Malta at the end of Jan

Grumpelstiltskin

dmg24 wrote: »

I knew there was something I needed to update! Got back Sunday, great trip, will definitely be going back.

I booked transfers with Travel Republic - only paid £7.50 return for the shuttle service and ended up getting a private transfer! They use a local agent called Williams Garages, I would definitely recommend them.

Which hotel did you book in the end?

I had transfer with Williams last year and ended up in a black Mercedes, better than the minibus.:D:D

dmg24

Grumpelstiltskin wrote: »

I had transfer with Williams last year and ended up in a black Mercedes, better than the minibus.:D:D

Absolutely, especially as the hotel uses them but charges €21 each way! I must have looked quite bewildered trying to spot the minibus!

The_Grateful_Ghoul

dmg24 wrote: »

I knew there was something I needed to update! Got back Sunday, great trip, will definitely be going back.

I booked transfers with Travel Republic - only paid £7.50 return for the shuttle service and ended up getting a private transfer! They use a local agent called Williams Garages, I would definitely recommend them.

Which hotel did you book in the end?

Excellent I will sort out the transfer now

I booked the Palace in the end after they offered free wi-fi with a deluxe room.

I go next week so let me know if you have any useful tipd buddy :beer:

dmg24

Not a lot of tips to offer, I did very little whilst there!

The Talk of the Town cafe in the hotel was very good, reasonable for drinks and food compared to other restaurants in the area. However I had lunch most days at Mint Cafe - good value, and all the food is fresh and homemade. The hotel staff didn't know where it was, but if you turn right out of the hotel, then right down the road past the Victoria Hotel and the hospital, and it is at the bottom of there to the right again. Well worth a visit!

I went to Valletta for a few hours, lovely architecture but the historical aspects were a bit too old for me. However, there was an Anne Frank exhibition on just opposite the tourist information centre which I found very interesting. I also walked down to St Julians (you can get the bus if easier!), which was pleasant but not really a must see for me.

Quick note on the hotel staff - the receptionists are all very nice, but keep a special eye out for Desiree - she is absolutely lovely. The only person I wasn't particularly impressed with was the reception supervisor, he tried to tell me the hotel was full when I requested a higher floor (the lower floors feel very close to the road) ... I suggested I check that myself by trying to book a room online and they amazingly found me a more suitable room, and I'm pretty sure the room next to me was free as well!

The fridge in your room is not automatically stocked, so I nipped to the supermarket and stocked up. If you come out of the hotel and turn left, and then left again you'll find it. A few rolls with goats cheese and butter plus chocolate came to €3!

I was worried about my bag being overweight on the way back (plus it barely fits in the Ryanair crate), so I checked it in. Although I'm glad I did as I couldn't be bothered to lug it round with me, they didn't stop anyone on boarding ... which is rare!

I think that's everything - will update if I think of anything else!

Lara

dmg24 wrote: »

I had lunch most days at Mint Cafe - good value, and all the food is fresh and homemade. The hotel staff didn't know where it was, but if you turn right out of the hotel, then right down the road past the Victoria Hotel and the hospital, and it is at the bottom of there to the right again. Well worth a visit!

!

The absolute favourite of my son and DIL's and they take us everytime we go over! Mint has only been open for about 16 months and it is extremely popular. They often go there just for a coffee and will take home a cake or something to eat for later. It's lovely to sit outside aswell as inside. Glad you enjoyed it!

The_Grateful_Ghoul

dmg24 wrote: »

Not a lot of tips to offer, I did very little whilst there!

The Talk of the Town cafe in the hotel was very good, reasonable for drinks and food compared to other restaurants in the area. However I had lunch most days at Mint Cafe - good value, and all the food is fresh and homemade. The hotel staff didn't know where it was, but if you turn right out of the hotel, then right down the road past the Victoria Hotel and the hospital, and it is at the bottom of there to the right again. Well worth a visit!

I went to Valletta for a few hours, lovely architecture but the historical aspects were a bit too old for me. However, there was an Anne Frank exhibition on just opposite the tourist information centre which I found very interesting. I also walked down to St Julians (you can get the bus if easier!), which was pleasant but not really a must see for me.

Quick note on the hotel staff - the receptionists are all very nice, but keep a special eye out for Desiree - she is absolutely lovely. The only person I wasn't particularly impressed with was the reception supervisor, he tried to tell me the hotel was full when I requested a higher floor (the lower floors feel very close to the road) ... I suggested I check that myself by trying to book a room online and they amazingly found me a more suitable room, and I'm pretty sure the room next to me was free as well!

The fridge in your room is not automatically stocked, so I nipped to the supermarket and stocked up. If you come out of the hotel and turn left, and then left again you'll find it. A few rolls with goats cheese and butter plus chocolate came to €3!

I was worried about my bag being overweight on the way back (plus it barely fits in the Ryanair crate), so I checked it in. Although I'm glad I did as I couldn't be bothered to lug it round with me, they didn't stop anyone on boarding ... which is rare!

I think that's everything - will update if I think of anything else!

Huge thanks for taking the time to reply, really appreciate it. Getting quite excited now. :beer:

poet123

We are going in April and will be staying off the tourist trail in Marshllokk(sp?) we will rent a car and travel round the island. Any hints and tips would be welcome.

jammin_2

poet123 wrote: »

Marshllokk(sp?)

Marsaxlokk. Pronounced Marsa Shlock. It means Southeastern port. Lovely place. Years ago we used to have a market there on Sundays.

poet123

jammin wrote: »

Marsaxlokk. Pronounced Marsa Shlock. It means Southeastern port. Lovely place. Years ago we used to have a market there on Sundays.

I thought I had read that there was a market there still. Do you have any insider tips?;)

Polly

I just got back at the weekend and have already booked my next visit for October. I just loved the sheer beauty of Valetta - round every corner was something worth stopping to look at and photograph. Stayed with friends this time but will need to find a hotel for October as I'm taking the kids and they won't have room for us all. Will be keeping an eye on this thread for recommendations for good deals on hotels etc. I found eating out quite expensive (my friends didn't cook much) and the trip was more costly than I anticipated. On a more positive note, getting around was supercheap with the ferry to Valetta costing only 1.50 and the bus less than 1 euro. Recommend the buses for getting a great view of the area and it can be a bit of a thrill ride too - the roads are pretty hairy and the drivers fearless! If there's anything you'd like to ask, please go ahead and I'll reply within my limited knowledge of this lovely little country