Fortina Spa Resort Hotel, Sliema, Malta
Hotel Information
Recent Price: £87
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
Couples and families will enjoy the large range of superb facilities at this fine hotel - choose from seven swimming pools, seven restaurants and four bars, as well as a great number of leisure activities and services offered on site. The stylish accommodation certainly provides plenty of comfort, making this an excellent hotel choice in a beautiful setting with more than enough wonderful holiday options to go around! Due to the small amount of steps in and around this property, this hotel may not be suitable for wheelchair users. loading...
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Fortina Spa Resort Hotel Reviews
" A good all-inclusive hotel "
Submitted By: chufferhuffapuffer
My wife and I booked a week through Spa Travel advertised in a Marks & Spencer catalogue; we met in Malta 40 years ago while I was serving with the RAF on the Island. The week's all inclusive stay in the Fortina Spa Resort (5* opened in 2006) and included Club Class return travel with either BA or Air Malta, with Malta transfers and a 2 hour harbour cruise, at a cost of £900 each. Air Malta (Heathrow Terminal 4) provided an outstanding service on both outbound and return sectors - far better than BA! We booked a superior harbour view room and were allocated one on the tower's 4th floor facing Pieta and Marsamxett harbours facing South West with fantastic views of North facing Valetta and sunsets over Rabat. The rooms are well appointed and clean with a queen size bed, lots of wardrobe space, big bathrooms with separate bath and shower, a well-stocked fridge (filled daily) and a large screen TV, which offers BBC World but you have to pay 3 Euros a day to watch movies and other channels. The balcony is large and has 2 sun loungers with cushions and a table. On arrival your picture is taken and imposed on an All Inclusive "credit card" sized pass, which you have to show at all times until the staff get to know you. This card can also be used in the Fortina hotel bars next door. All drinks are included except aged whiskies and XO Brandy and the like and the cocktail menu is very comprehensive and served by friendly bar staff. There is good live music in the bar area; sadly the piano and musicians are almost hidden from the Limes bar lounge, which has very little character and loads of bar stools, which make it difficult to get to the bar and order drinks. Evening meals have to be booked through the concierge who will provide you with hard copies of your reservations, up to 3 days in advance, for the Indian, Japanese, Med/Vietnamese (Taste), Pizza (for lunch and Friday & Saturday evenings only) and Thai/Chinese Restaurants. We did have lunch in the "4*" Fortina hotel next door, which is very basic and a bit like a Butlin's Holiday Camp - certainly not 4* - 2* at best. Breakfast is in the Taste Restaurant nearest the hotel Bar called Limes and has a good selection. We tried the Indian, Thai/Chinese and Med/Vietnamese restaurants and Pizza for lunch. House wine is offered and the white is medium and quite good but the red is very dry and rough. The Indian was first class in every respect but watch out for the very hot pre-starter, which comes with all meals; we ate there once. The Pizza restaurant is good for lunch; the soups and garlic breads were great but the dough in pizzas tasted awful. Taste (Med/Vietnamese - a strange combination) served quite excellent fillet steaks with a tasty sauce and roast/dauphine potatoes; we had 2 dinners there. By far the best was the Thai/Chinese Restaurant, where we had 3 dinners. This restaurant serves some of THE best Chinese/Thai food we have experienced in our worldwide travels and I commend it as our favourite. When you open the menu in the evening be sure to get the right page - most people try ordering from the lunch menu -the dinner menu is at the back of the book! The free boat trip with Captain Morgan's Harbour tours is highly recommended - even if you've already experienced this before as we had done a number of times. The boat leaves opposite Marks& Spencer's on the Sliema front, which is about 7 minutes stroll from the hotel and provides commentary in English and German. There are plenty of shops along the sea front and along Tower road, selling everything from McDonald's, Berger King, more up market cafes, boutiques, BHS and even a Monsoon. If you are looking for some fresh fruit and a few snacks/drinks for your room there is a very good 3 floor supermarket adjacent to a Next fashion shop immediately to the left at the top of Tower Road. Despite the hotel room guide giving 1200 as checkout time we received a flyer telling us to check out at 1100. A quick visit to reception armed with the hotel guide gave us a midday checkout after which we were asked to retain our all inclusive passes and offered lunch and drinks until we left the hotel. The only points to beware of are the invitations to be collected and taken away for a 2 hour timeshare brainwash, which we instantly declined. Also the lift doors don't take prisoners and my wife has the bruises to remind her and we met another hotel guest who had suffered the lift door "guillotine" effect. Also note there is NO room service or ice machines available (is this a 5* hotel?). Finally, if you like a 5 star holiday environment with the guests to match, then stay away from the Fortina Hotel next door; it is not a pleasant experience! Overall, a very relaxing holiday and hotel, which has everything you want in a good location.
