Venus Aparthotel

It's right in the centre so near to everything you need. The hotel needs refurbishing. They have left out the finishing touches such as painting right to the skirting boards but who cares? Our rooms were clean - no hairs in the bath or dirty sheets.
Our beds and towels were changed every day! The fans work but it is hot in the rooms as it is at home when it's hot weather. The food is edible. I'm a vegi and enjoyed the mash potato and fish dishes. The omelettes were a bit rubbery for me.
It was good to get tea and coffee at meal times as it costs a fortune abroad. The Palm Court Pool seemed fine but having just read another review 2 of the people in my family complained that their ears were hurting. The beach is only 20 mins on the bus though and costs less than £1 to get there. The bus station is very near to the hotel.
The TV worked in the room. If you want a cheap break and need to reduce the amount of spending money to take then go for it. You can always find something to eat. I have stayed in far more basic places in Greece where all you get for breakfast is maderia cake and bread and jam.
Here it's a cooked breakfast with beans everyday and lots of different kinds of bread and 2 kinds of eggs. We paid 200 for a week from Leeds and Bradford. The transfer time is short too. I would stay there again if I needed another budget break in the sun.

My sister and I have just arrived home from a week staying half board at the Venus. Booked after seeing a deal on Lastminute.com which appeared to be very good value. £240 for 7 nights half board. After various trips to travel agents and numerous web sites for a trip that suited both our needs this holiday seemed ideal.
After we booked I read the reviews on this site and another and dreaded what we would find on our arrival. Thinking we should have done more research before booking I was very apprehensive about the holiday. Our trip was booked however so we ventured onwards.
Our reception at the British Jet desk at Birmingham International airport was very welcoming and helpful. Considering the recent security scares we had no hassle and were quickly checked in. The flight was smooth and pleasant and we arrived in Malta on time. The coach journey to our resort was very uncomfortable however. The coach Arthur and John's did not appear to have air conditioning and did not have much leg room. As there were road works and lots of traffic it took 20 minutes to get out of the airport car park. In the heat this made it unbearable.
The hotel reception appeared a little overwhelmed on our arrival and seemed confused as to why people may need to know the direction of their rooms! However she was polite and friendly, taking time to chat to us.
We were in the second block and it proved difficult to manoeuvre our suitcases around the sun loungers avoiding the pool! The lift worked which is always a good start. The room appeared clean, I immediately checked the water didn’t run brown and the shower worked. Both were fine, bath clean and the bathroom tidy. One small towel each provided. Just about covered most of what was needed after shower but no hand towel given.
Bed sheets seemed clean, no stains on them. However after a very unsettled sleep on the first night due only to the heat I tossed and turned so much that the bare mattress was revealed. Therefore the numerous blood stains on the mattress were revealed! They were in various places on the mattress and I wondered if a murder had taken place on my bed by the previous occupants!
Television was falling apart and only received one English speaking channel, sky news. We heard Steve Irwin had died roughly 100 times! Still we didnt have much time to watch TV so didn’t care much. Beds and towels were changed daily and room seemed cleaned ok. Except floor not brushed or mopped at all. Sand was everywhere and our feet were caked in it every time we got out of shower.
Meals were suspect but you could put something edible together. It is what we paid for I guess. Most days we managed to sit by the pool so not in very hot restaurant. Just don't look in the kitchen as it will put you off the food for entire stay! Disgusting! We ate out several nights.
Pool was very clean, saw it cleaned regularly. No milky residue at all. Did see a dead cockroach by the pool on our second day which was quickly removed.
Staff generally helpful. Our cold water stopped one day. We complained to reception staff that night who appeared to expect a complaint to be coming his way the moment we approached the desk. The very next day tap was fixed. Very prompt!
On the bar there appeared to be only one staff member. A young guy with glasses who seemed to be only able to grunt. Tip would be not to book any trips through the reps. We only booked on the village festa trip on Sunday night. Very enjoyable evening and no complaints with service yet trip was twice the price of that offered by the local tour agents. There are plenty of trips to choose from. One agent is over road from palm court, think called freeways. They arrange transport to boat tour from hotel as well.
We went on Hornblower cruise to Blue lagoon which was the best day of our holiday. Half price of the Captian Morgan tour on same day. Resorts Qawra and Bugibba are very English and we had to hunt for Maltese food. Everywhere is burgers, full English breakfasts, fired chicken. Tried some Lampuka and Maltese ravioli which was very delicious. Wonderful staff and food at restaurant Villa mare in main square in Bugibba. Had a gorgeous Chinese too from Kaula Lumpar restaurant just off main square. Very good value and lovely staff and food.
Bus drivers were not helpful or friendly, except for one who seemed friendly because we were young girls in small summer vests only! Passes are good value though.
The beach at Ghanja Tuffiejna? is gorgeous and worth the hike down the stairs. Comino and the blue lagoon unforgetable.
Did not meet very many friendly Maltese people which is shame as I have heard this is what they are well known for. Mind you the English and the Germans staying in the resorts were far worse. We did not meet one nice English person in our hotel. We normally meet and befriend people when we go on holiday so was shame.
Overall a very enjoyable holiday. Hotel was not like 3 star hotels have been to before but was generally clean and welcoming and we got what we paid for. Weather gorgeous and we visited some wonderful places. Would definitely visit Malta again, maybe even the venus but maybe without the food!

