Imperial

We didn’t stay at the hotel, so this is only about the food. The portions were really small, and in my opinion there was no flavour. I ordered what was meant to be a Maltese local dish, but it was just meatballs in tomato sauce, two potatoes cut into quarters and a few slices of grilled paprika. My son’s chicken breast came with a tiny amount of mushroom sauce and a couple of chips. We didn’t like the food at all. The staff were friendly, but that was about it.

The rooms used to have a lovely social feel at dinner, with silver service from excellent staff and guests often moving on to the delightful bar for drinks or coffee. On my October visit, the dinner had changed to self-service buffet, and it reminded me of school dinners. The food was barely warm at best, and several times the soup, the best part of the meal, had to go back for reheating. We tried arriving at different times, but it made no difference. The dining room was sparsely occupied and hardly anyone went to the bar, as most residents went out for the evening. Such a shame. I’d booked half board again without realising the dinner arrangements had changed since my previous visit. If I returned, I’d choose bed and breakfast only. I’m a single traveller and had enjoyed the convivial atmosphere that silver-service hotel dining provides. It’s a lovely old hotel with an elegant entrance reception, good facilities and excellent staff. I had a three-week holiday there in January 2014, my second visit, and enjoyed it enough to return in October with two friends.

I really enjoyed staying in this Victorian-era building. It was great value for money, and the staff were pleasant and helpful. Friends tell me it’s now closed.

My husband needed time to recover at Imperial after an accident. The lovely staff looked after him with outstanding care and professionalism.