115 The Strand Hotel by NEU Collective

For the price, I still can’t believe how much you get here. My boyfriend and I found it just right for what we needed: tidy, clean rooms and a five-minute ferry ride to Valetta. The restaurant was amazing, while breakfast was okay, enough without being overpowering. They even offered a free drink on arrival, which I’ve never had at a hotel before. It deserves more than three stars. Brilliant, and I can’t fault it. People who complain must have nothing better to do. You only need a place to lay your head before heading off on your adventure.

The breakfast was decent, though the selection was limited and the same each day. I didn’t mind, but a soap dispenser in the bathroom would be welcome. Those single-use soap bars are messy, especially in 2026. For the price, the stay was very nice: a large room with a balcony, impeccable service, and a great outdoor pool. The indoor pool was small but lovely for relaxing after a day out. The rooftop welcome drink was a nice extra.

I’m heartbroken by how 115 The Strand handled this. My Emirates flight to Malta was cancelled after Dubai International Airport closed because of the military conflict between the U.S. and Iran, so it was physically impossible for me to reach the hotel. Even after I sent desperate emails asking them to reconsider, they ignored me and refused any refund, insisting I pay for a stay I could not use. They only care about taking money from guests, even during a sudden crisis like this. I felt abandoned in an emergency, and this hotel will never consider its guests. Update, responding to the hotel's hypocrisy: My colleagues and friends are shocked too, and everyone agrees it’s wrong to charge for a stay that was physically impossible because of war and an airport closure. It was already clear I couldn’t stay that day. Who can predict a military attack three days ahead? No one. Their “3-day policy” feels like a pathetic excuse to profit from an international crisis. I won’t forget this cold, unreasonable treatment. Force majeure. War profit. No compassion.

The Sunday breakfast got too crowded, and breakfast was the least enjoyable part of my stay, though it was included and okay. I’d still come back, just not in December. My family room was comfortable, well insulated from noise, and had a sea view with Valletta in the distance. For a three-star hotel, I couldn’t have asked for more. Reception always greeted me warmly, explained check-in clearly, and shared useful nearby sightseeing tips. The location worked well: shops and restaurants close at hand, a short walk to the ferry, and a nearby bus stop with direct routes to the airport and Valletta. Thank you!