Having just returned from out Malta Bargains holiday, I can honestly say we had a super time in the Qawra Palace after a miserable 1 nights stay in the Venus, how this hotel is still in business is an absolute mystery. It does not deserve the 3 stars awarded to it. The rooms weren't too bad if you don't count the broken ceiling fan and grotty bathroom.
As for the food and restaurant disgusting on both accounts totally inedible, the sauce bottles had never been washed and looked awful, they must have been there for years, the salad bar consisted of stale cheese brown lettuce and the rest! The plates were dirty, the bread baskets were laid with old carrier bags but one did have a posh checkered dirty cloth, the staff not much better there uniforms were dirty. A member of staff asked one of the guests to use the tongs when picking up the bread I think this was incase he caught anything from the basket.
We were very fortunate to be able to the Qawra Palace if not it would have been a flight home. The Palm Court was equally as bad if a little more organised. On the plus side of Malta Bargain holidays we found the rep at the Venus/Palm Court extremely helpful and very pleasant as was the flight and crew of British Jet. If you are considering this holiday then I would strongly advise you to think again.
How anyone could give this hotel a rating of more than 1/10 is also a mystery.

Just got back from a week holiday at this hotel and before I went I read the reports on this site and I suggest that you don’t believe them.

The hotel is a basic but clean hotel. For the price we paid, £160 P.P Half board, was well worth it.
The Pool is clean; the rooms are basic but are cleaned every day.
The staff were really helpful all the time, apart from the first night, but then again who is at 5am in the morning.
For £160 this hotel was really worth it and I would recommend that if you can get a cheap offer then snap it up.

Hi, I also read all the reviews on this hotel and can so I AM GLAD I went as I too don’t know what all the fuss was about. I have just got back (1st sept) and had a lovely week in the Venus.
Our rooms were cleaned daily inc. the bath mat. I asked if the floor could be cleaned one day as we had dropped some juice and the maid was there for us. Our t.v did not need a remote but who needs a TV when it’s in the 80's and such a lovely island. I would say that yes, it needs a lick of paint on the outside but so did most of them around there.
I would not have stayed at the palm court as it was not as clean by far. Our food was nice and the staff were great. I did chat to a few and they were glad that someone wanted to talk rather than shout at them!
We had our pool cleaned each day and around the pool too. The food was always hot, and I did ask why it had to be transported across and the manager told me that the kitchens were bigger but they are thinking of a refurb this winter in the venus and it is something they are looking into.
Overall, I am glad I did not listen to anyone and we all had a great time. We are going back to the island in Dec, to look for an apartment of our own. My advice, go and try it and if you are unhappy see the management, that’s what they are there for and approached right will help one last comment. Sack the barman, he is miserable!

Don’t stay unless it’s a real cheap / late deal
I can only guess the owners are trying to bleed as much money out of the Venus and Palm Court before the EU or Malta Tourist Authority shut them down (again) probably on health and safety grounds.
I agree with all the bad reviews
Pool milky colour and you are unable to see the bottom (I would recommend that you don't use the palm court pool as stories of ear and eye infections were common)
Only two of the three pools have water in. I only saw the pool cleaned twice in the two weeks, and the children were pulling rotten fruit out of the pool an hour later so I assume it wasn't done properly. Broken glass was common around the pool so don’t walk around barefoot.
Food awful wheeled hot from the palm court around the pool passed three open toilets at 1.30 every day for the evening meal at 6.30. Hotel boasts 20 meals available only this is over ten days so if you don’t like chicken thighs in a sauce or unknown fish in a sauce you will struggle to find anything palatable. Also all doors and windows shut in “restaurant” so it is stifling. Fortunately there are some good places to eat close by
Rooms basic, if you’re lucky the beds will be made every day, we weren’t Also take your own towels, we were given a small bath towel and a hand towel for two adults although you can pay for extra towels. Wiring and fans are health hazard (whilst we were there a fan blade sheered off in another guests room the management clamed it was a “manufacturing fault and the were not liable”)
Bathrooms poorly fitted and ageing leaks were common as was evidence of previous problems, ours had large orange stains across floor we hoped were from corroded copper pipes also mould on grouting and generally in poor condition. Our bath had a hole in which someone had put silicone over but this was lifting off causing leaks in room below. Don’t drink the water, also bath mats were not changed in the two weeks we were there nor was the floor cleaned as plastic caps were left from a previous occupant and are probably still there.
TV
You have to pay for a remote to use the TV don’t bother the only English Channel is Sky News. The previous tenets had levered off the front of our TV exposing the wiring so that we could switch on the TV it was never fixed. Brochure claimed two bars but even the staff only new of one.
There only good thing were the staff who were friendly but no help, they must hear so many complaints it has no effect anymore. Anyone with any talent I assume doesn’t stay long.
Don’t expect any help from the Reps when we complained we were told that you get what you pay for and she didn’t want to hear about it. Hotels say see Reps, Reps say see hotels, Malta bargains who own the Palm court and the Venus say see Reps and complete complaints form, No one had a complaints form. (demand must out strip supply)
Malta is a lovely place just don’t stay at the Venus or Palm Court. This could be a great hotel with better management and a little effort

