TimeOut

TG Royal Silk PART 1: HKG

 

Hello all!

Recently I had a chance to fly the friendly skies and got to use the Thai Airways Royal Silk lounges in 3 different airports.  I've tried the Delta and United lounges but never this one so it was nice to be able to compare the difference between the lounges.  Thai Airways is part of Star Alliance network of airlines providing many lounges in various cities.   Of the three that i experienced, the standout is the one located in Hong Kong airport.  It was easy to find, well lit, quiet, and although upstairs it was conveniently located near the departure gates.  Let's take a look around:

When clearing security and customs, you head to the trams to take you out to the airline terminals.  Once you head up the 2 large escalators to Gate 40, you will see another escalator that will take you up to the lounges.  In the left hand corner is down the hallway is the Thai Airways Royal Orchid lounge Hong Kong.

Friendly staff at the desk greet you and scan your pass.  Some airports will scan your ticket but this one is one of those that gives you a separate pass to access the lounge.

There are computers with internet access for guests to use.  Great way to login to ThePuristS and PuristSPro!!

The high ceiling and open space with colorful seats make the lounge a relaxing escape from all the craziness associated with flying.

Views from the Thai Airways Royal Orchid lounge

Plenty of seating and outlets to power up your cell, laptop, or tablet.

Views of the runway and the rest of the terminals at Hong Kong airport.

Let's take a look at the hor d'oeuvres and drink selection of the lounge

The rotation changes daily depending on when you are visiting.  I am here during the late morning so I get to sample the breakfast and lunch offerings

Since this is Hong Kong, they offer lo-mein noodles with sprouts, flat rice noodle rolls with hoisin sauce, and an assortment of steamed sui mei dumplings.  I like dumplings of all kinds so I ate quite a few of these things!

A bit later they brought out some Thai BBQ chicken and shrimp fried rice as the hot dish.  Gotta say that the chicken was tender and moist and very flavorful! 

While the lounge provided their own wifi network, one thing that I noticed was that there was free public internet all around Hong Kong airport, the connect was reliable and relatively fast.  It came in handy when I had a slight issue with my flight and it was was easy to connect while at the checkin counter to look things up on the 'net.

Lots of fresh fruit and raw veggies at the lounge, the pineapple was very good.

Bonus!  There is a variety of desserts and a must have if you ever visit the Royal Orchid lounge in Hong Kong is to get the coconut flavored ice cream, absolutely delicious!

A steamed BBQ pork bun (char siu bao) was good.  A chicken and all veggie one was offered but I did not try it.  I spotted the Indonesian dish Quai Lapis and got some along with the rainbow colored sweet rice cake.  The sweet rice cake was tasty but the quai lapis was a little bland and dry.

-MW