Booked Holiday Malta but now bad reviews of Hotel?

Hannaho

Hi! Just need a bit of advice on this. Last September we booked a holiday to Malta. The hotel we booked was four star - The Park Hotel in Silema. However, my friend is just back from staying in that hotel last week, and gave a very bad review of it saying that it was really only 2 star, and probably wouldn't make 3 star. I subsequently looked at the reviews on line from Trip Advisor, Ebookers etc, and the reviews are not good to say the least. I didn't look at the reviews initially when I booked as i presumed once it was four start, it was going to be good, and we paid more for the four start hotel - we could have got a three star hotel or apartment much cheaper. I booked with a well known company. They said they cannot change the hotel at this stage - we are flying out in 10 days, and that I would have to pay e1500 to book another hotel in the area - on top of what we have paid. I don't have e1500 extra to spend, but we are now dreading the holiday, as we have heard such bad reviews about the hotel. Has anyone any other suggestions what we could/should do? It's our annual holiday and it's important that we enjoy it. Has anyone stayed at the Park Hotel in Silema, Malta - would be great to hear your experiences.

Curb Your Enthusiasm

It's your own fault for not checking reviews before booking.

A four star rated hotel can still be poorly run/unclean etc.

martinedwards

The star system is based on facilities. King size bed, trouser press and 24 hr room service will have a higher star rating than queen bed, iron at reception and a great on site restaurant

Hannaho

Thanks for replies - didn't know that stars were offered on basis of facilities - thought it was based on standards of cleanliness, food etc as well as facilities. Will know for next time, and certainly won't take 4 star as meaning 4 star next time. Very expensive mistake!!

Amirani

It'll probably be grand anyway. Even if it's not, just don't spend much time in the hotel - you'll still have a great holiday.

coylemj

Hannaho wrote: »

Thanks for replies - didn't know that stars were offered on basis of facilities - thought it was based on standards of cleanliness, food etc as well as facilities. Will know for next time, and certainly won't take 4 star as meaning 4 star next time. Very expensive mistake!!

I don't think there is a pan-European standard for star ratings. Based on my experiences in Italy for example, you can safely deduct a star from what the hotel claims in order to judge what it will be like compared to Irish hotels i.e. a self-styled Italian 'four star' hotel will be broadly similar in terms of quality and facilities to a three star hotel in Ireland.

It is reasonable to expect a minimum level of facilities in a hotel claiming to be five star - swimming pool, ice machine on each floor, 24 x 7 room service etc. but for three and four star, 'caveat emptor' applies.

Poochie05

There is a good chance that the cost to change reflects the fact that the alternative hotels are more expensive given it is so close to the dates, rather than the 'well known company' being inflexible. Have you had a look on some of the booking sites to see how much accommodation would be in that area if you were to book it now? Either way, it probably means you are stuck with it.
But try not to worry too much and let it ruin the anticipation of your holiday. It is just a place to stay, you can still have a lovely holiday. If may not be so bad, and if it is, just don't spend too much time there.

4ensic15

martinedwards wrote: »

The star system is based on facilities. King size bed, trouser press and 24 hr room service will have a higher star rating than queen bed, iron at reception and a great on site restaurant

A queen size bed is bigger than a king size.

Lia_lia

4ensic15 wrote: »

A queen size bed is bigger than a king size.

No it isn't.

This is why I always research hotels first and never book based on "stars". Or though agencies. It will probably be fine though. Surely you won't be spending that much time in the hotel anyway? I generally just sleep in them and have breakfast. Hope you have a good time

4ensic15

Lia_lia wrote: »

No it isn't.

Yes it is. A king size bed is only 5' x 6'6"

whomitconcerns

4ensic15 wrote: »

Yes it is. A king size bed is only 5' x 6'6"

Well if you want to be technical about it. We don't use queen size officially here. But in countries that have king size and queen size, King size is bigger.

Ignoring that fact, yes our King size is the same size or a little smaller than US and other queen sizes.

4ensic15

whomitconcerns wrote: »

Well if you want to be technical about it. We don't use queen size officially here. But in countries that have king size and queen size, King size is bigger.

