Malta

pebbletroy

just looking for a heads up regarding a holiday to Malta. my sister and i are seriously thinking of going at the end of June and treating ourselves to a nice hotel. we are thinking of staying at the Corinthia hotel st George's bay area. Has anyone been to that particular hotel or can they recommend a hotel similar or a hotel that caters for couples.
any help greatly welcomed.

johnire

Hi there.

You will absolutely love Malta.
It's gorgeous.
We stayed in Valetta in the Excelsior Hotel which was fantastic.
Have a lovely time.

pebbletroy wrote: »

just looking for a heads up regarding a holiday to Malta. my sister and i are seriously thinking of going at the end of June and treating ourselves to a nice hotel. we are thinking of staying at the Corinthia hotel st George's bay area. Has anyone been to that particular hotel or can they recommend a hotel similar or a hotel that caters for couples.
any help greatly welcomed.

anmhi02

We stayed in the Weston in st Julians. Great spot as so near the night life but far enough away for peace and quiet. You'll love it!

Starscream25

Half irish half malteser here, malta is a gem of a country, very tourist oriented as it's their main industry, despite it's size there's enough for you both to check out, as far as hotels go I'm not too sure but you can't go wrong really as there everywhere, valetta being the main hub is probably your test bet however st julians, sliema, and bugibba are all well built up too.enjoy the holiday, might be there myself at that stage.

zweton

i considered moving to malta not so long back but backed out because it seems thats its not really a place to go if your looking to advance ones career, i will always wonder though.

realdanbreen

Has anyone been to the resort of Qawra in Malta?

full_irish

Dont rule out having a look at air b'n'b - was there last year for a week and it was great value for money in a penthouse apartment near valetta for 1/3 to 1/2 the price of a hotel in equivalent area. worth a look.

Also, do not rely on public transport for getting around Malta - defiintely rent a car when you're there. Admittedly, they are absolutely bat-shit crazy drivers but its much much easier and infinitely more convenient for getting around

realdanbreen

realdanbreen wrote: »

Has anyone been to the resort of Qawra in Malta?

?:rolleyes:

JohnMearsheimer

I'm heading over next week and really looking forward to it. My parents were there a few years ago and said nothing but good things about the place.

questionmark?

I stayed at the hotel OP. Fab hotel, big complex, the four and five star parts share facilties, good location and very friendly staff. Lots of great restaurents near by and your within walking distance of Paceville the main going out spot. I'd also recommend a day trip to the other Maltese island of Gozo.

halfback5

jumping on board here for some tips!

realdanbreen

realdanbreen wrote: »

Has anyone been to the resort of Qawra in Malta?

Stayed there a few years ago. Went at the wrong time, really, in July. VERY hot. Loads to do and see, however. Can't remember name of hotel, but really enjoyed the holiday. Watching the locals park their cars is an event in itself!

patbrosnan

Any suggestion on where to stay in Malta in Nov

pjproby

In November it can be cold, windy and wet so be prepared. I would suggest Valetta, Sliema or St Julians. Other resorts will be mostly empty.

Mimojo

Looking at Malta as a destination for a week away at the end of May. We have never done a sun holiday before, but think this would be nice and relaxed. We want something that is close to restaurants etc, but not smack bang in the middle of everything, preferable 4*. Are hotels the way to go, can anyone recommend one they have stayed in previously, or even the nicest area of Malta to stay, Gozo, St. Julian etc.

highlydebased

Sliema a good choice, perhaps St Julians too though if you're too close to Paceville it will be loud

Look at the Rocca Nettuno Suites in Sliema, staying there myself shortly

airbnb might be a good choice but many have hefty security deposits and sneakily charge for water and electricity separate too

hdowney

Jumping on the thread here. Looking at a destination for approx 1 week end April/beginning May kinda time. Myself (30) and my mother (68). Looking for somewhere central enough to the main - restaurants, things to do etc. May not be able to hire a car so tips and tricks on public transport/taxis etc welcome.

Any tips?

sam22

Hi thinking of heading to Marfa in September. Staying at the rampant Bay resort. Anyone know what it's like
Thanks..

fricatus

hdowney wrote: »

May not be able to hire a car so tips and tricks on public transport/taxis etc welcome.

Any tips?

Went there in 2014. Buses are extremely cheap, they go everywhere on the island, they're relatively frequent, but the only thing about them is they can be extremely crowded and slow. However the Maltese are very friendly and everyone just squeezes in and smiles an apology when they tread on someone's toes.

Sliema and Gzira are good places to stay if you don't stay in Valletta itself, since they have loads of hotels and restaurants, a great waterfront, and plenty of buses going to Valletta and further afield. On the other side of the harbour are the Three Cities, and while I only saw them from the boat, they looked like a lovely alternative place to stay.

Valletta is a stunningly beautiful little city, and the approach via Floriana is a lovely spot too.

Definitely do a harbour cruise. It was one of the loveliest things we did, and you get up close to a lot of proper big cargo ships and port activity, as well as the odd visiting naval vessel, not to mention all the beautiful touristy views.

Food is great, very Italian influenced, but plenty of home-grown specialities too. I loved pastizzi, which you can get from any bakery for half nothing - they're pastry cases filled with ricotta and baked. Some contain mushy peas, or chicken, but make a really cheap lunch if you just want to sit looking out over the harbour.

