Angelblue71

Thanks Kay, that helps heaps and maybe Valetta is more our thing as afterall I can the whole high rise experience at home

I will do some more research though.

Thanks again as I'm really looking forward to Malta now.

Thanks again.

KayF

Angelblue, let me know if I can help with hotels in Valletta. We had 10 nights there in total and as it's such a small place we saw every hotel/guesthouse many times so can help with location etc if that's useful. The view we had of the Grand Harbour was a knockout but there aren't many nice places along that side of Valletta. If you end up staying in Sliema, where most people seem to stay, I would try for somewhere with an ocean view.
Best wishes
Kay

Angelblue71

Thanks kay, I really appreciate your help and advice.

I will be doing some more research over the coming month and then may seek your advice further.

I'm also going to try to get some more info from the in-laws at Xmas and make some decisions from there.

I'll let you know how I go.

shutterbug

KayF,

Athena and I just returned from our trip to Malta and London. Your insights were very helpful. I found the stores you mentioned and was ablt to fulfill my obligatory duty of stocking the kitchen.

Thanks for your help.

KayF

To: Shutterbug,
what did you both think of the apartment at Valletta Studios? I often think of the view of the Grand Harbour and 'sigh', wish I were there.
Was it up to your expectations?
Kay

phyllisa

Dear KayF,

Your information is very useful. We're going to Malta in a few weeks. I'd like to take you up on your offer about hotel descriptions in Valletta. We are looking for one room to accommodate my husband and me and our adult daughter We do not need a 5-star accommodation, but do want at least a 3-star with TV, central heating, good bathroom, and a comfortable environment and pleasant area. Any suggestions for Sliema will also be appreciated. Has anyone stayed at the Preluna? Thank you

MollyJones

Are you planning on spending anytime in Gozo? I spent two weeks there earlier this year and loved it. If your planning on going there be sure to spend more then 1 day it's worth it.

KayF

To Phyllisa,
There are no 5 star hotels in Valletta but there is one, the Meridien Phonecia, just outside the city walls, so you could almost say it's in Valletta. They sometimes have good specials so you could check that out. The area would be fine, not much atmosphere outside the city walls but only a few mins walk to the buses and then into Valletta. There are the Valletta Studios where we stayed but there wouldn't be room for the 3 of you. Our room at the Grand Harbour Hotel, where we also stayed, was not great, about a one star. The view though, was fabulous. There is also the Midlands Hotel across from the Grand Harbour Hotel, it looked a bit drab and would not be 3 star (1 or 2 I guess). The British Hotel is 2 star I think and is next door to the GHH. It would have wonderful views and seemed quite popular. The Osborne Hotel is 3 star I think and is about a 5 min flat walk from the bus station. Valletta is very up and down with lots of steep bits and stairs so flat can be good! You might get some view from the top floors of the Osborne but it's not by the harbour. The Castille Hotel is about 5 min walk from the Osborne, it's 3 star I think and looked nice. I don't think it would have water views, maybe from the top floor. It's close to restaurants and shops. There is also the Asti Guest House and Coronation Guest House, both of which I think only have share bathrooms.

If you are staying on Gozo, the Calypso Hotel would be good. Marsalforn is a nice quiet village by the sea with lots of restaurants and some tourist shops. Gozo is so small you can drive anywhere in about 10 mins. Xlendi is also a nice village on the sea but we preferred Marsalforn.
Hope this helps you a bit.
Kay

kljones

Hi,
My husband and I are heading to Malta and Gozo mid February for 3 weeks. I found all your info really helpful. Especially since we are booked into the Valletta Studios as well. I was wondering what Athena and Shutterbug thought of the apartment.

MollyJones

KayF, the owners of the flats in Marsalforn Gozo I mentioned many posts back advised that they now have a website ... it's http://desert-rose-flats.tripod.com/

Like I mentioned, it's was very clean and very cheap.

Cheers

KayF

Thanks Molly, I will keep this in mind if we are lucky enough to visit Gozo again. It's hard to pin down why, but Gozo was a place that really appealed to us and we're always on a budget so cheap is good!

To KLJones - I think Shutterbug started his own thread, you could try there. I'm really glad the info here is helpful, I love to be able to help people if I can and pass on things we've learnt from our trips.

Happy travels
Kay

kljones

Hi Molly
I am going to be staying on Gozo for 2 weeks. Any suggestions?
kljones

MollyJones

Hi Kjones

I was just about to start telling you about all the wonderful places to go swimming away from the crowds and then thought hold on your going to be there in winter. Gee makes it a little difficult to suggest things as most of my time revolved around a little sight seeing and lots of swimming or boating. There is probably not enough to keep you occupied in Gozo for two weeks as it is so small. It is easy to drive in Gozo so be sure to get a car. Marsalforn is a nice place to stay as is Xlendi. If you are thinking of a farm house get one in Xaghra it is a lovely little village. Tell me what things your interested in seeing and doing and i can help you further.

