Park Hotel

Summary In short, this is a good base hotel to stay in Sliema, Malta. As a travel agent, we have stayed in many, many hotels and resorts, and this hotel was an “ok” stay. We have been to various 3 star hotels, and resorts, and this one is accurately listed as a 3 star. The hotel is clean overall, perhaps showing some signs of aging in some areas (worn carpets in areas), and some service/quality issues. The staff were professional and did their best to accommodate as much as possible. The food at breakfast was bearable, but for those who like a good cup of coffee to start the day, I hate to say it, but look elsewhere. If I were offered the fullboard basis at this hotel, I would maybe only choose breakfast or at most, halfboard, and eat at the many wonderful restaurants Sliema has available. The Park Hotel is located in excellent proximity to the Strand in Sliema, Malta, and walking distance to just about everything one could want, including Laundromat, grocery store, and many tourist shops, bars and restaurants. The rooftop pool and view are wonderful, and the hotel is located on a quiet side street, off the main strand. • Reception (check-in) Our transfer from malta airport was via Mercedes Benz, and we quickly arrived at Park Hotel (within 20 minutes from airport). The checkin was good and efficient, we provided our hotel vouchers, and were given our room key within 15 minutes. • Rooms We were provided a room in the front of the building, which overlooked the street and lovely houses across the street. The room we were given I believe was scheduled for some upgrading, as the sliding balcony door took MUCH effort to open. We requested assistance with this, and someone came 2nd day and fixed the gliders. The room also had a kitchenette, and a wonderfully clean bathroom. Again, we did not use the kitchenette, as there are so many wonderful places to eat, to sit and have a drink in the fantastic Maltese warmth, that it would have been a waste to eat in the room. There is a large closet that can easily hold a week’s clothing, as well as storage for your suitcases. The bathroom has a very modern sink and marble countertop. Shower water pressure was good as well. Cleanliness is a biggie, and this bathroom was clean! The balcony (which is on the smallish side) had a straight ahead view of the side street and looking left one can view the wonderful Mediterranean sea (walking distance to Med, 4 minutes straight out from hotel). The balcony had two chairs and a small table, where one could sit and comfortably have a coffee (home brewed) the restaurant coffee was just yucky. The balcony (chairs also) are a tad dusty, its Malta!), but that didn’t matter much, as we spent most time out walking the streets and beaches of Malta, rather than sitting inside. • Pools There is a rooftop at the Park Hotel, where many hotel residents seemed to spend the day. We preferred to walk and swim in the Med, so we only checked out the rooftop pool long enough to say we’d been there. The rooftop pool does have a pool bar, where hotel guests can purchase drinks. The view from the rooftop is nice enough, as you can get a good view of the Med, but because its on a side street, versus oceanfront property, your view naturally is blocked a bit by surrounding buildings • Beach The beaches in Malta are different, in that they are not sandy, beaches one would expect to find in the Caribbean, in most areas. In contrast, the beaches here are formed from limestone, and residents and tourists alike, lay out on the softened limestone, next to the Mediterranean and the breezes off the water are just perfect. To be honest, the temperature in Malta is one of the best I’ve experience (remember this was September), as its not too hot, definitely never too cool, and even in the evenings one can easily walk around in tank top, short sleeve, what have you, and the breezes, even at night is wonderfully warm and comforting. • Ocean We can’t say enough about the Mediterranean. Malta provides ladders etched into the limestone slabs where swimmers can easily climb down into the water and go for a swim. They also have created these great breakwater areas (small pools) where people who don’t care to swim out, can sit in the water (somewhat like a wading pool). The water in the Sliema area was never too rough to swim, and was very refreshing. • Sliema Strand Markets, Restaurants, Bars/Pubs All along the strand you can find anything you need, whether it be stamps, disposable cameras, tourist knick-knacks. There are also so many places to eat, drink and be merry. They have an ingenious setup at restaurants and bars along the strand itself, for those wanting to watch sporting events, they have these huge flatscreen TV’s set up, and people can sit and watching the event of their choice (there was much soccer on). My husband was delighted that he could watch many of the World Rugby Cup games, while sitting outside in the waonderful night air, and have a pint. Some sample prices for meals or drinks & other, are as follows: - GOOD meal (3 courses): 20 MTL (approx 45 euro) - beer (1 pint): 0.45 MTL (approx 1.05 euro), compare with 2.50-3.00 euro in Italy - cocktails: 1.50-2.00MTL (approx 4.50 euro) - pop: 0.30 MTL (approx .70 euro) - laundry 20 MTL (46 euros – this was not cheap, but my GOD they fold & press everything, even underwear!) Personal Notes We have tried to keep the Park Hotel, Sliema Malta review as neutral as possible, but you will naturally see we liked and disliked some aspects. Everyone has their own preferences. This resort is good as a moderate to basic accommodations stay, for upscale I would recommend the Golden Tulip Vivaldi, Hotel Fortina, Hotel Juliani, or even Preluna. If/when we go again, I would stay at Oceanfront, rather than a sidestreet hotel, just for something different. Internet Usage cards: This was a peculiar situation at the Park Hotel, because if you didn’t get one early in the morning (i.e. tried to purchase one at night, they were all gone in the evening, and no more are made available until 9:00am the next day, which I found strange) as there might be no one using the computer terminals, but they still couldn’t issue a card… They have a bar/tv room in the Park Hotel, for those wanting to watch a “real” TV. The in-room tv’s have LIMITED channels, and are strange to turn on. You have to turn on the power button, until it goes red, then turn on the channel buttons. Different, but experienced this type of multi-step tv power on process in France as well. If you are looking for a good clean basic stay hotel in Malta, don’t be afraid to choose Park Hotel, or contact me for some additional suggestions.