Advice: A good springboard for Malta and Gozo
Activities: Fortina Spa has 5 excellent restaurants
Good for: Beach City Breaks
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- Date of Holiday:Oct 2009
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Fortina 5* - Overrates itself "
Submitted By: Kev Amsterdam
The Fortina Spa Hotel has a knack of talking itself up in its advertising to make you think you will be staying in one of the finest hotels you'll ever go to, yet it is far from what I expected of a 5* hotel.
I certainly can't complain about the room itself (wellness room). Very comfortable, great view over the bay to Valetta, huge luxury bed etc. My issue lies with what was portrayed by the hotel compared to the reality and how I had to have my schedule interrupted because of the hotel's timeshare scam.
I paid approximately €1,700 euros for a week's stay in a wellness room. I do a stressful job and this was my first break in a year and I was hoping to have my stay on my own terms. So having landed late on a Monday night, I was looking forward to a lie in on the Tuesday. At 08:30 however, I was awoken with a phone call from reception telling me I had complimentary harbour tickets for collection. I said I'd collect them later and went back to sleep. At some point later in the day, I went to reception to get them and they told me I'd need to get them from upstairs, so I left it. Then on the Wednesday morning, same routine; woken up yet again with a phone call at 9am telling me about my harbour tickets (despite having a 'Do not disturb' sign on my door).
Upon going downstairs to get breakfast and being collared by the girl with the tickets, I was then offered spa tickets as well if I did an hour tour of the hotel. I should have worked out that the hotel had used the harbour cruise tickets as a way to push a timeshare scam on you at the same time. I did the tour and it took 2.5 hours with some very pushy, patronising and aggressive salespeople. This is not what I expect of a 5* premier resort and was mortified at being woken up on two consecutive mornings with the hotel desperate to get me into the timeshare trap.
Other bad points are that there is constant building work in the area that makes everything dusty and keeps a constant noise around the hotel from early morning until early evening. The gym that is described as top class, really isn't. The equipment is all quite dated and it's not a big work out area. The response from the management, having written them a letter and an email, has been lacking; they sent me a reply to my mail to tell me they'd give me a response shortly, yet 2 weeks later and I'm still waiting. Lastly, there is no internet in the bedrooms which I would take as a given for almost any 5* hotel in the world.
When the building works are finished and without the pushiness of a company depserate to sell you timeshare, this will be a goodhotel, but I certainly wouldn't spend nearly €2k to stay there again.
I certainly can't complain about the room itself (wellness room). Very comfortable, great view over the bay to Valetta, huge luxury bed etc. My issue lies with what was portrayed by the hotel compared to the reality and how I had to have my schedule interrupted because of the hotel's timeshare scam.
I paid approximately €1,700 euros for a week's stay in a wellness room. I do a stressful job and this was my first break in a year and I was hoping to have my stay on my own terms. So having landed late on a Monday night, I was looking forward to a lie in on the Tuesday. At 08:30 however, I was awoken with a phone call from reception telling me I had complimentary harbour tickets for collection. I said I'd collect them later and went back to sleep. At some point later in the day, I went to reception to get them and they told me I'd need to get them from upstairs, so I left it. Then on the Wednesday morning, same routine; woken up yet again with a phone call at 9am telling me about my harbour tickets (despite having a 'Do not disturb' sign on my door).
Upon going downstairs to get breakfast and being collared by the girl with the tickets, I was then offered spa tickets as well if I did an hour tour of the hotel. I should have worked out that the hotel had used the harbour cruise tickets as a way to push a timeshare scam on you at the same time. I did the tour and it took 2.5 hours with some very pushy, patronising and aggressive salespeople. This is not what I expect of a 5* premier resort and was mortified at being woken up on two consecutive mornings with the hotel desperate to get me into the timeshare trap.
Other bad points are that there is constant building work in the area that makes everything dusty and keeps a constant noise around the hotel from early morning until early evening. The gym that is described as top class, really isn't. The equipment is all quite dated and it's not a big work out area. The response from the management, having written them a letter and an email, has been lacking; they sent me a reply to my mail to tell me they'd give me a response shortly, yet 2 weeks later and I'm still waiting. Lastly, there is no internet in the bedrooms which I would take as a given for almost any 5* hotel in the world.
