Malta Marriott Resort and Spa

Had a week available so, on the recommendation of a friend, went to Malta. The country has a load of places with great historical interest, people are friendly, restaurants I visited were really good value but The Marriott Spa was a real disappointment!

The main reason I chose Marriott was because of the Spa - the inside pool area looks amazing and it's advertised as a place of calm and tranquility but that was definitely NOT the case.

Screaming kids despite the sign by the spa entrance door promising that 'This is a whisper zone' and the sign by the pool steps asking clients to 'Respect the silence' and the next day kids down triple sumersaults into the pool despite the sign saying 'No diving'.

I understand that kids are kids but then why lie to older clients about the quietness of the spa area?

As for the staff, they just walk up and down the pool area without saying a thing to kids or their parents! As far as they are concerned they cannot be bothered to police their own rules.

Avoid this hotel if you like peace and quiet.

Stayed at this hotel after initial holiday got cancelled due to Mount Etna erupting on the day of take off! I'd therefore not done much research, but knew roughly the area it was located in. Upgraded to a Deluxe King room with a pool view - would have liked to have a sea view but no rooms available for our stay sadly. The view was fine - balconies got afternoon sun. Room didn't suffer noise from corridors or other rooms, and outside noise was minimal. Air conditioning works very effectively and doesn't come on when balcony doors are open - which is a great environmental touch. Room itself was very nice - as one would expect from Marriott. Nice touches such as 'This Works' toiletries, and actual glasses in the room; but would have probably expected a bottle of water in the room fridge. Cleanliness of the entire hotel is amazing! Room was spotless and cleaned at least once each day, often twice - at turn down the room would often be refreshed again, and the room housekeeping member was lovely and friendly. When we booked in we made the hotel aware that this holiday was to celebrate my husband's 60th Birthday, and we were delighted when a bottle of 'Champagne' and a boxed slice of cake with a 'Happy Birthday' message, and card was left in the room for us - along with an ice bucket, pair of flutes etc. Staff overall in the hotel are a real positive - honestly they go out of their way to provide the best service. On the first morning at breakfast there was an issue with juice being available. the hotel manager was doing his morning rounds of greeting people and came to investigate why I was waiting. He instantly got me juice from the bar area, and each morning after this I was greeted, by name, by Sanju, who presented me with a glass of my preferred juice. Little things like this mean a lot and show that extra level of service that make a holiday memorable and special. We made use of the outdoor Lido area - loads of towels, lots of loungers available along with umbrella shades. Service at loungers via a button on the shades, and staff very polite in serving - despite not being able to source Ricard for us (but they tried!) Sadly we didn't make use of the outdoor pool - not heated and just not quite warm enough in October despite the weather. We also didn't make use of the indoor pool due to the depth and the layout - it's quite dropped down and there basically isn't a way of 'holding on' if you are less confident in the water. We only ate breakfast in the hotel - each morning our request for a 'quieter' table was arranged and we had a variety of nicely tucked away tables - the dining area is made up of several areas, so it's easy to find one of the smaller sections with fewer tables. The food choices were very good - daily omelette station, full range of cooked foods, including a daily 'special' - such as Chinese/Indian style. Always a full range of pastries, waffles, pancakes, muffins. Always a good range of cheeses, hams, olives, hummus etc. A rather limited cereal selection. Plenty of yoghurts, fresh vegetables, fresh fruit - both sliced and whole. Bread selection was varied each day as well as standard sliced bread for toast. Fruit juice via a machine, and also fresh squeezed orange juice via one of those machines filled with actual oranges. Fresh and flavoured chilled waters, sparkling water, non-dairy milks and Prosecco all available and unlimited. Coffeee and tea always offered upon seating, but espresso and lattes etc available from several machines (and yes, they have espresso cups and saucers!) There are also 'take out' style lidded cups. Lifts in the hotel work via room key cards - scan and it allocates a lift based on where you are going to. It's generally a great system, but falls a bit short at busier times when 18 people all seem to get allocated the same of the 4 lifts - and only 6 people can fit in a lift! But, other than a couple of occasions it works very effectively. Our stay at this hotel felt very special and although it wasn't our intended destination, we'd very happily consider this as a first choice of holiday destination in the future, and would 100% recommend this hotel.