Dolmen Resort Hotel

4 readers found this review helpful

Thought the hotel was a very clean and the staff pretty welcoming in my first few days
Unfortunately, their reputation was tarnished since on my last night there I was subjected to loud stereo booming from a party on the floor above me between 10pm till 4am. The occupents above were loud, abraisive, and aggresively drunk. You would expect this in Blackpool and not Malta - it was like a flippin' air raid was taking place it was so loud
Phoned reception to complain, but the operator sheepishly stuck up for them stating " they are only celebrating because they won " - after telling him I don't care what they do, just turn the noise down. This never happened. Myself and partner had to endure this nonsense from above and practically managed to muster up 2 hours kip before we had to check out
3 times I phoned reception and they did NOTHING at all. Service was a joke !! When I handed my card in morning, I was wondering why they never asked " did you enjoy your stay "
If you ever plan a trip here, make sure it's not during a pool championship

4 readers found this review helpful

Just arrived back from Malta and the Dolmen Hotel.
Not really impressed with it, the first room offered was on the 3rd floor but it was substandard and we insisted on a room that was in the newish 'D' block. !!!!!!
The self service evening restuarant was similar to 'jostle-as-we-go'.
The pools area were okay but with limited umbrellas.
The reception staff seemed were helpful but under a lot of pressure from other guests.
I would not call it a 4* more a 3*.

3 readers found this review helpful

Our room was very nice and clean and the facilities were good apart from weak water pressure in the shower and not a very clear TV reception. The view was nice apart from a few obstacles. The swimming pools and bars were good and it's a good location next to the beach. However, the dinner was a disaster as you only get one hour for it so everyone is rushing and you're trying to eat as quickly as possible to manage which is a very unpleasant experience.

7 readers found this review helpful

I cant understand all the negative reviews. Hubby and I loved this hotel. Found all staff helpful and polite. Bar staff really nice and friendly as was reception staff. Was there early May. hotel quiet and had practically whole pool areas to ourselves. Had a nice room. very clean with good maid service. Found the fridge in bedroom particularly useful also hairdryer. Air condition was adequate but not spectacular.
Food was really good plenty of choice and variety, never any chips, always nice roast or creamed potatoes.
Would definitely go back to this hotel, especially as it is situated right on sea in Bugibba and just round corner from bus station. Buses really regular and go all over island for about 1 euro!! Loved Malta, loved Dolmen recommend it.

17 readers found this review helpful

As usual I have read the previous reviews and am truly surprised by the nature and the credability of those written in the negative. The Dolmen hosts significant international conferences, frequently hosted by government ministers and offers a quality of service and presentation that one would associate with such. Negative comments on malta have no place in a hotel review, nor should reviewers simply grade because they did not have the patience to pursue a problem at high season with a little reasonableness; my view is that these comments should be disregarded, the negative comments I have seen on this particular hotel frankly fail to convince as credible.
The hotel is well positioned with a sheltered garden area-housing -uniquely-one of the 25 six thousand year old stone built temples-the earliest free standing architect on the planet and for which the archipeligo of malta is truly famous. From the two pools and brasserie area there are uninterupted views of St Pauls Bay, the Selmun Palace and the Gozitan skyline. The two outdoor pools are divided by one for the use of families and one for serious swimmers-one is available in the low season, and in the internal spa area in addition to well considered beauty and pampering treatments there is another pool, two jacuzzi, well equipped gym and sauna.
Sea view rooms all share the same view as the pool areas, with excellent balcony arrangements; landward rooms have fair views and the cost differential reasonably reflects this; an upgrade can be obtained at check-in. Rooms are modern and well presented with efficient aircon, good bathroom layout, safe, flat screen tv and minibar and efficient room service and housekeeping.
The reception is an attractive open marble floored area, with ample meeting and seating points and efficient and friendly reception staff. Off this leads the main dining room, a second coffee and light meal dining area facing poolward, and a high end specialist restaurant- the sybele; there are two separate bar areas, and offices for holiday reps; above are the conference facilities which are amongst the best on malta.
The main restaurant offers a self service buffet with three servery areas; a good breakfast choice with a variety of cooked and cold elements; lunch and supper has a well rotated menu of meat fish and vegetarian choices which extend from traditional Malti through Chinese and Thai to modern cuisine with skillful control of freshness and consistency. The wine choice is reasonably priced. The Sybele offers fine dining in a more intimate restaurant format, and the brasserie will provide light meals and good coffee through the day and evening.
If you wish for evening entertainment there is much on offer-in both summer and winter season, and lots of daytime activity for adults and children. There are often special events relating to traditionl music, food and wine tasting, and an absorbing range of complimentary therapies in the spa area. There is a good mini internet cafe, and front reception staff will happily handle fax and printing processes. There are good accessability arrangements throughout the hotel.
A modern well presented and highly efficient hotel with excellent management for which I have the highest regard; I have stayed there regularly for twenty years with never a complaint other than for this year when sadly the hotel hosted an event for a scottish junior football training session whose tutors' concept of a healthy sporting lifestyle appear to comprise drinking solidly from 6pm until 2.30 am, fail miserably to gain entry to their rooms without brawling and then keep the floor awake for the remainder of the night throwing up. As I explained to the management the problem I had was not with them, but with their guests. The whole matter was dealt with swiftly, politely and effortlessly- the test of a good hotel!