When the building works are finished and without the pushiness of a company depserate to sell you timeshare, this will be a goodhotel, but I certainly wouldn't spend nearly €2k to stay there again.
Advice: Great part of town for beach for beach front restaurants and stunnig views
Activities: Water Polo matches, The rocks grill and bar, Exiles.
Good for: Beach City Breaks
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2009
- Board Basis:Bed & Breakfast
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Fabulous Fortina! :) "
Submitted By: kw3
We went to the fortina in july 2007 for a family holiday (mothers & kids plus the grandma) 6 of us in total. we booked a deluxe room with a garden view which was lovely. every day our mini-fridge was refilled and we were given the choice of what drinks we wanted. a full clean, clean towels & room most days. any problems (such as breaking the lock on the door which we did ooops) they were more than happy to sort with no complications. the view from our room was wondeful. we had a balcony, also gorgeous :) 6 pools in total (3 outdoor- both saltwater fine with goggles, 2 indoor- non salt water, one in gym area and 2 in spa area, one for cool swim or aerobics and one hotter than ive ever been in before- lovely for relaxing). the spa treatments also very good apparently, my mum and grandma both had one, well grandma had 4 but she deserved it paying for the holiday and all! daytrips and excursions also very nice, we went to mediteraneo (nearby marine park) and swam with dolphins. i had recently had my ears peirced and had to take them out, which caused them to heal up but it was well worth it :) dolphins gorgeous :) also do water shows and animal shows at mediteraneo- worth a watch *thumbs up*. we also went to splash and fun water park- very good but slightly grubby. when i got changed found hair and tissues in my bikini top ewwwww. the lagoon daytrip- we nearly went but were told it is VERY hot and as it was mid july and we had a 6 year old blonde who burnt easy we decided to give it a miss. also regular buses running for all different places. we took one to the market. when going on buses they get VERY crowded, try to sit at the front. or stand. hold onto hand rails and take a pocket fan as they are VERY hot and stuffy. keep your items close as there are pick pockets :(. as for the hotel its all gorgeous. we went all inclusive and the waiters at the pool bar were happy to serve us more than our fair share of drinks, ice creams, poolside snacks etc.. which the kids LOVED. :) hotel also has steps going right down into the sea! went swimming in there almost every day- very safe, even for a 6 year old with armbands. offers scoober diving lessons with a trained instructor going into the sea which i can imagine was great but not really our cup of tea. lots of shops and restaurants just a short walk, but there is quite alot of glass on the streets despite it being a nice area- think this is just what happens in malta. night entertainment at the hotel also good. music and dancing by the pool. theres also internet access but isnt included in all inclusive. think it is 2 maltese lira for half an hour? :S. well anyway, it was a much enjoyed holiday, we stayed for 2 weeks and it was the best family holiday ever! deffo recomended, thanks grandma :):):) x
Advice: silemma wonderful area, lots to do, worth a visit :)
Activities: the ice cream bar is great, massive ice creams YUM :P
Good for: City Breaks
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" ripped off "
Submitted By: tankdriver
Just returned some what disappointed,I foolishly booked for one week all inclusive direct with hotel (Wrong move)a lot of the guests in the hotel had paid far less than i paid for TWO WEEKS including flights. (So be warned)also beware when you are offered two harbour cruise tickets you will be asked if you would like someone to show you around, unless you are into timeshare avoid it.
When we checked in we were offered an upgraded to a spa room with the garden view. I said i had booked a harbour view. we asked to look at the so called harbour view which had a very restricted view so we decided to take the upgrade,this was a very nice large room and as we found out was not really suitable for us being disabled.The Jacuzzi no had hand rails, the stairs up to the pool on the roof were rather steep.i wish we could have been younger or fitter to have appreciated what was in the room.
Apart from these issues we had a relaxing time.
All the restaurants in the spar hotel were really fantastic the food was genuine ala carte. the food in the fortina 4* buffet next door was very good i would say their breakfasts were better than the Taste in the 5* because there were warm plates and hot food.
I would definitely go again but not at the price i paid,will look more carefully next time.
When we checked in we were offered an upgraded to a spa room with the garden view. I said i had booked a harbour view. we asked to look at the so called harbour view which had a very restricted view so we decided to take the upgrade,this was a very nice large room and as we found out was not really suitable for us being disabled.The Jacuzzi no had hand rails, the stairs up to the pool on the roof were rather steep.i wish we could have been younger or fitter to have appreciated what was in the room.
Apart from these issues we had a relaxing time.
