Gillieru Harbour Hotel

I was six months pregnant and came with my family for a relaxing break. We were disappointed that the pool was closed for the off-season, but the spa more than made up for it. I had one of the best massages I’ve ever had. Tara did an amazing job and took great care of all of us. She worked on places I hadn’t even realised were aching. The staff were lovely and friendly, brought us tea and drinks as a bonus, and the prices were decent. My family loved it too.

This was my second stay, and once again I was very happy with the hotel. The staff were professional and kind, the rooms clean and in good condition, and breakfast at the hotel restaurant was delicious. It’s in a great area with a beautiful sea view. There was an unexpected day when hot water wasn’t available in the showers across the property, but the staff responded right away and offered guests a complimentary breakfast to make up for it. Management handled the situation with respect and understanding, and clearly cared about guests. That deserves praise. I hope to come back soon.

The location is very good, with a beautiful harbour view and plenty of street parking. The diving school below and nearby port meant boat noise woke us in the morning. Our room was on the side of the building, so rooms elsewhere might not have the same issue. Breakfast was the standard English kind, eggs, beans and so on, but the machine coffee was horrible and after a few days we were bored with the same food. The lobby looks beautiful, which made it disappointing to step out of the lift into a room that felt like 2/10. The corridors have ugly old sofas, though there are water dispensers. Our room had old, basic furniture that could use fresh paint and some wall decorations. There was no duvet, just a tiny sheet, and the spare blankets in the wardrobe weren’t enough when nights were 16-18 C, so we felt chilly. The ceiling had yellow marks all over it. The bathroom was horrible, mouldy, with a falling ceiling, a broken fan that left it humid, an old light over the mirror, a basic shower, and no shelf for a toiletries bag. I didn’t use the pool, but the sunbeds looked used and dirty, possibly with mould. This definitely isn’t a four-star hotel, perhaps three or less. I’d consider coming back for the location if it were renovated.

The waterfront setting in St. Paul’s Bay was the highlight, with lovely sea views. The salt-water pool and sun terrace were nice extras, and the rooms were clean with welcoming, friendly staff. Some rooms and facilities are dated, and corridor noise carries. Still, it’s a very good seaside option in Malta.