Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Airlines international satellite Golden Lounge review.
My layover at Kuala Lumpur airport led me to spend a few hours in one of the main lounges of [...]
Malaysia Airlines
Oneworld
KUL
Malaysia
My stopover at Kuala Lumpur airport led me to spend a few hours in one of Malaysia Airlines' main lounges in its hub. There are many Golden Lounges in this airport, this is the one located in terminal C, the international departures terminal, and most importantly, it is the only one open h24, although it is on reduced service at night.
Location
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The lounge is located on the floor above the gates and platform where the people mover arrives, which connects this terminal with the others. It allows you to move smoothly even if you start from a different terminal since there are no additional controls.
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As soon as you get off the train, just take the escalators and go up one level. The lounge is at the end of the corridor above gate C5
Access
Inside this lounge are two rooms. Upon entering, desk clerks will indicate where you can go. On the left is the business lounge, on the right is the first class lounge.
Malaysian Airlines participates in the oneWorld alliance and, like British Airways and American Airlines, offers two levels of VIP lounges. One for business class passengers and Sapphire level holders in the alliance. The other open to first class passengers and holders of at least Gold status in oneWorld.
I managed to get in while flying Saudia, Skyteam company, because there is an active agreement between the two carriers that allows passengers of the Saudi airline to enjoy entry to this lounge.
The hall
I had access to the dedicated room for business class passengers., next time I will see if I can use my status in BA to see what the other side of the lounge offers.
The hall is very large and is divided into several rooms. The first room you encounter is a kind of speakeasy, this is the only area of the lounge where alcohol is served. Actually at night, when the bar is closed, a very small selection of wine and some beers are also available in the central buffet, but since Malaysia is a Muslim nation the two areas are kept separate.
That doesn't mean you can't drink alcohol in the main hall, it is just a division for service, I think as a sign of respect for the main customers of Malaysia Airlines who are Islamic. Upon entering the main hall, the environment is very large and on two levels. The first is near the huge glass window along the entire lounge. Too bad I arrived at 10 p.m. and left late at night, so I could see virtually nothing of the track.
The central part of the lounge is dedicated to the buffet.
Opposite the entrance is the Nap Room, where you can take a nap while waiting for your flight in a quieter, less bright environment.
Obviously divided between men and women.
There is a small family room, with two screens showing cartoon channels. Then there is the prayer room and ablutions. Finally, there is the bathing and showering area.
The seating is of different types. Near the noodle station, the decor is dehor style, detaching a little from the rest of the room.
Food & Beverage
The buffet is really rich and well-stocked, there is everything and the dishes also seem to be of quality with the open kitchen in the center of the buffet.
The offerings are varied with flavors and recipes from all over the world: from French onion soup, to an iconic Russian dish like meat Stroganof, to garlic and oil noodles.
Of course, plenty of choice of Asian-flavored dishes such as curry and fried rice as well.
Unlike the Saudia lounge in Jeddah, there is also alcohol here. However, there are no Western soft drinks such as Coca-cola or the like, only carbonated and non-carbonated drinks, but with different flavors such as rose water or citrus tonic water.
There is a noodle station operating until late in the evening, you can order the dish with various types of noodles and season it to your liking.
Surrounding the main buffet are two small islands. The first is dedicated to beverages, mainly juices, infusions, and typical local drinks.
The other is devoted to desserts, both the more Western ones and those made from dates and other local flavors.
In conclusion
A good lounge, open h24. Given that this terminal currently offers nothing but a Plaza Premium, was really fortunate to be able to take advantage of Saudia's agreement with Malaysian and be able to access in this lounge. Now I am very curious to see what the version reserved for Gold status holders in oneWorld offers, I will see if I can try to fly with the Asian carrier in the coming months using maybe Avios points.
Comparing this lounge to other Asian lounges I have visited, I would say it is on the level Of Thai Airways' new Royal Orchid in Bangkok., it perhaps lacks a tiny bit of personality that the Thai lounge has instead. Great that it is open h24 and that, although reduced, a small buffet be maintained for guests even at night when there are still the many flights departing from Kuala Lumpur International Airport.
Pro
- The view of the runway
- The noodle bar
Against
- It lacks personality, there is nothing that is "original"