"This is a nice hotel with many positive aspects, but there are a few downfalls, Which I will break down for future guests.
Transfer
This is a quick journey (15 mins) and an uber from the airport cost me €10. To get an uber, cross the road outside the terminal and head left down the slope.
Check in
The reception is on level 7 and whilst I was checking in right during checkout / check in time, the staff were excellent and were getting through everyone quickly and professionally. My room wasn’t ready so they said they will call me when it was available, which ended up being 2:40pm and my luggage was in the room waiting for me. Very efficient.
Note - You can opt out of leaving a security deposit and just pay as you go.
Room
Wow what a lovely room. I was in a superior room and it felt so spacious. Although it didn’t have a balcony, I really didn’t feel I needed one with the floor to ceiling windows. I also pre requested a quiet room and this was given to me as I did not hear any noise.
The bed is SO comfortable and the linens felt luxurious. Tea/coffee and bottled water is replenished daily. All other mini bar items are chargeable.
The room comes with everything you could possibly need from toiletries, hair dryer and straighteners, plus bathrobes and slippers. Your towels for the pool / spa are also in your room waiting for you.
SPA
The pool and relaxation area is lovely and is a must experience. Kids are allowed during mornings only but from 12pm onwards it’s adults only, which I think is a nice touch.
There is also a small bar area to purchase drinks.
I had a full body massage and i was very disappointed. It was more of a deep tissue massage rather than the deep sleep one I wanted. My body was not warmed up, they just went straight into it, so It felt very abrupt and aggressive, not relaxing at all and I was bruised the next day. At one point my toes were bent so aggressively I couldn’t help but scream. I am not fully convinced the person doing my treatment was even qualified. I did give feedback when I went back the next day for my reflexology but nothing much was said to me, so I feel the feedback wasn’t taken onboard. The reflexology was much better. But I did cancel my facial as I am not convinced the therapists are truly trained and the first incident really did put me off .
Restaurants
I stayed on a room only basis, so cannot comment on breakfast.
La Cabana - this is an all day restaurant and bar area but I would say it is more restaurant/food focused, rather than somewhere just for a drink. Whilst it was nice, I did find the staff very slow (had to ask for service) and not very interested. Had to ask a few times for drinks and on the first day the chef was having an argument about his break and smashing things around which was a bit distracting.
I didn’t experience the rooftop bar/restaurant.
Rooftop pool.
We had a couple of days of sunshine so made the most of this. It was very peaceful and a little sun trap. Lovely comfortable loungers and chairs. However, I inquired as to why the toilets by the pool were locked and some sun loungers and cushions were removed and I was advised it is because the pool was officially closed until June (summer time). This is very odd to me, as it was hot and everyone wanted to sunbath.
I did get a lounger but having to walk through reception in your swimwear to go to the toilet isn’t ideal. Why not just unlock the toilets? And even though so many people were sat out there, you have to find someone to ask for service rather than staff members walking around to see if anyone needed anything.
Just seems strange to advertise and mention the pool upon check-in, for it to be ‘officially closed’ but you could use it .
Cocktails were so hit and miss. I was given one without the finishes and sent it back, when it eventually come back to me it was half full and a sticky glass where is had clearly been poured from the previous one. At this point I could not be bothered to point it out.
Housekeeping
Great job- thank you. However twice the room was not done until quite late and one day I had to phone down at 4pm to request my room be made up.
Staff
This is where I think there needs some improvement. I saw another review on here, where they felt staff would answer you briefly (not engage) and would be back to their phones or their personal conversations between each other & I fully agree and experienced this. Especially in the Spa and La Cabana. At one point I felt awkward just asking for a drink. Nobody was ever engaging, even when asking a simple question at reception.
Location - a lovely hotel in not a very nice location. Noisy and a lot of construction. It has some shops and bars near by, but the streets are quite dirty. Personally note my vibe.
Turn right out the hotel and there is a huge supermarket for drinks and snacks, which I found very handy.
Overall, It’s a lovely hotel, with unique and quirky facilities. Some further comments;
The hotel needs a bar area. Currently there is only a few small spaces inside the restaurant. It lacks somewhere to just sit with a drink.
You are directed via QR code on check to the Melia App for everything you need. However this APP does not support things like, ordering room service, requesting housekeeping etc.
Personally for me, I wouldn’t return but I would recommend it for a stay in Malta. I’m just very fussy and probably too observant to the small details as i work in the hotel industry. And after the massage situation on day 2 and how it was dismissed I just couldn’t enjoy my stay.
Even at check-out it was pay your bill if you go. No sense of customer loyalty or engagement about your stay."
