We stayed here for just three nights in the last week of March 2019. At its heart, this is a good hotel with friendly helpful staff and good facilities. Food is good and plentiful, especially breakfasts, with good variety.
However, you should be aware of other external factors before booking for an extended stay.
It is a very large hotel – two main wings, North & South, occupying a large site. Expect it to get very busy in peak weeks. There are no beaches, but splendid swimming pools with provision for young children. A heated indoor pool is also available, plus fitness and spa treatment centres. There is foot access to the sea via the hotel jetty but this is not suitable for children
Location: If you want a secluded, isolated spot then this will be ideal. The hotel stands alone on the furthest point of North West Malta. There are no outside shops, bars, restaurants etc within walking distance. You will probably require a hire car to get around at your convenience. Buses are frequent and cheap but with slow journey times; taxis are reasonable. Roads in Malta and Gozo are not good, especially through towns and villages. Lack of investment in infrastructure is now crippling the transport system. Small improvements are now being made – new roundabouts etc. The ferry to Gozo is directly adjacent to the hotel (not a noise problem) and this takes 25 minutes and costs €4.65 return payable on journey back. A boat trip to the small neighbouring island of Camino is worthwhile just to visit the breath-taking Blue Lagoon (not to be confused with Malta’s Blue Grotto)
Rooms / facilities: I believe this is a privately owned and family-run hotel. It is not part of a large chain. The room we had (151) was large with a sizable balcony/veranda overlooking the sea and pool. Whilst clean and tidy it did have a 1980’s vibe. The bathroom fittings and décor are even older and requires a total refurb. I suspect that funds are not readily available to redecorate and refit the guest rooms – especially as the budget appears to have been blown on the glittering reception and bar areas, which reflect the 4-star rating.
Malta the Island: The Maltese people are very friendly and very pro-British due to events in WW11. General travel is challenging and you must allow ample time to get anywhere on the island – especially the airport and especially on a Sunday when the whole of the island turns out. Rules of the road appear totally advisory on Malta – driving is classed as a blood sport. Be warned. Be safe.
So, for those who require after-dinner pulsating nightlife along the strip with all that that entails – look elsewhere. Malta is not Ibiza or Falaraki but does have beautiful scenery and welcoming people.