Just back from Malta last week, had an absolutely fantastic time.
The hotel is fine. I agree with several others on the website that there are issues that need resolved but for the price, our holiday was an absolute bargain.
The staff were brilliant, the room was fab, drinks were cheap and the food was fine.
I can't help but laugh at the reviews on this site. You're holiday is costing pennies compared to the other deals available. Question what you're actually looking for before booking at this hotel.
If you're looking for nice simple accommodation at affordable prices, then you will enjoy your stay at the Venus.

After reading the reviews from other people before we arrived, I decided to go to the hotel with my eyes open and expect the worse, yes the food was really bad, we only ate in the restaurant once, and subsequently my partner was on the toilet most of the night. I am presuming this was down to the food we were given.
After that we ate out everyday. The pool was as bad as made out in some reviews, as you could not see your feet when you were in the water, but the sides were cleanish.
The room was ok, we only had one cockroach, another guest said they had 2 or 3 in the room, and they had also seen a rat outside the hotel during the evening, the maid came in everyday to make the beds and bring clean towels, but no air con, and the fan made a lot of noise, it kept you awake most of the night.
All in all for the price we paid and the time of year we went, it was a good base, but nothing else. The staff were friendly, the guy behind the bar was ok, as long as you could get his attention away from the young teenage girls that were staying in the hotel.
Would I stay again, the answer is No! If you are going to stay, I suggest you eat out and use the hotel as somewhere to sleep only.

The flight over with British Jet was a good low cost no frills flight as expected.
We had no illusions about the hotel before arriving as we had read many of the reviews. We found the rooms to be clean and the sheets changed daily, although the towels were not, and most had holes in, so take your own.
There was a pool but as many guests and the kitchen staff cross the area regularly it was in desperate need of a real clean. On one morning the cleaning staff scrubbed a small area of tiling and the dirt that came away was astounding. The pool itself appeared very milky, we chose not to use it as on the first morning we woke to find guests had thrown bottles and glasses into it, and all the staff did was fish them out.
If you book half board, as we did, and like food then all I can say is DON'T the food is absolutely terrible, you would do better going out for all your meals as we did, as there are many well priced and good restaurants in Malta. Even the local wild cats were reluctant to eat the food from the hotel.
The hotel staff are as pleasant as can be expected given what many of them have to put up with from the guests.
If visiting Malta I strongly advise you to get away from the Bugibba and Qawra area as you meet far friendlier people, and find much nicer places.
On the whole if you book as I did with Lastminute, take their description with a huge pinch of salt. They should really try going on the holidays they sell.

What a con. I paid £330 per adult and each child (single parent and 4 children, saved up for a nice holiday, what a joke).
Friendly reception staff did replace the light bulbs, then I could see the state of the room including blood stains on the bedding. Missed cleaning the room one day. No air con in the room, only a ceiling fan beware they fall apart!
Bathroom bin was not emptied all week the tiles on the walls not clean shower had no wall attachment. Pool area was a hazard area with broken glass on poolside, broken floor tiles, broken tiles in the pool, trip hazard of uplifted drains. Staff carried hot containers around the poolside (this all on the first day!)
The hot plates to keep the food hot burnt food in the middle and kept food luke warm otherwise. Quality of food was poor unless you like chips. Dining area slippery and small.
I spoke to the rep she offered to move us to Palm Hotel but I spoke to people in The Venus who had been moved from Palm Court cos that hotel was just as bad. Told the Rep about the poor maintenance and of the crumbling walls at The Venus her reply was "This is a 3* hotel". My reply " Its not 3* its a 1* with 2 stick-ons". If you pay less than £200 then it is a bargain if you pay more don’t go.