-
Hi Does anyone have any experience of the Hilton Malta.
I’m considering booking but concerned it’s a little far from Valletta. We generally like to just walk around cities but would consider taxis and buses.We would ideally like good restaurants nearby we normal look at Michelin Level places mixed with decent local places.
Any information appreciated.
We were there in December, I’m Diamond and they really looked after us.
We had a car (free parking) but we’d used public transport into Valletta next time, it’s horrendous trying to park there.
The hotel is child friendly in case that’s an issue either positive or negative.Yes it’s a good Hilton, I would happily go there again if they are back to precovid service, lounge service was excellent
Yes it’s relatively far from Valetta but you don’t necessarily need to go to Valetta all the time, plenty of walking can be done around the area where the hotel is (St Julian’s / Paceville). Buses to Valetta may get caught up in the traffic jams especially in the morning
The last time I was there I bought a 12 journey card for the buses which was about half the price compared to paying individually, also you can transfer to as many buses as you want within a certain time limit without using up another journey.
We went in November/December 2021 and thought it was good and favourable to other places we have stayed in Malta. Usually in Malta we pick up a weekly bus pass but this time we walked a lot and used eCabs for longer trips (which were inexpensive and have promo codes for new users).
For Valletta we did walk there one day – following the coastal road to Sliema for around 1 hour and then jumping on the ferry for the short hop to Valletta.
We’ve stayed there and in Valletta itself. While the Hilton was a good hotel overall (and we got a nice upgrade) it didn’t work for us which is why we stayed in Valletta the next time. We found the selection of restaurants, cafes and bars in Valletta to be more what we were looking for in the evenings and I didn’t like having to get a bus (up to 30 minutes each way to the City Gate, and then a walk of 10-15 minutes to many of the restaurants) or a taxi (about 20 minutes each way) most nights. While you can walk around near the Hilton I found it more of a resort-y area and less of a local city vibe. Might be that I missed some of the interesting stuff near the Hilton but we wouldn’t return to that hotel unless we were looking for a relatively ‘flop by the pool’ break.
Any hotels you’d recommend nearer to Valletta?
Many of the Valletta hotels are much smaller than the likes of the Hilton – loads of character but not necessarily with the same facilities of the bigger hotels. Casa Ellul is good if you want small and characterful. We also (a little unexpectedly) really liked the Phoenicia hotel. It’s at the city gates of Valletta so easy to walk around the city but also close to the bus station to go elsewhere. It’s got a lovely bar, decent eating options, a pool, gym, etc. Was renovated a few years ago by Campbell Gray and then, for some reason, not run by his group for long. It’s part of LHW although we got a better deal from Amex last time we were there (free night plus breakfast and $100 spend for the same rate the hotel was offering online without the benefits).
It is a high quality hotel in a low quality area. As mentioned, it`s perfect if you are planning to spend most of your time in the hotel but St Julian’s itself is not an appealing location.
It is a high quality hotel in a low quality area. As mentioned, it`s perfect if you are planning to spend most of your time in the hotel but St Julian’s itself is not an appealing location.
Where the Hilton is, is slightly more appealing than where the Intercontinental is.
Seconding the remarks about St Julian’s itself. If you prefer to see destinations by public transport (as I do) I’d definitely recommend basing yourself somewhere in / near Valletta as going most places on the island via bus will require a change in Valletta, making it much more impractical, especially in the evenings when they’re less frequent. I wound up using eCabs to go to many places that weren’t in/near Valetta (Marsaxlokk, Hagar Qim, Medina, Golden Bay coast, St Peter’s Pool) as I was fairly tight on time. Of course, eCabs was fairly affordable and reliable, so it wasn’t a horrible imposition, but if I could do it over I’d definitely choose Valletta instead.
Thanks for all your info. Will keep this hotel on list for another trip
We were there last week; their Covid measures are over the top – you have to queue for everything to be served to you – fruit juice at one counter, cereals and pastries at another, etc. Luckily it wasn’t too busy at breakfast (some renovations being carried out) but it was rammed in the lounge every evening for drinks. Nice service throughout, but overall a bit average.
If I went back to Malta, I’d stay in Valletta too because it’s the public transport hub.
I am just back from a stay at Hilton Malta and am a HH diamond. I don’t know if anyone else who stayed had billing issues related to upgrades? For context – When I book with Hilton I will periodically check back and change the rate if its better (not cancel and rebook) – this is meant to trigger an email but they never arrive. At 72h before check in I didn’t get an upgrade so assumed I would be in the original room booked. However in the 24H before I arrived the room changed 2x but so did the rate. When asked via the app how my stay was going I mentioned the rate change and was assured I would pay the original rate as it was just a Diamond upgrade. However – on check out I had to query the bill and luckily there wasn’t too much push back. I wish I had taken a screenshot of the rate at 48H just in case – hindsight and all that. Overall its a lovely hotel – the parking is a bit of a maze with no direction or signage other than its level -4 (but there is upper and lower -4)! Parking is also chargeable now – whereas TripAdvisor suggested FOC. The lounge drinks timings changed so I missed out night 1 – I overheard lounge staff saying its because its pre dinner drinks and to stop people treating the lounge like a bar. There was also meant to be a 15 euro surcharge to take breakfast in the regular restaurant.
