OVERVIEW
Singapore Airline (SIA) customers flying out of Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) from Friday will get the opportunity to visit the newly refurbished SilverKris lounge.
As previously reported by Business Traveller Asia-Pacific (see here), the 913 sqm lounge was temporarily closed in May while SIA revamped the facility to follow the same “Home Away From Home” concept that first premiered in the airline’s Sydney SilverKris lounge (see here).
We were given an exclusive tour of the new HKIA lounge, and here are the highlights:
ENTRANCE
Located in the same place as before, the refurbished entrance shares the same distinct look as its Sydney counterpart. A welcome counter (complete with a Singapore Orchid) is located to the right-hand side of the entrance, while the left side leads into the facility itself.
SilverKris lounge entrance
There is currently one noticeable absence from the welcome foyer – the customised batik-design screen resembling the airline’s iconic stewardess sarong (as seen below at the Sydney SilverKris lounge). However, according to SIA’s representative, Harry Chu, this will be added in the coming weeks.
SilverKris lounge in Sydney
THE GALLERY
The Gallery
Just past the entrance is a small sitting area known as The Gallery with eleven plush comfort chairs. This section of the lounge will also showcase several art pieces by local Hong Kong and Singapore artists. Visitors should be on a look out for the first of these works, the "Unititled” model by Singapore’s Ahmad Abu Baker.
SHOWER SUITES
Based on customer feedback, the renovated SilverKris lounge now offers three shower suites for its premium visitors. This is a particularly significant improvement as the previous design did not feature any shower facilities at all.
Panorama shot of the new shower suites
Each suite is spacious, and includes a dedicated rain shower booth, as well as a toilet and sink. According to Chu, the lounge will initially offer regular shower amenities, but given that SIA offers Ferragamo and Givenchy amenity kits to their first and business passengers respectively, it may offer similarly branded toiletries in the future.
BUSINESS CLASS SECTION
First and business class have their own dedicated sections in the lounge. Immediately after entering the main area of the facility, visitors will see a bar offering a carefully selected menu of wines, spirits and cocktails, including the ever-popular Singapore Sling.
Bar in the lounge with tour agents and SIA partners enjoying a drink during the preview tour – we highly recommend the Singapore Sling!
Behind the bar is a buffet section offering a generous range of hot food, sandwiches and drinks. We sampled the breakfast offering that will be available to business class passengers, which included scrambled eggs, hash browns and noodles.
Once the lounge has officially opened its doors, it will offer four different meal services throughout the day – breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner.
Business class dining area
The dining area is spacious and offers a good number of tables and chairs. However I did feel that the area could have used better lighting. Unlike Cathay Pacific’s The Bridge lounge, where large windows provide an abundance of natural light (see here), the SilverKris lounge does not have any windows, which did make the lounge a little dark.
Segmented sections in the business class area
Right next to the dining area is a sitting section. While both areas are essentially located beside each other, SIA has segmented the section through the use of wooden wall screens. These act as dividers for each area, but are not solid walls. I felt that the use of this was very smart, as solid walls would have made the lounge smaller than it really is.
Business class sitting area
FIRST CLASS SECTION
The first class lounge area is noticeably smaller than business class, owing to the fact that it usually serves fewer customers. This evokes a very intimate feel – one that first passengers will definitely appreciate.
First class seating area
Each section is also segmented through the use of wall screens. However, unlike its business counterpart, these dividers are not made out of wood, but rather a black, varnished material that appears more luxurious.
Comparison between the first (left) and business class (right) "productivity pods"
Seat designs here are similar to that found in business class, but there is one major difference. While the business class “productivity pod” are grey in colour, the first class variants are bright yellow. These pods feature a work desk and large seats that highly resemble the new SIA premium cabin products unveiled last year (see here).
Chair with oriental design
Both sections do however feature the chairs with high seat backs. These seat backs feature a distinct oriental design that provides an excellent contrast to the modern features of the lounge. The inclusion of a seat pillow was a nice touch.
Every seat in the first and business class sections (aside from those found in the dining area) offer a reading light, power outlet and USB port – perfect for business travellers looking to get some work done in the lounge.
Laksa (Singaporean-style noodle soup)
The dining offering in the first class section is also significantly different to that seen in business class. While business class customers are limited to a buffet selection, those travelling in first class have the choice of choosing from an à la carte menu.
Singaporean-style beef satay with peanut sauce and coconut rice
There are a total of five à la carte menus available, which will be rotated every couple of weeks. Each menu comes with two SIA signature dishes, one Singaporean favourite, one western choice, and a vegetarian option. Those visiting the new lounge over the next few weeks can look forward to:
Signature Dishes
Canapés for first class guests
A buffet spread is also available, but the choices are clearly superior to that found in business class. Canapés are a particular highlight – available during my visit was “tomato with feta cheese and basil” and “roasted bell peppers with herbs and pesto”. Definitely worth a taste!
