I adore Chek Lap Kok
Written: Dec 28 '06 (Updated Jan 01 '07)
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Pros: Definitely a top airport - clean, efficient, aesthetically appealing and good place for a layover
Cons: Hardly any... more internet service?
The Bottom Line: Great airport, if you are flying onward to Southeast Asia/North America, it's a great place stopover, especially if you have a lot of time to spare
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| iljc82's Full Review: Hong Kong International Airport |
Chek Lap Kok is a wonderful airport and I have used it several times to transit or to (dis)embark. Architecturally designed by Norman Foster and Co., the terminal building is inspiring and welcoming. All in all, a visually stunning and efficient airport.
HKG is an airport designed with function and comfort in mind. At departure, check in facilities are adequate and well spaced, sprawled impressive across the grand hall one walks into after getting off the Airport Express (more on that later). There're even "extended" facilities in town (in both Hong Kong Island and Kowloon), where passengers using the airport (and the Airport Express) can check in way in advance, leave off their luggage and go "do your own business". This is extremely convenient if your flight is in the evening and you have to check out of your hotel at 12 noon.
Arrival is also an event on its own. Everyone races to the immigration and control area, following conspicuous signs and passing panoramic vistas of the hilly surroundings outside the airport. Years ago, I would complain that HKG was way too big for walking, but now, people movers, travelators and all sort of equipment help passengers overcome the spatial enormity of the super terminal. Security was also orderly both into and out of the airport. I remember from my last trip, transit passengers are required to be re-screened before they go up to the departure level. These extra re-screening points were rather crowded in 2002, and this year, they seemed to be even more cluttered and in need of an urgent infusion of more agents.
HKG has also admirable facilities for the use of transit passengers. There are numerous shopping centers, located at the public departure hall before clearing immigration, right after immigration clearance, and a little way past the central shaft of the terminal. There is also a food court, a prayer room and more than ample bathrooms for use. The best thing about retail at HKG is the array of stores both without and within the airside area of the airport. Although I didn't shop very much, there seemed to be endless rows of shops selling not only the regular designer brands, but also more peculiar items like specialty clothings (Shanghai Tang) and local confectionery. There was even a Giordano for those who want to buy a simple gift at the last minute.
One thing I thought could be added would be a sprinkling of cafes and sit-down eateries like those at Changi, rather than a collective food court found at the far end of airside. I also didn't see many internet terminals in the airport, nor wireless connection points for the businessperson on the run. In 2002, to use the few internet terminals would require you to wait in line for a while; I don't see that improved a whole lot now in 2006. These seem to be for brief emailing than for serious work.
That said, service has improved tremendously from a few years ago. Even though I know airport retail is out to cash in on my residual Hong Kong currency, sales assistants were almost always friendly and went their way to help out - whether you want the right size of a shirt, or are looking for some last-minute Hong Kong snacks to bring home. My only regret was that I didn't have enough time to explore this place!
The airport express is also easy to access, with ticketing counters at the arrival hall and the train station a little beyond. The express connects to AsiaWorld Expo, Tsing Yi, Kowloon and HK Island in under 30 minutes - definitely a convenient way to get to town. It is however quite expensive at HK$90 one way. A cheaper alternative is the Cityflyer buses, which can be conveniently located at the right side of the terminal. A12 brings you to Hong Kong Island (Des Voeux Road West, Central) in about an hour at only HK$45, via the Tsing Ma Bridge.
Chek Lap Kok is a place to do what you need to do with air travel, pass time quickly and to enjoy yourself, especially if you are a transit passenger. They have done well in simplifying the procedures, and providing ease of transport within and beyond the airport. All they need to do now is to have more business facilities and perhaps a little more interactive activities (performances, competitions, city tours for transit passengers)
Recommended:
Yes
Best Suited For: Friends
Best Time to Travel Here: Dec - Feb
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Epinions.com ID:
iljc82
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Reviews written: 18
Trusted by: 0 members
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