Ignoring that fact, yes our King size is the same size or a little smaller than US and other queen sizes.

Where are the official regulations for King Size found here?

whomitconcerns

I don't think there are any official regulations so to speak. Pretty good source of data on https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_size

Or maybe try ikea bed section?

4ensic15

whomitconcerns wrote: »

I don't think there are any official regulations so to speak. Pretty good source of data on https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_size

Or maybe try ikea bed section?

You have previously said that we don't use queen size officially here, implying that we do use king size. Now you are saying we don't use king size her officially either?

whomitconcerns

4ensic15 wrote: »

You have previously said that we don't use queen size officially here, implying that we do use king size. Now you are saying we don't use king size her officially either?

Im not the hotel bed inspector I dont know the "law"...link above shows the reccos for Uk and Ireland and global...Main point being in any one of the markets you see there king is bigger than queen.

D3V!L

Tripadvisor reviews aren't painting it in a good light at all....

https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g190327-d232438-Reviews-Park_Hotel-Sliema_Island_of_Malta.html#REVIEWS

miltonkrest

i was in sliema last month. its a lovely resort. in my experience of hotels if you get a decent room without a loud neighbour you'll be ok. i stayed in a well known hotel in kilkenny last month that has poor reviews - i got a nice clean room and was fine !
theres loads of hotels in sliema so if its that bad you get lucky and find a bargain on the day. sliema's packed with nice bars and restaurants so you wont have to rely on the hotel.

Gatica

We stayed in a 4 Star in Gran Canaries and I agree that the star rating system across Europe isn't as high as in Ireland. Always read reviews before you book anything, unfortunately this was a mistake you made and not the travel agent's fault, hopefully you'll just learn from it. In the meantime, try not to fret. Your friend's expectations could've been high maybe. If you're going knowing that it's not Irish 4 star luxury, maybe you'll be less disappointed. Try to see it as a place to rest, and go out enjoy the area instead. If it's a sea/pool kind of resort, usually those facilities are still good, it'll just not as fancy inside.
We got half board at our hotel in the Canaries and I can tell you the food wasn't great, they charged extra for random things like safe, but the pool area was absolutely gorgeous.

4ensic15

whomitconcerns wrote: »

Im not the hotel bed inspector I dont know the "law"...link above shows the reccos for Uk and Ireland and global...Main point being in any one of the markets you see there king is bigger than queen.

When you use the word officially it clearly implies some legal standard. Now it turns out that you were bluffing.

_Brian

TBH I'd be more worried about going to Malta, it's a desperately dull place.

DvB

4ensic15 wrote: »

A queen size bed is bigger than a king size.

The sizes vary on region (I've designed hotel bedrooms to accommodate the different bed sizes in various countries) and in none of them are Queen size bigger than King. TBH until I'd read your post I'd never seen anyone suggest it was.

Wiki gives a breakdown on mattress sizes here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_size

4ensic15

DvB wrote: »

The sizes vary on region (I've designed hotel bedrooms to accommodate the different bed sizes in various countries) and in none of them are Queen size bigger than King. TBH until I'd read your post I'd never seen anyone suggest it was.

Wiki gives a breakdown on mattress sizes here.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bed_size

I bought a Queen size bed a few years ago. It was 5' x 7'. A king size was 5' x 6'6".

DvB

4ensic15 wrote: »

I bought a Queen size bed a few years ago. It was 5' x 7'. A king size was 5' x 6'6".

Then they were sold/advertised incorrectly is all.
The sizes we work to for design purposes are standard depending on the region and are as per that Wiki breakdown.

Simple rule is that King is always bigger than queen, super king being bigger again.

Gatica

I had been told before that Queen size is an american thing, not Irish. There's no queen sizes in Ireland. I suppose what whomitconcerns said is true then, american queen does seem bigger than the Irish king size.
EZ Living at least only sells double, king or super king, no other queen in between. We've friends who have the longer versions, but they're not as common.
You probably bought your bed online from US stockist, or second hand off someone who got it in the US? Might be tough then to find a replacement mattress in Ireland when the time comes!