LOUNGE ACCESS ELIGIBILITY
First class section
The first class lounge section is available to Suites, First Class, Life and Solitaire PPS customers, while the business class area is available to members of PPS (any tier), KrisFlyer Gold, or Star Gold travelling on any class of SQ or Star Alliance carrier out of Hong Kong.
For more information, visit singaporeair.com
Clement Huang
SilverKris lounge entrance
There is currently one noticeable absence from the welcome foyer – the customised batik-design screen resembling the airline’s iconic stewardess sarong (as seen below at the Sydney SilverKris lounge). However, according to SIA’s representative, Harry Chu, this will be added in the coming weeks.
SilverKris lounge in Sydney
THE GALLERY
The Gallery
Just past the entrance is a small sitting area known as The Gallery with eleven plush comfort chairs. This section of the lounge will also showcase several art pieces by local Hong Kong and Singapore artists. Visitors should be on a look out for the first of these works, the "Unititled” model by Singapore’s Ahmad Abu Baker.
SHOWER SUITES
Based on customer feedback, the renovated SilverKris lounge now offers three shower suites for its premium visitors. This is a particularly significant improvement as the previous design did not feature any shower facilities at all.
Panorama shot of the new shower suites
Each suite is spacious, and includes a dedicated rain shower booth, as well as a toilet and sink. According to Chu, the lounge will initially offer regular shower amenities, but given that SIA offers Ferragamo and Givenchy amenity kits to their first and business passengers respectively, it may offer similarly branded toiletries in the future.
BUSINESS CLASS SECTION
First and business class have their own dedicated sections in the lounge. Immediately after entering the main area of the facility, visitors will see a bar offering a carefully selected menu of wines, spirits and cocktails, including the ever-popular Singapore Sling.
Bar in the lounge with tour agents and SIA partners enjoying a drink during the preview tour – we highly recommend the Singapore Sling!
Behind the bar is a buffet section offering a generous range of hot food, sandwiches and drinks. We sampled the breakfast offering that will be available to business class passengers, which included scrambled eggs, hash browns and noodles.
Once the lounge has officially opened its doors, it will offer four different meal services throughout the day – breakfast, lunch, tea and dinner.
Business class dining area
The dining area is spacious and offers a good number of tables and chairs. However I did feel that the area could have used better lighting. Unlike Cathay Pacific’s The Bridge lounge, where large windows provide an abundance of natural light (see here), the SilverKris lounge does not have any windows, which did make the lounge a little dark.
Segmented sections in the business class area
Right next to the dining area is a sitting section. While both areas are essentially located beside each other, SIA has segmented the section through the use of wooden wall screens. These act as dividers for each area, but are not solid walls. I felt that the use of this was very smart, as solid walls would have made the lounge smaller than it really is.
Business class sitting area
FIRST CLASS SECTION
The first class lounge area is noticeably smaller than business class, owing to the fact that it usually serves fewer customers. This evokes a very intimate feel – one that first passengers will definitely appreciate.
First class seating area
Each section is also segmented through the use of wall screens. However, unlike its business counterpart, these dividers are not made out of wood, but rather a black, varnished material that appears more luxurious.
Comparison between the first (left) and business class (right) "productivity pods"
Seat designs here are similar to that found in business class, but there is one major difference. While the business class “productivity pod” are grey in colour, the first class variants are bright yellow. These pods feature a work desk and large seats that highly resemble the new SIA premium cabin products unveiled last year (see here).
Chair with oriental design
Both sections do however feature the chairs with high seat backs. These seat backs feature a distinct oriental design that provides an excellent contrast to the modern features of the lounge. The inclusion of a seat pillow was a nice touch.
Every seat in the first and business class sections (aside from those found in the dining area) offer a reading light, power outlet and USB port – perfect for business travellers looking to get some work done in the lounge.
Laksa (Singaporean-style noodle soup)
The dining offering in the first class section is also significantly different to that seen in business class. While business class customers are limited to a buffet selection, those travelling in first class have the choice of choosing from an à la carte menu.
Singaporean-style beef satay with peanut sauce and coconut rice
There are a total of five à la carte menus available, which will be rotated every couple of weeks. Each menu comes with two SIA signature dishes, one Singaporean favourite, one western choice, and a vegetarian option. Those visiting the new lounge over the next few weeks can look forward to:
Signature Dishes
- Laksa (Singaporean-style noodle soup)
- Wonton noodle soup
- Singaporean-style beef satay with peanut sauce and coconut rice
- Poached Salmon fillet with mash potato and lemon butter sauce
- Sautéed pasta with wild mushroom and herbs
Canapés for first class guests
A buffet spread is also available, but the choices are clearly superior to that found in business class. Canapés are a particular highlight – available during my visit was “tomato with feta cheese and basil” and “roasted bell peppers with herbs and pesto”. Definitely worth a taste!
LOUNGE ACCESS ELIGIBILITY
First class section
The first class lounge section is available to Suites, First Class, Life and Solitaire PPS customers, while the business class area is available to members of PPS (any tier), KrisFlyer Gold, or Star Gold travelling on any class of SQ or Star Alliance carrier out of Hong Kong.
For more information, visit singaporeair.com
Clement Huang 
