Five Trees B&B

I had a really welcoming check-in at 5 Trees, and the staff made me feel at home. It’s a cute, inviting place, and the house was very clean. The purple room I booked was spacious, with a sofa, three beds, and a TV. There was complimentary water and tea/coffee, and the kitchen was equipped. It’s just a few minutes’ walk from the seaside. I’ll definitely stay here again when I’m back in Malta.

The neighborhood is excellent. Take a few trips and you’re on the ferry to Valletta, and there’s a fantastic bakery-factory next door. It doesn’t look like a shop, and you can watch the bread being baked almost right in front of you. They have lots of delicious products at very cheap prices. The house feels like home, with friendly staff and great upkeep. It’s cleaned thoroughly every day, and repairs are quick. A power outlet, for example, was fixed within a day. The staff respond quickly to requests, and sometimes provide things you haven’t asked for, like an extra pillow and an anti-mosquito device. The room worked well for laptop work, with plenty of power outlets, a comfortable desk, and an ergonomic chair with proper armrests. There are also places to work outside the room, including a whole fancy chair that’s kind of like a gaming chair. Absolutely fantastic, I’d definitely recommend it!

It’s a basic place, but good value and full of character. The original Maltese house is right in the heart of old Sliema, close to the Valletta ferry. There’s a classic wood-fired bakery next door, plus an old-school corner shop. Try spending a bit in both to support local people. Staff are very friendly and helpful, the shared bathrooms are kept clean, and the Wi-Fi is good and free. A couple of drawbacks: water pressure is low, so the showers aren’t great. I had the ground-floor room and street noise was an issue, with bakery delivery vans starting at 04:00. Also, it isn’t actually a “breakfast” place, though there is a kitchen where you can make your own. Probably better suited to younger people, or the young at heart, than older guests.

The orange room had a decent amount of space, and we could use the shared areas, including a terrace and two toilets. The location is the biggest plus. Be ready for the smell of fresh bread from Trofimus bakery, and some noise too. If you sleep deeply or get up early to explore Malta, it probably won’t bother you much.