Visited Hotels
Since first visiting Malta we have stayed at a number of Hotels, some good and some less so. However, having recently read a number of very different reports about a particular hotel I noted that none of the reports authors compare them with other hotels they may have visited on Malta. This I feel makes it difficult to know how truthful these reports were because of this lack of comparison between hotels. Therefore below I give brief details/comments about the hotels I have visited which may help potential Malta visitors/walkers.
Plaza (Regency) Hotel, Sliema. ***
We used the
Plaza Regency Hotel on our first visit to Malta.
I remember that our bedroom had a small balcony
overlooking the coast road and the sea
beyond. Hotel is halfway between Sliema and St
Julians' so was a little remote from these
centres. Restaurant always seemed busy and
overcrowded - waiter service, Lounge
facilities were minimal and always overcrowded.
However, our week spent here was very enjoyable but
because of the general location and overcrowded
facilities we have not returned.
Marina Hotel, Sliema. ***
This hotel is
located on the Strand in Sliema and although it is
situated above a burger takeaway does have wonderful
views across the harbour to Valletta. We had a room
at back of Hotel (north facing) which was cold and
carpet was in need of replacing - very stained.
Restaurant was a bit like Faulty Towers with
the manager having arguments with waiting staff in
front of customers waiting to be served their meals..
Food was mediocre and I remember plates sticking to the plastic table cloth. Small bar located in the corner of the restaurant. We did have a good holiday there but it was only because of the other holiday makers. No swimming pool. Would not stay there again although the views from restaurant and top of the hotel are wonderful.
Food was mediocre and I remember plates sticking to the plastic table cloth. Small bar located in the corner of the restaurant. We did have a good holiday there but it was only because of the other holiday makers. No swimming pool. Would not stay there again although the views from restaurant and top of the hotel are wonderful.
Gillieru Harbour Hotel, St Paul's Bay. ****
Have visited
this Hotel twice and was the base for the walk across
Malta. Very friendly hotel. Facilities may not be up
to 4* standard but service is excellent. Would have
no hesitation in going back.
Jerma Palace Hotel. Was ****
The Jerma Palace
used to in Marsascala, near St Thomas Tower. It is
now closed down and is derelict. Nice location and
was a nice hotel although a bit remote.
Maritim Antonine Hotel & Spa, Mellieha. ****
Probably my
favourite hotel. Most of guests are German, who are
fine unless there is a party of them which can result
in them being unacceptably noisy at meal times. Food
good. Rooms we found very acceptable. However the
rooms that get the afternoon sun overlook the main
road so can be noisy but I never found this a
problem.
Overall is a great hotel - we visited it twice, the second time for 3 weeks. Great base for walking the northern part of the island.
Overall is a great hotel - we visited it twice, the second time for 3 weeks. Great base for walking the northern part of the island.
Calypso Hotel, Marsalforn, Gozo. ****
Visited in
Autumn 2009. Would certainly visit again.
However, must ensure you book a room with a sea
view. Vista from land side rooms is none existent.
Food good but dinner was over formal for our liking. Straight face and almost mute waiting staff. Nice lounge within the reception area.
Food good but dinner was over formal for our liking. Straight face and almost mute waiting staff. Nice lounge within the reception area.
Fortina Hotel, Sliema ****
The hotel, which
we visited in March 2011 is not as good as other 4
star hotels we have visited on Malta. The food was
just about acceptable in the La Valletta Restaurant
but inferior to other four star hotels we had stayed
at in Malta. The Chinese restaurant I thought
was ok although I did have raging diarrhoea after we
visited it. However, lltigne
restaurant was horrendous. The service was slow and
pretentious and the food, when it did arrive, was
cold and tasteless. In fact the food and
services was much better at the Sliema Wanderers
Football Club Bar in nearby Tower Road and was about
a 5th of the price.
I note that in other reviews people had complained about the cleanliness of the rooms, the bedding and problems with lifts. I was not unhappy with any of these aspects, although I did find it strange that the bath robes could only be hung up with the use of plastic tea spoons to the towel rack!! Seems the Fortina have never hear of clothes hooks in bathrooms. But I must admit that the wardrobe space was as good as any hotel I have visited which I suppose helped compensate for the bijou bathroom.
As stated previously of the 4 star hotels we have stayed at in Malta I consider this to be the worst one visited. The hotel seems to have an identity dilemma. It seems to be confused about the level of service and services it provides and certainly the phrase 'Jack of all trades and master of none' seems to me to be a very apt description of this establishment. The hotel should realise that just because it is in an outstanding location this does will not compensate for poor quality.
I note that in other reviews people had complained about the cleanliness of the rooms, the bedding and problems with lifts. I was not unhappy with any of these aspects, although I did find it strange that the bath robes could only be hung up with the use of plastic tea spoons to the towel rack!! Seems the Fortina have never hear of clothes hooks in bathrooms. But I must admit that the wardrobe space was as good as any hotel I have visited which I suppose helped compensate for the bijou bathroom.
As stated previously of the 4 star hotels we have stayed at in Malta I consider this to be the worst one visited. The hotel seems to have an identity dilemma. It seems to be confused about the level of service and services it provides and certainly the phrase 'Jack of all trades and master of none' seems to me to be a very apt description of this establishment. The hotel should realise that just because it is in an outstanding location this does will not compensate for poor quality.
One general point, for some years we used Chevron who specialise in Malta Holidays. However, if you use this company and stay at Mellieha or Gozo be warned as their return transfer arrangements from these areas were so bad we almost missed our return flights on two occasions. Although Chevron were contacted regarding this they did not answer the points raised and were very very unhelpful. We therefore used Mercury Direct when we visited the Fortina and were very happy with the transport arrangements etc.