It took me a bit longer than expected to prodcue this trip report, but finally I found some time in between writing SPA’s to write the next installment of this report.
Now, as to our lodging, I found Malta to be a very difficult hotel market with not a lot of options that really stand out. I looked into the chain hotels (mostly the Starwood offerings), but we decided we wanted to ben within walking distance of Valetta so we could easily find some nice dinner options, which none of the chain hotels offered.
Narrowing it done to Valetta, options were limited. Casa Ellul looks incredibly nice, however they charged an arm and a leg over the eastern weekend. The Phoenicia was closed for renovations, so the only five star option left was the Excelsior Grand hotel. Now the reviews of this hotel are a mixed bag, but they offered a dirt cheap rate which included breakfast and a 50 EUR food and beverage credit and was spot on the location we wanted to be. They must have earned their 5 stars somewhere, so we booked this one and hoped for the best.
I had several contacts with the concierge beforehand to arrange the hotel car to pick up us at the airport, and to arrange a rental car on our 2nd day in Malta, which was dealt with in a very friendly and efficient way. The concierge department proved very helpful during our stay as well, as we used them extensively to recommend and book restaurants and activities.
We had landed just before noon in Malta and were out of the airport very quickly, where an older and very friendly gentleman was waiting for us with a SUV from the hotel, which was a 20 minute drive away. During the drive, the driver pointed out several landmarks.
At the hotel, check in was efficient, although a bit strange is that they ask you to guarantee 50 EUR per night on your credit card as a guarantee for expenses made at the hotel.
On of the rooms was ready at check-in, the other one would be ready later. I had read stories of run down rooms with incredibly old and dirty bath rooms, however was very surprised to find that my room, which was on the upper floor of the hotel seemed to have been recently refreshed. Although absolutely not my style of interior.
The view:
What I forgot to take a picture of was the welcome amenity we received in each room, being a box of chocolates and a full size bottle of red wine.
One feature in the room was that there was an empty minibar which you could have stocked with anything you request. I kind of like this set up and had it filled with sprakling water (which is all I need in a mini bar and usually you only find one bottle of sparkling water in addition to all kinds of other drinks you never open). Great idea to have the drinks of your choice in your room. Next to this, there was plenty of free bottled water in the room which was replenished twice a day.
After dropping of our bags in the room, we set of to discover Valetta, but first start with some pizza on a terrace. Fueled up we did a walking tour of Valetta which is a gorgeous city.
It was Easter Sunday and sun was burning down!
After a first bottle of Maltese wine on a terrace, we lastly visited the St-Johns Co Cathedral.
Finally, late afternoon it was time to head back to the hotel, which is build into a hillside, and as a result it takes about 100 steps to go from the street to the reception and vice versa. There is however a twice daily free shuttle to the main gate of Valetta.
As we had been up since 2 a.m. at that point, we decided to stay in the hotel the first night and use up our food and beverage credit. So after some laps in the indoor swimming pool, we headed to the bar for some cocktails, where there was live entertainment by a singing piano player. Atmosphere was very British.
After cocktails we headed one level down to the restaurant, where we opted to partake in the buffet which was of good quality with amongst others a grill station grilling meat to order. However, all following meals around the island would be even better.
After dinner it was time for an early sleep as the rental car we had ordered would be delivered at 9 a.m. in the morning.
Up in the next installment: learning to drive on the wrong side of the street and visiting the three cities.