Cheers Molly

KayF

To KLJones - 2 weeks on Gozo sounds a bit long to me, but it depends on the sort of holiday you like. It's certainly peaceful there and probably in Feb very quiet. I think in the off-season that's when they do new building works and maintenance so that might be something to ask about before you book - there's the noise factor to think of.
We liked Marsalforn but even in early Oct it was starting to wind down for the season. Xlendi was nice but smaller than Marsalforn.
Kay

Frank123

Having read all the glowing reports about Valletta Studio apartments, I booked with Michael for about 2 weeks in June 2006. Imagine my astonishment when Michael demand a 20% deposite to be sent to his bank account in Malta. On my asking him about his cancellation conditions, he practically said there are none and that "you loose your money" This appears to be a bit rough because anything can happen in 6 months and there is no way of getting the deposit back even if I were to cancel 3 months before arrival.

Ah yes, like the guide books say "Things change, prices change and glowing reports change"

kljones

Hi MollyJones and KayF
I know it sounds like a long time but we are really looking for a bit of peace and quiet when we first get there. We are travelling from Newfoundland, Canada and have had a bit of a crazy year.
We are more into site seeing and history although we had hoped to do a boat trip. I actually kind of like travelling out of season so I'm not too worried about being bored.Also Carnival is happening when we are on Gozo so we are looking forward to that. We have talked about renting a car and have been told that it shouldn't be a problem.
We are also staying on Malta for the same period of time and plan to run around there and go to Sicily for a day. So, any suggestions you have would be greatly appreciated.

Frank123, I think Michael may be asking for a deposit because it is the high season. A lot of the places I looked up required a non-refundable deposit during that time. I guess places fill-up fast. I have to say that he has been nothing but great in his contacts with me.

MollyJones

Kljones, if you are looking to relax and unwind for a while then Gozo is the place. You will have a lovely time, there is plenty to see and experience if you are not wanting to keep a full day schedule which it sounds like your not.

See Ggantija Temples late in the afternoon, the sunset is lovely. Do some reading if you can about them first because there is not must detail on site.
Whilst in the area stop and see the Ta'Kola Windmill Museum


I went to the Citadel 3 times, the first time i didn't allow myself enough time, the 2nd the same story some new found Maltese friends were picking us up and the 3rd I got to see everything. It's not that large but it is so interesting.

If you visit one church on Gozo make it Ta'Pinu. It a pilgrim church, there is a room on the right full of letters and photos from people around the world claiming miraculos events after praying to the Madonna Ta'Pinu. I still carry the holy card i got from the church in my back pack ...

I didn't go inside Calypso Cave, but it is a nice view from the top overlooking Ramla beach. If it is a bright day you will notice a dark line in the water about 50mtrs from shore. It was a barrier built to keep the Turks from invading the Island .. very interesting story.

Dwejra Point has the Inland Sea and Azure Window. If it is calm it is worth the boat road from the inland sea through the cave and out into the ocean. From memory it cost us 1 LM each. Oh and in some of the rock near Azure Window keep an eye out for the "Cart Ruts"

The best place I ate at was Aztec in Xaghra, in the village square. The fish and steak were great, the service very personal and the wine was the best. From memory the mains were no more then 5 LM

If you are looking for some exercise, climb the Tas-Salvatur, it is a statue modelled on the famous statue in Brazil. On the main from between Victoria (Rabat) and Marsalforn, you will see a drive way, drive up there and park then hike up to the top for a great view.


There are so many nice seaside villages and places, you can't go wrong.

Enjoy yourself, let me know if you have any questions.

Kay your not wrong about the building noise. It was my last night and i couldn't really get to sleep (too much wine during the goodbye dinner with my new found friends and I was thinking about the long haul home and how I just didn't want to leave) Anyway the day I was leaving was a public holiday and I thought at least there will be no building noise in the morning, I will get to sleep in ... WRONG .... the jack hammers started as soon as sun was up it was like 5.30am ...ahhh, that's probably the one thing i don't miss. I do miss the bells ringing however....

Sorry for the long post, just got carried away .. hope it helps in some way ...Cheers

MollyJones

Kljones, I forgot to mention, hiring a car in Gozo is a great idea, you will see so much more. I did the day trip to Sicily, it was a long day trip but well worth it. Not long after getting on the bus, you will be stopped at a dinner for breakfast just in case you don't get to eat beforehand or on the Ferry.

There is a great pastry/pie shop in Victoria (Rabat) I am trying to remember,our friends would pick us up across the road from there and they always insisted on grabing these pies for lunch from there as they are the best on the island ... they were good.

When I remember I will post it .... hopefully before you leave Cheers

KayF

To Frank123 - I'm sorry you were asked to transfer a deposit that you could potentially lose, but I suppose it's because it's high season. Michael may also have changed his policy, we certainly didn't pay anything until we arrived. I agree with you, I wouldn't be happy to do this either. Perhaps you could look for somewhere where the deposit was fully refundable, or they don't want one at all. It would be bad enough to have to cancel - but then to lose money as well...

To KLJones - your trip sounds wonderful, very relaxing! We considered the day trip to Sicily but it sounded like a VERY long day (I think about 5.30am to 11.30pm) and there is so much to see in Sicily, we ended up flying with Air Malta. The flight was about 25 mins to Catania, very quick and easy. If you have a bit more time, it would be worth doing that. A word of warning though, Air Malta lost our luggage and we got the distinct impression we weren't the first ones this had happened to. Pack anything essential in carry-on!

We used Mayjo car hire on Gozo and were really impressed with their friendliness and helpfulness. We ended up booking a transfer back to the airport on Malta to fly home and that worked really well.

Happy travels.
Kay

Brahmama

I know this is an old post - but so much helpful info, am bookmarking for our upcoming Malta trip.