Bugibba Holiday Complex Hotel, Bugibba, Malta
Hotel Information
Hotel Class:
Hotel Description:
The three star Bugibba Holiday Complex is conveniently located in a quiet part of the popular holiday resort area of Bugibba, to the north of the island of Malta. The complex is less than five minutes walk away from the seafront and the town centre. Since its opening in 1982, The Bugibba Holiday Complex has earned a reputation for the high number of return guests it hosts every year. loading...
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Bugibba Holiday Complex Hotel Reviews
" Never again.. "
Submitted By: holiday_fan
Would never go back to this hotel. The staff were rude from the very begninning. When we were given keys to our room, I have never felt so sick with what we were given. The room was disgusting..dirt everywhere in the bathroom, green/brown grime covering the bath, furnature falling apart and the smell was awful. The bedding was black with dirt. We demanded another room at reception as we refused to go back there. There was already another couple complaining at the same time!...and the main man in charge tried to escape out the back door!!
I was so pleased that we went with Thomas Cook. The rep was brilliant with helping. I dont know what we would have done without her. We were given another room...definately not as bad but still unacceptable.
The hotel is in good location to the harbour and Buggiba square....but my advice is find a different hotel!! Do not stay here.
I was so pleased that we went with Thomas Cook. The rep was brilliant with helping. I dont know what we would have done without her. We were given another room...definately not as bad but still unacceptable.
The hotel is in good location to the harbour and Buggiba square....but my advice is find a different hotel!! Do not stay here.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2007
- Board Basis:Bed & Breakfast
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" shambles "
Submitted By: sparks1873
I read some reviews b4 i left but thought after refurbishment things would be better.How wrong was i.staff were rude impolte and no help what so ever(apart from 2 young guys,1 a trainee who couldn't do enough 4 us)towels changed daily sheets were changed eventually 4th day of holiday so 3/10 for that.No entertainment no bar no tv room no anthing really so 1/10 for that.room poor 1st room shower hanging off 2nd room(yes we had to move rooms) shower no power and flo of water coming out of tap at same time as shower ,poor shower curtain so water went on floor no a/c in roomand toilet wouldn t flush.3/10.Lastly food,what can i say.Breakfast wasent to bad food was quite nice,BUT,thats were it stops.Waiters were rude and unhelpful it was self service but if something was finished it was a great pain for the staff to replace it.If somebode saat a table no cuttlery was replaced again moans and groans if you asked for it.No dishes cleared as staff would be far to busy chatting to each other to have time for there job.2/10. FINALLY I'LL END WITH THE POOL. DISGUSTING. It got cleaned every day,the water that is.Poolside was dirty and mouldy at least 1/4 of seats were broken or damaged and from our 7th floor room you could see the black limescale along the whole lenghth of the underwater tiles.If this does not put you off going then on our 2nd last day the students arrived, italian i think.They were rude noisy aggresive and there was about 70 of them running amok.And they re expecting over a 1000 throughout the summer.nightmare.this hotel could be great if they spent decent money doing it up hired new staff and stopped the students as its perfectly situated but they wont so its a 1/10 and a warning do not stay here its dreadful.
Advice: even after supposed refurbishment do not book this hotel
Activities: went to scicilly and valletta was great
Good for: Beach
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2009
- Board Basis:Bed & Breakfast
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
" DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL!
DO NOT STAY AT THIS HOTEL!
We arrived at this hotel at 12:30 in the afternoon. We were told by the rude and ignorant girls on reception that check in wan not until 2:30 so we would have to wait! They allowed us to store our bags in a grotty boiler room and we had to sit in reception on some very dirty sofas for an hour and a half. All of this after an 8 hour journey to get there and no air conditioning. This was infuriating and almost painful. When we did get to our room we found that the air conditioning did not work, the patio doors did not lock, the beds were lumpy, the sheets were dirty, the hair dyer was coated in filth, there was mould everywhere in the bathroom and the toilet did not flush properly. We went to sleep in the excruciating heat and then went down for dinner. The restaurant staff were rude and the food was awful so we went out for dinner along Buggibba sea front. We came home and tried to sleep but couldnt because of the heat so we decided we had enough at 4:30 am. We got up in the morning and booked a taxi to the airport, checked out and flew home.
