Malaysia Airlines First Class Kuala Lumpur Lounge
The Malaysia Airlines Golden Lounge in the Satellite Terminal is actually the main First and oneworld Emerald lounge for most long-haul passengers.
The lounge was remodelled just last year, and now has a (slightly) updated decor, decent shower suites, snoozing areas, and a great dining room.
However, there is no bar - you have to go back to Business class for a bar.
Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Airlines First Class lounge review
The Malaysia Airlines First class lounge Kuala Lumpur is regularly voted as one of the top airport lounges in the world. This, in itself, is curious, as it is actually fairly dull. It's a pleasant calm space, but when the whole lounge complex was rebuilt, only the chairs in the First lounge were replaced. It's otherwise fairly run of the mill.
The Malaysia Airlines revamped flagship Golden Lounge complex at the hub at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) is on the balcony level, just above where the trains take you to the Satellite terminal: once off the train - or in transit - you have to find the small hidden escalator opposite the rainforest boardwalk, and then double back along the balcony to get to the vast lounge reception desk: this is the most impressive part of the lounge. Business goes left, while First Class and oneworld Emerald go right: indeed, if you have a Platinum Card you can also go right and into the Platinum Room. Beware that if you have a British Airways Gold Card you will often we waved left into Business - in fact you should be permitted into First.
The Entrance to the Malaysia Airlines First class lounge Kuala Lumpur seems impressive enough: you walk up a gentle ramp or up the glowing steps past some impressive stainless steel ball artwork, and through the huge glass sliding doors. At the top there are some very impressive chairs in what seems like the lobby: in fact this is the main event within the lounge, for the rest of it is basically one long room with a dining area and a few seating areas with sofas or large arm chairs.
However compared to the massive buffet-at a shopping centre experience that is the business side, First seems like a clean haven of comfort, particularly since the revamp which saw the fountain - which ran the entire length of the lounge - removed, mainly because it was guaranteed to have you running to the bathroom.
The revamp also added decent shower suites, to be found in the middle of the lounge.
There are plenty of works of art (in small illuminated alcoves), and fresh cut flowers, in Malaysia Airlines First class lounge Kuala Lumpur. There are large, squashy, arm chairs and sofa in racks of four seats around a coffee table, under giant palms in small pots.
Power Sockets (square pin UK type) are under the metal flaps by the window. There is a great - if slightly obscured - view from the floor to ceiling windows.
At the back of the lounge the first class lounge has nap rooms - and these are pretty good with a bed and even a duvet.
The Malaysia Airlines First Class Kuala Lumpur Lounge claims to be one of the best lounges worldwide. And it would be too, if only the place didn't resemble a care home on the South Coast, with pretty Spartan facilities. Food in particular is a major issue.
After Malaysia Airlines joined oneworld the food service was also radically scaled back, reflecting to a certain extent the few customers who now make their way in here. Mind you, the atmosphere of the lounge could also be taken as a reading for the current state of Malaysia Airlines: simple basic, doing the job, but really not that much to write home about.
Food
Within the main lounge there is a walk up buffet table, with both western and Malaysian options. But it really isn't very impressive for any lounge, let alone an international first class one. There is a walk up buffet running down tables on the left which has the usual sandwiches, and an impressive range of canapes. But that's pretty much it in the main lounge. On the plus side, there is a freezer with Ben & Jerry's ice cream.
For real food in the Malaysia Airlines First class lounge Kuala Lumpur you have to head to the restaurant by the entrance. Food is very good here, with dishes on demand. The entrance, with its sail cloth, is like something from the Arabian nights; you'll be escorted to a table with waiter service.
Typically there is steak, pasta, lobster, or a fish dish. Normally you can get a five course dinner here, starting with canapes and ended with a selection of deserts. Alas the menu isn't displayed outside the door - you have to ask for it.
At breakfast time, generally the options are the same as in the business class lounge, except that these are delivered to your seat by a waiter. Breakfast is of course Asian, and has typically noodles and dumplings, with a range of breads. You can however get some more western breakfast like eggs and beans, if you want.
During the quiet lunchtime period, there is a much more refined atmosphere, and dining has a menu typical of a hotel, with steak, fish, and pasta dishes.
Don't miss the dessert menu either. The lounge's signature dessert is a light sponge with kaya jam and diced fruit in calamansi syrup, topped with pandan custard and fresh cream.
A word of warning though. The service is achingly slow. Typically it can be up to an hour for a main course to be delivered. Even if you warn that you are on a tight schedule, you can get your main served just as you are about to board. Order as soon as you are in the lounge.
Bar
There is no bar in the Malaysia Airlines First class lounge Kuala Lumpur.For any kind of drink in the lounge, you have two options - walk out of the lounge and all the way to the bar in the Business Lounge, which is pretty seedy, or try and grab a waitress who will slowly - very slowly - get you a drink.
They never seem to know what is available from the bar, and typically offer options that are either 'white or red' when it comes to wine.
All this from a First Class lounge at the hub of a major airline. It's pretty poor.
However, if you ask, directly, the restaurant has a wine list. But it can take half an hour to get your first glass.
Business Facilities
There are no business facilities in the Malaysia Airlines First class lounge Kuala Lumpur.There is however free wifi.
There is also a magazine rack, on the little table of a magazine rack: if you love glossy titles with the words MBA, Inc, Corp, Biz or Fortune in the title you will be well at home.
Bathrooms
The bathrooms in the Malaysia Airlines First class lounge Kuala Lumpur are the only genuinely good part of the lounge. They are excellent. Right at the back of the lounge, they have shower rooms with a full amenity kit.Access
First Class passengers on Malaysia airlines, or any oneworld airline, Platinum Enrich, oneworld Emerald.
No paid access.
Video: Malaysia Airlines First Lounge
