Intercontinental Reviews

Travel Date: January 06

Submitted in May 2006 by: alex 55 lilly 50

Operator: Other

we went to the intercontinental in January of 2006. we booked through bellair for a room with a sea view - why do they adveritse this as it is clearly impossible to be able to give it. the hotel is up a side street from the sea and unless you lean out ov...

Travel Date: January 06

Submitted in May 2006 by: alex 55 lilly 50

Operator: Other

we went to the intercontinental in January of 2006. we booked through bellair for a room with a sea view - why do they adveritse this as it is clearly impossible to be able to give it. the hotel is up a side street from the sea and unless you lean out over the balcony at the front of the hotel you will never see a sea view.

I am going to continue with the bad points because i want to get them out the way because before you think this was a disaster of a holiday read on. We had a room at the front of the hotel and just couldn't believe the noise on a weekend evening. It was unbelievable and there was no way you could have sat on your balcony enjoying an evening drink. We asked at the reception area if we could be moved. The staff were very good and although we couldn't be moved that night the next night we were told there was a room overlooking the garden we could have. The intercontintal staff organised the whole move, we went out for a meal and when we came back we were in a different room. We cannot fault the Intercontinental staff in all departments. The bellair rep was useless - she said she never had problems with this hotel -maybe because she was never there or when she was she just never listened.

One of our biggest gripes was that we booked a 'sea view'but when we got there that was clearly impossible - so if you are booking with Bellair be aware of that and ask for a 'pool view' because that is by far the best unless you pay for the luxury top rooms. The hotel is every bit a 5* hotel but is more geared to bussiness clientele than holiday makers in January.

The resort of St Georges Bay is the pits. Too many clubs etc for an area of 5* accomodation - we expected something a bit classier. I also wish Malta would sort out its infrastructure before it markets itself to the rest of Europe - The roads are terrible and driving on the island is like taking your life in your hands. Malta needs to update its roads to accomodate the tourist who are happy to come to such a great island.

Dont let this put you off going to Malta it is a great island and the people are very friendly.

Travel Date: March 05

Submitted in April 2005 by: Beth Whorton - Lincolnshire (22)

Operator: Other

Visited this hotel for 6 nights on a Travel Agents educational visit.
The hotel itself is fantastic. Very big and modern interior. really nice lounge bar and excellent pool and beauty therapy facilities.

Our room was huge. 2 big double beds (soooo ...

Travel Date: March 05

Submitted in April 2005 by: Beth Whorton - Lincolnshire (22)

Operator: Other

Visited this hotel for 6 nights on a Travel Agents educational visit.
The hotel itself is fantastic. Very big and modern interior. really nice lounge bar and excellent pool and beauty therapy facilities.

Our room was huge. 2 big double beds (soooo comfy !!!!)bathroom was also very big. balcony overlooked the hotel grounds and had views of the pool (and the sea if you really craned your neck!!)
The food is excellent. only stayed for one evening meal as we were out visiting other hotels, but the meal we had was delicious. had breakfast at the hotel every morning. English breakfast was not that good but had plenty of choice of other continental dishes to choose from.

Hotel is in a good position for the nightife of St Juliens. Had some really good nights out. bars are open till the small hours. Shopping centre opposite the hotel is o.k for a look round-not that impressive tho!!
wont go on too much about the resort - you can read that in the other reviews.
would definately reccommend this hotel to anyone. probably not so good for kids but adults will love it. staff are very friendly, we had a problem with the room and it was solved within 20 minutes. prob wouldny go early march tho - bit chilly !!!!! x x x

Travel Date: August 04

Submitted in March 2005 by: Marion - Bedford

Operator: Other

A fantastic hotel - we stayed 16 nights in August and couldn't fault it in any way! This hotel lives up to every one of it's 5 stars! It's fairly new and the contemporary design of the interior looks fabulous - sparkling glass, light wood and mirrors everyw...

Travel Date: August 04

Submitted in March 2005 by: Marion - Bedford

Operator: Other

A fantastic hotel - we stayed 16 nights in August and couldn't fault it in any way! This hotel lives up to every one of it's 5 stars! It's fairly new and the contemporary design of the interior looks fabulous - sparkling glass, light wood and mirrors everywhere.

We booked the flights and hotel separately over the internet and saved about £500 off the normal brochure price of a package deal!

Try and book one of the 'club' rooms (and specify a garden view) - they occupy the top 3 floors and are very spacious. Also this would entitle you to exclusive complimentary use of the 'club lounge' - which includes hot and cold buffet breakfast (huge choice - the fresh fruit was fantastic!) and afternoon cakes and pastries, also all day drinks - all kinds - even champagne! It's all 'help yourself' or if you prefer, the staff will bring you whatever you request! It's a great place to relax at any time. Plenty of seating on ultra modern furnishings, daily papers and fully stocked bookcases, state of the art plasma screen televisions and computers / printers with unlimited Internet use are provided free of charge in the lounge too!

Outside the lounge there is a large rooftop terrace with lovely views down to the bay. The lounge never got crowded or over busy.

Situated about 10km from the airport, with a hotel taxi service to or from, fixed at 18 Euros.

Within the hotel are 6 luxurious restaurants and a huge outdoor pool area with towel service. The indoor pool looked nice for cooler weather times too.

As expected from a top class hotel, the list of amenities provided is endless, but I can personally recommend the fitness centre and beauty salon in particular.

