Whilst this 5 star hotel is located within Mdina, the quiet city, we found it rather noisy. Night 1, fireworks until 2am for St Joseph festival, night 2, fireworks until midnight for mother's day, night 4 and 5 more fireworks for unknown. Added to noise generated from restaurant courtyard on ground level doesn't provide the tranquility expected.

We found that our suite was a bit tired and in need of some maintenance.

The suite was advertised with private porch area with views. This was far from a private area and formed part of the walkway to other rooms and areas of the hotel. Added to the fact that views was obscured by glass roof serving atrium and restaurant patio terrace did not warrant the added cost.

We chose not to eat in the hotel for breakfast. The options proved too limiting and cost options made no sense. Especially as there was an extra 6 or 7 Euro charge if you wanted breakfast delivered to your suite, the irony was that this was less distance between the kitchen and the suite than the kitchen and outside terrace of the restaurant. Lots of local facilities for breakfast around Ir Rabat that is much more economical and wider choice.

The elevator failed whilst we were inside, the procedure for our extraction was flawed, this should have been to open the doors and allow passengers out, instead they spent 5 minutes electrically resetting the lift multiple times, which added to the concern. Hotel thought it wise to leave bottle of Proseco in our room as a form of recompense for the elevator issue, not wise when neither of us drinks alcohol.

All that said, the staff were very friendly, helpful and a good eclectic mix and testament to the hotel.