We have stayed in this hotel 6 times before and even though it ahs been renamed it has got worse. NOTHING has been refurbished, the staff are useless and untrained, the hotel was full of black immigrants who are cleaners and do not understand maltese or english, the food is AWFUL, thanks to the lack of air conditioning the heat is unbearable, all in all this was a very stressful and frightening experience feeling trapped in another country, and in the end we just felt so sick and tired that we had to go home.
NEVER EVER stay in this hotel, the sooner the place is destroyed and everyone who works there is fired, the better. I am writing this review to prevent you from experienceing the horror that we went though.
Thank you for reading
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:MyTravel
" When we booked our holiday to 'st... "
Submitted By: Mrs S Thorpe
When we booked our holiday to 'st pauls bay hotel' we couldnt find any reviews for it so we just chanced it and booked anyway. Well when we got there we found out that it wasnt actually called st pauls bay it was 'bugibba holiday complex' and it was because it had shut down in november 2007 and re opened soon after.
We got to our room quite easily at half 3 in the morning and went straight to bed.
The sailors arms pub across the road is probably the best place to eat and sit and relax.
And the TONYS ICE-CREAM place is great its on the seafront!
The room-
The room wasnt too bad even though the air con wasnt working but luckily we had a wall fan. we didnt find any cockroaches until a few days before we left in the bathroom!
It got cleaned every day and fresh towels were there.
The food-
The food was okay and quite alot to choose from but the staff were so ignarent and all they was bothered about was clearing up the restuarant and getting rid of you!
If you was looking forward to having an english breakfast when you get there then dont because all you got was was tiny pieces of bacon, mini hotdog sausages, and some kind of omlette and a few beans and you couldnt help your self some one was there to serve you!
The pool-
It was okay but small when theres alot of people there especially when the place is over crowed with italians kids on some kind of a school trip aged 12-16 they took over the pool area and had no respect. And they was banging on doors at 3 in the morning and making riots round the pool early in the morning waking everyone up!!
we never saw anyone cleaning the pool at any time we were there.
The staff-
The staff was so unpolite none of them had a smile for you!
the receptionist never wanted to help you with anything and didnt care about nothing.
Over all i think this place is a total mess and needs a face lift!!
I wouldnt recommend this hotel to anyone who is thinking of having a relaxing time!
and dont waste any of your hard earned money on it its a total waste of money!
i would rate it a 1 star! maybe not even that!
We got to our room quite easily at half 3 in the morning and went straight to bed.
The sailors arms pub across the road is probably the best place to eat and sit and relax.
And the TONYS ICE-CREAM place is great its on the seafront!
The room-
The room wasnt too bad even though the air con wasnt working but luckily we had a wall fan. we didnt find any cockroaches until a few days before we left in the bathroom!
It got cleaned every day and fresh towels were there.
The food-
The food was okay and quite alot to choose from but the staff were so ignarent and all they was bothered about was clearing up the restuarant and getting rid of you!
If you was looking forward to having an english breakfast when you get there then dont because all you got was was tiny pieces of bacon, mini hotdog sausages, and some kind of omlette and a few beans and you couldnt help your self some one was there to serve you!
The pool-
It was okay but small when theres alot of people there especially when the place is over crowed with italians kids on some kind of a school trip aged 12-16 they took over the pool area and had no respect. And they was banging on doors at 3 in the morning and making riots round the pool early in the morning waking everyone up!!
we never saw anyone cleaning the pool at any time we were there.
The staff-
The staff was so unpolite none of them had a smile for you!
the receptionist never wanted to help you with anything and didnt care about nothing.