The resort of St Julians is not everyones cup of tea. Although we had visited Malta several times before we were unfamiliar with this area. We had read a lot of bad reviews prior to going and were seriously worried as to what we would find! Well away from the quieter harbour and restaurant area there is the part that is certainly 'buzzing' late into the night - but it was absolutely fine for us! Yes, there were thousands of local young revellers in the streets outside the clubs and bars (especially at weekends) but we did not feel threatened or out of place at any one time throughout our stay. It is mainly just 'kids' having harmless fun. If there is any trouble it can't be that frequent as we saw nothing in 16 nights! Saying that, the 'lively' area is situated within just 5 minutes of the hotel and in order to avoid it to get back to the hotel you would have to get a taxi or go the long way round! Once inside the hotel, you would not know it even existed!

Travel Date: June 04

Submitted in August 2004 by: Steve Brann

Operator: Other

I have read many other comments regarding Malta and St. Julain's and I was going to cancel my reservation, but I said I'd give it a try anyway..

It turned out to be a great experiance! the InterContinental Hotel is a fantastic 5*, we had a large and ...

Travel Date: June 04

Submitted in August 2004 by: Steve Brann

Operator: Other

I have read many other comments regarding Malta and St. Julain's and I was going to cancel my reservation, but I said I'd give it a try anyway..

It turned out to be a great experiance! the InterContinental Hotel is a fantastic 5*, we had a large and comfortable bedroom, I.T. facilities anywhere and ideal for business people, connecting to the internet was never made so easy. The food was excellent and the staff service is very friendly and fast.

St. Julains is noisy but not that all bad.. Cinemas and Bowling exectly next to Hotel!!!

Yes, I would recommand this hotel and I will come back for sure.

Travel Date: June 04

Submitted in July 2004 by: Darren Stokes - Fleet, Hampshire

Operator: Other

We stayed at the Eden Bay Resort, which is the 'timeshare' arm of the Intercontinental, for one week. Accomodation is of the same standard as the hotel, and we were able to use all hotel facilities.

We had a two bed/two bath 'apartment'. First impr...

Travel Date: June 04

Submitted in July 2004 by: Darren Stokes - Fleet, Hampshire

Operator: Other

We stayed at the Eden Bay Resort, which is the 'timeshare' arm of the Intercontinental, for one week. Accomodation is of the same standard as the hotel, and we were able to use all hotel facilities.

We had a two bed/two bath 'apartment'. First impressions of the hotel complex were excellant - large, swanky reception area (if a little 'corporate'), clean, modern (I believe the complex is only 18 months old). Room was OK, but not as I would have hoped for a top price 5-star hotel, especially when our driver told us it is the best in Malta. Bedrooms small, not even enough room to open a case. No welcome pack, not even a (much needed!) bottle of water. Carpets very dirty. In fairness, staff did their best to clean them, but it was never going to happen with trodden in cement and varnish. Good air-con. TV had iffy picture and no sound on some channels, but did have DVD/CD player. Otherwise, tasteful, high quality fittings throughout, good limestone bathrooms, large balcony (overlooking derelict building). Being picky, already a little tired in places.

Public areas excellant, plenty of very fast lifts (complete with TV's!), lovely landscaped grounds, fitness centre lots bars and restaurants, clean, staff variable but generally OK. 10th floor pool very good for children, shelving very gently. Loads of very comfortable loungers, chairs and parasols free of charge. Never had a problem getting five loungers together, even at 1pm. Pool bar/resaurant with service to your lounger, but expensive (Approx. £1.40 for small soft drink, £4.80 for cocktail + tip). Had evening meal in hotel once and the quality and quantity of food was good but not fantastic. Service was terrible, especially considering it was only about 5% full! Able to extend check-out from 12 to 3pm and did not charge extra.

But... oh dear... the surrounding area is a nightmare. Dirty, full of kids, nutter drivers, dangerous or non existant paths, poor excuse for a beach, and as for 'Paceville'... A seedy, smelly area full of dingy bars and clubs, many of which offer pole dancing, even at 3/4pm. Full of 14-21 year-old blokes (lots of Americans for some reason), hanging around in groups getting drunk alongside groups of police. Never felt particularly threatening or dangerous, just not a nice place to be, expecially with a two year-old. I visited San-Antonio in Ibiza last year and it is classy and civilised compared to this.

The Bay-Street Area tries harder, a fairly new complex of shops, bars and restaurants including the Hard Rock Cafe and inevitable McDonalds. Not bad, but somehow not quite hitting the mark for us and again full of teenagers with nothing to do. Bowling next door which was similar to those in the UK and an Imax and traditional cinema which was good and unexpected.

We ate in a different restaurant every night (including Hard Rock) and sadly in most cases the food was at best average, service poor and prices not even that low. The only place I would in any way recommend is La Rossa, more or less opposite Pizza Hut. They do not take kids under seven, but it is more of a romantic meal for two type place and at £40 per head for 3 courses, wine and tip you wouldn't want young kids there! Food in a different league, but I've had better in the UK for £40, varied menu, great decor, very civilised. Paparazzi was probably best of the rest, great for kids, view of the bay and OKish food.

Valetta worth a vist, pretty but not that much there. You must try the buses. They are cheap and an 'interesting' experience, mainly due to the fact that most are 30-years+ old.

Overall, I could never recommend the St. Georges / Paceville area unless you are under 21, have no kids and enjoy seedy nightspots. Although Valetta is nice enough, the Malta we saw offered far less than many other European destinations, although the language and climate is a plus.

However, after much I have read, it sounds as if the Continental is about as good as it gets and in fairness it is only by being ruthless that it can be faulted. It's not cheap though. We were lucky to pay just £602 for the week for all five of us as it was a deal through our (UK) timeshare, but at full price I think I'd feel cheated because of the location. If you end up there, I just suggest you stay indoors and enjoy the facilities of the hotel!