All the restaurants in the spar hotel were really fantastic the food was genuine ala carte. the food in the fortina 4* buffet next door was very good i would say their breakfasts were better than the Taste in the 5* because there were warm plates and hot food.
I would definitely go again but not at the price i paid,will look more carefully next time.
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- Date of Holiday:Nov 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" Fortina Spa Tower Block "
Submitted By: ts
We have just spent an amazing week at the Fortina Spa Tower Block all inclusive this has been the best holiday we have had anywhere. The room and views were amazing and the staff exceptional. The idea of the numerous restaurants to choose from was very good. We found it very relaxing and stress free and the views are something to die for. When the building work for the new shopping centre is completed later this year it will be even better. Could not have enjoyed it more and the travel arrangements through Travel Republic were easy and everything worked out fine. Wonderful country and wonderful people this was our first visit of many.
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- Date of Holiday:Oct 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" We booked a Spa room at the Fortina... "
Submitted By: Mr P K
We booked a Spa room at the Fortina Spa resort for out honeymoon in August 2008. According to the brochure we would get a free upgrade to a spa room with pool, but when we got there they gave us a spa room with a jacuzzi on the balcony (which didnt work and had broken jets!) and they said if we wanted a room with pool it would cost us an extra 35 euros each per night for the next 2 weeks! We got stuck with that room until we could talk to the belair rep, who was very good and quickly got our room changed to one with a pool. There were other problems with the first room but it didnt matter once we got to the new one.
The most frustrating problem we had with the 2nd room was (as with the 1st one) the bath taps. A poor design meant the weight of the handle would turn itself back off very quickly. The only way it would work is by putting it on either full hot or full cold and gently trying to let go, quite a knack to getting that right! If you wanted any temperature in between, which you may well want if washing the shampoo out of your hair, you had to hold it on! When i called reception and they sent an engineer the engineer really couldnt see what the problem was with that and we know it was the same in the other rooms! The pool on the roof was very dirty when we arrived, and we have to go get a net to clear out all the rubbish ourselves, but once that was done it was cleaned every couple of days and was reasonably clean, however, i picked up an ear infection while i was there and i suspect it was that pool. Never had the slightest hint of a problem like that before.
The slabs along the side of the pool werent fixed on properly, again the engineer couldnt see anything wrong with it, but along one side they were stuck in with silicone sealant (and we noticed the engineers always had some in their hand everytime we saw one walking around!) Before i looked closely while getting out i fell back in as the slab came loose and tilted me back in. No harm done, but im young and have no problem with water, my wife however cant swim so would have been quite shaken up, an older guest may have been injured. Later in the holiday, while carefully treading on a slab near the edge it actually split in 2 and i fell in again! Im not heavy, so it cant be the first time its heppened, hence several other broken tiles held together with silicone sealant! We had lots of little problems but really couldnt be bothered to complain about most of them and just got on with our holiday. But our general feeling was that the holiday was not up to the standard it should have been for a 5 star spa resort, apparently the best in Malta by far! Building work was going on everywhere and the pool was overlooked by other rooms from the fortina 4 star hotel and the tower rooms.
There were 6 cranes over our pool, and although mostly quiet, they were unsightly and will be there until at least 2010. Foundations have started going down for a new shopping centre next to the hotel (which the local paper at the time reported hadnt had proper planning permission so had been stopped until they can back date permission for the so far 'illegal foundation work in the past 2 months') The shopping centre will have a debenhams, marks and spencer etc like those over here and it will take a long time to build, especially when you see the speed they work and the temperature they have to work in. So be prepared for lots of building work!
The main pool was nice, but with all sides surrounded doesnt get much sun in or around the pool, so was pretty cold, we used it a couple of times but the pool on our roof was nice and refreshing but not cold and there was plenty of sun around the pool too!
But, the hotel does have some redeeming features! The food is very good and really couldnt be faulted at all, most of the staff are very helpful and polite although you can see they get a lot of complaints and it grows tiresome for them!
The spa is very good and a very relaxing place to be, although we did use the spa bits in our room a few times, we spent most of our time around the pool on the roof or in the spa sante which was all included. We payed for a few extra treatments too and they were all very very good and relaxing. You can see why it has 5 stars when you see the spa and the food!
So, all in all, we did have a good time once we got over the initial disappointment, it is a nice place but the brochure does strech your expectations a bit too much. Be careful when booking, but make sure you get access to the spa, it is the whole point of the hotel and is really worth having!
