More Traveller Reviews of Plaza Regency Hotel
Excellent position
from Alansparky
We booked on a b&b basis for one week and payed extra to guarantee a view over the bays at the front,which was definately worth it. As a base this hotel is perfectly positioned with bus stops either side of the street right outside. Our room was cleaned and beds made up every day and the staff were helpfull and polite. Food in the restuarant was absolutely fine at breakfast giving a choice of cerial,english and a range of breads and rolls aswell as an array of beverages.After sampling most of what was on offer we found we didnt want to eat again untill evening. Being on the 7th floor the views from the restuarant across the bays are magnificent. The pool on the roof is lovely and I spent much time cooling down within it. The rooftop snack bar is being rebuilt at the moment but presents no problems maybe only if you are in one of the rooms beneath. Entertainment is typical hotel style and as that is okay...not my cup of tea though, we were always out walking anyway. At ground floor level there are two eateries that spill out onto the street,caras and Mezzo. They are both open to non residents aswell as residents and it is well worth dining in Mezzo one evening,Edward the owner being a charming and attentive host.
Great Base
from Zacky
If your looking for a decent 3*, this hotel is comfortable and has friendly, attentive staff. It's a great base to get about from. The buses stop virtually outside the door and Sliema and St.Julians are within walking distance. We've just booked to return for our 2006 Malta hols (been to Malta previously, this is the best 3* we have found to date). One tip. We had superior rooms with sea view, well worth the extra if you can run to it, although from what we saw of the other rooms, we've gone for standard sea view this year. We usually prefer to eat out in Malta but we have even booked HB this year, hope the dinners are as good as the breakfast was!!.
Food!!!!!
from joandBeryl
Hotel was in excellent position on bay, reception ok. but the many steps up to Hotel were not easy to manipulate with suitcases. Rooms ok, very clean, but ready for updating. However the food was unbelievably bad, even the cereals were uneatable they were cheap and nasty. Frozen breadcrumbed fish which was not properly cooked was not what you expect on a fishing bay.Veg which was mainly mixed cabbage and carrots appeared to have been boiled for many hours. Soup was always good even though bread was stale.Chocolate mousse with a slice of pineapple on top was not a sweet that was appealing!All drinks were from a machine and you could not distinguish the tea from coffee only that they were always cold. The most amazing thing was attached and owned by Hotel was the best cake shop in Malta. The sandwiches and cakes and drinks were excellent and it was busy from morning to early morning. Why could they not produce eatable food and drink in Restauranttoo?
never return
from A TripAdvisor Member
I have been coming to Malta for the last 17 years first time I stayed here but will never again ,the only department that is worth a positive note is the reception friendly and helpful. Food very average restaurant staff very poor and always arrogant with the only exception of a young blond foreign girl. One morning I was early for breakfast as I was going to Gozo but there was noting prepared for it and the answer I got was I should go back to bed unbelievable, one think I have noticed or even more is the smell of smoking on the restaurant staff shameful. Rooms very clean and comfortable maids very helpful. Location is very good.
Good value no frills and great location
from hotelnutter
This is a tourist hotel. It is comfortable but with no frills. In other words you get what you pay for. The best thing about it is the location. It is within walking distance of all the lovely bars and restaurants and you can see St Julians from the front balconies. One good thing is that the rooms have fridges which is handy. They also deliver room service from the Italian restaurant downstairs which is great if you are a bit tired. Those who complain about the aged entertainment and dull hotel restaurant should go room only like we did. There are so many wonderful restaurants and bars that even in 2 weeks we had hadn't been to all of them. The roof top pool is very nice but get there early! This is probably just me but I don't really enjoy being cramped between lots of loud English people if I ever sunbathe and I actualy DO want to swim!!! (By the end of the 2 weeks I was ready to smack the guy who reserved the same 3 sun loungers with Daily Mirrors at 8am EVERY morning and talked loudly to the pool boy like he was his best mate.) There are lots of larger more luxurious hotels in Sliema with spas and things, however, you have to walk through rather unsightly areas to get to the town area and they are quite a distance. If you are into all inclusives you might prefer that option. All in all this hotel is a great base and good value for money. Pay the extra for a superior sea front with balcony and go room only and you will be fine.
We would return
from A TripAdvisor Member
Having already booked to stay at this hotel, we were slightly worried having read some on-line reviews. However, from our experience (we are both in our mid-40's) we had a good time and would definately return and stay here. We stayed Bed and Breakfast only, as we wanted to have the choice when and where to eat out on the Island. (St Julian's Bay is only a brief stroll and there are some lovely restaurants there. We also found those across the road from the hotel good value for money). We looked at the hotel menu, which seemed to be what we would have expected for the cost. The Dining Room staff could, however, have been a little more cheerful. The staff at Reception were excellent, although I agree with a previous comment about an apparant lack of porter for baggage (not that we needed one). Our room was situated on the first floor, with a good sea view. The room was spacious and clean (except for the sealant around the bath). Yes, the road outside is a busy one and consequently the traffic a little noisy, although this really didn't bother us much. We used the roof-top pool twice. Yes, you have to pay for sun-loungers. Excellent views from here and bar was okay, but we think could be improved with music? Again, the (bar) staff weren't especially welcoming. If you use the beach opposite (which we did), be careful of jellyfish. Overall, we thought that the Plaza Regency to be a well-positioned hotel. Plenty of bars and cafes within walking distance, whilst there is a bus stop literally outside the hotel. As I said previously, we would return to this hotel.
