HONG KONG, CHINA. In a pioneering and powerful three-way partnership, Airport Dimensions, SSP Group and Travel Food Services (TFS) officially inaugurated their new Kyra Lounge at Hong Kong International Airport (HKIA) on Monday (8 July).
The event was followed on Tuesday by a media introduction to the new facility, attended by local and international titles, including The Moodie Davitt Report representing the travel retail sector.
You can read our original story detailing the key underlying principles of Kyra Lounge, the design and the ultimate execution here.
During our tour, we spoke to TFS Executive Director Varun Kapur, Airport Dimensions VP Global New Product & Innovations Andrew Van Eeden and SSP Asia Pacific Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Robinson about the collaboration (look out for a wider interview with Robinson on the Asia Pacific market, coming soon).
“The whole layout of the lounge has been designed to reflect the day,” said Van Eeden, highlighting the careful segmentation and theming of Kyra to reflect the daily cycle of the sun, the circadian rhythm (Kyra broadly translates as a beam of light).
That segmentation, he explained, mirrors anticipated consumer behaviour from travellers entering the lounge and first taking advantage of the dining area (designed to evoke the morning sun with rays of light coming through the clouds) where a diverse international and local menu has been curated by SSP and TFS.
Guests then transition to an expansive and elegant bar designed to encapsulate the notion and energy of the midday sun.
Later they can relax in the hospitality zone (and enjoy stunning views of the airfield and mountains ringing Lantau island), do some work in the productivity zone and chill out in the beautifully designed relaxation zone.
Kyra Lounge is located off Terminal 1’s central concourse close to Gate 23 with space for over 150 guests.
Its clientele is drawn from Airport Dimension parent company Collinson Group’s Priority Pass network as well as LoungeKey guests. The space is also available to all HKIA travellers through the purchase of entry online or at the lounge.
Asked about the partnership between the three players, Kapur told The Moodie Davitt Report: “It has worked out very well. I think we set out the principles carefully. We’ve worked as one team with everyone focused on their strengths to collaborate across the project.”
SSP’s Robinson concurred: “It’s three completely different companies with different philosophies of working. Yet actually, it’s been really seamless how everything has come together.
“You have teams across three different time zones, three different countries, and lots of different cultures, but it’s really worked out.”
There are many other talking points throughout the lounge, including multiple power charging points across the seating areas and tables and unusually elegant washroom facilities.
The cumulative effect achieves precisely what a quality airport lounge should do, i.e. take the guest – to quote Thomas Gray and Thomas Hardy – far from the madding crowd. ✈
A convergence of art, amenities, hospitality and sustainabilityKyra has been developed in collaboration with design firm Studio 5 International. The interiors – which feature a broad-ranging colour scheme from warm beiges through to dark greens – draw inspiration from the daily cycles of the sun and the natural world, according to Airport Dimensions. Each area of the lounge, from the bar to the tranquil relaxation zone, offers contrasting experiences to attract the lounge’s diverse guest profile. The design is anchored by three elemental forces – Crepuscular Rays, Waves and Fireplace – which are designed to create a multi-sensory experience. Dynamic lighting replicates sunlight breaking through clouds, a wave-like ceiling feature evokes the ocean’s movement and a central fireplace invites comfort and relaxation. The bar offers a full range of premium beers, wines, spirits and soft drinks, alongside cocktails and mocktails designed specifically for Kyra. Guests can sample alcohol-based creations such as the Fragrant Harbour, a nod to the affectionate name for Hong Kong.  Among the alcohol-free mocktail offerings is Kowloon Sunrise, featuring house-made fiery ginger syrup as the central flavour, with citrus and herbaceous undertones. Sustainability is key to the Kyra concept. Solar fins have been installed on the windows to help regulate temperature within the lounge, reducing the need for air conditioning and energy consumption. The lounge also features an innovative daylight harvesting system. This ‘open-loop’ lighting control adjusts artificial light intensity based on the availability of natural light, leading to significant energy savings. Further enhancing its sustainability credentials, Kyra Lounge incorporates regionally manufactured furniture, reducing the carbon footprint from long-distance transportation. |
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