The most frustrating problem we had with the 2nd room was (as with the 1st one) the bath taps. A poor design meant the weight of the handle would turn itself back off very quickly. The only way it would work is by putting it on either full hot or full cold and gently trying to let go, quite a knack to getting that right! If you wanted any temperature in between, which you may well want if washing the shampoo out of your hair, you had to hold it on! When i called reception and they sent an engineer the engineer really couldnt see what the problem was with that and we know it was the same in the other rooms! The pool on the roof was very dirty when we arrived, and we have to go get a net to clear out all the rubbish ourselves, but once that was done it was cleaned every couple of days and was reasonably clean, however, i picked up an ear infection while i was there and i suspect it was that pool. Never had the slightest hint of a problem like that before.
The slabs along the side of the pool werent fixed on properly, again the engineer couldnt see anything wrong with it, but along one side they were stuck in with silicone sealant (and we noticed the engineers always had some in their hand everytime we saw one walking around!) Before i looked closely while getting out i fell back in as the slab came loose and tilted me back in. No harm done, but im young and have no problem with water, my wife however cant swim so would have been quite shaken up, an older guest may have been injured. Later in the holiday, while carefully treading on a slab near the edge it actually split in 2 and i fell in again! Im not heavy, so it cant be the first time its heppened, hence several other broken tiles held together with silicone sealant! We had lots of little problems but really couldnt be bothered to complain about most of them and just got on with our holiday. But our general feeling was that the holiday was not up to the standard it should have been for a 5 star spa resort, apparently the best in Malta by far! Building work was going on everywhere and the pool was overlooked by other rooms from the fortina 4 star hotel and the tower rooms.
There were 6 cranes over our pool, and although mostly quiet, they were unsightly and will be there until at least 2010. Foundations have started going down for a new shopping centre next to the hotel (which the local paper at the time reported hadnt had proper planning permission so had been stopped until they can back date permission for the so far 'illegal foundation work in the past 2 months') The shopping centre will have a debenhams, marks and spencer etc like those over here and it will take a long time to build, especially when you see the speed they work and the temperature they have to work in. So be prepared for lots of building work!
The main pool was nice, but with all sides surrounded doesnt get much sun in or around the pool, so was pretty cold, we used it a couple of times but the pool on our roof was nice and refreshing but not cold and there was plenty of sun around the pool too!
But, the hotel does have some redeeming features! The food is very good and really couldnt be faulted at all, most of the staff are very helpful and polite although you can see they get a lot of complaints and it grows tiresome for them!
The spa is very good and a very relaxing place to be, although we did use the spa bits in our room a few times, we spent most of our time around the pool on the roof or in the spa sante which was all included. We payed for a few extra treatments too and they were all very very good and relaxing. You can see why it has 5 stars when you see the spa and the food!
So, all in all, we did have a good time once we got over the initial disappointment, it is a nice place but the brochure does strech your expectations a bit too much. Be careful when booking, but make sure you get access to the spa, it is the whole point of the hotel and is really worth having!
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" The hotel/resort is in the middle of... "
Submitted By: travellingteacher
The hotel/resort is in the middle of a building site. We counted 7 cranes from the room and 20 in the area. The work is set to go on for years. We were woken up before 8am every day by drilling and banging. Would not recommend! Not restful. The hotel was also refurbishing rooms and the noise made sitting by the pool unbearable. See uploaded video with sound. This only stopped when a promotional video was being made and for a conference lunch. The hotel refused to accept responsibility.
The gym (described as world class) was very disappointing. The cardiovascular machines were old and were not working properly. We had to walk into the next door hotel to use it and it was split up into three rooms around the indoor pool. The pool was dirty and we only saw it cleaned after we complained. The best thing about the holiday, apart from the weather, was coming home!
The gym (described as world class) was very disappointing. The cardiovascular machines were old and were not working properly. We had to walk into the next door hotel to use it and it was split up into three rooms around the indoor pool. The pool was dirty and we only saw it cleaned after we complained. The best thing about the holiday, apart from the weather, was coming home!
