Grand Hotel Excelsior

There are some classy touches, like a rose in the bathroom, proper turndown service, and friendly staff, and the hotel has the grandeur you’d expect of a five-star place. But we waited five minutes at reception before anyone greeted us, the WiFi was poor, and there were no towels at the pool. It was fine for our one-night stay. Choose it if being near Valetta matters, though there are better options in the nearby bays.

I liked the hotel enough to extend my stay, and I’d come back. The staff were friendly, the bed was comfortable, the soundproofing excellent, and the location was handy, about a 10-minute walk from the main shopping street. It sits on a steep hill between the coast and ferry below and the main town above, with a complimentary shuttle if needed. The old-school feel gave the room more character than the newer beige or cappuccino-style places, and the rooms were spacious, clean, and comfortable. The suite felt sparse, though, and could use artwork and sofa cushions. There was a kettle but no coffee machine, and the sofas weren’t very comfortable. The TV was satellite with a limited channel selection and no YouTube. Breakfast was the biggest letdown. There was plenty of food, but it was mediocre and never hot. The same continental options appeared each day, with no plant milk or dedicated vegetarian or vegan dishes, though there were beans and tomatoes. The egg station was the best choice for hot food. I also saw staff wipe leftover food from tables onto the carpet several times. The small bathroom was fine for two and had a deep tub, but no toilet brush.

The reception and cleaning staff were great, and breakfast had plenty of good options. The dining area was spacious, with staff seating guests so there was no need to wait or find a table. Our room was large, clean, and had amenities; some rooms also have a great view. The hotel itself is nice and very big. My only complaint was the €50 deposit and €0.50 stay fee. I recommend it.

The deposit is still the main issue for me: they charged €50 per night to my card, and three weeks after the trip, it still hadn’t been released. The early departure breakfast was disappointing too. They said breakfast boxes would cost extra, then offered a small lobby spread from 4am with tea, coffee, and a few pastries. When I asked for fruit or a paper bag to take a few pastries, both requests were refused. I booked because the price seemed good for a five-star hotel, but it felt more like a three-star property. It’s very old and dated, with nothing at a four- or five-star level. The rooms are spacious and the location is good, but that’s about it. The regular breakfast had a varied selection, though the food quality was very mediocre. Overall, a very disappointing stay for somewhere marketed as premium, and you can find much better in Malta for the same price.