A380 Extravaganza: Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge Hong Kong

A380 Extravaganza: Singapore Airlines Silver Kris Lounge Hong Kong

18


Up front I should say that I shared a brief recap of my layover in this post.

After bidding farewell to the crew after an incredibly relaxing flight I deplaned, only to be met by an agent at the jet bridge that was there to escort Suites Class passengers through security. I thought it was excessive since I’ve never seen much of a queue at the Hong Kong transit security checkpoint early in the morning, though in this case there must have been a 45 minute wait.

Fortunately the escort walked me to the very front of the queue. The issue is that while the escort guided me, he kind of just kept walking without looking back, so it was my job to follow close behind him.

So to some people it wasn’t apparent I was being escorted, and apparently some thought I was cutting the line.

I get to the front of the security queue and there’s a British guy who had already been complaining for the 15 seconds I was near him. “I thought this airport was supposed to be efficient, what the hell is this?”

So anyway, I’m directed to cut him in line, and this guy loses it — “and who the hell do you think you are?” Now there are a few douchebag responses you could dish back, though I wasn’t looking to be an ass, so I simply signaled that I was following the escort. He then continued with “well why are you so special that you get escorted through?” Oy, this is awkward.

I made it to the Silver Kris Lounge in no time, which is located just past the transit security checkpoint. There I was welcomed by the friendly agent, who informed me that boarding would be announced in the lounge.


Silver Kris Lounge exterior

The lounge was massive, almost excessively so given that Singapore doesn’t have that many flights out of Hong Kong. Near the entrance were a bunch of computer stations, which led to the main seating area. I was curious to check out the rest of the lounge, given that Hong Kong is known for some of the best airport lounges in the world.


Computer stations


Seating


Seating

There were a couple of food serving areas. There was one near the entrance with a smaller selection, including juice, cereal, sandwiches, etc.


Buffet area


Buffet area

Then in the back corner of the lounge was a dining area with a bunch of tables and a much larger buffet.


Dining area


Dining area

The buffet was huge and featured all kinds of breakfast items, including hot dishes, pastries, sandwiches, salad, etc.


Buffet


Buffet


Buffet


Buffet


Buffet


Buffet


Buffet

So while the lounge is modern and almost overly spacious, there are two things that make me mildly dislike it. First of all, it has no windows, which is frustrating since my favorite thing about most Hong Kong lounges is how great the views of the tarmac are. But more importantly this huge lounge doesn’t have toilets or showers. What the…?

Since I still had about 90 minutes to go till my connection I decided to see if I could find a way to get a shower. I asked the Singapore lounge attendant about any lounges nearby with showers, and he informed me there was a Priority Pass lounge near gate one.

So I went there, and after they registered me I asked about getting a shower room. “Ohhhh, long queue for shower, at least 3-4 hours.” I did a double take as I looked at the lounge and it was more or less deserted, so I asked him if there was somewhere else I could shower. He said there was a Priority Pass lounge near gate 35 that had available showers, and I should go there.

At this point I was crunching numbers in my head. There was a little over an hour till departure, so I figured I could swing it if I hurried.

Hong Kong is one of the most visually stunning airports in the world, in my opinion, though can also be a real pain to haul through (there is a train system, though it only runs one-way).


Terminal

The long walk was made a bit more enjoyable by the beautiful sunrise views.


Tarmac view with sunrise

So after walking at a fast pace for 15 minutes I made it to the lounge with showers. Unfortunately these weren’t the shower rooms I’m used to at airports with sinks and toilets (let alone bath tubs and rubber duckies), but rather tiny individual shower rooms with communal sinks and toilets, and this warning sign in the shower:


Shower sign

Anyway, the problem with tiny showers rooms isn’t the lack of amenities, but rather how hot they get when water is running, meaning you’re sweating by the time you get dressed.

So after the shower I was sweatier than when I got in, and with 20 minutes to go till departure I hauled back to gate 15, where my flight was just boarding.


Singapore A380 bound for Singapore


Gate 15

I was excited for the quick three hour hop to Singapore, especially given that the lovely Janesis would be working the flight!

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  1. lucky OMAAT

    @ sps -- Yes I could have, though they're quite a hike from the Singapore gate. In retrospect I should have just showered there, but it is about a 15 minute walk in each direction.

