Malta Airport Lounge Review: Is La Valette Club Lounge Worth It?
A Malta airport lounge review wasn’t something I expected to write when I planned my week-long trip to the Mediterranean island, but Malta International Airport surprised me with the La Valette lounge. I’ve visited dozens of airport lounges across Europe over the years, from basic Priority Pass spots to premium Centurion lounges, so I know what separates a solid lounge from a forgettable one.
La Valette falls somewhere in the middle, but it had an amazing outdoor deck that really made my experience waiting for my flight infinitely more enjoyable. Since I accessed it free using my credit cards with Priority Pass, it was an unexpectedly pleasant way to end my Malta trip.
How To Access The Malta Airport Lounge
The La Valette Club Lounge at Malta International Airport is a Priority Pass member lounge, which means if you have a travel credit card that includes Priority Pass membership, you can get in for free.
The main cards I recommend for airport lounge access are The Platinum Card® from American Express, the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and the Chase Sapphire Reserve®. All three of these cards give you unlimited access to the Priority Pass network, which includes over 1,300 lounges worldwide (I think I’ve been to about half of them 😂).
If you don’t have one of these cards yet, I have a complete breakdown of the best cards for free airport lounge access that walks you through which one makes the most sense for your travel style.
The lounge is located airside (after security), which is always a relief. There’s nothing worse than going through security twice just to access a lounge.
La Valette Lounge: The Space (8/10)
The lounge itself is pretty basic. There’s nothing fancy or luxe about the interior design like you get with the Centurion lounges. Think standard airport lounge furniture and layout. But honestly, I didn’t spend much time inside.
The Outdoor Patio
The real star of this lounge is the outdoor patio. There’s just something about tasting fresh air in an airport, you know?
I’m pretty sure the patio is technically meant for smokers, but when I was out there, no one was smoking. Everyone was just sipping champagne and watching the planes land and takeoff.
I ended up spending most of my time out there, enjoying the Mediterranean breeze (albeit with a bit of the smell of gasoline from the planes) and the view of the tarmac.
The Interior Space
Inside, the lounge is pretty standard. Comfortable seating, decent lighting, nothing particularly memorable. It’s busy, but not insanely crowded, which I appreciated. I visited around 11am and there were plenty of available seats both inside and out.
The wifi is also super fast, which I love. I was able to work comfortably (including writing this article!) while I waited for my flight, which isn’t always the case in European airport lounges.
The lounge isn’t huge, but it’s not cramped either. It feels like the right size for the airport. Malta isn’t a massive international hub, so the lounge doesn’t need to be enormous.
Food at La Valette Lounge (6/10)
The food situation at La Valette is perfectly fine. This is a classic case of “basic snack spread”. There’s nothing that’s going to blow you away, but nothing to complain about either.
What’s Available
They had the usual suspects: some sandwiches, crackers, cheese, fruit, and a few hot items. Everything was fresh and looked decent, just not particularly exciting.
The one exception was the local pea pastizzi!
I learned about pastizzi on a food tour during my week in Malta, and it was such a nice local touch to see them in the lounge. Pastizzi are these flaky pastry pockets filled with either ricotta or peas, and they’re a Maltese staple. The pea ones are my favorite.
Having this local specialty available really elevated the food experience for me. It’s one thing to have generic airport lounge food, but when a lounge incorporates local flavors, it shows they actually care about the experience.
It’s Basic, But It’s Good.
That being said, don’t expect a Centurion lounge level spread here. This is solidly in the “adequate snacks to hold you over” category.
The hot food options were limited, but what they had was fine. I tried the pastizzi and some cheese and crackers, and that was plenty to tide me over until my flight.
Drinks at La Valette Lounge (9/10)
The drinks situation is exactly what I look for in an airport lounge, including local wines. The only thing that stopped it from being a 10/10 was that there wasn’t a cocktail menu (again, the Centurion lounges ruining me for everywhere else).
Help Yourself Bar
They have a help-yourself bar setup with wine, champagne, and spirits. All of it was good quality, especially for a Priority Pass lounge.
I had a glass of local white wine on the outdoor patio, and it was exactly what I needed after a week of exploring Malta. My boyfriend had a gin and tonic that suited him perfectly (perhaps because he mixed it himself).
Spirits, Wine & Beer
The spirits selection included all the basics you’d want for mixing drinks: vodka, gin, rum, whiskey. There was also beer and wine available, both local and international options.
I actually really enjoy Maltese wine so I was happy with my glass of white!
The fact that it’s self-serve is great because you can make your drinks as strong or as weak as you want. No waiting for a bartender, no awkward “can I have another?” conversations. Just pour and enjoy.
Overall Malta Airport Lounge Review Score (7.5/10)
La Valette is a really solid lounge. Nothing to write home about in terms of luxury or wow factor, but surprisingly nice for what it is.
What Works
The outdoor patio is genuinely special. That alone bumps this lounge up in my rankings. Being able to sit outside, watch planes, and enjoy a glass of champagne is such a rare treat in airport lounges.
The drinks are abundant, way better than expected for a smaller airport lounge.
The local touch with the pastizzi shows they actually put thought into the food offerings rather than just ordering generic catering.
Fast wifi is a huge plus for anyone who needs to work.
What Could Be Better
The food is just okay. It’s fine, but nothing special beyond the pastizzi.
The interior space is pretty standard. If the weather had been bad and I couldn’t use the patio, my overall impression would have been less positive, but still better than not having access.
The Bottom Line
If you have Priority Pass access (which you should, it’s honestly so easy with the cards I mentioned), this lounge is absolutely worth visiting before your flight out of Malta.
The outdoor patio makes it special enough that I’d actively seek it out rather than just spending time at the gate. It’s not going to revolutionize your airport lounge experience, but it’s a pleasant spot to relax before your flight.
For a smaller airport in Malta, La Valette is a solid airport lounge. I’ve been to much worse lounges in much bigger airports.
Frequently Asked Questions About The Malta Airport Lounge
The La Valette Club Lounge is the main lounge at Malta International Airport, and it’s located after security, which makes access easy. Just walk through Duty Free and you’ll see an elevator on your left.
The easiest way to get free access is through a credit card that includes Priority Pass membership. The Platinum Card® from American Express, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, and Chase Sapphire Reserve® all include this benefit. You can also purchase Priority Pass membership separately, but getting it through a travel credit card is the better value.
A lounge is always worth it, in my opinion. The outdoor patio alone makes it worth visiting. The drinks are excellent, and it’s much more pleasant than sitting at the gate. Just don’t expect a luxury Centurion lounge experience.
Yes, and it’s super fast. I had no issues working while I was there, which isn’t always the case in European airport lounges.
The airport was pretty easy to get through when I visited in October. I’d recommend arriving about 2 hours before an international flight. This gives you time to get through security and enjoy an hour or so in the lounge. Malta Airport isn’t huge, but it’s better to have extra time than to rush.
Nope. It’s nice, but I didn’t see any showers available.
La Valette Malta Airport Lounge Review; Final Thoughts
Any time I get to visit an airport lounge, I consider myself lucky. There was free food, the drinks flowed, great wifi, and I got to go outside. All in all, not too shabby!
If you’re flying out of Malta International Airport and you have Priority Pass access, definitely stop by. Grab some pastizzi, pour yourself a drink, and head out to the patio. It’s a lovely way to end a trip to Malta.
Hope this helps, and enjoy your time in Malta! It’s such an incredible island with so much history, amazing food, and beautiful coastlines. The lounge is just the cherry on top of what I’m sure will be an amazing trip.
Cheers to your next adventure! ✈️🥂
