(Photo snapped at 4 a.m. with a borrowed cell phone… pre-coffee.)

No, matter how savvy you are about traveling and how many tricks you’ve got in your carry-on to avoid jet lag, there you are at 4 a.m. on the other side of the world wide awake and ready to start the day.

Or at least ready for that first cup of coffee.

That was me a few weeks back at the Hong Kong Novotel Citygate, which is right near Hong Kong International Airport.

I was too awake to sleep and had not yet discovered the coffee maker in my room hidden behind a panel, so I headed to the lobby in search of the coffee hotels often have out before their restaurant opens.

Breakfast is not included in everyone’s rate at this hotel, but I was impressed to discover that this hotel not only had coffee out for early risers, but a nice spread of complimentary continental breakfast – and a cute sign inviting guests to enjoy it.

(My hotel stay was part of a Cathay Pacific press trip that included a tour of the airline’s cargo operations facility and, of course, a day at Hong Kong International Airport.)

Thanks for visiting Stuck at the Airport. Subscribe to get daily travel tidbits. And follow me on Twitter at @hbaskas and Instagram.