The La Valette Club At Malta International Airport

The outdoor terrace at the La Valette Club in Malta International Airport
(MAL) is what made me fall in love with airport lounges. Nine years later, I came back to see if the space lived up to my expectations, and it surpassed them.

Location and access

The La Valette Club is located airside and open 24 hours a day. The entrance is on the left, directly after the duty-free shop, and is well-marked by signage and an elevator to take you to the entrance on the third floor. The club is open to members of Priority Pass, Lounge Key, Lounge Club, Diners Club, Dragonpass, and more. One can also purchase a day pass for €40 ($44).

La Valette Club entrance at MLA

Photo: Jonathan E. Hendry | Simple Flying

The space is welcoming and has a bright and cheerful aesthetic. Friendly staff greeted me as I walked in and scanned my boarding pass and Priority Pass card before giving me a brief overview of the lounge. To the right of the check-in desk is the bathroom and a luggage storage area for guests.

After getting my luggage situated, I went to see what was available for dinner.

Food and drinks

The lounge featured a buffet of outstanding hot and cold food. At one end of the buffet was a salad station with a selection of toppings and antipastas. Down one side, there was a wide selection of charcuteries, including local meats and cheeses. The other side featured fresh hot food that was regularly restocked and included local favorites like Maltese baked rice “Ross il-Ford,” lamb kofta, hummus wraps, roasted potatoes, and quiches. At the other end was a selection of desserts, including a delicious lemon cake.

Along the wall was a full bar and several coffee machines, alongside several containers of juices, soft drinks, and light bar snacks. The staff came around regularly to top up the food, drinks, and ice bucket and were quite helpful with any questions we had.

One of the other notable differences that helped it stand apart was a special section of food for those with dietary restrictions, including a large selection of gluten-free items.

Seating and working areas

The lounge was spacious and not crowded during my early evening visit. It has a large, spacious area with a selection of chairs, tables, lounges, and couches with plenty of power sockets. The couches are arranged against the ceiling windows, which offer stunning views of the runway and tarmac.

Along one side was a large desk featuring several computers, a printer, and a neat display of world clocks overhead.

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Just beyond was a VIP room offering its own coffee and snack station and a range of seating options in an arty and quiet environment with wood-paneled walls and comfy couches.

However, the real highlight of the lounge is the outdoor space.

The outdoor terrace

The entrance to the outdoor patio and smoking area can be found up the ramp to the left of the buffet. The space remains one of the largest outdoor areas of any lounge I have visited and features a variety of chairs, tables, and couches. All of which can be arranged to offer views of the runway and airplane parking areas.

As the only airport in the country, MLA is served by a wide range of airlines and offers the opportunity to view planes from around the world. One of the highlights of my trip was seeing the Lufthansa
600th Airbus special livery alongside widebodies from international carriers, which departed and arrived as the sun set over the airport.

Overall, my experience at Malta’s La Valette Club was exceptional. I loved the selection of fresh, warm food and the outdoor space, which offered an oasis of peace and quiet after a long trip. I will definitely make a point to return on my next trip.

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