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- Date of Holiday:May 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:direct with resort
" We have just returned from this Hotel... "
Submitted By: Miss N Smith
We have just returned from this Hotel in Malta initially we booked the four star Hotel Fortina but upgraded in resort to the Five Star. If you book check which hotel you have booked as the four star is less superior and caters for old age bridge players and pensioners there for two months stay. The Four star operates an all Inclusive Buffet which is not great and caters for the mass produced you can pay an upgrade to dine around in the other restaurants but this limits you to a set menu in each restaurant with three choices per menu . These other restaurants also have to be booked at least a day in advance to get in. The four star operates two bars one is a dance lounge where all the locals go to for a catch up and generally there are no seats and the other is a smaller bar on the lower level which is okay but is used by smokers . The drink choice in both of these is limited to local brew and mixes. The four star is shabbby in places and is like a saga hotel . The five star is next door but if you book into this it is fantastic you can you all of the restaurants and the A la Carte is all free plus a seperate bar which does decent drinks and international brands the spa sante is included on which room type you choose and the Theraputic Spa rooms are worth paying extra for. The web site is slightly confusing the reception staff can be a bit rude but everyone else is great . Just check what you have booked and make sure you are in the right hotel.
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" PAID ALLINCLUSIVE AT THE 4* FORTINA .... "
Submitted By: Mr J Carpenter
PAID ALLINCLUSIVE AT THE 4* FORTINA . ALL THIS MEANS IS BUFFET MEALS IN THE VALETTA RESTAURANT. TO USE THE OTHER 5 RESTAURANTS WE HAD TO PAY EXTRA.THE FOOD WAS NOT 4* BUT OK WITH FREE WINE OR BEER.WE COULD DRINK FREE IN 2 OF THE BARS. OUR ROOM WAS QUITE GOOD ON THE 7 FLOOR OVERLOOKING THE HARBOUR AND VALETTA BUT THERE ARE SOME VERY SMALL ROOMS ON THE SEA SIDE OF THE HOTEL OUR MAID DID A VERY GOOD JOB WITH THE ROOM. WE WOULD NOT STAY HERE AGAIN AS IT IS ONLY A 2 OR 3*AT BEST
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- Date of Holiday:Feb 2008
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" We had previously visited this hotel... "
Submitted By: Mrs M Dean
We had previously visited this hotel and had been very satisfied. However, this time a totally different story.
The hotel receptionist on our arrival was downright rude saying that we had not booked certain things, good job we had our invoice.
Bedroom was clean and overlooked the bay. We had selected the dine around option, beware you only get a very basic menu in the speciality restaurants, all other food has to be paid for. (Nan bread in the Indian for example) Service in these restaurants was good.
Too much emphasis has been placed on the new 5 star accommodation, 4 star has been neglected. All free gifts or would you like to look at our new rooms are a crafty way of getting you to a time share presentation. Definitely making you feel like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class citizens.
One Garden bar barman was moaning and pulling rude faces all time, but the staff in the Poolside bar were pleasant, entertainment was good in this bar. Service is not what we have received previously, not 4 star more like 3. Attention to detail lacking in 4 star, beware if you visit 5 star bar, where attention to detail is excellent everything has to be paid for.
Building work is being carried out close to hotel, no mention of this from Travel Agent or hotel. No use complaining no one is listening. We were not the only ones there who felt that the 4 star side of the hotel was left to its own devices while every effort to make you see how beautiful the 5 star rooms were and that you would be treated like Kings and Queens, why 5 star residents have their own entrance to hotel and of course separate entrance to the Spa.
We will be visiting Malta again, but this hotel will not be on our list ever again, in fact it is a good job we had visited Malta several times over the last 30 years. This is the only time we have ever been disappointed.
The hotel receptionist on our arrival was downright rude saying that we had not booked certain things, good job we had our invoice.
Bedroom was clean and overlooked the bay. We had selected the dine around option, beware you only get a very basic menu in the speciality restaurants, all other food has to be paid for. (Nan bread in the Indian for example) Service in these restaurants was good.
Too much emphasis has been placed on the new 5 star accommodation, 4 star has been neglected. All free gifts or would you like to look at our new rooms are a crafty way of getting you to a time share presentation. Definitely making you feel like 1st, 2nd, and 3rd class citizens.
One Garden bar barman was moaning and pulling rude faces all time, but the staff in the Poolside bar were pleasant, entertainment was good in this bar. Service is not what we have received previously, not 4 star more like 3. Attention to detail lacking in 4 star, beware if you visit 5 star bar, where attention to detail is excellent everything has to be paid for.
Building work is being carried out close to hotel, no mention of this from Travel Agent or hotel. No use complaining no one is listening. We were not the only ones there who felt that the 4 star side of the hotel was left to its own devices while every effort to make you see how beautiful the 5 star rooms were and that you would be treated like Kings and Queens, why 5 star residents have their own entrance to hotel and of course separate entrance to the Spa.