Over all i think this place is a total mess and needs a face lift!!
I wouldnt recommend this hotel to anyone who is thinking of having a relaxing time!
and dont waste any of your hard earned money on it its a total waste of money!
i would rate it a 1 star! maybe not even that!
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:freedom direct
" The hotel is like an used store..
The hotel is like an used store..
Very ugly beds and furniture's.
The food is disgusting, and the cleaning people is cleaning your room even if youre in the room.
The hotel was very, very, veeeery different from the website.
Stop faking your hotel website from the truth.
I will NOT recommended this hotel to anyone.
Malta is very varm and it is just sometimes at the day the aircondition works and just don't sleep at that hotel.
It sucks, belive me.
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2008
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:care
" Unfortunatley for us, we couldn't... "
Submitted By: Miss C Ogilvie
Unfortunatley for us, we couldn't find a review for the 'St Pauls Bay Hotel' we were planning to visit so we chanced it and booked anyway. When we arrived we discovered that the complex also had the alternative name of Bugibba Holiday Complex. Reading the reviews after my holiday I really wish I'd known that!
We would not recommend this hotel if-
1. You don't like cockroaches - On average we had 2 a day in our room. One almost flew in my hair and 2 crawled into bed with me!! Pif Paf is an excellent product for dealing with these!
2. You want quiet during the summer months to relax by the pool - this hotel is a host to an education program. Teenagers from other parts of Europe make up about half of the guests in the large complex. We spent virtually no time at the hotel because of these rowdy kids who were rarely monitored by the education staff. We had to call security more than once to deal with them (eg a fight broke out in the room next door at 5am after an all night party), but security's abilities were limited (security were very pleasent might I add.)There was use of megaphones, football hooters, hemp, booze, kids in pool late into night etc. These totally disrespectful kids really spolit our holiday - hence the rock-bottom score.
We were also flooded on the first night when the air con broke down. Judging by the tide marks in our room we suspect it wasn't the first time. We were warned by staff after we had been mopping up our room for 10mins- we were not impressed. There was a bottle of wine given for this hitch though. On a plus, air con in rooms was no extra charge and a wall mounted fan was also available. Both very welcome on the 40oC days!
We were also concerned with the security of our room, as on 1 occasion we returned to find our room door wide open and twice the balcony doors left open by the cleaning staff.
However, overall the cleaning was good. Soft, fluffy towels were given every day whether we needed or not.
Hotel itself is dated but pleasent enough. Staff are mostly very pleasent too but they do start work very early and most mornings we were woken about 7 by the towels trollies or staff shouting in the corridors.
Overall, the hotel is what we paid for. We can cope with cockroaches and floods but we would not go back because of the students.
We would not recommend this hotel if-
1. You don't like cockroaches - On average we had 2 a day in our room. One almost flew in my hair and 2 crawled into bed with me!! Pif Paf is an excellent product for dealing with these!
2. You want quiet during the summer months to relax by the pool - this hotel is a host to an education program. Teenagers from other parts of Europe make up about half of the guests in the large complex. We spent virtually no time at the hotel because of these rowdy kids who were rarely monitored by the education staff. We had to call security more than once to deal with them (eg a fight broke out in the room next door at 5am after an all night party), but security's abilities were limited (security were very pleasent might I add.)There was use of megaphones, football hooters, hemp, booze, kids in pool late into night etc. These totally disrespectful kids really spolit our holiday - hence the rock-bottom score.
We were also flooded on the first night when the air con broke down. Judging by the tide marks in our room we suspect it wasn't the first time. We were warned by staff after we had been mopping up our room for 10mins- we were not impressed. There was a bottle of wine given for this hitch though. On a plus, air con in rooms was no extra charge and a wall mounted fan was also available. Both very welcome on the 40oC days!
We were also concerned with the security of our room, as on 1 occasion we returned to find our room door wide open and twice the balcony doors left open by the cleaning staff.
