The Manoel Boutique Hotel — Hotel in Valletta

This small hotel is set in one of the liveliest and loveliest streets of Valletta, just a short walk from Republic Square and most of the city centre attractions. My large spacious room had a lovely little Juliette balcony looking down over the street - no wardrobe, though, which was an inconvenience.|A word of warning - Old Theatre Street is full of eateries, many of them fast food joints and one hosting live music at weekends, so it attracts a younger crowd at night and can get noisy. Closing the balcony doors seems to cut out most of the noise.|My first impressions weren't so good. The balcony doors were difficult to open and close and so I had to spend the first night listening to raucous music and singing. When next morning I asked the young man at reception to help me with them, he refused to come up and do so (he was not on his own and reception wasn't busy) and simply barked some confused instructions. After several unsuccessful attempts to get help from him, I got the cleaner to open them for me. That night and others I found a younger and stronger guest to close them for me again.|That same first morning I tried several times to find the cafe where the receptionist told me I was to have breakfast (included in the price but not on the premises). The same unhelpful garbled nonsense. Eventually I insisted on him personally showing me the way. He made a big fuss about it and angrily strode on ahead up the hill then waited impatiently for me to catch up, tapping his foot (I'm in my seventies and have an obvious spinal condition). I complained later to the owner/manager (?) about this unpleasant young man, whose behaviour was not only unhelpful but also rude. After that, I didn't see him again during my stay.|I would have that morning given this establishment a very negative review, but the prompt intervention of the manager and the subsequent courtesy which I was shown by the other hotel employees has enabled me to give the Manoel the four stars it otherwise deserves. Hoteliers should take note that good or indifferent staff can make or break the guest experience and will be reflected in their...

To start with the positives: the hotel is centrally located and the staff is friendly and does their best customer service, the bed is comfortable. For the rest, I felt the description of the hotel is deceiving and I was extremely disappointed with my weekend stay.

I paid for a Double Deluxe room and I was placed in a Standard room. I was told the room could not be changed because the hotel was fully booked. I am not sure what makes this a boutique hotel, as there is not one thing luxurious or unique about the hotel and the rooms. The room I was given was very small and I did not feel it was over 20m2. And there is not much light coming into the room (on the 3rd floor) so the lights were even necessary during the day.

I received multiple emails before my stay asking what time I would arrive. And when I arrived at the advertised check-in time the room still was not ready. The room was so dusty, literally dust balls everywhere even the curtains. Paint was chipping away from the walls so that also contributed to the dust. The robe was frayed which I found unprofessional. Every single noise inside the hotel and outside the hotel can be heard in the room. So, the soundproofing advertised does not exist. Also my key did not work correctly and there was no one at the front desk when I returned to change the key. This meant the electricity in the room would automatically shutoff if the key budged from the exact position in the wall access.

The room key and the light fixture were fixed the next day. Of course there was a cleaning the next day but there still dust balls especially on the...

Edit: There was no butter for three consecutive days. Not terrible, but also unprofessional when the breakfast menu was modest in general. During the working days the renovations next door started and that wasn't ideal, even though not the hotel's fault. There was a leak in the bathroom from the room above. We discovered this the day before leaving, so can't say what happened. The rest remains the same and we did have a great time here. But it's goot to note these issues to avoid disappointment. Great location, lots of restaurants and shops around. The room is perfect, simple and modern looking. It has a coffee machine and an electric kettle, there's also a hair dryer and a safe. The staff is also very nice and friendly. The front door has a passcode, so it's impossible for random people to enter the building during the night. The wifi signal is perfect too, though we're on the first floor so not sure if the situation is the same if you're on a higher level. One thing to consider is the restaurants and bars right outside the street below. There's usually chatter and music, but I didn't really mind it. In fact, I think I enjoyed it. Plus, you can always close the balcony door. The breakfast is in a restaurant two streets away from the hotel, less than a 5min walk. The food is solid, nothing special but it's not terrible either. Overall, the value for price is great and I recommend this charming hotel to chill travelers who wouldn't mind the morning walk to the restaurant or the vibrant chatter from the...