When I first booked my travels arrangements for Christmas 2008 and the New Year 2009, Malta appeared a good choice. Recently entering the European Community, eager to please, the introduction of the Euro….they were hungry for business and should have been fully up to speed with what travellers wants given their long history as a popular destination.
Indeed, Citizen Smith and the kids could expect a large variety of entertainment, amusements and child related activities if all the information promoted by the Maltese Tourism Board was correct.
The Maltese people are generally friendly and welcoming, they are the true ambassadors for the Islands. Never speak to strangers appears to be the contrary here as everyone appears to have a friendly word or helping hand if you need directions or advice.
These happy and contented inhabitants of Malta and its sister islands offer a smile and outstretched hand immediately and make the visitor feel at ease.
Numerous children friendly activities and locations along with a hotel that promoted child-friendly activities was paramount. To this end, I booked direct with the Excelsior Grand Hotel, a 5 star hotel recently opened refurbished that promoted all these factors as I was looking for.
Now normally, despite working in the trade, I book my Chrissy holidays with The Classic Collection Holiday company, an upper bracket tour operator whom has always served us well. My travel experience is predominately long haul so nearer locations and the desire to not having to spend time planning has made this company a great partner.
The view from the Balcony of our Excelsior room was at least good.
I mention this only as the facilities requested, paid for and service given was way below what was ordered and expected. Had the booking been via Classic Collection Holidays then they would be now emboiled in legal arguments on performance, as it is I have copied them in on my communications to the hotel regarding this point. I will be sure to return back to them for my next family travels.
The normal reason for holidays is for rest, relaxation and peace…….this was not possible during my stressed-out stay at the Excelsior. On arrival and despite my precise requests and instructions, the flaws started to show.
The suite ordered was small, it would best be described as a junior suite. The Executive floor has the only full size suites and travellers with families would best be advised to book two inter-connecting rooms if they wish to get a better experience.
The lay out and entrance as too the location, convenient and impressive. Nestled below the long established Phoenicia Hotel, the Excelsior commands excellent sea views of the harbour which commanded attention.
Problems… a word to the wise. The interior design of our suite was questioned at first, despite the size issue there was a open venting hole in the ceiling which allowed the cold evening air to chill the room and the heating had to be kept on full all the time to keep it warm. This was pointed out to the management who due to other bookings were unable to offer suitable alternative accommodation or even comment to this design aspect.
The children’s club turned out to be a guest room set aside for children of all ages activities…we use the facility on two occasions for a hour each time and the children enjoyed the experience of a man from Italy who made various balloon shapes. He did an excellent job amusing the children. But that was all there was for them save a few toys to play with.
Child security and safety features around the hotel, pool and grounds are non-existent. The main door of the hotel is often um manned and anyone can walk into and out of the hotel unhindered. The only concession for children made appears to be that children eat free meals or infants stay for free, which most of the other hotels on the island offer as standard in any event.
The biggest let down and it appears to be a wide spread practise is that children are not allowed or welcomed into the New Year Gala dinners. I booked what I thought was a gala Christmas and New Year Eve’s dinner. Watch the small print, it went unnoticed on the confirmation email that these were buffets, my mistake….however this was not communicated during the negotiations with the hotel, not made clear until I was trying to secure a good table for the event a few days before the date. I looked at other hotels during my stay and these offerred slightly better facility for children. However Malta needs to improve its international standards descriptions on children friendly advertising given what is actually available.
Had it not been for the efforts of the manager, David Bonono at the Excelsior I may well have incurred a coronary on the spot. I were not however offered suitable alternative accomodation that may well have assisted in smoothing the situation somewhat.
But its not all doom and gloom. The staff at the hotel were honest, friendly and welcoming. You have to wait some time for service on occasion but that appears to be the norm, as the slow pace of Malta. I found this true in all establishments visited save tourism traps and entertainment centres where they were only too pleased to offer a rapid service to secure your Euros.
General, information available to date from the tourism offices and advertising does not make clear what is and is not available. Many of the major advertised attractions close during the christmas holiday period
BAD and GOOD POINTS
Flying, sight-seeing. All helicopters and sea planes stop operations around 18th December until early January. You can’t find out until you at there.
Round Island cruises, these also stop late December until late February.
Tourists enjoy photograph opportunity during harbour cruise Valletta
Glass bottom boats, these stop operation late December as then off season with little to view. The ones operated in Sliema Bay offer the least amount of possible viewing and the vessels operating in the north of the island are best.
Good value and operating all year round, the 3 city bays habour tour.
Cruise all year around the various bays and harbours of Valletta
Horse and cart trips. Some operators offering these facilities are crooks, they try and fleece the public, most appear very decent and informative of the items seen on route. Malta Tourism get them licenced.
Their horses are generally well kept but I suspect the examples I saw skinny, ill feed and ill-treated most likely belonged to questionable operators. These people are also likely to cut corners,particularly the safety aspects of this type of business.
This healthier horse is typical of the vast array of operators of tourism rides in Valletta and surrounding areas.
Taxi drivers, ask first, the meters are not used and they will cheat tourists if they can as a generalization.
The police are friendly, speak to them, they are happy to assist you.
The horses of the friendly Maltese Police are better cared for than others found in employment on the islands.
Historic museums abound. Many are being restored, upgraded and some consist of little more than a room withsome items….ask before entry.
The Toy museum on Gozo, rarely opens in winter. One day for a few hours a week despite information to the contrary.
Generally good value for money if you shop around.
Local buses, cheap, easy to use and the route directory explains all the routes, most tourism information provides for the bus number to use getting there. The hop-on, hop-off tourist buses are great, good value and well worth using. Only two routes, north or south.
Car hire is cheap and its easy to drive. Signs and route directions could be better but as a small island you will get there eventually. By far the second best way to travel around the island and get to visit places.
The whole island is a museum, enjoy the journey there’s lots to see. Discover a cove and fishing bay, stop for lunch and dinner.
Eating, try some of the local restaurants…great value for money, basic but hearty food. I seriously depleted the octopus population whilst in Malta. There are some excellent fish restaurants in Maraxlokk as always a rule of thumb, look where the local eat..
Maraxlokk village is a host to many excellent fish restaurants
/www.atf2009vietnam.com