However, overall the cleaning was good. Soft, fluffy towels were given every day whether we needed or not.
Hotel itself is dated but pleasent enough. Staff are mostly very pleasent too but they do start work very early and most mornings we were woken about 7 by the towels trollies or staff shouting in the corridors.
Overall, the hotel is what we paid for. We can cope with cockroaches and floods but we would not go back because of the students.
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- Date of Holiday:Jun 2008
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:on the beach
" This hotel was very shocking. I... "
Submitted By: Miss CC Windham
This hotel was very shocking. I didn't like it one bit. The cleaning service was bad and the entertainment wasn't very entertaining. Dont ever go to this hotel. People could do better.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2006
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" Why oh why do people keep knocking... "
Submitted By: Mr S Nixon
Why oh why do people keep knocking this hotel ? The food for a start was great with a huge choice and you could go back time after time.The room( mine anyway) was clean and tidy and my things were always folded for me and left on the pillows or on top of my case. The situation of the hotel was central.There was entertainment on every night. The staff were friendly and couldn't do enough if you had a problem. I honnestly loved the holiday and the hotel.There is a rumour that this will be a schools abroad hotel eventually and that will be a shame if other guests don't get the chance of staying here.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2007
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:First Choice
" I could go on forever about how poor... "
Submitted By: Mr S Robb
I could go on forever about how poor this place is but I'll try and sum it up:
Our first room was like a store cupboard with dingy lighting. There was no shower curtain therefore water ended up everywhere on the floor resulting in slipping over, dust being attracted to water and the arrival of the roaches.
Our room also was rarely cleaned and the air conditioning was non existent - no matter what reception says about when it comes on! After many heated complaints we eventually got moved to another room after my girlfriend almost cracked her head open falling over in the bathroom because of the lack of a shower curtain (I felt like it was ground hog day, repeatedly complaining!).
Staying SC, there were a lack of amenities and equipment. We ended up eating out pretty much all the time.
Our second room was much better although it stank of cigarettes for the first 4-5 days! Again the air conditioning didn't work. And again we had to ask for a shower curtain (what do you know... it actually appeared!). Unfortunately we had to share our room with the mother of all cockroaches (which I eventually got the better of ha!) and also the most irritating italian students who thought it was funny to continually steal our do not disturb sign resulting in room service walking into our room when we definitely were not ready for them! As for the noise and rudeness.... *rolls eyes*.
On the second day of the new room, the ceiling in the bathroom fell through landing on my girlfriend, after some students apparently messed around with water above. This was 'repaired' (you could see the new tiles getting parched with water daily). We were upgraded to half board (the food isn't great at the complex either).
The staff on the whole are arrogant and ignorant who have no pride in their jobs whatsoever. We did meet the manager who looked ready to string himself with the queue of complaints for him. I had no sympathy at all with him. He'd obviously instructed his staff not to disturb him and we were met with many "manager isn't here, come back tomorrow" lines.
Finally, my girlfriends Dad got spat on by students when walking past the complex. So you're not even safe outside it. Luckily for them there's security at the complex as he didn't take to kindly to their spit shine job.
Malta is a great island. This place is a dump. Stay clear!
Our first room was like a store cupboard with dingy lighting. There was no shower curtain therefore water ended up everywhere on the floor resulting in slipping over, dust being attracted to water and the arrival of the roaches.
Our room also was rarely cleaned and the air conditioning was non existent - no matter what reception says about when it comes on! After many heated complaints we eventually got moved to another room after my girlfriend almost cracked her head open falling over in the bathroom because of the lack of a shower curtain (I felt like it was ground hog day, repeatedly complaining!).
Staying SC, there were a lack of amenities and equipment. We ended up eating out pretty much all the time.