First time in Malta.... Was'nt impressed.... Country lovely, People lovely, Hotel! Well what can I say. Was'nt given the room i had paid for, felt as though i could'nt complain because of the rude and unhelpful staff on the reception desk. Don't accept room 204... Worst room in the building. Toilet broke twice, then continued to fill the tank for what seemed like hours on end sounding like a strangled cat. The food was good but not to my taste. On a good note though the spa was excellent. Never had such a great massage and facial. Wow could have spent hours in there.

6 readers found this review helpful

unfortunately, i have a very disappointing complaint to make. i did not spend one night at the Dolmen hotel out of our 5 night stay. upon checking in and getting the keys to our room, we found we had been given a dark and rather miserable room, not like the pictures shown on the internet, on the ground floor. i had, on booking the hotel with travel republic, specifically asked for a room on the 3rd floor and above as i was travelling with another female and ground floor rooms do not make us feel at ease. this ground floor room literally was on the ground- facing the tennis courts, which was our only view! and people could literally walk past us on our balcony and taken our towels etc if they had wished. as we stepped out on the balcony, 2 men walked past us and said something, im guessing, in maltese to us which made us feel quite intimidated. if we had stayed in that room, we would have had to have kept the curtains closed whilst we got dressed or spent any time in the room as any passer by could have had a view of us in our room. i immediately went to reception to ask for another room and to explain that as 2 female travellers we did not feel safe being so literally on the ground floor- hence asking for a room on the 3rd floor and above. i had even previously e-mailed travel republic to ask if there was any chance we could upgrade to a suite room to ensure we had a happy and relaxed holiday- to which i was informed that none were available.
i was told by the receptionist to come back the follwing day to see what they had available as there was nothing available. i was not expecting to be given another room the next day as i had previously e-mailed travel republic and asked to be upgraded and was told that the hotel had no rooms free to do this.
as there was no other option at this point, we went out. we got chatting to a member of staff in an apartment hotel up the road and asked them- in jest if they had any vacancies. They told us they did- to which they were very hospitable and showed us a vacant room on the 4th floor. they even offered us a discounted price to book the room- saving us 50 euros. After debating about what to do, we decided to pay and check into in order for us to feel secure, relaxed and able to enjoy our holiday.
on returning to the dolmen to check out- we informed the same receptionist of our intentions. she proceeded to speak to another member of staff who asked me what the problem was. i explained our situation and he asked me if we wanted him to check the availability of any rooms!! i explained that we were told earlier that there was no availability until the following day possibly and we had been told to come back then. he again asked if we wanted him to check for us and i explained that it was too late and we had decided to check into somewhere else- where we felt relaxed and safe in. he explained to me that i had already paid for the room-which i was aware of but i explained that i would rather pay somewhere else and feel safe than stay in the room we had been allocated. he could not say anymore really and at this point, we were given our key and checked out immediately.
i am extremely annoyed at having to do this but safety and welfare is of great paramount whilst holidaying in another country and especially for 2 females travelling together.i am also annoyed at the lack of concern from the female receptionist who simply told us to come back the following day and see if another room was available. We had saved for this holiday and we simply wanted to chill out and relax on our holiday. this was something we could not do at the dolmen and i am very annoyed at having to pay for the time that we did pay for. i expect that the hotel may not be too concerned about us checking out on the same day that we checked in and they may have got the room booked again( gaining more money).
we are now out of pocket for having to check into another hotel to feel safe there- something we did not feel in the dolmen. i am not they type of person to kick off and make a huge fuss anywhere- instead i prefer to try to make the situation better- even if it has to cost me financially. i would rather have the financial cost than feel uneasy in any situation.
i booked the dolmen hotel because of the pictures i have seen, compliments written about it and the fact that it was a 4 star hotel, which looked very appealing on its website. unfortunately, we do not feel that we received very good customer service and when a glimmer of it was shown, it was too late. i am looking for some kind of compensation for this inconvenience and the fact that i needed to check into another hotel to feel safe. i feel that it is very unfair that we were fobbed off at the dolmen as if our concerns, safety and welfare did not matter.
i am happy with the service i received from travel republic and have no complaints about booking another holiday with them. i will be e-mailing the hotel about this situation and hope that they understand and appreciate our concerns and annoyance at feeling that we had to move due to circumstances beyond our control