We will be visiting Malta again, but this hotel will not be on our list ever again, in fact it is a good job we had visited Malta several times over the last 30 years. This is the only time we have ever been disappointed.
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- Date of Holiday:Oct 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Direct Holidays
" We stayed at the Fortina Spa Resort... "
Submitted By: Mr P Bareham
We stayed at the Fortina Spa Resort 5* from the 26th Sept to 3rd Oct. We had booked a sea view room in the tower.
The room we were initially given, 536 looked over a building site. We decided to wait to see our Rep the next day as we knew from previous experience we would have agro if we tried to change rooms ourselves.
We were woken the following morning at 7am by workmen shouting, huge lorries thundering by it was awful. Every vehicle that left the site had to be pressure washed down.
When we saw our Rep he was horrified, our room was changed to 831 it was like a different world looking over the sea and Valletta which we had already paid a higher price for.
Our room was clean with a large double bed but a smallish bathroom. The sun was on the balcony from morning to evening which was the best thing about this 5* room.
We spoke to other guests who were equally unhappy with the concept; it is not a Hotel that we would ever return to not if you are hoping for a stress free holiday.
The hotel's rating is very confusing as the 5* Spa Resort shares the site and all the facilities of the Fortina Hotel 4* where one allows children and one does not and your use of the 4* and 5* hotel's facilities including restaurants and bars, are governed by the colour of the card you have to carry everywhere. The 5* does not have any real exclusivity.
The Management needs to get its act together and decide if they are a 5* or 4* hotel because at the moment it is neither, and also there are time share rooms being pushed and we would not recommend it as a holiday destination.
The room we were initially given, 536 looked over a building site. We decided to wait to see our Rep the next day as we knew from previous experience we would have agro if we tried to change rooms ourselves.
We were woken the following morning at 7am by workmen shouting, huge lorries thundering by it was awful. Every vehicle that left the site had to be pressure washed down.
When we saw our Rep he was horrified, our room was changed to 831 it was like a different world looking over the sea and Valletta which we had already paid a higher price for.
Our room was clean with a large double bed but a smallish bathroom. The sun was on the balcony from morning to evening which was the best thing about this 5* room.
We spoke to other guests who were equally unhappy with the concept; it is not a Hotel that we would ever return to not if you are hoping for a stress free holiday.
The hotel's rating is very confusing as the 5* Spa Resort shares the site and all the facilities of the Fortina Hotel 4* where one allows children and one does not and your use of the 4* and 5* hotel's facilities including restaurants and bars, are governed by the colour of the card you have to carry everywhere. The 5* does not have any real exclusivity.
The Management needs to get its act together and decide if they are a 5* or 4* hotel because at the moment it is neither, and also there are time share rooms being pushed and we would not recommend it as a holiday destination.
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Chevron Air Holidays
" We had a lovely holiday. The Fortina... "
Submitted By: Ms Hm Langhorn
We had a lovely holiday. The Fortina is situated close to the bus stations for all locations and for approx 40c you can catch a bus all over the island.
Our room was directly opposite Valetta looking over the sea and we watched the ferry service and the various harbour cruise ships passing etc. and it was beautiful day and night.
The hotel itself is a little tired in decor but the location and the staff and the meals in the self-service restaurant made up for this. We love Malta and return every year at varying times - this was the hottest yet in late July with temperatures approx 35 - 40C. The air conditioning made this OK because we ventured out in the morning and returned to our room for the afternoon and went out again from 4.00 pm onwards.
Our balcony was a decent size and partly shaded and so we could relax and enjoy a cool glass of wine on the balcony in the afternoon.
We had a look around the five star next door and it is beautiful. The spa rooms are out of this world and the garden area is stunning and very peaceful. The restaurants and the atmosphere there are excellent - unless you are all inclusive you have to pay for the use of the restaurants. Half board are allowed to use the self service or the Italian only.
Our room was directly opposite Valetta looking over the sea and we watched the ferry service and the various harbour cruise ships passing etc. and it was beautiful day and night.
The hotel itself is a little tired in decor but the location and the staff and the meals in the self-service restaurant made up for this. We love Malta and return every year at varying times - this was the hottest yet in late July with temperatures approx 35 - 40C. The air conditioning made this OK because we ventured out in the morning and returned to our room for the afternoon and went out again from 4.00 pm onwards.
Our balcony was a decent size and partly shaded and so we could relax and enjoy a cool glass of wine on the balcony in the afternoon.
We had a look around the five star next door and it is beautiful. The spa rooms are out of this world and the garden area is stunning and very peaceful. The restaurants and the atmosphere there are excellent - unless you are all inclusive you have to pay for the use of the restaurants. Half board are allowed to use the self service or the Italian only.
