This hotel is truly exceptional, and its standout feature is Dora, the warm and welcoming face at the reception. Her genuine hospitality, not just a scripted welcome, made my arrival memorable. Her co-worker, Maliya, an intern, also showed promise, despite needing a bit more confidence. I was pleasantly surprised to learn she was an intern, given her extensive knowledge. This personal touch sets this hotel apart from others worldwide and is one of the best first impressions I have ever had.

You can tell that Dora is passionate about what she does, and it is not “just a job,” as she made it an exceptional experience. When she offered me Prosecco, and I explained that it gave me a headache, she offered me a lovely glass of wine. She guided me, explaining the hotel’s history on the way to the room, and showed me how things worked and were laid out. It was apparent it was not just for the tip, but she was passionate about what she did. The rooms are perfectly laid out, so you face a beautiful view of the historical harbor and its yachts. It's an immaculate environment that is well set up with USB and lighting options. I wish the site emphasized or somebody told me there was a pool as I would have brought my suit. They have a fantastic modern rooftop pool that's just large enough to be fun, with a stunning view of Birgu and Senglea harbor and the other harbors. There are, however, two constructive recommendations. I wanted a room with a bath, but there was only one in the hotel, and it was taken. I was there overnight, and another couple, just checking in from a long-haul flight, were not disappointed but upset; they couldn’t get a bathtub. It’s an easy fix. People who fly a lot know and want to soak in a tub when they get off the plane, and at the end of the day, when you've been looking at tourist sites, there's nothing more refreshing than a nice bath. Don't get me wrong, I love showers, but they have limits. Secondly, I needed to say something about the restaurant. It is a diamond in the rough and an opportunity wasted. It has a beautiful, ideal location with a great outdoor patio, and no one is ever there. It could be a destination spot for people who come to Malta and want a better experience, something casual but elegant—sitting along the ramparts enjoying a lovely cocktail or glass of wine, or whatever. The place would be packed, especially if somebody had some ideas about music. Maybe a pop-up with a DJ that plays cool bar music, such as the Rat Pack or classic jazz, in the background, not something that will rattle your teeth. The bar and terrace are empty, and the restaurant is almost empty - only two tables. There are reasons - bad reviews and the staff. I was searching for herbal tea to go to sleep. In the morning, finally, a lovely woman came out to give me a cappuccino. I came back for a business breakfast. It was overstaffed, but I had to keep hopping up and down to get anything. I had to get another cup of coffee and saw four staff members chatting and cleaning glasses behind the bar. There were only two tables of people having breakfast, but they didn't want to help anybody. What's crazier is there are a lot of good young chefs out who would love to have the opportunity to be at this hotel. Frankly, somebody needs to wake up and decide that they will have a hip but relaxed outdoor bar, terrace, and a full restaurant. The rest of the team needs Dora. So, it may seem strange that I'm giving it five stars, but I won't harm the hotel because of the shortcomings of some people working behind the front desk or the insanity of the restaurant or bar. I recommend this hotel to anyone visiting MALTA as Birgu is beautiful, not inundated with tourists, and has impressive lovely architecture and history. You can enjoy a delightful meal by the harbor, the cool breeze, and the scenery. Take a gondola to Valetta to see more well-known sites if you want. That's what I'd recommend. I now live in Malta. I am a Maltese citizen but have stayed in hotels for decades.