I wouldn't stay here again if you paid me. We took our five month old daughter to see her Grandparents who were staying in the Waterfront (very nice and will try and stay there next time) Yes we looked for a cheap deal but also needed A/Conditioning for the nipper. The first day saw temperatures of 32C so we were a bit concerned with the heat in the room and no cool air coming out of the integrated fan in the room. We went to the front desk to see what the problem was and were told that the A/C was not switched onuntil 1st June !!!! On the third day of complaining they moved us to a Suite on the 6th floor. Unfortunely there was mildew 6 inches up the net curtains with the accompanying smell. They moved us to another Suite on the 4th floor. Unfortunately this was next to the Elavator shaft that was being built!! We gave up and put up for the rest of the stay. Malta is nice and we're not put off from going again but not the same hotel.

Booked this hotel after being let down by an online booking agent cancelling my Waterfront booking. Took this as a last minute alternative based on the star rating. Definately not a 4 star. Food was awful (my gammon steak consisted of a bacon rasher!). Rooms overlooked the rear of an appartment block, washing and all. We could not have the curtains open.On goiing for a walk one night we discorvered the Victoria which is definately a 4 star. i suggest the management of the Park go to the Victoria or the Waterfront and see what a 4 star hotel should be like!!!!!!

We visited in early May and there was quite a lot of Building work going on especially on the first and top floors. We had a suite at the end of a corridor on the 6th Floor and looked out onto residential flats about 10 yards away complete with laundry on balconies and barking dogs - our balcony was all of 18* wide. Could hardly stand on it never mind sit out on it. Not my idea of a balcony. Reception and Lounge areas were the nicest - some staff helpful, others couldn't really be bothered. I would have said it just made 3*.

