TravelStories Episode 72: A Guys Trip to Malta
Thu Jan 29 2026
A Guys Trip to Malta Centered Around Lounge Hopping
Episode 72: Show Notes
Summary
In this episode, hosts Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle share their travel experiences centered around an impromptu trip to Malta, highlighting their lounge hopping adventures. They discuss their flight itinerary, the luxurious Polaris Lounge in Chicago, and the Frankfurt First Class Lounge, emphasizing the importance of these experiences in enhancing their travel. The conversation also touches on their arrival in Malta, exploring the historical city of Valletta, and the unique aspects of their journey, including unexpected encounters and the cultural richness of Malta. In this episode, the hosts discuss their recent trip to Malta, including their experiences exploring the Old Town, the beaches, and their flight with British Airways to Gatwick. They share insights on navigating Gatwick to Heathrow, hotel booking strategies, and their extensive lounge hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3, highlighting the pros and cons of various lounges including the Centurion, British Airways, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the trip's focus on lounges and the missed opportunities for outdoor exploration in Malta.
Key Points From This Episode:
00:00 Lounge Hopping: The Trip's Driving Force
02:00 Flight Itinerary and Booking Process
03:25 Experiencing the Polaris Lounge
11:44 Lufthansa First Class Experience
21:17 Frankfurt Lounge Experience
27:37 Arrival in Malta and Hotel Lounge Review
29:38 Navigating the Airport Experience
31:57 Dining in the Skies: European Airlines
34:52 Hotel Comparisons: Regency vs. Centric
35:43 Exploring Malta: A Densely Populated Gem
36:46 Valletta: The Old Town Experience
40:45 Cruise and Maintenance: Malta's Unique Position
42:50 Gatwick to Heathrow: A Smooth Transition
46:42 Dining at Hyatt Place: A Pleasant Surprise
51:43 Lounge Hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3
53:36 The Changing Landscape of Airport Lounges
54:48 Lounge Hopping Experience
01:01:09 The Qantas Lounge Highlights
01:06:13 Cathay Pacific Lounge Experience
01:09:43 Flight Experience and Upgrades
01:22:13 Reflections on the Trip
01:23:33 NEWCHAPTER
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A Guys Trip to Malta Centered Around Lounge Hopping Episode 72: Show Notes Summary In this episode, hosts Tom Kim and Trevor Mountcastle share their travel experiences centered around an impromptu trip to Malta, highlighting their lounge hopping adventures. They discuss their flight itinerary, the luxurious Polaris Lounge in Chicago, and the Frankfurt First Class Lounge, emphasizing the importance of these experiences in enhancing their travel. The conversation also touches on their arrival in Malta, exploring the historical city of Valletta, and the unique aspects of their journey, including unexpected encounters and the cultural richness of Malta. In this episode, the hosts discuss their recent trip to Malta, including their experiences exploring the Old Town, the beaches, and their flight with British Airways to Gatwick. They share insights on navigating Gatwick to Heathrow, hotel booking strategies, and their extensive lounge hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3, highlighting the pros and cons of various lounges including the Centurion, British Airways, Qantas, and Cathay Pacific. The conversation wraps up with reflections on the trip's focus on lounges and the missed opportunities for outdoor exploration in Malta. Key Points From This Episode: 00:00 Lounge Hopping: The Trip's Driving Force 02:00 Flight Itinerary and Booking Process 03:25 Experiencing the Polaris Lounge 11:44 Lufthansa First Class Experience 21:17 Frankfurt Lounge Experience 27:37 Arrival in Malta and Hotel Lounge Review 29:38 Navigating the Airport Experience 31:57 Dining in the Skies: European Airlines 34:52 Hotel Comparisons: Regency vs. Centric 35:43 Exploring Malta: A Densely Populated Gem 36:46 Valletta: The Old Town Experience 40:45 Cruise and Maintenance: Malta's Unique Position 42:50 Gatwick to Heathrow: A Smooth Transition 46:42 Dining at Hyatt Place: A Pleasant Surprise 51:43 Lounge Hopping at Heathrow Terminal 3 53:36 The Changing Landscape of Airport Lounges 54:48 Lounge Hopping Experience 01:01:09 The Qantas Lounge Highlights 01:06:13 Cathay Pacific Lounge Experience 01:09:43 Flight Experience and Upgrades 01:22:13 Reflections on the Trip 01:23:33 NEWCHAPTER