I'm not into going to the same place twice, since life is short, so is money, and it's a big, big world - but I would consider making an exception for Malta.

Thank you tourist board, you have my account number...

Inmyownworld

Heading to Malta in August, going the Air BnB route and stayin gin St. Julian's, according to the reviews it's just enough away from Paceville so that it's not too loud but close enough to be right in the middle of everything.

Any tips on "Must Do" things?

Planning on a day trip to Gozo - possible the quad bike trip or the hop on hop off bus tour.
Maybe the day diving course - for something different.

Anything else to add to the list?

Thanks!

realdanbreen

Inmyownworld wrote: »

Heading to Malta in August, going the Air BnB route and stayin gin St. Julian's, according to the reviews it's just enough away from Paceville so that it's not too loud but close enough to be right in the middle of everything.

Any tips on "Must Do" things?

Planning on a day trip to Gozo - possible the quad bike trip or the hop on hop off bus tour.
Maybe the day diving course - for something different.

Anything else to add to the list?

Thanks!

You might consider taking a day trip to Sicily if you have time. It will be an early start and a long day but well worth it. Malta is brilliant and totally relaxing.

pjproby

Go to valletta, comino island, blue lagoon, the medina and Marsaxlokk market on sunday

uck51js9zml2yt

I was talking to someone recently who lives in Malta. He said don't go. It's refugee central.

Inmyownworld

realdanbreen wrote: »

You might consider taking a day trip to Sicily if you have time. It will be an early start and a long day but well worth it. Malta is brilliant and totally relaxing.

Only going for the 7 days so will see if we can fit in this too, I had someone else reccommend it aswell!

Thanks!

Inmyownworld

pjproby wrote: »

Go to valletta, comino island, blue lagoon, the medina and Marsaxlokk market on sunday

All sounds great, thanks!

Anyone any experience with doing the Comino/Gozo day cruise? Wondering should I do them separately, have seen mixed reviews of the combined trip - rushed and packed and not much time at the Azure Window etc.

Oasis1974

Malta has the second biggest Heroin use in the EU btw. Just a fact i knew about the island if that's a sobering thought.

Inmyownworld

Thanks for the input, I'll add refugees and heroin to my list.

otnomart

I would add the Three Cities (Vittoriosa, Senglea, Cospicua) and, if you are into archaeology, the site of Ħaġar Qim.

cdeb

The old town of Mdina is worth an explore - a mediaeval pedestrian-only town full of windy cobble-stone streets, and from the town walls, you can get a view over most of the island.

Wouldn't take that long, but worth the detour I think.

Many of the church interiors are amazing, even in random towns away from Vallette.

Inmyownworld

Brilliant thanks, otnomart and cdeb.

highlydebased

Spend a day rambling the back streets of Valletta and all the public gardens

Presidential palace gardens in Attard/Balzan

Mdina and Rabat worth it too

Yeah there's refugees but not enough to make me not go!

Bob24

I was in Malta in March - had a great time.

Some suggestions: Valetta (Saint John's Co-Cathedral is truly amazing, worth following the audioguide), the Three Cities (nice to go there on a small boat from Valetta), the Blue Grotto, Mdina, day trip to Gozo (my favourites there: Victoria citadel, Azure Window / Fungus Rock), see some of the prehistoric temples (I think the most popular is Hagar Qim but there are other interesting ones - beware there is an underground one with limited capacity for which you need to book online well in advance).

The bus service is cheap and pretty convenient to go anywhere from Valetta (including the port to get the ferry to Gozo). Worth getting a multi-journey ticket.

Bob24

Inmyownworld wrote: »

All sounds great, thanks!

Anyone any experience with doing the Comino/Gozo day cruise? Wondering should I do them separately, have seen mixed reviews of the combined trip - rushed and packed and not much time at the Azure Window etc.

Didn't go to Comino, but a day in Gozo alone was already pretty packed for me (I saw the Victoria Citadel, Ggantija temple, and the Azure Window) so doing both on the same day seems pretty intense.

Note though that I only spend about 6 hours on the island as I was staying in Valletta and getting the bus/ferry does take some time.

abarkie

What is Malta like for wheelchair access?

What are buses like for getting wheelchairs on?

Anyone got any experience please?

highlydebased

abarkie wrote:

What are buses like for getting wheelchairs on?

All buses are modern and low floor. What kind of assistance the driver will provide would depend I suppose, but no different to hefr

It's a hilly island in parts so bear that in mind

fricatus

abarkie wrote: »

What is Malta like for wheelchair access?

What are buses like for getting wheelchairs on?

Anyone got any experience please?

highlydebased wrote: »

All buses are modern and low floor. What kind of assistance the driver will provide would depend I suppose, but no different to hefr

It's a hilly island in parts so bear that in mind

The one thing I would say to you about the buses is that they tended to be extremely crowded, at least the ones in the evening time between Valletta and Sliema/Gzira.

The other thing is that I was pushing our then two-year-old around in the buggy all through the holiday and found some of the footpaths very hard going indeed. You'd have bigger wheels and a better suspension in a wheelchair, but depending on your arm strength and the weight of the chair, you could really find yourself struggling if you went uphill at all. Or your companion could!

Of course there's plenty of lovely wide waterfront where you could wheel along in comfort, but I would say anywhere other than the most modern parts might present you with difficulties.