My mother and I stayed here for four nights on a package tour and would definitely not recommend it. Renovations were in progress when we arrived, so there was a fair amount of noise and dust around. Our rooms were among those that had been renovated and were in a worse state than some that had not! The standard of the paintwork was very poor, with uneven edges and splashes on the ceiling and woodwork. The floor tiles outside the bathroom had been badly damaged in the course of bringing in new fixtures and were in a dangerous condition - some would tip up, others were smashed, with the uneven and sharp-edged fragments making it unsafe to walk around barefoot. Within the bathrooms, the grouting was poorly done and smeared on the bath, basin, etc. The cistern in my room had an intermittent leak. The toilets were almost impossible to flush, calling for both a strong wrist and good technique - the cistern kept moving and had to be held firmly in just the right place by leaning heavily on it with one arm while with the other hand you rammed the handle down fast and held it for exactly the right length of time. If everything was not just so, you have to wait two minutes and try again - and it generally took several attempts. The foot was absolutely inedible, with the sole exception of the raisin bread at breakfast, so we were very thankful not be on half-board. We did eat in the hotel one evening: my mother had beef so gristly a dog could not have managed it and my fish was too dry and tasteless to swallow. Fortunately, there is a very good Bulgarian restaurant, the Ariana, just across the road from the hotel, and we ate there for the rest of our stay. They have a set tourist menu, which is very good value, and an excellent a la carte selection. The only good thing about the Park is the staff, who were outstanding in their charm and friendliness.

How did they get fours stars ? I´m still wondering because its more 2 than 4 stars. Old an cheap furniture in all rooms - some of the rooms should be renovated immediately. But: friendly staff (not so common in Malta) - even in the breakfast area. If you will save money - it`s a cheap way to stay in Malta - but nothing more !!! Alternative: Youth hostel !

We visited in May 05, loved it so much we are going again in September 06. The hotel was in a very convenient spot, nice and quiet though, lovely rooms and public areas. We particularly liked the fact that it wasn't full of noisy children and loud adults. Although several decades away from being pensioners ourselves, we enjoyed this hotel being full of said pensioners, because they are such pleasant quiet company. The hotel staff were polite and friendly and very helpful, even preparing food for the early hours of the morning for an excursion. If I had one negative comment it was that smoking was allowed in the bar area - though maybe that has changed since? Would not consider staying anywhere else in Malta.

This is a run down hotel tucked away down a side street. From the front is a view of a concrete building which is a bank, flats, the Argyll Bar and Grill and the Venus Music Bar. To the rear is a view of a concrete wall and more flats. The rooms are deary and grubby, (repainting and fitting skirting boards would be a good move). The staff seem demoralised. Last and definitely least is the food, it was rubbish.

We have stayed in many hotels in Sliema including the Preluna next door and found the Park Hotel very good value for money.The rooms are cleaned daily and the staff are very friendly and trustworthy, these points alone puts your mind in good stead for a relaxing holiday.We stay on half board basis and found the restaurant clean and the waiters helpful, the food was good with a wide choise of hot and cold meals. We have booked again for October 2006 and we know we will have a good holiday.

I went with a group of friends to Malta for a 2 week break. We initially were going to stay at the Waterfront hotel but when we finally decided to book there was no vacancies so decided to book in at the Park Hotel as it was also a 4 star. NOT! We arrived very late at night and were shattered. The reception staff were very unwelcoming and when we had a few queries e.g laundry, safe etc they couldn't be bothered to look anything up for us. When she allocated us rooms we realised she gave us 4 rooms when we'd booked 5 so 2 of us had to share, but we requested seperate rooms for the next night. When we finally were going to get into bed I undid the sheets there was a nightgown underneath which clearly meant the sheets had not been changed since the previous guests had left. we went down to complain, as you would, and the staff didn't even seem surprised and simply sent up an employee to change the sheets. as it was 3am by this time we just went to sleep after the incident. next morning when we went down to breakfast the waitress spilt her jug of coffee all over our breakfast table - she didn't even apologise, just walked off and never came back to clean it up. Asides from all these incidents that kept ocurring the rooms (especially bathrooms) were very shabby, (sink hanging off wall, windows didn't shut, uncomfortable beds and dying for coat of paint) staff were very unfriendly, lifts felt very unsafe to be in, breakfast was not appealing atall (there was the same ham and cheese slices on trays for ages and the bacon was like plastic) airconditioning didn't work half the time, towels in bathroom were horrible and they didn't change the sheets in our whole 2 WEEKS stay!!! 4 star!?? It barely deserves 2. We did take a look at the Waterfront hotel nearby and saw what a 4 star is meant to look like. We even ate there one day and it was lovely. Woudl I recommend this hotel or ever go back? NO !!! Be warned.