My Malaysia Airlines flight to Tokyo Narita was departing at 9:40AM, though I ended up heading to the lounge around 3AM. That’s because I was staying at the Sama-Sama Express Hotel located within the terminal, and when I woke up in the middle of the night and couldn’t sleep, I figured I might as well go somewhere where I could get a cup of coffee.
I decided to head to Malaysia Airlines’ Golden Lounge in the satellite terminal, which I knew was open 24/7. The transit hotel was near gate C5, also in the satellite terminal, so it was only a short walk to the lounge. When they pass the train station that connects you to the main terminal, you’ll see elevators on either side that take you up a level.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport satellite terminal
Elevator to Malaysia Airlines Lounge KUL
Once on the second floor, Malaysia Airlines’ lounge is located at the far end.
Kuala Lumpur International Airport satellite terminal
Malaysia Airlines only recently renovated this lounge, and I was looking forward to checking it out. The lounge has two sections — one for business class passengers and oneworld Sapphire members, and one for first/Business Suite passengers, and oneworld Emerald members. I had access to both, but first checked out the former. There are other lounges at Kuala Lumpur Airport, and others worldwide, that are accessible thanks to holding a credit card with lounge access.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge exterior
While the lounge is technically open 24/7, it’s not actually properly staffed overnight, and there’s no food. So perhaps more accurately, the lounge is open 24/7, but only if you’re interested in hanging out with their cleaning crew overnight.
There was no one at the desk initially, but within a couple of minutes someone showed up and admitted me, even if she was a bit confused by why someone was showing up at this hour.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge reception
There are four seats near the reception desk.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge entrance
When facing the reception desk, the business class section is to the left, while the first class section is to the right.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge entrance
There’s a long hallway leading into the business class lounge.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge entrance
Before you even formally enter the business class lounge, there’s a bar area with high-top seating to the left of the entrance.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge bar
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge bar
Then inside the main entrance is one huge room, which is the rest of the lounge. Like I said above, Malaysia Airlines only recently renovated this lounge, and in my opinion they did a spectacular job. This lounge is beautiful.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Kuala Lumpur
There are a variety of seating options. Along the center section of the lounge are some high-top tables, as well as some traditional lounge seating, where seats face one another.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Kuala Lumpur
There are also comfortable booths along this area of the lounge.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge Kuala Lumpur
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur seating
Down a set of stairs is seating by the window, and they nicely use partitions to create more of a sense of privacy between seating areas.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur seating
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur seating
Then back towards the center of the lounge are some dining tables.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur seating
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur seating
As you work your way further into the interior of the lounge, there are seats arranged in fours, and then more seats by the walls, along with some high-top seating.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur seating
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur seating
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur seating
In the back of the lounge is a family area, which is just a partitioned off area with some couches and chairs.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur family area
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur family area
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur family area
Showers and bathrooms are also back there in that part of the lounge.
There’s a colorful dining area towards the front of the lounge. This isn’t a buffet, but rather they have some freshly prepared local dishes you can order.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur cafe
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur cafe
When I visited they were serving laksa johor.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur laksa johor
Then in the center of the lounge was the rest of the food selection, which was self serve. Note that this wasn’t available at 3AM, but rather all the food only became available at around 4:30AM, which is when passengers started to arrive (I believe planes were just coming in from Australia).
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
The breakfast selection included fresh fruit, yogurt, salad, croissants, muffins, various types of bread, baked beans, eggs, and several local hot dishes.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur buffet
To drink there was juice and then a couple of fridges with beer and soda. I believe other alcohol was only available at the bar.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur drinks
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur drinks
My favorite feature of the lounge was that it had an espresso bar, with custom drinks.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur espresso machine
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur espresso menu
I ordered a flat white, which was excellent.
Malaysia Airlines Lounge Kuala Lumpur flat white
I stayed in the lounge until around 5AM, and then headed over to the first class section to see how that compared.
Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge bottom line
Malaysia Airlines did an excellent job with their new international Golden Lounge. The lounge is beautifully designed, has a good food selection, and I love that they have custom espresso drinks.
In many ways the business class section of the lounge is better than the first class section, since they don’t have custom espresso drinks there, and in some ways the food selection in the business class lounge was better.
At the same time, I do have to note that I often find Malaysia Airlines to lack basic customer service. The lounge is open 24/7, which to me should mean that they have some sort of service 24/7. I’m fine with them not having food at 3AM and I get very few people use the lounge overnight. However, when I asked for a cup of coffee they told me it wasn’t possible (the self serve machine was being “cleaned,” though I’m not sure why they couldn’t have made me a drink from the barista bar).
Overall I think Malaysia did an excellent job with this business class lounge. It’s certainly competitive, and to compare it to another lounge in the region, I actually think it’s better than the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge at Changi Airport.
If you’ve visited Malaysia’s KUL lounge, what was your experience like?
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