Our second room was much better although it stank of cigarettes for the first 4-5 days! Again the air conditioning didn't work. And again we had to ask for a shower curtain (what do you know... it actually appeared!). Unfortunately we had to share our room with the mother of all cockroaches (which I eventually got the better of ha!) and also the most irritating italian students who thought it was funny to continually steal our do not disturb sign resulting in room service walking into our room when we definitely were not ready for them! As for the noise and rudeness.... *rolls eyes*.
On the second day of the new room, the ceiling in the bathroom fell through landing on my girlfriend, after some students apparently messed around with water above. This was 'repaired' (you could see the new tiles getting parched with water daily). We were upgraded to half board (the food isn't great at the complex either).
The staff on the whole are arrogant and ignorant who have no pride in their jobs whatsoever. We did meet the manager who looked ready to string himself with the queue of complaints for him. I had no sympathy at all with him. He'd obviously instructed his staff not to disturb him and we were met with many "manager isn't here, come back tomorrow" lines.
Finally, my girlfriends Dad got spat on by students when walking past the complex. So you're not even safe outside it. Luckily for them there's security at the complex as he didn't take to kindly to their spit shine job.
Malta is a great island. This place is a dump. Stay clear!
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2007
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Surprised the complex is still... "
Submitted By: Mrs V H Coulter
Surprised the complex is still bookable; we were told it was to be pulled down after closure on 10/10/07. We stayed 6 times, meeting friends from all over England and Scotland every year, but will have to look for somewhere else this year. Even if it is still open, the following would have to be fixed:
The standard of the food, staff and cleanliness in the dining room, the door frames, the bare electric wires, the cleaners [had to change sheets ourselves after 8 days!], the reception staff [we helped guests find their rooms at least twice a day!], the entertainment, the lifts [or lack of], the chairs and tables round the pool, the Pizza parlour [closed last year], the broken windows, etc.
We loved the area, and the pubs around, Munchies and the Falcon, and hope that Joe, the pool attendant, who kept the whole pool area 100% clean every year, has found a good job.
The standard of the food, staff and cleanliness in the dining room, the door frames, the bare electric wires, the cleaners [had to change sheets ourselves after 8 days!], the reception staff [we helped guests find their rooms at least twice a day!], the entertainment, the lifts [or lack of], the chairs and tables round the pool, the Pizza parlour [closed last year], the broken windows, etc.
We loved the area, and the pubs around, Munchies and the Falcon, and hope that Joe, the pool attendant, who kept the whole pool area 100% clean every year, has found a good job.
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- Date of Holiday:Sep 2007
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Malta Direct
" Well where shall I begin. I and my... "
Submitted By: Mrs D Fsadni
Well where shall I begin. I and my family have stayed at this holiday complex three times. The first was on honeymoon (2nd marriage) in 2002 and at that time the service, rooms, entertainment etc were all very good.
The following year being 2003 we took our 4 daughters and the boyfriend of my eldest daughter and went self catering (HUGE MISTAKE!!!). The part of the hotel we were in was above the pizzeria and we were infested with cockroaches. We spoke to the Manager and the rooms were duly fumigated.
Final and very last time was in March 2006 for my Husbands 50th Birthday.
On arrival we were placed on the lower floor (right next to the room where all the cleaning materials are kept) and were duly woken at 6.00am by the cleaning staff collecting their trolleys and having their usual morning chit chat. We asked to be moved and explained the reason and fair enough were moved - to the 7th floor which would have been OK if the lifts had been working!!!
I don't know whether they start from the bottom up to clean the rooms but having been out for most of the day and returning to our hotel room at 4.00pm I was somewhat surprised to find the room had still not been cleaned. I finally cleaned the room myself.
We were invited down to the reception to speak to representatives of the hotel and to bring any points of concern to their attention and they would endeavour to ensure that all matters were dealt with. NOT TRUE - they were more interested in getting us to visit their new hotel and to buy time shares in the rooms.
