, cereals, fountain water and coffee. No bottle drink was provided, just fountain drink. Hot food section included a pot of soup, some steamed rice and hard-boiled eggs.
For the price we paid to use the lounge, it was most definitely not worth it. We could have just waited in the more comfortable chairs available all around the airport until Cathay Pacific lounges open again.
We just chalk it up to experience, and try to do more research, less assuming next time!