This is a vey basic hotel
from A TripAdvisor Member
This is a very basic hotel. for the most part it was clean, although the cleaning staff neither cleaned the bath not left materials so that I could do so myself. The bathroom was an area where there was a bit of a problem. the shower was hand-held in the bath and there was no shower curtain. consequently it was difficult to keep the floor dry. Although they provide soap and towels, they do not provide shower gel or shampoo. I had a room with a good view over the bay. fortunately i was upgraded as most single rooms look over a fairly grubby alley way at the back. The breakfast was adequate although I soon learned that, despite being on half board, eating out in the evening was the better option. Bar facilities are also limited but there are plenty of bars in the area. Reception staff were extremely helpful although no help seemed to be offered with baggage. I ended up helping a lady of more mature years with her suitcase as there seemed to be nobody at tge reception prepared or able to do so
Happy Days!
from A TripAdvisor Member
Just returned from my fifth visit to Malta and of course loved every second. Must admit my Mother did the 'Shirley Valentine' thing way back in 2000 and jetted off for her visit expedition to the Island. That holdiay lasted two years! Unfortunately Mum had to return to the UK for family reasons but of course we are still regular visitors. For this visit it was myself (38) and my Mother (63) for two weeks half board at the Plaza Regency Hotel. On arrival in Malta we were once again greeted by a lovely warm night and even though we did not get to the hotel until almost midnight were both very happy with the service and the room was excellent. We were on the second floor with two balconies overlooking Balutta bay ...the view is great. The room had air conditioning, fridge, trouser press etc and was nice and clean. Towels were changed daily and sheets every other day. We soon settled into 'Malta' mode once again and got to know several of the staff on reception, housekeeping and also in the dining room. All the staff were very polite and nothing seemed too much trouble even though they were obviously working very hard. We had read many reports of bad food at the Plaza but from our stay I can state that we had really lovely food every time. Meals were buffet style which meant you could just about have what ever combination you liked. And one thing we noticed was what a relaxed affair the meals were.. and if like us you are willing to try local foods then the Maltese chef may well try to feed you to death! On offer each night was soup starter, salad starter, pasta dish, and then two meat choices or fish dish together with vegetables chips or potatoes etc. For a sweet (if you had any room left) there were different gateux, cheese n biscuits, fruit salad, or melon. We also became 'locals' of the bars near the hotel which we used for a 'nightcap' after days out etc. One of these bars is called Snoopys Bar run by lovely chap called Edwin ....if you get to visit look him up and wish him well he will be very pleased to see you. We also ate over the road from the hotel in the Mariners bar and enjoyed a lovely maltese platter whilst looking over the bay. It was quite nice to sit and chat and people watch in the evening. We did use the pool on the roof on one occasion and yes did pay for the sun beds 1.15LM at the time which is approx £2 for the day? Dont know if thats excessive or not but if your not willing to pay that then over the road from the hotel is a small beach area with plenty of rocks to laze around on for free. (Just make sure you use that suntan lotion as it gets really hot) We will definately return to the plaza as soon as possible and would recommend it to anyone with no worries. The only minor prob which may affect some people is that the entrance to hotel is by steps with no ramp etc..but if your lucky like us you might find a nice maltese chap to help you with your luggage!!! Have a great holiday Ps People do comlpain about the noise from the road etc ...invest in some ear plugs and problem solved
Great if you are over 70
from KateandChris
Myself and my husband stayed for a week in the Plaza side of the hotel. The room was very basic and very run down, but clean. We were on the 3rd floor at the front and the only reason we could not hear the deafening traffic on the busy road outside was because the aircon was even louder. The food for breakfast was the same every day, the juice glasses were the size of a thimble and the coffee was disgusting. The dinners were ok but the constant piped elevator type music was not pleasant and after you had heard the same tape repeated over and over around the pool and at breakfast as well- it was enough to send you mad! Although, as most of the guests were over 70, they may have found the music wonderful. We had to keep reminding ourselves that we were only 30 and not retired. The staff on reception were fantastic extremely helpful and freindly, the pool staff were also very freindly. The female staff in the restaurant were miserable and rude (probably something to do with listening to the music everyday). We ate out a lot. Having to pay for the sun loungers was quite good for us, we paid and had most of the sun loungers to ourselves as most people refused to pay on principle. The view from the pool and roof top terrace was fantastic and the hotel has the best location of any other in it's price range. I would recommend Paparazzi restaurant - the food is great, huge portions and the best location in the resort, advisable to book in advance.
ENJOYED THE STAY
from family-from-suffolk
We Enjoyed our stay at the regency hotel,we were their for 28 days. after two days we changed our room.so we could be at the front of the hotel overlooking the bay.we were on the 4 floor. yes the rooms are getting a bit dated. STAFF:The staff and the service,were very good. the music in the restaurant.needs to be changed, the food was plentyfull.a good selection. We found the hotel was in the best location possible. as soon as we stepped out of the hotel,it was a good choice,either go left to st julians.or go right to sliema. We were not keen on the hotel entertainment,or the bar prices. but there are plenty of nice bars around the hotel. Would we stay at the hotel again.:YES WE WOULD.
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4 readers found this review helpful
I swore I would never go on holiday with Thomas Cook again so I booked through Bath Travel. After I paid I found they had booked it through Thomas Cook! When we got there, the Receptionist said 'you booked the no meal option' She was right, the 'Self Catering Apartment was... more