Sliema Marina Hotel

Sliema Marina Hotel is a straightforward, good-value base in the heart of Sliema, the main seaside town of Malta’s central coast. It has 78 rooms, which makes it a modest, personal sort of place compared with the big resort towers nearby, and it is the kind of hotel where the staff tend to know the guests by name. Guests often pick out the helpful team as a highlight, and for a short stay that sort of easy, friendly service matters more than a long list of facilities. Prices are generally friendlier than at the seafront five-star hotels, which leaves more of the budget for dinners, boat trips and day excursions. The rooms are simple and practical, with air conditioning, free WiFi, an in-room safe, a desk and a television. Some rooms have a balcony, including a partial sea-view option, and these are worth requesting since the sea is never far away in Sliema. Bathrooms are straightforward, and daily housekeeping keeps things tidy. The hotel has an on-site restaurant serving breakfast and dinner, a coffee shop, a bar and a rooftop bar and terrace, a pleasant place for a drink as the evening cools. Breakfast may be charged separately, so check what your rate includes when you book. A hot tub, a lift, a 24-hour front desk, luggage storage and help with tours and tickets round out the offer. The hotel is a good example of what Sliema does well: you get a clean, comfortable room, a roof terrace and a lively neighbourhood on the doorstep, without paying for resort extras you may not use.

Sliema is Malta’s shopping and promenade district, and staying here puts you close to the action. The long waterfront promenade, with its rocky swimming spots, cafes and sunset walks, is nearby, along with the shops and restaurants of the town centre. The passenger ferry across the harbour to Valletta is a short walk away, and it is the quickest and most scenic way to reach the capital, running every half hour or so for much of the day.

Buses to the rest of the island also leave from the Sliema area, so you can reach Mdina, the Three Cities and the northern beaches without hiring a car.

This hotel suits independent travellers, couples and friends who want to sightsee by day and eat out by night, and who see the room mainly as a place to sleep, shower and relax on the terrace. It also works for families who need a central location rather than a resort pool, although the facilities are more modest than at the larger hotels.

If you want a big swimming pool or a full spa, look at the bigger properties on the same stretch of coast. If you prefer a lively, walkable base at a fair price, this is a sensible choice.

A few practical points are worth checking when you book. Check-in is usually in the afternoon and check-out in the morning, and airport transfers need to be arranged with the hotel in advance, so send your flight details ahead of time. Rooms differ in size and view, so ask for a quieter room if you are a light sleeper, since Sliema’s streets can be busy at night in summer. Rates change with the season and with events, and the shoulder months of spring and autumn often give the best balance of weather and price.