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- Date of Holiday:Jul 2007
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:MyTravel
" Booked a sea view with my daughter... "
Submitted By: Mrs S Rodgers
Booked a sea view with my daughter and upon arrival was upgraded to an outdoor spa bedroom. Great!
Restaurants served very good 5 * food, didn't try the Indian (I don't like it) and was warned not to try the pizzeria.
Set in a quiet location, overlooking the harbour, with some building work next door.
However, when that is finished it will be in a very pleasant position. Opt for the garden view, it is much pleasanter. Nighttimes were a bit boring for my daughter, the entertainment wasn't very good. (It is more suitable for the elderly).
Spa was wonderful. My daughter had a facial and a St Tropez tan which was worth the money. No complaints from me, I would go again but only in the 5 star.
Restaurants served very good 5 * food, didn't try the Indian (I don't like it) and was warned not to try the pizzeria.
Set in a quiet location, overlooking the harbour, with some building work next door.
However, when that is finished it will be in a very pleasant position. Opt for the garden view, it is much pleasanter. Nighttimes were a bit boring for my daughter, the entertainment wasn't very good. (It is more suitable for the elderly).
Spa was wonderful. My daughter had a facial and a St Tropez tan which was worth the money. No complaints from me, I would go again but only in the 5 star.
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Airtours
" Very much a two part hotel. The "4... "
Submitted By: Mrs J Grainger
Very much a two part hotel. The "4 star" has some very basic rooms and some that are ok. Everyone at the 5 star seemed happy.
There were a lot of unhappy people mainly complaining about the standard of the rooms. We had paid extra for a garden view but had been put in a tiny, grubby, 'shoebox' at the front. We were told that we would have to pay extra to upgrade.
This happened to everyone who complained and many did as they did not want to spoil their holiday. If you book to go here make sure you know exactly the room you are getting as they vary considerably.
There are too many different levels, packages etc - it is so confusing and the hotel seem to use it to their advantage.
There is also major building work (diggers, dumpers and pneumatic drills at 6am) close to the hotel - not council work with minimal disruption as we were informed by our travel agent.
However, the bar and restaurant staff were lovely. The garden setting at night is beautiful. The food is very good but the entertainment - an organist and a singer with ballroom dancing is not geared to everyone's taste. Not the place for young people, teenagers or children.
The highlight of our stay, apart from the lovely people we met, was Doctor Vladimir, who takes the Thalasso Therapy classes (make sure you get them free in your package).
We went every day and, apart from the pool being excellent, his demonstrations of the exercises are indescribable. What a sweetie!! If you go, don't miss him.
Once we had decided to settle with an inferior room, we did enjoy our stay as a quiet, relaxing break.
There were a lot of unhappy people mainly complaining about the standard of the rooms. We had paid extra for a garden view but had been put in a tiny, grubby, 'shoebox' at the front. We were told that we would have to pay extra to upgrade.
This happened to everyone who complained and many did as they did not want to spoil their holiday. If you book to go here make sure you know exactly the room you are getting as they vary considerably.
There are too many different levels, packages etc - it is so confusing and the hotel seem to use it to their advantage.
There is also major building work (diggers, dumpers and pneumatic drills at 6am) close to the hotel - not council work with minimal disruption as we were informed by our travel agent.
However, the bar and restaurant staff were lovely. The garden setting at night is beautiful. The food is very good but the entertainment - an organist and a singer with ballroom dancing is not geared to everyone's taste. Not the place for young people, teenagers or children.
The highlight of our stay, apart from the lovely people we met, was Doctor Vladimir, who takes the Thalasso Therapy classes (make sure you get them free in your package).
We went every day and, apart from the pool being excellent, his demonstrations of the exercises are indescribable. What a sweetie!! If you go, don't miss him.
Once we had decided to settle with an inferior room, we did enjoy our stay as a quiet, relaxing break.
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- Date of Holiday:May 2007
- Board Basis:All Inclusive
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
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The thing that I will always remember though is the two choirs that stayed at the Fortina at the same time. Obviously with amazing voices but to have to listen to them at dead on 0710 in the morning starting to go through the scales and warming up their voices right outside your door is a real turn off to your hols. We were not alone in this spoiling our stay. Oh and you can be stood behind them in the queue for the food or on the stairs and they will practice by singing their conversations! A real killer for a relaxing hols. I will be going back to Malta but never again to the Fortina.