  2. sps Guest

    I think that SQ first/Biz class passengers can make use of any Star Alliance lounge, in which case you could have used the Thai or UA lounges, both have showers I think. I'm making this trip in March - first time in suites, looking forwards. Thanks for the posts.

  3. Cook Guest

    Nice lounge and buffet. For the fool behind you in the security line, no words are necessary. Turn part way toward the jerk, stick about a third of tongue out and return to your business. Lastly, I guess showers in lounges are optional, but there is no excuse for not having restrooms. Good heavens!

  4. lucky OMAAT

    @ GOUDA -- Appreciate the advice, though I see nothing strange about wanting to shower once a day...

  5. GOUDA Guest

    Lucky, this constant showering is bordering on OCD level. Have you considered seeking professional advice?

  6. AUSTEX Guest

    @ VC10 - Yes, at the aerodrome.

  7. Robert Hanson Diamond

    “Ohhhh, long queue for shower, at least 3-4 hours.” Translation: We don't want to be bothered, go away....

  8. lucky OMAAT

    @ Sean M. -- LOL!

    @ work2fly -- Yep, the food spread is about equally substantial, I'd say.

  9. work2fly Guest

    @lucky

    It looks as though the F&B spread at the SKL is at least as substantial as the TG and UA biz lounges?

  10. Sean M. Diamond

    Whenever someone asks me why I'm cutting a line, I politely tell them that they are in the wrong line and the correct line is behind me. It usually flummoxes them for a few seconds - enough to make my exit without further ado. :)

  11. Rami Guest

    @mike
    He posted a prelim report; this is the complete version

  12. JRL Guest

    The Bloke would have replied, "now that's just tomfoolery."

  13. wwk5d Guest

    It would've been awesome if you had told that guy "Bitch, first class, so step off".

  14. Andrew Guest

    You know if you gave up on this hygiene thing yo wouldn't have to rave around airports anymore :D

  15. VC10 Guest

    Deplaned! Is this American for alighting from the aeroplane?

  16. MT Member

    The SQ lounge in HK gets rather busy prior to the departures of 863 and 861 (somewhat close together) and then again prior to 865 and 871 (again somewhat close together), specially on Thursday and Friday evenings since its a rather elite heavy route. I won't say its so bad that you cannot find a seat to sit but certainly don't get enough space to make a phone call without letting 15 other people know your business.

  17. SINJim Member

    I was in the SQ lounge on Saturday and had the same challenges of no toilet or shower. I went to the United Club where the business class side has two showers for use (first does as well but I was only in business). I hooked (only) my jacket (with iPhone in an inside pocket) on the wall hook and turned around when suddenly the hook gave way and my jacket made a loud crash...

    I was in the SQ lounge on Saturday and had the same challenges of no toilet or shower. I went to the United Club where the business class side has two showers for use (first does as well but I was only in business). I hooked (only) my jacket (with iPhone in an inside pocket) on the wall hook and turned around when suddenly the hook gave way and my jacket made a loud crash as my phone hit the tile 5' below. Fortunately, I got away with it this time. I alerted the United Club desk agent and after seeing the hook was halfway out of the wall he decided to completely pull out the hook to prevent a fall from happening to others.

    Interestingly, the SQ lounge was serving Piper Champagne in the main kitchen area and Pommery in the mini area.

  18. Mike Guest

    Wasnt this posted before?

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The comments on this page have not been provided, reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any advertiser, and it is not an advertiser's responsibility to ensure posts and/or questions are answered.

lucky OMAAT

@ sps -- Yes I could have, though they're quite a hike from the Singapore gate. In retrospect I should have just showered there, but it is about a 15 minute walk in each direction.

0
sps Guest

I think that SQ first/Biz class passengers can make use of any Star Alliance lounge, in which case you could have used the Thai or UA lounges, both have showers I think. I'm making this trip in March - first time in suites, looking forwards. Thanks for the posts.

0
Cook Guest

Nice lounge and buffet. For the fool behind you in the security line, no words are necessary. Turn part way toward the jerk, stick about a third of tongue out and return to your business. Lastly, I guess showers in lounges are optional, but there is no excuse for not having restrooms. Good heavens!

0
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