24 readers found this review helpful

This is a simple honest review of this Hotel. This is Malta and not the UK.
I am well travelled throughout the world with both work and pleasure and fed up with out of context reviews.
Having been to Malta several times 27 years ago we knew where the Dolmen was and probably what to expect. We were spot on.
We got a hotel that is typical of Malta. The attention to detail of the building and general standard of accomadation is lacking although exceptable. The same goes for virtually everything else. Quality of food was very good ( Wife in in the catering business). Presentation was good but not exceptional, food type was varied with 4 alternatives of malteses style. Not to everyones taste but your in Malta so eat Maltese food!!. Always found something we liked. Drink prices were reasonable for hotel of this type. Facilities were fine. Staff were exceptional in there helpfulness and presentation. Talk to the Maltese in the right way and they are among the friendliest in the world.
I do however agrre with one reviewer, If you arrive on a early flight your room will not be ready, this is not unusual. However no attempt to look after you is made. I have complained to both Thomas Cook and the Dolmen. I would normally expect free drinks and a room to change.
Basically if you want a well situated good value hotel and are prepared to be a bit Maltese in your food etc. This is for you. Swimming pools not good for non swimmers.
Suitable for:-
Couples who want a relaxed holiday in a good resort.
Not suitable for:-
Groups of teenagers after a wild time. ( But Malta isn't generally)
I intend to use this hotel again.

1 reader found this review helpful

Just returned from a holiday in Malta.Malta was beautiful, but unfortunately we cannot say the same about the Dolmen Resort Hotel.
When we arrived at 10.30 am very tired wanting to freshen up etc to be told our rooms were not ready until 14.00hr. This was the first of many disappointments.After waiting we returned to be told only 1 room was ready. After another hour wait we then went to our room, NO BALCONY, I requested we be moved immediately. The new room was, badly furnished, badly decorated, old and shabby (not what they advertise in the brochure as a standard room). There was no shower curtain in the bathroom. After 5 calls to reception, 3 visits from different maintainence workers we eventually got our shower curtain, which was old and torn. Here is a list of everything wrong with the Dolmen.
1. No porter service.
2. Ants in the bathroom.
3. Stained bedding.
4. Safe was not working.
5. Pool bar ran out of certain drinks.
6. Air conditioning very poor.
7. Ran out of internet cards(much to my daughters disappointment).
8. You were kicked off the pool area at 5.30pm due to a private function.This happended 3 times, 2 nights were consequetive.
9. Tables not set at breakfast, you had to do this yourself.
10. Reception toilets are disgusting, smelly, never any toilet role, paper towels all over floor.
11. Pool toilets disgusting, unclean and smelly.
12. Carpets in hallway old and torn.
13.Food was not good when there was a private function/BBQ.
Maid service is very good.
Malta is a beautiful place and should be visited, but please do not stay at the DOLMEN. You will be paying a lot of money to stay in a place that just does not live up to the star rating. We have stayed in better 2 star plus accommodation.

1 reader found this review helpful

food poor,Service poor,Buffet was like a scrum, Beware they reserve tables for large groups 30% of dinning room for the full of service, this upset other guests & caused an argument one night when guests started shouting at the manager & removing the reserved signs we started to go out for dinner as this spolt our holiday.They also have private parties and move the guests from the pools early. sunbeds reserved for kids parties all day & you are told you can not us them by staff who stand on gaurd.Staff unhelp full, managers dont want to know. Rooms not 4 star alot are not refurnished,if you do not pay for sea view you will be on the bus route they start at 6AM & finish at 11PM & you do hear them. I would not recomend this hotel to any one.To expensive.The large groups are basket ball teams & school groups they caused havoc in the hotel & guests complained. We spoke to a maltese guest and he said it was the worst hotel he had ever stopped in but not to let it spoil our holiday it says somthing when even the locals are complaining.