Fortina Hotel - Sliema

Location

Old rooms - need for upgrade

I liked the staff, they were very attentive and nothing was too much trouble. The restaurants are very good and there are many different types. We had a bad experience in the italian and we were not alone that evening but we asked around about the others and they are a little pricey but very good. You get a 25% discount which makes them just about affordable but don't buy many drinks as its a stinger! We stayed 5 star book 4 star and ask for an upgrade when you get there as it will save you loads.The pool is very good overlooking the city of Valetta, its seawater our only concern was there was no shade in the pool until late afternoon and many kids congregate there as a result. Its an adults feel about it with the pampering and there aint much for the kids to do there. There is a smashing shopping centre next door and the ferries are along the road across to Valletta and you get to use them free as well as a complimentary harbour tour which last an hour around the historic port of Valletta. We would recommend this hotel only if you can get it cheap enough, we paid £500 b&b for 7nts but although a little more than we wanted to pay was good value for money when we looked and heard about other hotels in Slimea. You can also get a bus which is fairly direct and stops outside the hotel (even although there is not a stop just tell the driver) its called the x2 and its 2.60 euros each compared to 20 euros and a tip for a taxi, stay away from the white cab taxis as they are a rip off. The new arriva buses are chaotic and there is no such thing as a que (free for all) but there are plenty of buses running and its the cheapest way to travel on a small island.

You have to be wary of the time share options, they wait to pounce on you outside the breakfast buffet. We didn't get caught out but many we saw did and some were in tears. The deal is you can get upgraded or 5 star next time you visit but the sums don't add up and the times you have to take the holiday are outside peak season. Do what we did, take it last minute and upgrade when you get there! Buses stop right outside the hotel on the way to Valletta but you need to walk a 500-800 hundred yards down to the ferries to get a bus up the coast to St Julians & beyond unless an x2 swung by!

I will come back to saty in this hotel again..

Housekeeping staff very nice and helpfull would give them full marks . Restaurants top class.

Male reception manager very rude and unaccomadating,day we arrived meet lovely girl, not once did staff say good morning.We were celabrating our 40th wedding anniversary , complained about noise on second day and said our room was a bit small and responce was you get what you pay for and if we had booked a garden view it would be bigger, ,said we would upgrade but didnt work out on day and staff never contacted us after that.Also feel time share management should not be at reception area in 4 star and waisting 3 hours of peoples time on day of arrival.

The helpfullness of the staff and its seafront location

although just a bit on the pricy side, I can not say enough nice things about this hotel and the staff. I had a harbour view with balcony. The 4 stars are well earned. I stayed for 8 nights

buffet supper requires major upgrade to the north american 4 star standard. Especially the salad and cheese parts.

Good value for money

Not really a four star breakfast - very disappointing. Flies on food and queues each morning.

Location overlooking valletta was perfect,good rooms , good service

The view, location and rooms which were spacious,modern and very clean.

In general the staff were OK but a couple of the prettier, women receptionists wee supercilious and unhelpful. I had the all inclusive buffet one evening and apart from the salad bar the food was mediocre. A general air of not really caring about the customer.

I would make only a couple of recomendations.! 1. better quality pillows 2.Parket flooring in all bedrooms.(I requested to be moved to room with parket as after 2days my asthma became an issue. 3. Lightweight duvet as opposed to bed spread would be more practical/comfortable.

the seaview

We were tricked into a interview, where an agent tried to sell Time-share apartments. Nobody told us from the very beginning what the arrangement was about.

The cuisine in the various restaurants. It was of a high standard, well-cooked, with great variety and choice.

The bathroom part of my room (310). The fittings were a little "tired". The shower curtain over the bath was not long enough to prevent water collecting on the floor. There was a constant very small flow of water into from the cistern into the WC, which had stained the porcelain. These were minor things, not detracting from the otherwise high standard of the room and this is definitely not a complaint, otherwise I would have mentioned it at the hotel. I mention it now only because of the question you ask.

The hotel is very well located on the Sliema waterfront and is convenient for the harbour, public transport, shops, bars and restaurants. I liked the swimming pool area which is reached via an underpass from the hotel. My room was clean and spacious and there were plenty of towels. The best thing was the view from my room, which was stunning and (as another reviewer commented), that alone justified the price!

The 4* part of the hotel (which I was in) has a 'motel' feel to it. The room was adequate but spartan, and the tap (and loo) water was consistently brown. The air-con worked, but very slowly.

position of the hotel and japanese restaurant

the beds are not confortable and brekfast is poar

ideal location for buses and harbour cruises with new shopping centre nearby and cafes and restaurants close too