So I'm way overdue in doing this, so I'll get right to it. I've been to Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, and Hong Kong two years ago and just last week got back from Phuket (with another stopover in HKG.)
2014 - Itinerary 1: YYZ - TPE - HKG (EVA Air J) 3 days in Hong Kong at the W. HKG - USM (Bangkok Airways J) 4 days at the Conrad Koh Samui. USM - CNX (Bangkok Airways Y) 5 days at the LM Chiang Mai. CNX - BKK - CDG (Thai Airways J) CDG - MUC - CLT (LH J)
Cost: 120k United Pre deval. W Hotel: 16,000 points/night with 35% off voucher for re-earning platinum status. And the kicker 37.5k/Night Hilton Points at the Conrad Koh Samui, Booked pre deval.
2016 - Itinerary 2: EWR - HKG (CX J) 27 hours in Hong Kong at the Regal Airport. HKG - HKT (KA J) 5 nights at the Naka Island HKT - HKG (KA J) HKG - JFK (CX J)
Cost: 110 AA Miles pre deval, I somehow convinced an agent to let me stay for more than 24 hours in Hong Kong on a stopover. Regal Airport Hotel was $32 USD (Price Mistake) and the Naka was $146/night after claiming an SPG BRG. Totally not worth it to use points here as it will run you 30k+ points/night.
I'll let the comparisons begin...
Part I: EVA Air Royal Laurel vs. Cathay Pacific Business. EVA Royal Laurel: The lounge in YYZ was quite underwhelming as it was the Plaza Premium Lounge but the boarding process was efficient and pretty awesome. As it was our first trip to Asia, and we were the only Caucasian people on the flight, we felt like we were headed off to an exotic world. Royal Laurel (Business) is the highest class on EVA so you have their full, undivided attention, it may also have been because the business class cabin was nearly empty. Either way, I'll take it. One of the best long haul flights I've ever been on. Quiet cabin, superb, attentive service but not too in your face. Oh, and the flight attendants practically knelt before us when they speak to us. Must be a Taiwanese thing. EVA's amenity kits, especially the case they come in, are pretty awesome. The contents are all standard but the presentation is what takes the cake. The KSML was really nothing to write home about. Typical, tiny tray, barely edible etc.
The only negative of the flight (compared to Cathay) is that the Captain did not make ANY announcements. Not before, during or at the end of the flight. All the announcements were made by the flight attendants. IDK why I cared but I just found it a bit weird.
Plaza Premium Lounge YYZ.

EVA Air Royal Laurel

EVA Air Royal Laurel

Cocktail menu

Amenity Kit (this is actually not my pic because mine didn't do it justice.)

Same disclaimer as above.

IDK why but I thought this was cool.
We arrived in Taipei at 4:30am to a stunning airport. I honestly don't remember if we went through Passport Control but I do remember searching for the EVA Lounge. After stretches of empty pristine hallways and passing a plethora of closed shops we found it. It was well worth it, as you can see below. The shower was the cleanest bathroom/shower I've ever been in. Having made the mistake of reserving a shower at AAdmirals Lounge in JFK on my way back, I can really appreciate what we had in Taipei.

EVA Lounge Taipei

EVA Lounge Taipei



Shower room

Shower room

Breakfast room

Breakfast room
The two hour flight from TPE - HKG was in a 747, we were seated upstairs in EVA's old business class layout (Sorry no pics.) Still very comfortable for a two hour flight in another empty cabin. The best part was that the Hermolis breakfast we got on this 2 hour flight was more (edible) food than the entire 15 hour flight from YYZ - TPE. I'll post pics in the KSML thread when I get a chance.
Cathay Pacific Business EWR - HKGWe got access to the BA Galleries lounge. It was quite nice and airy with lots of space. The only downside is that the entrance to the lounge is right next to the Virgin Clubhouse... Need I say more

One pet peeve I have about European & Asian lounges is that they don't have disposable cups for tea or coffee.
The flight was great! For some reason they weren't letting flights to Asia fly over the North Pole, so we were told to buckle in for the 16.5 hour flight over the Pacific. The service was impeccable, the IFE was endless and sleep was restful. One reason I chose this route was because the 777 we flew didn't have a First Class so it would be a good comparison to EVA. Cathay gets a lot of well deserved attention but its seats are already showing some wear and tear.
When arriving in Hong Kong at 6am we looked for the Arrival Lounge because we had some time before we could check into our Hotel. After finding it though we were quite disappointed. It was small and crowded and don't even think about waiting around for a shower. To be fair though, the morning hours are known to be overcrowded at the arrivals lounge.

Cathay Business

Legroom
Next up: Part II - Hong Kong + Dragon Air Business vs. Bangkok Air Business.