DvB

Gatica wrote: »

I had been told before that Queen size is an american thing, not Irish. There's no queen sizes in Ireland. I suppose what whomitconcerns said is true then, american queen does seem bigger than the Irish king size.
EZ Living at least only sells double, king or super king, no other queen in between. We've friends who have the longer versions, but they're not as common.
You probably bought your bed online from US stockist, or second hand off someone who got it in the US? Might be tough then to find a replacement mattress in Ireland when the time comes!

Nail on head.

4ensic15

Gatica wrote: »

I had been told before that Queen size is an american thing, not Irish. There's no queen sizes in Ireland. I suppose what whomitconcerns said is true then, american queen does seem bigger than the Irish king size.
EZ Living at least only sells double, king or super king, no other queen in between. We've friends who have the longer versions, but they're not as common.
You probably bought your bed online from US stockist, or second hand off someone who got it in the US? Might be tough then to find a replacement mattress in Ireland when the time comes!

I bought the bed in Ireland. It was described as a Queen size. It was not bought online but from a dealer who delivered it. Mattresses can be bought in any size in Ireland.

Howard the Duck

Is this thread about beds or hotels in Malta?

Someone said Malta was boring i'd disagree went there last year and loved it. Eat the local Rabbit dishes, very good.

Adamzapple777

From experience in Malta you need to subtract a star from their ratings to get a rough idea of the standard of the hotel, in some cases you need to subtract two stars in the height of the summer when the standards can really drop.
A lovely wee island but God it gets crowded in summer. You need to stick with the Hilton, Meridien, Crowne Plaza, or Radisson to be sure of what your getting.

Hannaho

Hi! All, thanks for all the replies re hotel in Malta. Well, we're here now and the hotel is truly terrible. It is incredibly dirty. I have photos of the carpet on the way to our room, and it has stains everywhere. In our room, there were holes in the wall, broken bits of the door in bathroom and around tiling - around the tiling was also dirty in a lot of places in the bathroom. There were mould stains on my daughters and sons bedclothes. We had to leave the balcony window open all night, creating a security worry, as it is on the first floor, because if we left the air con on for any length of time, there was a terrible smell of mould in the room. A lot of the paintwork in our room also has dirt marks on it. It looks like something out of the 1970s - no key card, but one of those old doors with the key that locks once closed. Other guests are saying it's not anywhere near a four star hotel, and they find it dirty also. I booked it as part of a package deal with a well known Irish holiday company. I am definitely going to send them all the photos, but do I have any comeback in regards to refund etc of at least some of the amount we paid. I took their 4 star rating at it's word. Although, we have enjoyed Malta, it has spoilt our holiday, as we don't feel safe in the room at night as we have to leave balcony window open, and we try to stay out of the room as much as possible, and feel we can't go there to relax when we are tired, as it is so awful. Food also definitely not four star - very poor breakfast - no fresh fruit - tinned fruit cocktail, though that is not so much of an issues as the dirt and mould. Any advice on this one?

anewme

Sorry to hear that. That's horrible. Rather than wait till you return, can you email photos and details to your Travel Agent now? Have you complained to the Rep?

One of the problems with complaining when you return is they will say, you should have said when you were there and allow them (try) to remedy the eituaion, ie move you somewhere else.

Keep taking the photos.

Adamzapple777

I wouldn't worry about your safety, it's a very safe place with very little in the way of petty crime or violence, we've been there lots of times.
There's probably not much you can do about the hotel but take it up with the rep and document everything and try not to let it spoil your holidays.

Gatica

Yep, I'd say get in touch with your agent pronto, see if they could move you.

4ensic15

Hannaho wrote: »

I booked it as part of a package deal with a well known Irish holiday company. I am definitely going to send them all the photos, but do I have any comeback in regards to refund etc of at least some of the amount we paid. I took their 4 star rating at it's word.

You can certainly make a claim for loss of amenity and enjoyment against your holiday company. Get on the phone straight away and keep numerous photos and complain to the reps there and back in Ireland. You can make a claim in the Small Claims Court on your return.

Nonoperational

Got to research it before you go. You can get it for around €70 a night, the Hilton is over €200. Too cheap for a good european hotel.