Plaza Hotel, Malta – between Sliema and San Julian, not the best position as it is the dark side of Bullita Bay and part-way to anywhere so bus already full sometimes. But there are lots of buses to choose from, to Valetta, to the ferry in the north, to Rabat and Mdina. The bus is €1.50 a single journey, (€2 in summer season) €15 for 12 journeys (this lasts a year and you can share it with a friend) and a weekly individual Explore ticket for €21 which is great value if you just want to hop on and off any service buses around the island.
This is a 3star hotel but one of the better ones with this rating – big room, pleasant helpful staff, good standard food in self-service restaurant and free WiFi in the lobby area. There is a heated indoor pool and a rooftop pool that wasn’t open yet in early March. Hotel bars were not open, but there is a cafe bar attached to the hotel so you can order a drink and they will bring it to you in the lobby. All facilities will be open as the season gets under way.
As always, there are lots of trips and excursions you can enjoy, but we still like to explore with the bus map of the island rather than take part in organised trip. Very easy to get bus to Valetta, or to Sliema and get Ferry from there for €1.80, walk through the town and get another ferry to Three Cities and fantastic marina where the expensive boats (an understatement!) are moored. There is a lift to the town level from ferries in Valetta so look out for these – they are not particularly well sign-posted.