One could ask the question why did we go back after the second visit - well we based our decision on our first visit as this was a different part of the hotel. Before leaving we were asked to fill in a satisfaction card which did not give us any option to put in remarks. I therefore wrote a letter to the Manager of the hotel and advised him that should I not get a response after I got back to the UK within a 4 week period I would then forward a copy of my letter to the national papers in Malta. (My Husband being Maltese) and all his family living in Malta may have had something to do with his decision to actually respond to my letter of complaint. However his response was totally inadequate and hence our decision NEVER EVER TO STAY AT THIS HOTEL EVER, EVER, EVER AGAIN!!!
The following year being 2003 we took our 4 daughters and the boyfriend of my eldest daughter and went self catering (HUGE MISTAKE!!!). The part of the hotel we were in was above the pizzeria and we were infested with cockroaches. We spoke to the Manager and the rooms were duly fumigated.
Final and very last time was in March 2006 for my Husbands 50th Birthday.
On arrival we were placed on the lower floor (right next to the room where all the cleaning materials are kept) and were duly woken at 6.00am by the cleaning staff collecting their trolleys and having their usual morning chit chat. We asked to be moved and explained the reason and fair enough were moved - to the 7th floor which would have been OK if the lifts had been working!!!
I don't know whether they start from the bottom up to clean the rooms but having been out for most of the day and returning to our hotel room at 4.00pm I was somewhat surprised to find the room had still not been cleaned. I finally cleaned the room myself.
We were invited down to the reception to speak to representatives of the hotel and to bring any points of concern to their attention and they would endeavour to ensure that all matters were dealt with. NOT TRUE - they were more interested in getting us to visit their new hotel and to buy time shares in the rooms.
One could ask the question why did we go back after the second visit - well we based our decision on our first visit as this was a different part of the hotel. Before leaving we were asked to fill in a satisfaction card which did not give us any option to put in remarks. I therefore wrote a letter to the Manager of the hotel and advised him that should I not get a response after I got back to the UK within a 4 week period I would then forward a copy of my letter to the national papers in Malta. (My Husband being Maltese) and all his family living in Malta may have had something to do with his decision to actually respond to my letter of complaint. However his response was totally inadequate and hence our decision NEVER EVER TO STAY AT THIS HOTEL EVER, EVER, EVER AGAIN!!!
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- Date of Holiday:Mar 2006
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Thomas Cook
" What a tip, our room on arrival was... "
Submitted By: Mr A Whiteford
What a tip, our room on arrival was like something out of a prison film. Smashed windows, no bedding and when we got a new room our nephews room was robbed and this was a daily feature. Robbery's are very high in the complex. Staff were decent enough until the robbery when they wanted nothing to do with it. The security officers, or the keystone cops were as much use as a chocolate fire guard. Its not a complex, its a youth hostel aimed solely at Italians. Be prepared to be treated as a second rate citizen at the complex.
The complex is closing in November thank god. Malta has really let itself go in the past ten years. STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE.
The complex is closing in November thank god. Malta has really let itself go in the past ten years. STAY SOMEWHERE ELSE.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2007
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Malta Direct
" I have been to Malta on 3 separate... "
Submitted By: Mr D Prince
I have been to Malta on 3 separate occasions, having stayed in the annex to the BHC, this was not perfect but it was clean. Our last visit, late August 07, was an absolute horrendous experience. The staff could not give a toss, the room was a nightmare, curtains hanging from windows, filthy dirty, towels threadbare and stinking from being left to dry and not washed. The hallways throughout the area we stayed in were used for storing filthy mattresses and broken beds and the metal slatted ceiling hanging in the breeze ready to decapitate any person not aware.
Having pointed out various bad points, these are but a few of plenty, let me point out the good points, tried for several hours and cannot think of any.