I don’t know if anyone else who stayed had billing issues related to upgrades? For context – When I book with Hilton I will periodically check back and change the rate if its better (not cancel and rebook) – this is meant to trigger an email but they never arrive. At 72h before check in I didn’t get an upgrade so assumed I would be in the original room booked. However in the 24H before I arrived the room changed 2x but so did the rate. When asked via the app how my stay was going I mentioned the rate change and was assured I would pay the original rate as it was just a Diamond upgrade. However – on check out I had to query the bill and luckily there wasn’t too much push back. I wish I had taken a screenshot of the rate at 48H just in case – hindsight and all that.
If the staff member who upgrades you is new / forgetful / distracted they may accidentally neglect to tick the box that tells OnQ to keep the original rate.
Cancelling and rebooking is better.
I’ve been diamond-upgraded on most of my stays this year but they have all been the morning of arrival, I only got one auto upgrade 3 days in advance.
I have diamond status but am likely to lose it next Year. Have points that I want to use up and only time available is February half term. What do people think about visiting this hotel in February? Only 36,000 points a night so have booked 2 rooms for the family for 5 nights as keen to go somewhere with an exec. lounge to make use of the diamond benefits.
Just wondering if anyone had any good ideas for Europe in February (other than skiing destinations).Thanks.
I have diamond status but am likely to lose it next Year. Have points that I want to use up and only time available is February half term. What do people think about visiting this hotel in February? Only 36,000 points a night so have booked 2 rooms for the family for 5 nights as keen to go somewhere with an exec. lounge to make use of the diamond benefits.
Just wondering if anyone had any good ideas for Europe in February (other than skiing destinations).Well it depends on the weather. I’ve had many enjoyable trips to Italy and other Mediterranean destinations in February/March – best time of the year to go IMO as long as there isn’t a blizzard battering Europe (which might affect your flights in the UK).
However I usually book a week or three in advance and you can’t predict how it’s going to be half a year away. If you have enough points I guess you can make several speculative bookings.
I know Switzerland and Austria are traditionally skiing but in recent years it has been so warm in February that the lower lying areas are good for city breaks too, the problem is if you can only go in the specific week of half term flights are always overpriced as Rob is fond of saying
Thanks John. The other useful thing was that flights were ok as BA still had some reward flights left. Have booked and will hope for the best with weather. Seems like 15 to 18 C is possible.
Hilton Malta is in St Julians which is more of a nightspot area, ok if you want to stay within the hotel complex and not very convenient for Valletta. As mentioned, diamond free breakfast is no longer in the main restaurant but lounge only.
If you want that sort of hotel, with easy access to Valletta, I would suggest the Grand Excelsior just outside the city walls. Otherwise, there are plenty of small ‘boutique’ hotels in Valletta itself.
Hilton Malta is in St Julians which is more of a nightspot area, ok if you want to stay within the hotel complex and not very convenient for Valletta. As mentioned, diamond free breakfast is no longer in the main restaurant but lounge only.
If you want that sort of hotel, with easy access to Valletta, I would suggest the Grand Excelsior just outside the city walls. Otherwise, there are plenty of small ‘boutique’ hotels in Valletta itself.
I would recommend the Grand Excelsior you we were upgraded on giving our I PREFER number and the steps to the town are great exercise
Staying there at the end on the month. Anyone have any recent experiences? Particulary lounge offer and breakfast situation for Diamonds.
TIA
They keep flip flopping on whether they want Diamonds in the restaurant for breakfast or not (you can always pay if you really want, but the lounge breakfast is generally pretty good). Possibly to do with how full they are… but every few months I read that it’s changed again.
One would imagine that Diamonds would have the right to eat breakfast in the main restaurant. If not it would be weird, that Golds could do so (and in fact must do so as they have no access to the lounge) but Diamonds could not.
One would imagine that Diamonds would have the right to eat breakfast in the main restaurant. If not it would be weird, that Golds could do so (and in fact must do so as they have no access to the lounge) but Diamonds could not.
It might be weird, but that is how the hotel arranges things – at least some of the time, and despite there even being a dedicated Diamond seating area in the main restaurant.
We experienced this as Diamonds in March this year and the front desk wouldn’t move unless we paid a supplement. Lounge breakfast was perfectly fine but clearly not as comprehensive as the restaurant version which had been accessible on previous visits.
Also – if you’re thinking of booking here, see the comments on FT about the Air Con being restricted to a lower bound of 24 degrees.
In March I found the room uncomfortable to sleep in after the sun had been on the window all day. At that point, the air con was centrally turned off and leaving the balcony doors open resulted in me getting bitten all over by something!
This was a return trip and I really like the property. But the penny pinching around the breakfast and room comfort makes me think again before returning.
I stay here regularly for work and as Diamond I’ve always been looked after really well, they regularly comment on the fact you have stayed before and there is often a ‘welcome back’ pillow left on the bed. Breakfast is always a choice between the lounge or the main restaurant from my experience, I’ve never been charged for either.
- You must be logged in to reply to this topic.
Popular articles this week:
