Fitch Hotel

The Fitch is in a really handy spot for the beach, buses, shops, bars, and restaurants. There’s an Italian place across the road and a Russian-run karaoke bar two doors away. The rooftop pool was open and heated in December/January, and there’s also a fully equipped gym and jacuzzi. Service was a highlight. The staff were incredibly helpful and nothing was too much trouble. Breakfast is a bit quirky: you choose hot food from an à la carte menu of about 10 items instead of serving yourself from a buffet, and hot drinks work the same way. The décor is beautiful, with no expense spared. There’s even a Porsche 911 exhaust mounted on the wall in the foyer/restaurant, along with a very expensive Bulova wall clock shaped like a wristwatch. It’s a very new hotel, though a couple of small details kept it from a perfect 5 for me. The carpet at the room doorway caught under the door, and the cleaning could have been better on at least one occasion. Go for up-to-date facilities and great service, with everything you need for a good holiday nearby.

The hotel is clean, and the staff were all friendly and helpful. Cesar deserves a special mention for always going above and beyond, as do reception staff Paul, Jurgel, and Monu for their professional, kind service. Breakfast was good and enjoyable, and the breakfast staff were great too. There are plenty of restaurants and shops nearby, though the hotel isn’t close to Valletta. The bed was our main downside: the mattress and pillows weren’t comfortable and could use replacing. Dinner is available if booked in advance. It costs €35 per person for an appetizer, main course, and dessert. Good value, with excellent staff and cleanliness; better bedding would make the stay even nicer.

I found the pool schedule inconvenient: it was open only from 9 AM to 6 PM, which didn’t work well if you had excursions or plans for the day. On my third day, I asked for more water and was told the complimentary bottle was only provided on the first day. After that, I’d have to buy water from the bar. I think guests should be offered water each day. Room service was another frustration. I tried to order one afternoon around 4 PM, but was told the kitchen closes daily at 3:30 PM. The menu didn’t list its hours, which made it hard to plan. Those times should be stated clearly on the room service menu.

The staff were really friendly and helpful, the food was nice, and there was a good range of breakfast items. The hotel bar was great, and the outdoor seating was good too. The rooms are modern and nicely decorated, though a bit dark. It’s odd that the basin is in the bedroom rather than the bathroom, and stranger still that you can see someone showering from the bedroom. There’s no privacy. The area is very busy and noisy, with bars, karaoke, and other clubs nearby. I don’t blame the hotel for that; the tour company just hadn’t given us enough information.