We flew with Thompson and went to the welcome meeting as did many others that booked in the same night, the poor rep (Amanda), she must have been terrified by the response she was expecting, and did she get it. Nigel the Thompson manager was an absolute star, everyone at the meeting had to return to this hotel (looked like Lebanon) to see what the outcome was going to be. All parties at this meeting were moved to other accomodation. We were moved to the QAWRA PALACE and upgraded to H/B, paid for by Thompson, when we arrived it was like heaven, the staff were fantastic, hotel clean. We upgrade to All Inclusive and saved a fortune, the food is fantastic and nightly entertainment was fantastic apart from two nights not to my liking.
To sum up, if you go with THOMPSON AND ARE UNFORTUNATE TO GO TO BHC, complain you will be moved.
Nigel (Thompson) manager fantastic, he knew he was in for a hard time and poor Amanda, well she probably found a piece of rope and did herself in, she was on a hiding to nothing. Only gave BHC a 1 rating as could not go any lower.
On a whole the people of Malta are very friendly and the Island itself has its own charm, don't be put off, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN. Thomson were great, top marks.
Having pointed out various bad points, these are but a few of plenty, let me point out the good points, tried for several hours and cannot think of any.
We flew with Thompson and went to the welcome meeting as did many others that booked in the same night, the poor rep (Amanda), she must have been terrified by the response she was expecting, and did she get it. Nigel the Thompson manager was an absolute star, everyone at the meeting had to return to this hotel (looked like Lebanon) to see what the outcome was going to be. All parties at this meeting were moved to other accomodation. We were moved to the QAWRA PALACE and upgraded to H/B, paid for by Thompson, when we arrived it was like heaven, the staff were fantastic, hotel clean. We upgrade to All Inclusive and saved a fortune, the food is fantastic and nightly entertainment was fantastic apart from two nights not to my liking.
To sum up, if you go with THOMPSON AND ARE UNFORTUNATE TO GO TO BHC, complain you will be moved.
Nigel (Thompson) manager fantastic, he knew he was in for a hard time and poor Amanda, well she probably found a piece of rope and did herself in, she was on a hiding to nothing. Only gave BHC a 1 rating as could not go any lower.
On a whole the people of Malta are very friendly and the Island itself has its own charm, don't be put off, COMPLAIN, COMPLAIN. Thomson were great, top marks.
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2007
- Board Basis:Self Catering
- Tour Operator:Thomson
" Don't Go to Bugibba Holiday Complex!... "
Submitted By: Mr R Simmons
Don't Go to Bugibba Holiday Complex!
I've been to Malta with work and for holidays 8 times now in 5 years and love the Island and have made many good friends. So very definitely Malta- Good BHC - Bad
I previously had cause to stay at the BHC out of season with work and it was adequate however, when I booked to go this August I was amazed how low the standard was.
The hotel leaflet boasts "full air conditioning" - this is a lie!
There is no discernable a/c in the reception areas and corridors and the a/c in the rooms is limited to 10 hours a day! (Approx 10 pm to 4 am - so you wake up early morning in a sweat and then eat breakfast in the apartment in a sweat - and then eat lunch in the apartment in a sweat. The a/c then comes on from about 1 pm to 5 pm - whilst you are out of the hotel - and then you can return to eat dinner in a sweat and shower and prepare to go out in a sweat!)
The a/c didn't work for 7 of the 14 days we were in the apartment despite daily complaints to the reception and daily visits from a maintenance man who duly went away and did nothing.
The standard of food had also deteriorated since my last visit - we were going to take the occasional meal in the hotel as my previous experience indicated that a vegetarian option was always available. This is not the case anymore and the choice seems to have been restricted generally also. We ate out!
The comments made by others about the foreign English Language students is consistent with our experience - the communal areas, particularly the pool, is not safe when they are unleashed from their studies around 4 pm.
Our experience was not unique, every time I went to reception with a concern, I was never the only one. There was a constant stream of people with complaints about everything from No towels, no linen and one group had no bed in the room when they arrived the previous night.
