Mellieha Bay Hotel

I have just come home from spending a week at the Mellieha Bay Hotel. Thomson rated this hotel as a four star in the brochure, but I would say it is closer to a two star.
We slept on metal camp beds, the bathroom ceiling and showerhead where covered in mould and fungus, the food was so bad that I had to spend my holiday money buying food from outside the hotel, which was often again poor quality and extremely expensive. The staff where rude, and the entertainment was appalling.
The hotel itself is situated in the middle of nowhere, and the few bars about 30mins walk from the hotel where not worth visiting. I am amazed at the good reviews on this site, I would never recommend this hotel and I am glad to be home.

1 reader found this review helpful

Heard a lot of mixed reviews about Malta, but we all enjoyed it (ages 55, 48, 17, 10). No real complaints about the hotel. Staff very pleasant and quite a few people seemed to have been before. The food was good (- even saw the chef eating there).
The rooms were fine - we had 3 beds in 1 room and found the space ok. Air con and fridge very useful in the heat. The pools were clean, and you could usually get a sun bed at anytime of day. The only let down was the evening entertainment, Carlos on his keyboard in the foyer is not really that entertaining for the kids. A magician 1 night was better. You can buy 'time' on the internet in the lounge.
It is too far to walk to the village 3km uphill, but the bus services are very good. You are a bit stranded at night unless you bus it out earlier and taxi back late.
There is so much to see in Malta we are thinking of going back again , would be happy to stay at this hotel again - its rare that the 17yr old and the 10 year old agree on anything, but they were happy with the hotel and both loved Malta.

We booked this holiday in Jan 06 on recommendation from a friend. Then having heard various comments about this hotel (both good and bad) we flew out wondering what we would find - my imagination said elderly clientele only, coupled with bingo and bowls. How wrong I was.
This hotel is for everyone - young and old. The staff are wonderful (with the exception of the sourpuss who runs the 'store' in the reception area - who gives everyone filthy looks). Maid service is excellent.
The food is varied and excellent for all tastes. Deserts are a little lacking in choice - but that’s the only criticism I have. The grounds are perfect, loads of space. The whole hotel is very child friendly and safe - the children are well catered for with activities. I think early teens will be fine - older teens may find things a little dated, especially the evening entertainment.
Rooms are small but good - bathrooms are tiny and in need of a facelift - but that is just an observation, not a minus point.
Air conditioning in the room is good - it was 34-37 degrees when we where there. Phew.
TV's mostly Italian language - or German. Fixed channels. DVD films to rooms are dated.
Pay for the sea view - its worth it otherwise you get the ground floor with terraces that open out and everyone walking past. The view from 2nd floor upwards over the bay is lovely.
We hired a car from Europcar via the hotel and drove around for 4 days - over to Gozo, and over the whole island of Malta. Much cheaper than guided tours - and probably cooler with the air conditioned cars. Gozo is cheap to visit and ferry is excellent.
Beware - there is no nightlife outside this hotel. Its 30 mins walk to the town and there is not much there worth hanging around for.
Beaches are best on island - and hotel has its own private 'beach' - although very small.
Timeshare touts attack from cars here - just say no, they are at least polite.
Weddings are held here - which brings an additional 'family' atmosphere.
Roads are pitted and rough in many areas - drivers don't give way - beware. Give way to everything just in case.
If you want beaches, food and relaxation in a family friendly hotel - this is the one for you. If you want nightlife locally as well - you will not find it here.
The other resorts are concrete jungles compared to Mellieha Bay.

Thomson’s advertised the rooms as being - up to 3 people sharing with cot space. I really don’t know how this could possibly be!
The rooms are very small, I was expecting the room to be a lot larger than it was. The entertainment was for the more mature generations such as bingo and quizzes in the afternoon and singers performing at the limelight lounge in the evening.
The hotel was immaculate and the food was nice although breakfast was the same every day, it was a self serve system. Not really the location or hotel for a young couple.

I have just come back from Mellieha bay hotel, Malta. We had an excellent time. A gorgeous hotel. So big! Excellent food. Very clean rooms, maids came every day. Great sunbathing places. Very friendly staff. A very trendy, relaxing coffee lounge.
Everything was spot on, 10/10. So much to see in Malta. The bus services were brilliant, cheap and regular, but no late night buses. Maltese night in Mosta was excellent. We had better weather than we expected for this time of the year. We have made some really good friends. I would well recommend this hotel, it's the best!

We were so delighted with this hotel and the atmosphere that we have been in 2004 and 2005 and will be going back in 2006. It is a perfect place for both couples and families to 'chill out'. The staff are friendly and helpful.
The only thing that could possibly be improved is the evening entertainment, which didn’t change from one year to the next, although it was the same standard as the other hotels we have been to. We took some friends with us this year and they too will be going back in 2006.