Iniala Valletta

My husband and I spent one night at the Iniala and had one of the most luxurious, welcoming hotel stays we've ever had. From the moment we arrived, the whole team made us feel pampered, almost like royalty. Their professionalism and attention to detail made the experience absolutely stunning.

**NOTHING TO DO WITH HOTEL STAY** We never stayed at the hotel. The workers there were quite helpful when we were trying to find our way. This review is about Essensi Spa, which is run from the basement, and the experience was so unprofessional that it became the worst massage I've ever had. We paid 170€ for the couples magical journey, including an 80-minute massage, but after booking nearly three weeks ahead, our reservation was changed with only 48 hours' notice. They said they could no longer do 10am and that we had to come at 9am. On the phone, they were incredibly rude, yelling that they had told us it would only be 55 minutes. They hadn't, they had only said the time had to change. They also claimed we needed to come early for maintenance, but at our original time we saw another couple getting ready. We were told arriving at 830 would get us the full 80 minutes, yet they didn't even give us the 55 minutes. In the end the massage was barely 50 minutes, despite the 55 minutes plus an extra 25 minutes we'd paid for. The massage itself was awful. One of us was left with bruises on the upper left arm. My wife specifically asked them to focus on her shoulder, but they missed it completely. I had explicitly said and shown them not to touch my injured leg because of nerve damage. They did anyway, causing pain, and scoffed when I winced and pulled my leg away. Afterward, they rushed us out of the facilities for the next couple. I've never seen a spa with room for only two people to sit and relax, where the previous guests are hurried out before they've had even an hour to enjoy the facilities. This was the first time in a long while that my wife and I could really splurge on ourselves, and the whole thing was ruined.

The hotel is in a great spot overlooking the Grand Harbour, with Valletta's sights easy to reach and the noise and bustle of the main streets kept at a distance. Breakfast was tasty and well served, with lovely views to start the day. It also had one of the best hotel gyms we've seen. The only thing missing was a bar. Otherwise, just right.

Malta is stunning, but our stay at Iniala was the highlight of the trip. The other hotels we stayed at afterward paled in comparison. The room was beautifully appointed, with every detail considered, and the personal service made us feel welcome and at home. Staff anticipated what we needed instead of just responding to requests. Roberto, Jeff, Joanne, and Martina deserve special thanks. Their warmth and professionalism made the stay unforgettable, and their care was the soul of the hotel. Highly recommend.