The staff, including the Reservations Manager, Joe Cohen, were all courteous and did give me a substantial refund when they realised I wasn't going to go away, but they all seemed powerless to do anything about the problems. They were however all quite loyal in shielding the general manager, Max Gatt, from public contact.
The hotel subscribes to a standards assurance policy run by the Maltese Tourist Authority but it obviously doesn't reach the standards.
In summary, I feel the problems with the BHC are quite deep seated and the solutions are not within the power of local management. I think the complex is being allowed to deteriorate through lack of investment and the solution really lays with "Island Hotels" the owners.
There is general gossip on the Island that the complex will close this autumn and not re-open. A crying shame for those of us who remember it in better times.
I will repeat my opening sentence: Unless you have evidence that the strategy of running down the hotel to eventual closure has been stopped, try somewhere else!
I've been to Malta with work and for holidays 8 times now in 5 years and love the Island and have made many good friends. So very definitely Malta- Good BHC - Bad
I previously had cause to stay at the BHC out of season with work and it was adequate however, when I booked to go this August I was amazed how low the standard was.
The hotel leaflet boasts "full air conditioning" - this is a lie!
There is no discernable a/c in the reception areas and corridors and the a/c in the rooms is limited to 10 hours a day! (Approx 10 pm to 4 am - so you wake up early morning in a sweat and then eat breakfast in the apartment in a sweat - and then eat lunch in the apartment in a sweat. The a/c then comes on from about 1 pm to 5 pm - whilst you are out of the hotel - and then you can return to eat dinner in a sweat and shower and prepare to go out in a sweat!)
The a/c didn't work for 7 of the 14 days we were in the apartment despite daily complaints to the reception and daily visits from a maintenance man who duly went away and did nothing.
The standard of food had also deteriorated since my last visit - we were going to take the occasional meal in the hotel as my previous experience indicated that a vegetarian option was always available. This is not the case anymore and the choice seems to have been restricted generally also. We ate out!
The comments made by others about the foreign English Language students is consistent with our experience - the communal areas, particularly the pool, is not safe when they are unleashed from their studies around 4 pm.
Our experience was not unique, every time I went to reception with a concern, I was never the only one. There was a constant stream of people with complaints about everything from No towels, no linen and one group had no bed in the room when they arrived the previous night.
The staff, including the Reservations Manager, Joe Cohen, were all courteous and did give me a substantial refund when they realised I wasn't going to go away, but they all seemed powerless to do anything about the problems. They were however all quite loyal in shielding the general manager, Max Gatt, from public contact.
The hotel subscribes to a standards assurance policy run by the Maltese Tourist Authority but it obviously doesn't reach the standards.
In summary, I feel the problems with the BHC are quite deep seated and the solutions are not within the power of local management. I think the complex is being allowed to deteriorate through lack of investment and the solution really lays with "Island Hotels" the owners.
There is general gossip on the Island that the complex will close this autumn and not re-open. A crying shame for those of us who remember it in better times.
I will repeat my opening sentence: Unless you have evidence that the strategy of running down the hotel to eventual closure has been stopped, try somewhere else!
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- Date of Holiday:Aug 2007
- Board Basis:Half Board
- Tour Operator:Booked Independently
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is dirty & run down. The rooms look like a war zone with doors kicked in etc.
When we stayed, the place was full of noisey & rude teenage students of every nationalty
banging & crashing around till the early hours of the morning. Trying to eat
was no better with a swarming for what little food was available. On some days it was OK
if you timed it right but far too hot with no air con & only a couple of fans around.
No water or drinks with the evening meal unless you paid extra at a premiun. Over priced, avoid at all costs.
There was a 3 day music festival in Bugibba which made the evenings most enjoyable.
It was our second stay in Malta and we would certainly return again but not to the Bugibba Holiday Complex/St Pauls Bay Hotel or whatever name they decide to change it to in the future!
Advice: Great Place to visit
Activities: Fantastic shore diving, warm clear water. Gozo well worth a visit.